2009 Subaru Forester

2009 Subaru Forester questions and answers

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Q: $29K (CDN) for a 2009 Subaru Forester (Touring) a good price?
I am in the market for a new vehicle. I test drove a 2009 Subaru Forester and I really like it. I was wondering what current owners thought of the same vehicle and if they were able to get it cheaper then what the sales representative offered. Or, if anybody was able to get any accessory added for cheap/free. Thanks!

A: Since the Forester was only just redesigned, you won't find any long-term owner reports for this model yet. But it is probably Subaru's most competitive vehicle and it has almost unanimously won over the press. For a small SUV, it's versatile, economical, comfortable, safe and fun to drive. Subaru also has a very strong reputation for reliability. You might be able to haggle the price down just a bit, but it's a decent price for what you get (still more expensive than in the US, of course). MSRP as listed on the Subaru Canada website for the Touring model is $28K CDN for the manual and $29K CDN for the automatic, without accessories.

Q: brush guard for 2009 subaru forester?
I just got a new car... 2009 subaru forester and i was wondering if anyone knew if they made a brush guard for it and where I could find that. Thanks.

A: brush guard are usually for trucks and "real" suv's not crossover suvs, or wagons

Q: 2008 Nissan Rouge or 2009 Subaru Forester I live in the poconos where it snows alot in the winter. Which One?
Share any experience about either car. How it handled offroad and in the snow.

A: Ive never been in a Nissan Rouge but after being in several Subaru's I dont want to. Subaru has by far the best AWD system, and they are very reliable, my nieghbor has one that has 190,000 miles and he hasnt done anything other than recommended maintnence. I used to drive a Jeep which I thought was good in the snow, until I got my subie. When I put snow tires on it I actually have to make a effort to get it to slide. I live on a big hill that is fairly steep in parts (probably not what you get in the Poconos but still) the first thing I did n a snowy night was come to a complete stop in the steepest part of the hill. It didnt even slip when I started back up again. Put it this way I work at an autogroup that has Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Toyota, and Honda dealerships so I could get any car I want for as cheap as you could get them, and I still drive my subie.

Q: Service plans for new 2009 Subaru Forester worth it?
The saleswoman at the dealership is urging me to go with warranty extension, platinum shield protection and vehicle protection. My question is, is it beneficial to go with these protections or are they more of a money grab? I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba so we have quite wicked winters. If anyone could provide feedback on these plans it would be greatly appreciated! I should (as long as all works out) have my new Forester on Saturday! Very excited to own such a great vehicle!!

A: We have owned at least 6 Subarus and have never had to have any warranty work done - just normal maintenance. Extended warranty plans are a good money maker for the dealership, but a big waste of money for you.

Q: anti-lock braking issues on 2009 Subaru Forester?
I have a 2009 Subaru forester and it is having problems with its ABS braking system. On the snow, driving less than 10mph I have slid through stop signs with the ABS system activated, kind of a slow motion nightmare. This seems to be the worst when you have a slight down hill. it has happened four times now and it just caused an accident. Has anyone else had this same problem with the ABS on Subaru's being too sensitive?

A: This is not an ABS issue. This is a road condition and driver issue. ABS will help you maintain control while braking when you are going through corners. But it will not make your stop shorter when you're on snow/ice. ABS can actually make stopping distances on snow/ice even longer! You'll feel the ABS working (pumping/modulation in the brake pedal), but you will continue to slide. To limit slipping and shorten your stopping distance, I suggest: 1. Slow Down 2. Downshift (manual) or select a lower gear (automatic) 3. Make sure you have a good set of all season or snow tires 4. Slow Down

Q: Should I buy 2008 Hyundai Santa Fa or 2009 Subaru Forester?
I have been wanting to buy a SUV that has good mileage, roomy, and 3rd row would be nice. I have been reading lots of reviews on the Hyundai and I would say 90% say they are satisfied and love how it rides. Warranty sounds great. As for the Subaru Forester my wife has one 2005 and I love it, but im trying not to get another Forester, unless I really have to, (why have two). The 2009 Forester (redesigned) looks great and has more rear seat room. So im not sure what to get? Reliablity is also important I plan to keep the car.

A: Depends on what your long-term goals of the vehicle are. The Subaru will hold its value better, but it sounds like you keep your vehicles for at least 5 years, so that is not as much of a concern for you. The Subraru is going to be better in the winter, if you live in a snowy climate. The Subaru has a slight edge in reliability, but it is offset with the better warranty of the Santa Fe. I say it is pretty much a toss-up, as both are solid vehicles. If you have not test-driven them, then that should help you make a decision. Personally, I would pick the Forester as a front-runner, but the test-drive could sway me to the Hyundai if I really liked the ride.

Q: What are the pros and cons of a 2009 Subaru Forester?
I am looking at buying a 2009 Subaru Forester this week. My boyfriend & I went and test drove one last night and absolutely loved it!! I have been doing some research on it and can't seem to find many reviews on it, guessing since it is so new to the market. Does anyone that owns a 2009 Forester have any problems with theirs or reasons why I shouldn't buy one? I love the driving, the seats, the space, everything! I think it is great.. alot better than my crappy Grand Am anyways.. I am looking for reviews from people that actually OWN a 2009 Subaru Forester.. thanks! I live in Winnipeg, Canada so lots of snow and poor driving conditions.. Also I am on a farm, so lots of gravel roads. Thank you for your review! I think we're going to love it too! Thank you so much everyone for your comments!! I am going to order my 2009 Forester X Touring tommorow after work!! Can't wait!!!

A: Here's a website (I'm a member) of people who are passionate about their Foresters. Tons of comments about the 2009 and reviews by several members who have bought one. Good people and an excellent resource. http://www.subaruforester.com

Q: 2009 Subaru Forester Technology Question.?
When comparing the Nissan Rogue to the Subaru Forester (2009) I've been leaning towards the Rogue because of two main features... A) Intelligent Key- Getting in and driving away without taking the key out of your pocket. =] B) Bluetooth so you can pick up calls from your steering wheel. I like the interior of the Forester though and I just read when parked, you can connect the GPS to video game consols or dvd players and the front seats fold down so your legs go there and you actually sit on the back seat, like a living room... I live out of my car because I travel alot so this sounds amazing.. lol but will the forester offer any of the two features the rogue has? any other cool features that would persuade me to the forester? I kind of want to go with the forester but I need more persuasion. Thanks in advanced!

A: 1. Subaru has the most advanced AWD system in the world. 2. In my opinion Subaru has better quality than Nissan. 3. Subaru looks like a good car while Nissan has that cheapy look to it. 4. Automatic Subi's have a cool manual shift feature. 5. My favorite, Subi's have that rally car feel to 'em and there fun to drive if you get a manual!

Q: 2009 Subaru Forester or ....?
I've been looking at the 2009 Subaru Forester. I think the forester is finally decent looking (See pic 1). I plan to use it for travel to prevent from putting miles on my 350Z. With that in mind I'd like to be able to create a bed which is easily done and looks as if it is intended to be done with this car (See pic 2.) This is a feature that I haven't seen before. Its best desc by the pic. Also the back seats fold down to create a flat bed area. Reliability is also important which is why I'm leaning towards Subaru, Toyota, Honda, ect... Something I can have for a long time and put alot of miles on. Also important to me is a good looking vechicle with a nice interior and it must be comfortable to drive. Is this the best choice for what I'm looking for or anyone have anything else I should compare it with? http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0712_2009_subaru_forester_first_look/photo_02.html http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2009-subaru-forester/545189/ Also, I know the Forester is not an SUV but I was aiming for an SUV. It seems the Forester fits the price and features I want but doesn't have the SUV title. So I'm mainly asking for comparasons between this and SUV's since hatchbacks/wagons isn't what I'm going for and is the main reason why I'm unsure about the Forester.

A: its a good superb 4x4, AND Clarkson likes it too. his review here (stick with it he does actually get to the car in the end): http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article504778.ece

Q: Is the 2009 Subaru Forester 2.0X (150 bhp) underpowered? Is the JDM 2.0XT (230 bhp) a better choice?
90% city driving and occasional off road escapades up north. I am aware of the turbocharged engine in XT, but my main question is whether X being underpowered or OK for my mentioned driving habits. Or should i just go with XT? Thanks

A: The T is for turbocharged. The ej20 in the x has different heads and is made for fuel economy. If you're off roading you'll appreciate the extra torque the boost gives you. Other than that the x is a better choice financially.

Q: 2009 Subaru Forester's Mp3's Zunes?
I know the 2009 Forester's play and connect with ipod's but I was wondering if I could plug in any mp3 player's specifically a "Zune"

A: yes An 'IPod connection' is just a 1/8th inch stereo jack. You can plug an old walkman cassette player in if you want to.

Q: 2009 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x4 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited?
Hey guys, I'm in the market to get a SUV and I've narrowed it down to these two: the Patriot Limited 4x4 and the Forester 2.5XT Limited. I've looked at many other smaller SUV's, and most of them look like minivans. These two are the ones that I feel suit my outdoor personality the best. Now, I have always loved SUV's having owned 2 of them in previous years (both Jeeps: Cherokee, and 5.9L Grand Cherokee) and I now want something that is decent on gas as well as having a great interior. The Patriot is very good on gas at 21/24mpg with a manual transmission. The Forester is also good on gas at 19/24mpg with an automatic tranny. BUT mileage is not the most important thing to me. I have always been a Jeep lover, but the Forester, having been named the 2009 Motor Trend SUV of the year, has also grabbed my attention. The 2009 Mazda CX-9 was the Car and Driver SUV of the year, but it looks way too much like a raised minivan, so that's out of the question. The trims of both SUV's have 4x4/AWD and are fully loaded with GPS, leather seats, etc. So....which one should I choose? Jeep Patriot or Subaru Forester Thanks for your opinions in advance, Steven

A: ~Given that you have previously owned Jeeps, I will assume that you understand the feel of the car. Yep, there is no denying that apart from poor gas emissions, the Cherokee performs admirably both on-road, and off-road. ~The Patriot is more of an on-road car, it hass been advertised to be a fully capable off-roader. But it really is a deceiving image. The truth is, the Patriot is the perfect car for picnics, where you venture into the woods, or a grass-land, park the car, and enjoy a noon-day meal. ~when I test drove the patriot, i noticed the chunky gear changes, insufficient power on steep hills, and poor brakes. The overall feel is solid, but not as well built as an old-school Cherokee. ~The Forester is the chosen winner of Car&Driver, but I personally thought it's overated. Sure, it has all the standard features, and drives like a truck. The important thing is that, the Forester is quite pricey when you look at the overall amount. With that aside, the car is great fun to drive, relatively reliable and requires little maintainance. I recently drove an 2008 Forester for half-an hour in the snow, and it performed the way it should, lots of solid traction and grip. ~The Verdict? The Patriot may disappoint you given that you have driven two Cherokee before, but it is moderately priced with great solid chassis. The Forester is the more desirable choice, mainly because it drives more comfortabl on the road when not venturing off-road. ~Test drive both cars first, but I would highly recommend the Forester if you are up to paying a bit more over the Patriot. ~hope this helps ^^

Q: Best tires for 2009 Subaru Forester?
Now that I am going to be buying a 2009 Subaru Forester, my boyfriend has been saying that I should get summer tires and winter tires for it. Just wondering how good the stock tires are that come on the Forester Touring package? It says they are all season, but I know that I definately would want to get winter tires because Manitoba winters are horrible!! Anyone have any suggestions on what tires I should get for summer and which I should get for winter? I would more then likely be buying them at Costco.

A: any tire with the snowflake on mountain symbol will work fine in the snow. get whatever's cheapest. you can use your stock tires as 'summer tires' for now. they aren't great for high performance driving but they are perfectly fine for everyday driving

Q: Does the 2009 subaru forester have bluetooth?


A: You may have to order a special part for your car through the dealer but yeah they are blue tooth capable.

Q: 2009 Subaru Forester?
What are your opinions of the entire Forester models from at least 2007-2009. Your estimated gas mileage, a rating between 1-5 and any other details.

A: Well, they lead their class in safety and have the best AWD system on the market so it is a great family vehicle if you ask me. Mileage is the only place it suffers in comparison to the competition but there is a reason for that. You see other compact SUV makers like honda and toyota have a FWD car with a system that sends very little power to the rear wheels when it detects slip. That means it can get better mileage driving in FWD most of the time but when you need it, it will do little to help you in a slippery situation. Subaru's symmetrical full time AWD system keeps power to all the wheels all the time and adjusts torque to different wheels when needed.