Subaru Forester

[Jumpem]

Is that mostly highway driving? What about in the winter?

Mix of highway and rural roads. Some city, but little stop and go. In the winter it goes down to 26mpg.

 

[NutBucket]

Apparently, Subaru used to sell a FWD car with a truck bed back in the 80s. Basically an El Camino without the muscle. They welded seats into the bed to get around the truck tariffs or something and you had to yank them out once they got to the states.

Don't badmouth the Brat. Awesome vehicle! The rear seats weren't removed, they were simply optional. And it was definitely available with AWD. I think there was even an option for a dual-range transfer case.

 

[Ferocious]

Does it still have the smaller passenger seat where you feel like you are sitting on the floor?

 

[PingSpike]

Mix of highway and rural roads. Some city, but little stop and go. In the winter it goes down to 26mpg.

That's not to bad. I noticed it has the highest ground clearance of the vehicles I'm looking at.

Don't badmouth the Brat. Awesome vehicle! The rear seats weren't removed, they were simply optional. And it was definitely available with AWD. I think there was even an option for a dual-range transfer case.

Who was bad mouthing it? I wish I could buy a new one!

 

[BurnItDwn]

I've got an 08 forester. Can't speak for 2011 model year, but I'm happy with mine. I got it used last year with around 30k miles on it. Now it's over 60k miles. I've been changing the oil every 7500 miles and following regular maintenance intervals, Has had a recall for a fuel valve. About the only unexpected issue was that 2 of the wheel bearings died at around 55k miles. Had them replaced under warranty. Acceleration isn't terribly fast, but it's not terribly slow either. The car corners better than my previous car, a 1999 Chrysler 300m, it gets better mileage, it holds a hell of a lot more cargo, and has no problems towing a trailer with a couple of sleds. I got no complaints. If the 2011 is as good as the 2008, then it's a fine car.

 

[jlee]

I've got an 08 forester. Can't speak for 2011 model year, but I'm happy with mine. I got it used last year with around 30k miles on it. Now it's over 60k miles. I've been changing the oil every 7500 miles and following regular maintenance intervals, Has had a recall for a fuel valve. About the only unexpected issue was that 2 of the wheel bearings died at around 55k miles. Had them replaced under warranty. Acceleration isn't terribly fast, but it's not terribly slow either. The car corners better than my previous car, a 1999 Chrysler 300m, it gets better mileage, it holds a hell of a lot more cargo, and has no problems towing a trailer with a couple of sleds. I got no complaints. If the 2011 is as good as the 2008, then it's a fine car.

Yeah, they do tend to go through wheel bearings for some reason. I had to replace one this year on mine as well.

 

[Redfraggle]

If you don't properly care for the tires, that might be the result? Not a mechanic, but I do know that you do have to properly rotate them. And, you have to replace all 4 wheels at once. So if you get a flat you can't fix in one, you may have to replace them all.

 

[jlee]

If you don't properly care for the tires, that might be the result? Not a mechanic, but I do know that you do have to properly rotate them. And, you have to replace all 4 wheels at once. So if you get a flat you can't fix in one, you may have to replace them all.

Mismatched tires could cause accelerated differential wear, but that wouldn't affect the wheel bearings.

 

[Redfraggle]

Mismatched tires could cause accelerated differential wear, but that wouldn't affect the wheel bearings.

Do you think it's just substandard wheel bearings then? Seems odd on their part if that's the case.

 

[JCH13]

I think someone made an derp when figuring out the wheel bearings' load spectrum for the rear wheels, or someone made an derp when figuring out how much brake heat would find its way into the wheel bearings.

 

[jlee]

Do you think it's just substandard wheel bearings then? Seems odd on their part if that's the case.

IIRC the original part number has since been replaced with something else. I put a Timken bearing in mine.