I'm planning on buying a new Forester within the next couple of years to replace two of our older cars. Already have a 2012 Forester 2.5x, so that'll make it a pair.
However...I'm going to wait for Subaru to work out some of the bugs that always appear in new-generation models. I'm already reading complaints, for example, about the uncomfortable seats in the 2014s. That means I'll probably purchase either a 2015 or 2016 model.
The thought just occurred to me today, though: When is the "deadline" for Subaru to change unpopular features of the 2014s for the 2015 models? I would think they'd already be firming up plans for the 2015s, in which case I'd be looking to wait for the 2016s.
Just because some forum members don't like a particular feature on the new SJ, I wouldn't assume Subaru will be changing it for 2015 or 2016 or ever.
As far as I know, the seats were never revised in the SH generation. They always had short lower cushions which some owners (including me) find unsupportive, especially over longer drives.
Keep in mind that not everyone is bothered by this seat design. And I don't think anybody has complained that the SJ seats are worse than those in the SH, a car you already own.
Does anybody else feel like the vx crosstrek is more in line with the spirit of the orginal forester, ie, a quirky little jacked up wagon based on the impreza platfom? I think subaru should start calling the xv crosstrek the new forester and call the SJ forester the tribeca or something.
The thought just occurred to me today, though: When is the "deadline" for Subaru to change unpopular features of the 2014s for the 2015 models? I would think they'd already be firming up plans for the 2015s, in which case I'd be looking to wait for the 2016s.
I think only Subaru executives know the exact deadline for changes to the next model year's car. Also, I would imagine that certain changes can be implemented much faster than others, e.g., changes necessitated by an unsafe defect in a design.
If a particular feature of the SJ bothers you, maybe you should write to Subaru Customer Relations and ask if there are plans to change it.
It would be interesting to see if the seats on your current 2012 forester are the same as the 20" usable seat bottoms on the 2014. I dunno if the bolstering is the same, and might require further investigation. If so, then maybe you won't find it to be as big a problem as others. I'm not tall at 5'9" and am fine with my 19" seat bottoms on my 2008 mazda3. So when I went to sit in a 2014 forester expecting the worst, it turned out to be a non-issue. Same deal with the 2013 Rav4 for me; it was a non-issue, but then that's just me.
Just jump into a 2014 forester and let us know how it suits you. You're the only one who can tell. I would compile a list of stuff that others didn't like about the 2014 (ie., small rear cam display, boring/dull interior, et al) and see if these are deal breakers or not.
It would be interesting to see if the seats on your current 2012 forester are the same as the 20" usable seat bottoms on the 2014. I dunno if the bolstering is the same, and might require further investigation. If so, then maybe you won't find it to be as big a problem as others.
The seats could be pretty close to the same; dunno. Somehow, this has turned into a discussion about seats when I was simply using that as an example of changes that happen in next-generation cars that don't always turn out to be good ones. The verdict isn't yet in on this next-generation 2014.
I love my 2012, but I'm going to wait to see what the cumulative feedback is on the 2014s before purchasing a 2015 or 2016.
I doubt they would change the seats unless a majority of the people who bought them complained. I hate the seats in my premium 11/13 because it kills my back if I don't sit just right but I still love the car. Take one for a extended test drive and see how it feels
I feel like the drivers seat in my 13 doesn't go as low as my 11 did, anyone else notice this or am I crazy?
I just bought a 14, I have to say there are some things I don't mind, but I can get around them.
Hids and eyesight and keyless entry kind of blew up in my face when i ordered a black car. Its kind of weird that the package was made like that. So I will never be able get the factory hid, and the led ring around the headlights, push button start.
I can live without those. Some other quirks were no windshield tint. Glove box light still doesn't exist lol... One light in the rear trunk doesn't really help you see things since its in the right side and not over head.
Moon roof could have been slightly tinted to, I'm debating to tint it or not.
I enjoy the car a lot, love the look and how it drives it won't stay stock too long haha.
be careful about tinting moonroof...i have seen and heard about people who have shattered glass due to the temp changes. nd i believe ur in queens...we get those weird temp changes soo be cautious...and subaru dealerships are a d*ck about replacing them for free.
That is one thing I really don't like about the moonroof is that it isn't tinted or tinted very little. I was thinking of tinting it, but thought about tint and the temp of the glass is making me think twice. I could get a lighter tint and ceramic I suppose.
The height is much better in the SJ than in the early SH; I have had both. My wife needed cushions to see over the dash in the '10; no problem in the SJ. The seat's a little weird though. Needs bucketing. When I sit there I feel like I'm flying through the window.
The thing I'm worried about with the passenger seat height (since it's not adjustable) is it's too high, i.e., that her feet will dangle (she's 5'2"). Before I'd buy one, I'd have her sit in one, but I've heard people say it's too high.
I think the 2015 or 2016 Forester could have a chance again at SUV of the Year if Subaru would take on the Jeep Cherokee.
This would be a vehicle I would like to own and I suspect many others would also want an purchase if made available.
If Subaru offered a mild off road version of the Forester at a starting price of 25K, the would have a off road capable small SUV (CUV) at a price no one else could touch.
This version of the Forester should have the following features and attributes.
On Road behavior similar to the 2.5L versions of the Forrester.
The XT chassis suspension and brakes are a good place to start, possibly retuning the suspension for a bit more compliance.
To get +9” of ground clearance, 225/65-17 tires vs. 225/60-17.
A good dual purpose all season tire is also needed.
No penalty or improved in fuel economy while offering more power than the 2.5 L motor.
Subaru has an existing motor for this job, the 2.0 L 4U-GSE / FA20 boxer engine. The 195-200 HP should be just right.
Both CVT and improved ratio version of the 6MT should be offered on the trail version of the Forester.
Shift on the fly low range of about 2.2 -.3 ratio drop needs to be part of the drive train.
The reason a Forrester can not do well off road is lack of a low range.
The Forrester need not be a rock crawler.
The trail version needs to be able to start on hill with a lot of torque with light controlled throttle input and transverse difficult conditions at slow speed and control.
Increased towing capacity from 1,500 to 2,500 lbs. Using in larger brakes from the XT, a beefier clutch, and adding the 3 to 5 lbs of metal to the rear frame rails necessary to properly hang a hitch along with pre-wiring the wiring harness for the towing pigtail, along with a cut-out in the rear bumper cover is all Subaru would have to do.
The dealers would love to be able to offer a line of hitches and hitch accessory do-dads.
The Forester will never be able to tow anything serious, but being able to both go on trail and tow a bit more makes the car far more versatile.
Consider being able to tow 2,500lbs means a pair motorcycles or snowmobiles on a lightweight trailer.
Or hook up a 1,500lb.capacity utility trailer to take the place of a ½ ton Pick-Up. If a truck is only needed on an occasional basis do you really need that F150 crew 4 x 4 along with the Gas credit card and monthly payments?.
Perfect for pulling a pop up camper to a remote spot for a weekend or a small boat / Jet Ski(s) to the lake.
The low range and beefier clutch will keep the Forester from stressing in these light duty tow applications, particularly at a boat ramp..
The base call it “Premium” trim level of the off-road Forester, (Call it the Forester UAV for “Utility Activity Vehicle”) should include the current features of the 14 6MT 2.5 Forester Premium and in addition have the following as part of the base level.
Seats for large American males with lateral side bolster support.
Fog lamps.
Mud Flaps and Wheel Arch liners
All weather package with leather warped heated steering wheel and Shift Knob.
IF Subaru can keep the invoice price for the above around $25K it would be very difficult for any other manufacture to offer such a value..
Of course a lot of people will go for the “Touring” and “Limited” trim editions, and Subaru should get as much as the market will bare for these higher trim levels.
I think the 2015 or 2016 Forester could have a chance again at SUV of the Year if Subaru would take on the Jeep Cherokee.
This would be a vehicle I would like to own and I suspect many others would also want an purchase if made available.
If Subaru offered a mild off road version of the Forester at a starting price of 25K, the would have a off road capable small SUV (CUV) at a price no one else could touch.
This version of the Forester should have the following features and attributes.
On Road behavior similar to the 2.5L versions of the forester.
The XT chassis suspension and brakes are a good place to start, possibly retuning the suspension for a bit more compliance.
To get +9” of ground clearance, 225/65-17 tires vs. 225/60-17.
A good dual purpose all season tire is also needed.
No penalty or improved in fuel economy while offering more power than the 2.5 L motor.
Subaru has an existing motor for this job, the 2.0 L 4U-GSE / FA20 boxer engine. The 195-200 HP should be just right.
Both CVT and improved ratio version of the 6MT should be offered on the trail version of the Forester.
Shift on the fly low range of about 2.2 -.3 ratio drop needs to be part of the drive train.
The reason a forester can not do well off road is lack of a low range.
The forester need not be a rock crawler.
The trail version needs to be able to start on hill with a lot of torque with light controlled throttle input and transverse difficult conditions at slow speed and control.
Increased towing capacity from 1,500 to 2,500 lbs. Using in larger brakes from the XT, a beefier clutch, and adding the 3 to 5 lbs of metal to the rear frame rails necessary to properly hang a hitch along with pre-wiring the wiring harness for the towing pigtail, along with a cut-out in the rear bumper cover is all Subaru would have to do.
The dealers would love to be able to offer a line of hitches and hitch accessory do-dads.
The Forester will never be able to tow anything serious, but being able to both go on trail and tow a bit more makes the car far more versatile.
Consider being able to tow 2,500lbs means a pair motorcycles or snowmobiles on a lightweight trailer.
Or hook up a 1,500lb.capacity utility trailer to take the place of a ½ ton Pick-Up. If a truck is only needed on an occasional basis do you really need that F150 crew 4 x 4 along with the Gas credit card and monthly payments?.
Perfect for pulling a pop up camper to a remote spot for a weekend or a small boat / Jet Ski(s) to the lake.
The low range and beefier clutch will keep the Forester from stressing in these light duty tow applications, particularly at a boat ramp..
The base call it “Premium” trim level of the off-road Forester, (Call it the Forester UAV for “Utility Activity Vehicle”) should include the current features of the 14 6MT 2.5 Forester Premium and in addition have the following as part of the base level.
Seats for large American males with lateral side bolster support.
Fog lamps.
Mud Flaps and Wheel Arch liners
All weather package with leather warped heated steering wheel and Shift Knob.
IF Subaru can keep the invoice price for the above around $25K it would be very difficult for any other manufacture to offer such a value..
Of course a lot of people will go for the “Touring” and “Limited” trim editions, and Subaru should get as much as the market will bare for these higher trim levels.
Nothing wrong with a bit of what-if thinking. Most of the stuff Mike mentioned are already in Subaru's parts bin, and could be made available. I suspect they are pretty satisfied with the current formula though.
People ask a lot of different things for the Forester. Some want to lower it, some want to jack it up. Some want more tow capacity, where others think it's getting too heavy. Some want all the latest gadgets and do-dads, and others want mechanical and electronic simplicity.
And of course, when one group gets catered to at the expense of another, the cries that "the core" have been abandoned are sure to follow.
I would love for Subaru to offer a more a-la-carte approach to specifying cars. The interoperability between models makes it possible, but I don't expect them to do this any time soon.
Well Consumer Reports' first take on the new Cherokee ain't so good. They say the 9 speed tranny runs rough. Chrysler held these cars back several months to fix the transmissions. As far as off roading is concerned you may want to go to the last event on "Forester Live" where they take a stock XT to the base of Mt. Fuji and do some Rock Crawling and Mudding. They can't make this stuff up.
Consumer Reports gives the Forester one of its highest road test scores of any car. The projected incidents of repair trouble spots chart for 2014 is a perfect way above average for 16 of of 17 categories. Why the hell would anyone want to wait for them to "fix" or get any of the bugs out of the car. Come on!
This thread is so ridiculous.
I agree the Forester, expecially the XT with CVT has the omph and hardware/design to go off road.
The 6MT not so much, as the clutch could not stand the engagements required in an off road situation. A low range would make it much easier on a clutch.
Even with the CVT you give up control. Off road you need the ability to crawl.
You will get into trouble real fast without a low range. A Low range allows you to take it easy over the rough terrain so you can have a chance at not beating up the underside. Low range is also great for parking a trailer or camper, boat ramps, etc.
Just heard that Apple, Google, and nVidia are all currently working with manufacturers to get further into cars... Specifically, Siri integration, navigation integration, and full android OS integration... Different manufacturers though...
Actually, Apple has no part in it, it is an android open alliance. Google and Nvidia on the tech side with several car companies (Audi, Honda, GM, Hyndai) at this point. I am sure Apple will not be part of it, and would probably try to bring out their own car before going in with Google.
The plan is to bring basically a full Android OS in car to replace the crappy built in nav/infotainment systems. It may make IOS work smoothly with it, but will not have Apple as part of it from what I understand.
I was merely regurgitating what I heard NPR report earlier, I did not fact check. IIRC, NPR said Apple was working with a different set of automakers than the Google / nVidia peeps...
Back on topic,
Subaru us known for 2 year refreshes. So, Yes there will be some "issues" fixed, but others are usually introduced.
Another thing to keep in mind, Owners (not enthusiasts), typically only come online to complain, you rarely see people coming online to say the car is awesome (except for those passionate ones like here on forums).
So for every person with an issue, there is usually 9 others that don't have that issue.
AS an example, I know ALOT of people with an Ecoboost F150 (probably about 15), only one has had an issue with the motor. In other words, the issues are usually not as bad as you may seem.
This video was not "Forester Live" but shows the 2.5 and XT's off road capability in heavy Norwegian snow drifts. I mean how much more off road capability do you need or want Mr. Mike.
This video was not "Forester Live" but shows the 2.5 and XT's off road capability in heavy Norwegian snow drifts. I mean how much more off road capability do you need or want Mr. Mike.
Just a low range or crawler gear for control, for inching thru thebad stuff to avoid damage and ending up in a ditch.
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