CD Article: 2009 Subaru Forester

[sailor723]

I disagree. I think wagons aren't very attractive to most people and that's why Subaru has made some image changes. Subaru will probably become more appealing to many more buyers now.

 

Manufacturers are doing just about anything to avoid calling their products "wagons"

[marineboy]

I like it alot. It's not a homely wagon anymore. A 5 speed tranny would have been nice to keep revs down on the highway and improve fuel economy but I can live with the four speed.

As for price, I'm sure it will be priced right.....in the US. 

[ggweci]

As for price, I'm sure it will be priced right.....in the US. 

US pricing is indeed attractive: http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forester/forester2009.html#prices

Hope SOC is at least somewhere in this ballpark... an XT model priced at $30K CDN, and Subaru would have a huge hit on their hands.

[ghost]

^ Not sure if anyone knows.... but Subie of Canada is offering some cash backs. Up to 8k. Yippeee Kayeah!

http://subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebPageID=9179&WebSiteID=282

Oh the new Forester looks a bit like the new Outlander for some reason.

[Mitlov]

Subaru has built their brand around their AWD system for the last thirteen years.  Doubt they're going to drop that core element of their identity to sell a few more Foresters - nor would I want them too.

Doesn't Subaru sell a FWD, inline-four subcompact in some non-North-American markets?

Audi has also built a reputation on its AWD system, and yet they're able to offer a couple of FWD models (A3, A4, TT) for those who prefer fuel economy to rear-wheel power.

[Demosthenes X]

They still sell the Justy in Europe, and it's FWD.  But in NA they've been pushing their AWD system since 1995.  That said, most people probably still have no idea about their all-AWD position, and switching to FWD for some models/adding a subcompact FWD vehicle would work well for them.

But it would also probably off the Subaru purists...  not sure if that's enough to keep them away from FWD in NA...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

This Forester is kinda like the perfect porriage... more punchy with better AWD system than the CR-V, more exciting and nicer inside than the RAV, more fuel efficient than a CX-7, more spirited to drive than a Santa Fe, larger and lighter than the VUE, and more substantial than the Rogue.

$26 to start and $34-35 for an XT would do very well.

[carcrazy]

This Forester is kinda like the perfect porriage... more punchy with better AWD system than the CR-V, more exciting and nicer inside than the RAV, more fuel efficient than a CX-7, more spirited to drive than a Santa Fe, larger and lighter than the VUE, and more substantial than the Rogue.

$26 to start and $34-35 for an XT would do very well.

Funny... The way you put it, you only show that the Forester is not the worst in any category.

[Mitlov]

They still sell the Justy in Europe, and it's FWD.  But in NA they've been pushing their AWD system since 1995.  That said, most people probably still have no idea about their all-AWD position, and switching to FWD for some models/adding a subcompact FWD vehicle would work well for them.

But it would also probably off the Subaru purists...  not sure if that's enough to keep them away from FWD in NA...

Subaru purists keep Subaru of Canada happy enough so that they've deluded themselves into thinking that they're a premium brand.  The US is a very different story.  Subaru struggles to survive, and outside of the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountains, the only Subarus you'll see are WRXs and STis driven by boy-racers.  You'll never see an Outback in Iowa, that's for sure.  Part of the problem is, that for most people in most of the country, AWD hinders fuel economy with no practical benefit.  If you're not a driving enthusiast and you live in Texas, why would you ever buy AWD instead of FWD?

I saw snow twice this winter.  We had a few inches each time, and it melted away within a day.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

This Forester is kinda like the perfect porriage... more punchy with better AWD system than the CR-V, more exciting and nicer inside than the RAV, more fuel efficient than a CX-7, more spirited to drive than a Santa Fe, larger and lighter than the VUE, and more substantial than the Rogue.

$26 to start and $34-35 for an XT would do very well.

Funny... The way you put it, you only show that the Forester is not the worst in any category.

I don't think it will be. Even in price, the VUE is pretty high (although they reduced pricing since intro) and Subaru would have to be crazy to mess this one up.

Think it a really compelling package - and I haven't been a huge Subaru fanboy. Yes it's more mainstream, yet seems to have everything just right.

[2hondas]

Well, Subaru really needs to work on their marketing. I rarely see Subaru commercials on TV. The last commercial for Subaru I have seen was at a movie theater, for the new WRX (the one imitating the Germans.  ) That was before Christmas.

[airbalancer]

They still sell the Justy in Europe, and it's FWD.  But in NA they've been pushing their AWD system since 1995.  That said, most people probably still have no idea about their all-AWD position, and switching to FWD for some models/adding a subcompact FWD vehicle would work well for them.

But it would also probably off the Subaru purists...  not sure if that's enough to keep them away from FWD in NA...

You forgot about the North  Eastern States
I believe NY State has sells  the most

Subaru purists keep Subaru of Canada happy enough so that they've deluded themselves into thinking that they're a premium brand.  The US is a very different story.  Subaru struggles to survive, and outside of the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountains, the only Subarus you'll see are WRXs and STis driven by boy-racers.  You'll never see an Outback in Iowa, that's for sure.  Part of the problem is, that for most people in most of the country, AWD hinders fuel economy with no practical benefit.  If you're not a driving enthusiast and you live in Texas, why would you ever buy AWD instead of FWD?

I saw snow twice this winter.  We had a few inches each time, and it melted away within a day.

[carcrazy]

This Forester is kinda like the perfect porriage... more punchy with better AWD system than the CR-V, more exciting and nicer inside than the RAV, more fuel efficient than a CX-7, more spirited to drive than a Santa Fe, larger and lighter than the VUE, and more substantial than the Rogue.

$26 to start and $34-35 for an XT would do very well.

Funny... The way you put it, you only show that the Forester is not the worst in any category.

I don't think it will be. Even in price, the VUE is pretty high (although they reduced pricing since intro) and Subaru would have to be crazy to mess this one up.

Think it a really compelling package - and I haven't been a huge Subaru fanboy. Yes it's more mainstream, yet seems to have everything just right.

I know what you meant and I totally agree with you, but it's just the way you built your assertion: you compared the Forester with the worst car in each category instead of comparing to the best to make your point.

It may not be the best in any one category other than perhaps the AWD (arguably), but overall it's a good package.

[carcrazy]

Actually, there is at least one aspect where the Forester is the best: weight. The lightest CUVs with 4WD are around 3500 lb; the Forester is below that even in the heaviest form (so they say in the reviews). This, combined with similar HP ratings (give or take) should make it the quickest to 60 mph amongst all I4 CUVs.

[marineboy]

This Forester is kinda like the perfect porriage... more punchy with better AWD system than the CR-V, more exciting and nicer inside than the RAV, more fuel efficient than a CX-7, more spirited to drive than a Santa Fe, larger and lighter than the VUE, and more substantial than the Rogue.

$26 to start and $34-35 for an XT would do very well.

When you can buy a 2009 XT for $26000 in the US those prices would do little to stop cross border shopping and perception that Subarus are overpriced in Canada.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

This Forester is kinda like the perfect porriage... more punchy with better AWD system than the CR-V, more exciting and nicer inside than the RAV, more fuel efficient than a CX-7, more spirited to drive than a Santa Fe, larger and lighter than the VUE, and more substantial than the Rogue.

$26 to start and $34-35 for an XT would do very well.

Funny... The way you put it, you only show that the Forester is not the worst in any category.

I don't think it will be. Even in price, the VUE is pretty high (although they reduced pricing since intro) and Subaru would have to be crazy to mess this one up.

Think it a really compelling package - and I haven't been a huge Subaru fanboy. Yes it's more mainstream, yet seems to have everything just right.

I know what you meant and I totally agree with you, but it's just the way you built your assertion: you compared the Forester with the worst car in each category instead of comparing to the best to make your point.

It may not be the best in any one category other than perhaps the AWD (arguably), but overall it's a good package.

Ahh, okay, I see what you mean too. Was just giving the reasons I'd reject the competitors and why the Forester would still be in the running for me - in seemingly all areas it's acceptable.

This Forester is kinda like the perfect porriage... more punchy with better AWD system than the CR-V, more exciting and nicer inside than the RAV, more fuel efficient than a CX-7, more spirited to drive than a Santa Fe, larger and lighter than the VUE, and more substantial than the Rogue.

$26 to start and $34-35 for an XT would do very well.

When you can buy a 2009 XT for $26000 in the US those prices would do little to stop cross border shopping and perception that Subarus are overpriced in Canada.

True, with the 'new Canadian pricing' I find it hard to compare what would be good pricing. Basing off what was the norm a few months ago $26-34 would suit me fine but may have been pressured down from then. I don't think you'll see an XT under $30, nor would I price it there myself if I were Subaru - can barely buy base CR-V and RAV4 AWDs for that while their mid-level trims continue to sell fine.

[Spheric]

And just when I thought Subaru couldn't possibly design anything more blander....

[ggweci]

Cool video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-_7VJ6syHH4

[airbalancer]

Cool video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-_7VJ6syHH4

  and the music sucx

[Rupert]

When this boxer engine was developed by Jowett in the 50s or so, they produced a quality product that always somehow nibbled around the edges of the mainstream untill they finally closed. The Javelin was a nice car and was only rear wheel drive of course at that time. Today this motive product, much developed by now, seems to be in a similar position. Even though the all wheel drive smart's seems to be tops. Why is this? You would think that their rallying successes would have demonstrated this company to advantage. Perhaps the market share that they have here is all that is available for this product at this price point and presumably this is all that is required by them. Maybe larger scale production is needed to reduce the price point.
I still think that the same vehicles, with a front wheel drive only option, with the same quality construction, looking identical, at a lower price point; would be desirable. This is if more production is an aim. Front wheel drive only vehicles dominate the landscape and I personally feel that the needless, IMO, allwheel drive phenomina that seems to be the fad now, will decline. How many people ever go off road anyway. Maybe onto the front lawn. I can accomplish that task with my Accent. This is not to say that the all wheel drive versions should not be retained as an option. Especially for Northern locations.
The boxer engine design should be a shorter configuration I think which allows more room inside the vehicle possibly. A nice feature.