<![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two - Jalopnik Comments]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two - Jalopnik Comments]]> http://jalopnik.com Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:10:19 EDT Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:10:19 EDT http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4661655 I must say I'm really impressed with the Jalop response to this car. Shows how much I know about marketing, I worship the '08 Forester, and I've been fighting mad at Subaru since learning they were going to go all SUV with the '09. Was convinced most people would feel the same.
The good news is I'll be able to get an '08 for even less now.
About that diesel: I'm excited about it too, but if and when we get it, expect to pay several thousand extra for it. No free lunch.

carless

]]> 12:366252:c4661655 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:10:19 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4659304 When I found out the new forester was bigger, it worried me that they'd messed with the formula and ruined it, but this review comforts me.

Also, as owner of a 2002 WRX, I think the interior is adequate for the price range, especially the buckets, switchgear, and Momo wheel. However, I guess I'm biased as anything was a huge step up in interior quality from the '87 buick that was my previous car.

YankBoffin

]]> 12:366252:c4659304 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:40:37 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4653409 @Turkina:

I like a sunroof, too. The Forester has a nice one.

Matthew DeBord

]]> 12:366252:c4653409 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:22:09 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4653393 @Euromobile:

It's not oppressively plasticky, but it's not soft-touch, either. I like the seats; main complaint is with dash materials, storage compartments between the front seats (didn't get into that, but I didn't think it was super-well-crafted). It's well put-together, just not remarkable. I wouldn't describe it it as incredibly solid, either, and it's disadvantaged somewhat by the more upscale-looking design, which I don't think will weather as well.

Matthew DeBord

]]> 12:366252:c4653393 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:20:41 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4650372 Toys? Compass and outside temp gauge is all I need. Sunroofs are nifty too.

If you need a nav system, learn how to use a map :P waste of money.

My Subie just holed an exhaust pipe after 10 years. I am sad today (and broke)

Turkina

]]> 12:366252:c4650372 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:28:04 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4648250 So, uh, you've told me what the interior looks like, but you still haven't answered my question: Is it plasticky and poorly screwed together, or does it have nice soft-touch materials and a solid build? I'm a Euro; this matters to me.

Euromobile

]]> 12:366252:c4648250 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:35:14 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4646953 @TexansAreHot: i'd like to eventually get their OBXT stage two setup - with the Accessport PLUS the 3" downpipe. [www.cobbtuning.com]

of course, i'd also need new tires and some Megan Racing Coilovers to go with it, at the LEAST! also, i'll need a garage and i'll have to move out of the city....

Unregular

]]> 12:366252:c4646953 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:37:53 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4646417 @Unregular: Exactly, sir. Exactly. Just don't get an OBX header system when you mod. Trust me... it sounds like a bag of cats being spun over someone's head like a lasso.

TexansAreHot

]]> 12:366252:c4646417 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:17:23 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4646062 @TexansAreHot:
stage 1: [www.cobbtuning.com]
stage 2: [www.cobbtuning.com]



Unregular

]]> 12:366252:c4646062 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:05:24 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4645497 Just remember folks, once Cobb tunes an AccessPort for the STi, it'll work on the Forester's engine too, just like the older models. Ergo, more speed, hoonage, and fun.

TexansAreHot

]]> 12:366252:c4645497 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:45:21 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4643875 to be absolutely precise - this was from Utica to Syracuse on Friday afternoon on I90, which is completely flat and straight. there are NO turns and NO hills. there was NO traffic so i literally set the cruise and didn't touch the pedals - no brakes, no accel.

i wedged myself behind an 18-wheeler (that had a nice set of flaps over the back tires) and set my cruise at his exact speed, which was 69 (dude!) and i reset the avg mpg calculator to see what i'd get.

with that rig breaking the wind (hehe) and the cruise at 69, i got it up to 27 before falling a hair under at 26.7 for the average.

so, if you get all the variables EXACTLY right (no hills, no turns, no traffic, no pedals, no speed, no visibility) - that's what you get.

oh, also - no fun.

Unregular

]]> 12:366252:c4643875 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:42:59 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4643638 @Matthew DeBord: 24/25mpg comes only by holding that cruise at the right speed (re: under 75, more like 70) - which can be VERY difficult. like i said, those engines are fun to rev, even on the highway.

around town, i can get the mpg to as low an average as <14 if i'm having fun.

also, inflating the tires to about 35/34 (vs. 32/30) helps. my recent move to slightly-over-inflated tires has already paid off in increased mpg by maybe 2-3 on the highway.

Unregular

]]> 12:366252:c4643638 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:34:23 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4642929 I'm driving with glass slippers to get it past 25.5mpg. Granted mine's older, but still.

Elhigh

]]> 12:366252:c4642929 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:12:22 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4642860 Put me on that Diesel Forrester list, too. Even at 3.85 a gallon, I'm pleased as punch with my TDI Jetta. Except for the whole being a Jetta part.

verb.

]]> 12:366252:c4642860 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:09:56 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4642762 @Unregular:

That's about where the vehicles are supposed to be. Some other commenters have complained of lower-then-EPA in their Subies.

Matthew DeBord

]]> 12:366252:c4642762 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:06:08 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4641823 hopefully this is not a dupe comment.

I got 25+mpg for a couple hundred highway miles yesterday with the cruise on 75 with my Outback XT. When I tried the cruise at 69 for a little while it was just north of 26mpg. the Forester XT's mileage should be the same.

mixed city/highway seems to come out at about 20mpg - mainly because it is too difficult not to get into the turbo's rev range...

Unregular

]]> 12:366252:c4641823 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:36:42 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4641727 @rexplex: Haha...my old man had me make a "needs list" in 1994 when I turned 16 (as a condition of my parents being primary on the loan). I also ended up with a Golf.

Ash78

]]> 12:366252:c4641727 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:34:17 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4641339 @ash78:
re making a list prior to shopping. I did that last time I bought new - AWD was not on the list & I ended up w/ a Golf. A subbie was 2nd choice, but it was in 2002 when the Subbie interior was garbage.
Also - add me to the waiting list for the Diesel Forrester. Sounds truly perfect!



rexplex

]]> 12:366252:c4641339 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:21:59 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4640949 @ash78:
I agree. I think the diesel brings this car to a whole 'nother level of desirability and eliminates one of the negative factors - fuel economy - that holds me back from putting this at the top of my consideration set for a family hauler.

BTW; Subaru USA has the crappiest web site evah!

graverobber- Same great taste, new low price!

]]> 12:366252:c4640949 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:10:03 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4640945 After reading this review, I am going straight to Subaru dealer for a test drive!
It's nice to know that Subaru kept the Forester-ness intact. It's not trying too hard either.

akirachan

]]> 12:366252:c4640945 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:09:54 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4640810 The innner Lesbian in me is very impressed with your judgement, Matt.
It looks like you were able to see the Forester for the Trees.


2 GIЯLS 1 POLAЯ

]]> 12:366252:c4640810 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:05:43 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4640784 To expand on my own comment from yesterday, if everyone were forced to make a list of what they wanted from a vehicle BEFORE they actually started shopping--with no regard to branding nuances--this would probably be the most popular vehicle in America.

And once again I'll express my interest in a diesel boxer version.

Ash78

]]> 12:366252:c4640784 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:04:53 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4640756 Ks all around! Nice job, FHI.

cyclopticgaze

]]> 12:366252:c4640756 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:04:03 EDT <![CDATA[2009 Subaru Forester, Part Two]]> http://jalopnik.com/366252/2009-subaru-forester-part-two#c4640627 Seems like a sensible choice for the Birkenstock and granola set, especially seeing as Volvo has abandoned the "value" market.

graverobber- Same great taste, new low price!

]]> 12:366252:c4640627 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:59:41 EDT