New to Subaru

[André Conradie]

Hi

I'm from South Africa where Subarus are really scarce. Since my attention
was drawn to Subaru I've read up a lot and decided that our next car will be
a Forester - although I find them really ugly. (New model better though).
The whole package of a safe, reliable car, that likes bad roads, appeals to
me.

I have a few questions though:
1. If boxer engines are that good, why are not more cars fitted with them?
2. Are the Foresters prone to rattles? - this wont affect my buying
decision.
3. Manual or Auto?
4: Biggest question: We can get the previous model (2000-2001) with normal
2l engine for about R120 000 ($15 000) less than the new 2,5l. It seems to
be a bargain, but are the 2l not underpowered (turbo excluded)?
5. What about quality of previous model?

Any information, especially on the pros/cons as mentioned in 4 & 5, will be
much appreciated. I need to make a decision between waiting about a year to
be able to afford new Forester, or buy older one now.

( FYI: I've looked for a 2nd hand Forester, and all the cars (about 4) were
available due to owners buying their second Forester in a row! Dealers here
also do not worry about customer service (to find 2nd hand vehicles for
prospective buyers) as it seems that there are buyers aplenty. )

Reply by news post or to (e-mail address removed) . Replace spam with absamail.

May the Springboks beat England tomorrow. Please!

Regards

Andre

All other things being equal - fat people still uses more soap.

 

[Bruce Hoult]

I'm from South Africa where Subarus are really scarce. Since my attention
was drawn to Subaru I've read up a lot and decided that our next car will be
a Forester - although I find them really ugly. (New model better though).
The whole package of a safe, reliable car, that likes bad roads, appeals to
me.

The Legacy and Outback are equally happy with bad New Zealand unsealed
roads. I guess it just depends on *how* bad The Forester certainyl
has more clearance than the other two.

I have a few questions though:
1. If boxer engines are that good, why are not more cars fitted with them?

They cost more to manufacture.

3. Manual or Auto?

Pure preference. What sort of driving do you do? If you're in traffic
jams a lot, get auto. If you frequently go on roads that are *so* bad
you have to go at walking pace then get an auto or a manula with a
high/low range (I don't know if they sell those in SA ... they do in NZ
but don't seem to in the USA).

4: Biggest question: We can get the previous model (2000-2001) with normal
2l engine for about R120 000 ($15 000) less than the new 2,5l. It seems to
be a bargain, but are the 2l not underpowered (turbo excluded)?

My sister has a 2.0L manual Forester (which I've driven quite a bit). I
have a 2.5L auto Legacy wagon. Neither has any trouble in the hills in
NZ, but the 2.5 *is* a bit quicker even with the heavier car and auto
transmission.

A friend has a 2.0L twin turbo manual Legacy wagon. That *does* feel
quite underpowered below 2000 RPM, but by the time the turbo starts
helping around 2000 - 2500 RPM it's a little stronger than my 2.5 (and
totally incomparable after 3000...). I've tried doing 0 - 100 km/h in
it and have trouble beating 10 seconds without feeling that I'm abusing
the car. Apparently it'll do about 6 in the right hands. In my 2.5
auto you can just plant boot and be at 100 km/h just under nine seconds
later -- every time, no fuss, no hassle. But after 100 km/h the turbo
just leaps out to silly speeds. Not as quick as my 1100cc BMW bike
(which does 0 - 100 in around 4 seconds), but pretty darn fast. My 2.5
Legacy gets lethargic once it changes into 3rd gear at around 110 km/h.

-- Bruce

 

[Todd H.]

1. If boxer engines are that good, why are not more cars fitted with
them?

Another aspect of this ansewr is that Subaru's parent company is Fuji
Heavy Industries...and they cut their teeth making aircraft engines,
so this design is one that's quite familiar to them.

 

[Jim Stewart]

Hi

I'm from South Africa where Subarus are really scarce. Since my attention
was drawn to Subaru I've read up a lot and decided that our next car will be
a Forester - although I find them really ugly. (New model better though).
The whole package of a safe, reliable car, that likes bad roads, appeals to
me.

I have a few questions though:
1. If boxer engines are that good, why are not more cars fitted with them?

Every original VW bug and van had one. Seems like a lot to
me.

Every light plane has one too, where power/weight and
reliability matters.

2. Are the Foresters prone to rattles? - this wont affect my buying
decision.

My Legacy Outback is not. I would assume the same with
a Forrester.

3. Manual or Auto?

Manual, but it's your decision

4: Biggest question: We can get the previous model (2000-2001) with normal
2l engine for about R120 000 ($15 000) less than the new 2,5l. It seems to
be a bargain, but are the 2l not underpowered (turbo excluded)?
5. What about quality of previous model?

I'll let someone else take this one. I have the 2.5 L and like it.

 

[John]

I have a few questions though:

them?

Every original VW bug and van had one. Seems like a lot to
me.

Every light plane has one too, where power/weight and
reliability matters.

And Porsches have boxers too (most their models at least)

 

[Gilles Gour]

And Porsches have boxers too (most their models at least)

And at least one model of Ferrari. That's good company!

 

[TG]

I guess you should drive one to see if the power is adequate. The 2.2 is
more reliable than the 2.5 and smoother off idle...at least some recent
years. TG

 

[Alan Shein]

The Forrester actually has .6 inch *less* clearance. Check out the specs.

 

[Douglas Barr]

5. What about quality of previous model?

Every year here in the UK, J D Power do a survey of 2 year old cars and
their owners' opinions. Since around 1998 Subarus have scored highly. I
can't remember which years these were, but one year the Impreza came top
with the Legacy second. The following year, the positions were reversed.
Last year, the Impreza was down around position 30 (out of 170) and the
Legacy was about 12th. The Forester was in the top 5.

Quality and reliability don't seem to be huge problems in the UK.

Doug

 

[Pete D]

But much, much better takeoff and departure angles.

 

[André Conradie]

Hi

Thanks all for replies:

I have a perception that the Forester will be more at home on dirt roads
than the Outback. This is solely from the more rugged looks of the Forester.
Is this true. Are both cars equally well protected from stones,etc. I have
sort of set my hart on a Forester, but may still be convinced towards the
Outback, although I dont like the price difference.

 

[Jim Stewart]

Hi

Thanks all for replies:

I have a perception that the Forester will be more at home on dirt roads
than the Outback. This is solely from the more rugged looks of the Forester.
Is this true. Are both cars equally well protected from stones,etc. I have
sort of set my hart on a Forester, but may still be convinced towards the
Outback, although I dont like the price difference.

We preferred the highway ride of the Outback over
the Forester. I don't think you'll go wrong with
either.

 

[Alan Shein]

Drive them both and see. If you get the Forrester, get the XT. The OBW is
more comfortable,handles better, and nicer. The XT is faster and _maybe_
holds a bit more stuff (debateable depending on the size and shape of what
you need to carry.).

 

[Diva]

Have you driven each of them? I was going for the Forester too until I drove
the Outback. The Outback is so much nicer, I think.

June

 

[Pete D]

I have an OBW but missed the real offroad ability so got a older Suzuki
Sierra as well to get into the real offroad areas for fishing .

 

[J. Erik Hemdal]

Can't speak for offroad ability, because I don't go offroad. The choice
depends on you. The Forester is based on the Impreza platform, so it's a
little shorter. There's not as much length in the tailgate as in the
Outback (built on the Legacy platform).

However, if you're tall, the Forester gives you more headroom. This is
particularly an issue if you're tall and you get a sunroof on the Outback.

Erik