is subaru capable of cross-country?

[grape]

like the jeep, or chrokee, can I drive a subaru impreza on a muddy road or
maybe no road... like where Hummer can go?

 

[Clifford Heath]

like the jeep, or chrokee, can I drive a subaru impreza on a muddy road or
maybe no road... like where Hummer can go?

Any road where you have sufficient ground clearance. That's the big
issue. Real 4x4-ers are scornful of soft-road 4x4s that get stuck
and need rescuing after bottoming out on a dirt track.

It used to be the case that Subaru suspensions could be jacked-up
with spacers, up to 5" above standard height. I don't know if that's
true any more, but I doubt you'd want to do this to an Impreza anyhow.

 

[jabario]

Not where the original hummer can go but anywhere an explorer or such
can go

 

[B a r r y]

like the jeep, or chrokee, can I drive a subaru impreza on a muddy road or
maybe no road... like where Hummer can go?

You can go anywhere that the following is true:

- 4WD low is not required

- Airing down of tires is not required (Subie tires are too low of a
profile), such as certain types of sand

- The Subaru's available dynamic ground clearance will clear the
obstacles

That said, most anything that's called a "road", fire road, muddy road,
etc... will probably be passable with an AWD Subie. Once there are
large rocks, severe inclines, etc..., you'd be better off with at least
one solid axle and 4WD low.

Have fun!
Barry

 

[I'm Right]

only once

 

[Lord Drool Rockworm]

Rubbish!

I drive off road, muddy roads, across streams. Where ever I like. No
problems!

 

[marcus153]

like the jeep, or chrokee, can I drive a subaru impreza on a muddy road or
maybe no road... like where Hummer can go?

Partly because of its suspension and wider angle of approach, the
Forester is probably more suited to off-roading than other Subaru
vehicles.

Thanks!

Marc Sindell
Twin City Subaru Sales
Montpelier, Vermont

 

[y_p_w]

You can go anywhere that the following is true:

- 4WD low is not required

- Airing down of tires is not required (Subie tires are too low of a
profile), such as certain types of sand

- The Subaru's available dynamic ground clearance will clear the
obstacles

That said, most anything that's called a "road", fire road, muddy road,
etc... will probably be passable with an AWD Subie. Once there are
large rocks, severe inclines, etc..., you'd be better off with at least
one solid axle and 4WD low.

I recall reading about an article about the making of an SUV
commercial. Might have been for Jeep. The basic directive from
management was that in every frame of the commercial, there had
to be at least one wheel off the ground. They wanted to convey a
tough image of their vehicles dashing over rocks and rough terrain
as easily as most people drive home from the supermarket.

In the end, they had to tow away about a dozen SUVs used in the
filming of the commercial. They needed that many because their
entire fleet had busted brake lines and severely damaged
undercarriages/wheels.

 

[Frank Logullo]

Partly because of its suspension and wider angle of approach, the
Forester is probably more suited to off-roading than other Subaru
vehicles.

I take my Forester off-road where my hunting buddy's pickup won't go. I did
get hung up in snow once when I drove in field with drifts higher than my
clearance. I was able to dig out. You have to know your limitations.

Also, I was recently amused to read that local police and tow truck had to
remove building contractor and new Hummer from nearby stream bed that he
could not negotiate.

 

[CompUser]

@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>,
(e-mail address removed) says...

Not where the original hummer can go but anywhere an explorer or such
can go

Offroad driving is 90% driver capabilities, 10%
vehicle capabilities.

 

[jabario]

Offroad driving is 90% driver capabilities, 10%
vehicle capabilities.<<

Are you serious? What a load of BS. So if I'm an good 'wheeler I can
take my Miata anywhere the H1 or Landcruiser can go?
Yes driver skill is important but the vehicle is a bit more crucial.

 

[B a r r y]

In the end, they had to tow away about a dozen SUVs used in the
filming of the commercial. They needed that many because their
entire fleet had busted brake lines and severely damaged
undercarriages/wheels.

I'd believe that. My Jeep broke a sway bar ball end last year on the
beach. In another adventure, my Outback badly glazed the clutch, as I
had to slip it to get up a steep incline. The engine didn't have the
torque to move the car, nor did it have 4wd low, which would have
allowed proper clutch engagement. The neat thing about Jeeps is that I
easily replaced the broken parts with aftermarket quick disconnects, so
it can never happen again.

They ALL break offroad! <G> Except my Toyota trucks... (knocking on wood)

The big difference in a truck-based, solid axle suspension vs. the Subie
is dynamic ground clearance. While the solid axle has a diff pumpkin,
it fulcrums over large items, maintaining clearance. Typical indie
suspension gives much of the static clearance away as the wheel rises to
travel over the object. Both systems shine and suck in different
situations.

 

[B a r r y]

Offroad driving is 90% driver capabilities, 10%
vehicle capabilities.

Right on, to a point.

I live near a Land Rover off-road driving school that has been featured
in many magazines. The owner and chief instructor of the school will
tell you the exact same thing. <G>

 

[B a r r y]

Right on, to a point.

I live near a Land Rover off-road driving school that has been featured
in many magazines. The owner and chief instructor of the school will
tell you the exact same thing. <G>

I should add that the 10% is crucial, as per another poster's Miata analogy.

 

[CompUser]

@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
(e-mail address removed) says...

vehicle capabilities.<<

Are you serious? What a load of BS. So if I'm an good 'wheeler I can
take my Miata anywhere the H1 or Landcruiser can go?
Yes driver skill is important but the vehicle is a bit more crucial.

Yup.

I've known guys that could take an open diff, two
wheel drive, who'd outdrive YOU, in a Hummer...or
whatever.

Next!

 

[jabario]

Yeah sure. Post a video of one driving a camaro etc in an off road
situation (not grass or smooth dirt road) and I'll believe it. So one
of those NASCAR rednecks could win in a hunday accent? Yes people with
capable 4x4's get into trouble through stupidity but a good vehicle is
crucial. Preferably Jap made since they sell their vehicles in markets
where there are no roads and are built tougher than US made wannabes
that take kids to the mall or soccer games.

 

[y_p_w]

I'd believe that. My Jeep broke a sway bar ball end last year on the
beach. In another adventure, my Outback badly glazed the clutch, as I
had to slip it to get up a steep incline. The engine didn't have the
torque to move the car, nor did it have 4wd low, which would have
allowed proper clutch engagement. The neat thing about Jeeps is that I
easily replaced the broken parts with aftermarket quick disconnects, so
it can never happen again.

They ALL break offroad! <G> Except my Toyota trucks... (knocking on wood)

I think they key is also speed. Too fast and the bottom is more
likely to scrape the rocks/terrain.

The big difference in a truck-based, solid axle suspension vs. the Subie
is dynamic ground clearance. While the solid axle has a diff pumpkin,
it fulcrums over large items, maintaining clearance. Typical indie
suspension gives much of the static clearance away as the wheel rises to
travel over the object. Both systems shine and suck in different
situations.

Well - I thought there are some specially designed independent
suspensions. Doesn't the original Hummer have the diff relatively
high up in the chassis? Also - if the suspension is set up fairly
soft for driving on pavement, it's more likely to bottom out. One
article I read mentioned that a lot of serious offroad suspensions
are almost uncomfortably stiff.

 

[nothermark]

Yeah sure. Post a video of one driving a camaro etc in an off road
situation (not grass or smooth dirt road) and I'll believe it. So one
of those NASCAR rednecks could win in a hunday accent? Yes people with
capable 4x4's get into trouble through stupidity but a good vehicle is
crucial. Preferably Jap made since they sell their vehicles in markets
where there are no roads and are built tougher than US made wannabes
that take kids to the mall or soccer games.

Don't knock my Accent. You would be amazed at the places I taken it.

 

[grape]

are you serious??? Ionce tried to drive my camry on a puppy muddy road, and
the whole car is shaking like hell and I feared that suspension will almost
broke, made a turn-back..... I don't think any car can do. at least the
camery suspension isn't tuned right for bumpy road....

 

[JaySee]

Sounds like you the impreza you want is the Outback Sport.