Anyone own a Forester?

[LewisM]

Always said the next family car was either going to be a VW Passat wagon (we currently have a Passat sedan), Nissan Murano or Subaru Forester.

The Passat is a 2003 model, currently got 300,000 on the clock, and needed the CV's and rod arms done at 250,000, and the accessory belt pooped itself at 270,000. Not a single niggle or problem since. Oil change.... errr.... around 10,000 km at the moment. Doesn't use a DROP of oil (check it weekly, haven't added ANY since the accessory belt change (just in case - I did have to drive it about 0.5km without it!)

Love my VW's.... but could be twist-armed into a Murano... depending on the financial front. Time will tell. We have had the Passat a good while now, so it may be time (or let me keep the Passat for myself and drive it into the ground dear wife )

I like the Subies, but have heard (and seen) wheel bearing issues - mainly the rear ones. Any truth?

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

Always said the next family car was either going to be a VW Passat wagon (we currently have a Passat sedan), Nissan Murano or Subaru Forester.

The Passat is a 2003 model, currently got 300,000 on the clock, and needed the CV's and rod arms done at 250,000, and the accessory belt pooped itself at 270,000. Not a single niggle or problem since. Oil change.... errr.... around 10,000 km at the moment. Doesn't use a DROP of oil (check it weekly, haven't added ANY since the accessory belt change (just in case - I did have to drive it about 0.5km without it!)

Love my VW's.... but could be twist-armed into a Murano... depending on the financial front. Time will tell. We have had the Passat a good while now, so it may be time (or let me keep the Passat for myself and drive it into the ground dear wife )

I like the Subies, but have heard (and seen) wheel bearing issues - mainly the rear ones. Any truth?

Guy next door has a Forester, and he has had problems with rear wheel bearings. He also had trouble with it wearing out tyres quickly, but apparently Subaru came up with a fix for that.

[h0ughy (David)]

I have a 2004 forester, briliant car and i have punished it with overloading and then some, its travelled very well to qld and back several times now and have 159000 on the clock - owned it from new. the tyres i have on it are coopers - they were installed at 90000km and they are still going strong!! have regular serviced the car at ultra tune from new and had the timing belt done at the 150000k mark as per the manual. would i get another forester - yes but i would test drive it well first as they are not like the one i have now. I have now driven an xtrail - i can tell you a forester leaves it for dead for handling and driving ability. BTW it is a manual. those at astrofest have seen the little beasty.......with trailer "fully loaded" fuel is generally around the 10l/100k

[Scorpius51 (John)]

Originally Posted by TechnoViking

...


is it just down here that forester drivers drive like snails (60-80kph the highway) or does this happen everywhere? or am i just noticing it more because of the "Poor mans Volvo" comment i first heard?

This Forrester driver is no snail! Not a lead-foot either! But I do get caught behind Volvos . I've never heard the saying before. I'd rather a Subaru any day.

Cheers
John