Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Subaru Forester shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Subaru Forester offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Subaru Forester at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Subaru Forester? Wrong! If the Subaru Forester is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Subaru Forester then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Subaru Forester? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Subaru Forester and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Subaru Forester wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Subaru Forester then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Subaru Forester site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Subaru Forester, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Subaru Forester, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
{{Infobox Automobile|image = |name = Subaru Forester|assembly =
Ōta,
Gunma,
Japan|parent_company = [Fuji Heavy Industries [crossover SUV|fuel_capacity = 60 L (15.9 U.S. gal)|transmission = 4-speed [automatic transmission5-speed manual transmission|aka = Chevrolet Forester|layout = Front-engine design, four-wheel drive-->{{Infobox Automobile generation]
2.0 L Flat-4
turbo2.5 L 165 hp Flat-4
2.5 L 210 hp
Flat-4|related = Subaru Impreza
Subaru Impreza WRXSubaru Impreza WRX STi
2.5 L 224 hp [Flat-4|wheelbase = |length = 2003–05:
2006–08: |width = |height =
Sports 2.5X:
Sports 2.5XT: |related = Subaru Impreza
Saab 9-2XSubaru Impreza WRX
Subaru Impreza WRX STi-->The
Subaru Forester, is a
compact SUV crossover SUV produced since 1997 by the
Japanese automaker
Subaru. Released in the United States in 1998, it is based on the chassis of the Subaru Impreza.
Characteristics
As with all Subaru models marketed in the United States and other international markets since the early 1990s, the Forester is equipped with an all-wheel drive drivetrain. Subaru advertising employed the slogan
SUV tough, Car Easy to appeal to the SUV-oriented market; and to this end, the Forester has features associated with SUVs such as a large, boxy cargo area and more ground clearance than other Subaru models (although it employs a unibody architecture, rather than a body-on-frame construction associated with some large trucks and large SUVs). The Forester, up until recently, was also sold in
India as a Chevrolet alongside other Chevrolet models sold there. However since
General Motors no longer holds an ownership stake in Subaru's parent company,
Fuji Heavy Industries, sales in India of the Chevrolet-badged Forester have ended. The Forester is produced at the Gunma Yajima Factory in Japan.
In 2003, a turbocharged Forester, the
XT, was released alongside the naturally-aspirated engine
X and
XS in the United States as a 2004 model, however the same model had been available since the late 1990s elsewhere in the world. The XT model features a 2.5 L turbocharged engine mated with the same
Mitsubishi Motors TD04 turbocharger used in the Subaru Impreza WRX. In fact, the engine in the 2004 to 2005 Forester XT is identical to the American market
Subaru Impreza WRX STi except for using the smaller TD04 turbocharger from the WRX, a smaller
intercooler, different exhaust system, and different engine management programming. Those seeking additional power for their Forester XT can replace the turbocharger and intercooler with used STI components which are readily available.
The 2003 Forester features weight-saving refinements such as an aluminum hood, perforated rails, and a hydroforming front frame. The Forester was
Car and Driver magazine's
Car and Driver Ten Best for 2004, 2005 and 2006.
In 2005, Subaru launched an STI variant of the Forester, the Forester STI for the Japanese Market. It shared the same engine as the 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, but thanks to different tuning generated 320BHP.
In 2006, the turbocharged engine (powering the Forester XT) was awarded
International Engine of the Year. International Engine of the Year Award - 2.0L to 2.5L category Subaru Australia's announcement of winning the International Engine of the Year award This engine is also used in the Subaru Impreza WRX, as well as the re-badged Saab 9-2X.
1997–2002
Australia
The Forester had four main models available in
Australia:
- GX - naturally-aspirated 2.0 L flat-4, 92 kW
Engine Size 1994cc (2.0)
Compression Ratio 9.7:1
Dual range gearbox - manual only
Acceleration 0-100Km/h 10.7 secs
Engine Size 1994cc (2.0)
Compression Ratio 9.7:1
Dual range gearbox - manual only
Acceleration 0-100Km/h 10.7 secs
- Special Edition - naturally-aspirated 2.0 L flat-4, 92 kW
Engine Size 1994cc (2.0)
Compression Ratio 9.7:1
Dual range gearbox - manual only
Acceleration 0-100Km/h 10.7 secs
- GT - turbocharged 2.0 L flat-4, 130 kW
Engine Size 1994cc (2.0)
Turbo TF035
Compression Ratio 8.5:1
Acceleration 0-100Km/h 8.4 secs
2003-2005
Australia
The Forester has three main models available in Australia until July 2005.
- X - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 112 kW (150 hp)
- XS - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 112 kW (150 hp)
- XT - turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4, 155 kW (208 hp)
Safety
MY03-04 Models has a 4 Star ANCAP safety ratingMY05 Forester Model had a mid-life update, the update increased its ANCAP safety rating to 5 Stars.
2006-present
US
For 2006, the Forester exterior received a styling update. Just two models are produced:
In 2007, the Forester line was expanded to 5 models:
- 2.5 X
- 2.5 X L.L. Bean edition
- Sports 2.5 X
- 2.5 XT Limited
- Sports 2.5 XT
Australia
The Forester has three main models available in Australia from August 2005:
- X - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW (162 hp)
- XS - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW (162 hp)
- XT - turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4, 169 kW (226 hp)
Image:Subaru Forester X 2006 front right.jpg|Subaru Forester X 2006 at the Melbourne International Motor ShowImage:Subaru Forester XT 2006 front right.jpg]The difference between the X and the XS is the styling of the car through its accessories. Both the XS and the XT come with the option of having a "
Luxury Pack" fitted - allowing for leather seats and a sunroof. Besides the difference in engine between the X or XS when compared to the XT, there are other minor styling differences like the addition of a MOMO (company) steering wheel as standard on the XT model. Both the XS and XT include curtain airbags, whereas the X does not.
Future
The Forester will be redesigned for the 2009 model year.
Awards
- Winner Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive in 2000
- Winner Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive in 2001
- Winner Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive in 2002
- Car and Driver's Best Small SUV 2004
- Car and Driver's Best Small SUV 2005
- Car and Driver's Best Small SUV 2006
References
{{Infobox Automobile|image = |name = Subaru Forester|assembly =
Ōta, Gunma, Japan|parent_company = [Fuji Heavy Industries [crossover SUV|fuel_capacity = 60 L (15.9 U.S. gal)|transmission = 4-speed [automatic transmission
5-speed
manual transmission|aka = Chevrolet Forester|layout =
Front-engine design, four-wheel drive-->{{Infobox Automobile generation]
2.0 L Flat-4 turbo
2.5 L 165 hp Flat-4
2.5 L 210 hp
Flat-4|related = Subaru Impreza
Subaru Impreza WRXSubaru Impreza WRX STi
2.5 L 224 hp [Flat-4|wheelbase = |length = 2003–05:
2006–08: |width = |height =
Sports 2.5X:
Sports 2.5XT: |related =
Subaru ImprezaSaab 9-2X
Subaru Impreza WRXSubaru Impreza WRX STi-->The
Subaru Forester, is a compact SUV crossover SUV produced since 1997 by the
Japanese
automaker Subaru. Released in the
United States in 1998, it is based on the chassis of the
Subaru Impreza.
Characteristics
As with all Subaru models marketed in the United States and other international markets since the early 1990s, the Forester is equipped with an all-wheel drive drivetrain. Subaru advertising employed the slogan
SUV tough, Car Easy to appeal to the SUV-oriented market; and to this end, the Forester has features associated with SUVs such as a large, boxy cargo area and more ground clearance than other Subaru models (although it employs a unibody architecture, rather than a
body-on-frame construction associated with some large trucks and large SUVs). The Forester, up until recently, was also sold in India as a
Chevrolet alongside other Chevrolet models sold there. However since
General Motors no longer holds an ownership stake in Subaru's parent company,
Fuji Heavy Industries, sales in India of the Chevrolet-badged Forester have ended. The Forester is produced at the Gunma Yajima Factory in Japan.
In 2003, a
turbocharged Forester, the
XT, was released alongside the naturally-aspirated engine
X and
XS in the United States as a 2004 model, however the same model had been available since the late 1990s elsewhere in the world. The XT model features a 2.5 L turbocharged engine mated with the same Mitsubishi Motors TD04 turbocharger used in the
Subaru Impreza WRX. In fact, the engine in the 2004 to 2005 Forester XT is identical to the American market
Subaru Impreza WRX STi except for using the smaller TD04 turbocharger from the WRX, a smaller intercooler, different exhaust system, and different engine management programming. Those seeking additional power for their Forester XT can replace the turbocharger and intercooler with used STI components which are readily available.
The 2003 Forester features weight-saving refinements such as an
aluminum hood, perforated rails, and a
hydroforming front frame. The Forester was
Car and Driver magazine's Car and Driver Ten Best for 2004, 2005 and 2006.
In 2005, Subaru launched an STI variant of the Forester, the Forester STI for the Japanese Market. It shared the same engine as the 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, but thanks to different tuning generated 320BHP.
In 2006, the turbocharged engine (powering the Forester XT) was awarded International Engine of the Year. International Engine of the Year Award - 2.0L to 2.5L category Subaru Australia's announcement of winning the International Engine of the Year award This engine is also used in the Subaru Impreza WRX, as well as the re-badged
Saab 9-2X.
1997–2002
Australia
The Forester had four main models available in Australia:
- GX - naturally-aspirated 2.0 L flat-4, 92 kW
Engine Size 1994cc (2.0)
Compression Ratio 9.7:1
Dual range gearbox - manual only
Acceleration 0-100Km/h 10.7 secs
Engine Size 1994cc (2.0)
Compression Ratio 9.7:1
Dual range gearbox - manual only
Acceleration 0-100Km/h 10.7 secs
- Special Edition - naturally-aspirated 2.0 L flat-4, 92 kW
Engine Size 1994cc (2.0)
Compression Ratio 9.7:1
Dual range gearbox - manual only
Acceleration 0-100Km/h 10.7 secs
- GT - turbocharged 2.0 L flat-4, 130 kW
Engine Size 1994cc (2.0)
Turbo TF035
Compression Ratio 8.5:1
Acceleration 0-100Km/h 8.4 secs
2003-2005
Australia
The Forester has three main models available in Australia until July 2005.
- X - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 112 kW (150 hp)
- XS - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 112 kW (150 hp)
- XT - turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4, 155 kW (208 hp)
Safety
MY03-04 Models has a 4 Star ANCAP safety ratingMY05 Forester Model had a mid-life update, the update increased its ANCAP safety rating to 5 Stars.
2006-present
US
For 2006, the Forester exterior received a styling update. Just two models are produced:
In 2007, the Forester line was expanded to 5 models:
- 2.5 X
- 2.5 X L.L. Bean edition
- Sports 2.5 X
- 2.5 XT Limited
- Sports 2.5 XT
Australia
The Forester has three main models available in Australia from August 2005:
- X - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW (162 hp)
- XS - naturally-aspirated 2.5 L flat-4, 121 kW (162 hp)
- XT - turbocharged 2.5 L flat-4, 169 kW (226 hp)
Image:Subaru Forester X 2006 front right.jpg|Subaru Forester X 2006 at the Melbourne International Motor ShowImage:Subaru Forester XT 2006 front right.jpg]The difference between the X and the XS is the styling of the car through its accessories. Both the XS and the XT come with the option of having a "
Luxury Pack" fitted - allowing for leather seats and a sunroof. Besides the difference in engine between the X or XS when compared to the XT, there are other minor styling differences like the addition of a MOMO (company) steering wheel as standard on the XT model. Both the XS and XT include curtain airbags, whereas the X does not.
Future
The Forester will be redesigned for the 2009 model year.
Awards
- Winner Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive in 2000
- Winner Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive in 2001
- Winner Australia's Best Recreational Four Wheel Drive in 2002
- Car and Driver's Best Small SUV 2004
- Car and Driver's Best Small SUV 2005
- Car and Driver's Best Small SUV 2006
References