2014 Forester redesign (merged thread)

[dawgMobile]

Originally Posted by toysbyus

Trading a 2012 for a '14 would cause you a huge financial hit...........I guess it all depends on how much you want the newest and best.

Personally, I'll try the new car out and then wait to see what issues develop as far as the first year syndrome.

As long as the 2003 keeps chugging away, I'm not going to charge ahead with any commitment.

Steve

Yeah, and in 15 and 16 they will up the content at the lower tiers (just as they did with SH)

[GreyingJay]

Originally Posted by toysbyus

Trading a 2012 for a '14 would cause you a huge financial hit...........I guess it all depends on how much you want the newest and best.

Personally, I'll try the new car out and then wait to see what issues develop as far as the first year syndrome.

Certainly. In my case it's less about wanting the latest and greatest and more about trying to alleviate discomfort from the driver's seat position. If I can't make the leg soreness go away by adjusting the seats or adding padding or whatever, then I may need to consider taking a hit of some sort and getting a different vehicle (be it a new Forester or something else entirely). I don't want to throw away money, but I also don't want to cause a long-term health condition that could have been taken care of if only I had invested a few dollars.

In all likelihood either way I would wait for at least the 2015-2016 Forester to let them work out the bugs...

[toysbyus]

One thing that I have discovered: I LIKE having the 2003 because, being a well-used and cared for car, I can park it anywhere and not lose any sleep over the inevitable door dings that a new car seems to attract like flies.

My 2003 is in good enough shape that it still attracts compliments, especially because it's almost 10 years old........other than the seat covers being filled with cracks in the vinyl, the car is really in good shape.

Since my commute to the office is 2 miles each way, I'm running up only 4000 miles per year..........

Last night, I started thinking that a BRZ, as our "fun" car for the nice weather drives, might NOT be such a stretch. It's way low to the ground which means that getting in and out would be a chore BUT we always did want a sports car when we got older.......

So much to consider and luckily, it's not a necessity so we have the luxury of time while we see how the new Forester does.....

Steve

[cnn007]

I know the 2014 Forester has CVT transmission, is anyone knows except for fuel economy,
is the CVT faster than the original 4 speed auto?

[bashfulbernie]

It could be faster if it has a sport setting or manual mode.

[npaladin2000]

Originally Posted by bashfulbernie

It could be faster if it has a sport setting or manual mode.

The turbo version does have both. That wouldn't make it go any faster though.

Remember, the idea behind a CVT is to get the engine into it's ideal RPM and leave it there. Whether that's max acceleration, max FE, or whatever depends on the circumstances. But using a pseudo "gear," while it will give you the sensation of shifting, and of the RPMs going up and down, it's actually less efficient.

That's not to say it isn't useful, mind you (engine braking comes to mind). Just less efficient.

[liveblues]

Contact SOA now demanding PADDLE SHIFTERS on ALL 2014 Forester CVT Trims..!!! this feature is standard on Impreza (except.base) GMAB

[Mi_ka]

Originally Posted by npaladin2000

The turbo version does have both. That wouldn't make it go any faster though.

Remember, the idea behind a CVT is to get the engine into it's ideal RPM and leave it there. Whether that's max acceleration, max FE, or whatever depends on the circumstances. But using a pseudo "gear," while it will give you the sensation of shifting, and of the RPMs going up and down, it's actually less efficient.

That's not to say it isn't useful, mind you (engine braking comes to mind). Just less efficient.

You are right up to the point that someone wants to do some serious (of the tyre squeaking type) cornering in the twisties. Then you need predictable behavior when on as well off the throttle and no gear ratio change disrupting vehicle balance by changing applicable engine power or braking forces to the wheels. That is why some "manual" mode is always welcome, in the form of paddles,buttons or whatever.


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[npaladin2000]

Originally Posted by Mi_ka

You are right up to the point that someone wants to do some serious (of the tyre squeaking type) cornering in the twisties. Then you need predictable behavior when on as well off the throttle and no gear ratio change disrupting vehicle balance by changing applicable engine power or braking forces to the wheels. That is why some "manual" mode is always welcome, in the form of paddles,buttons or whatever.


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Like I said, it is useful at times. But it's less efficient, and shifting doesn't make the car accelerate faster.

[Philsfan]

Originally Posted by eps105

Hi all,





Other notes:

• Sun visors are NOT illuminated.
  
  

Cheers,
Elliot

This isn't surprising. I'm guessing there's still no light in the glove box either. Did you happen to notice if ALL the windows and door lock switches light up? Subaru for some reason seems to be very lazy when it comes to these very basic courtesy lights.

My biggest surprise is that there is no blind spot monitoring system.

[staryoshi]

No lights in the visors is kind of

In terms of BLIS, I'd be happy with the little yellow indicator on the side-view mirror that competitors offer as part of various packages.

Personally, toysbyus, I figure even though the new Forie will be brand new I can't get any more overprotective than I am with my Mustang now, so my habits won't change :P I already park out of harms way and account for wide-door opening... The joys of long coupe doors :( I won't miss them.

[Loscaldazar]

Originally Posted by bashfulbernie

It could be faster if it has a sport setting or manual mode.

Manual mode is slower than just leaving it in normal CVT mode. That has been proven over and over.

[eps105]

Originally Posted by Philsfan

This isn't surprising. I'm guessing there's still no light in the glove box either. Did you happen to notice if ALL the windows and door lock switches light up? Subaru for some reason seems to be very lazy when it comes to these very basic courtesy lights.

My biggest surprise is that there is no blind spot monitoring system.

I'm not surprised by the lack of lit mirrors, either, as the Impreza doesn't have them and current Forester doesn't have them. As a step up from the Impreza, at least the new Forester has the visor extender slides.

The lack of lit vanity mirror doesn't really bother me because the light really is redundant with the map lights. And I noticed they finally added the ergonomic improvement where you now press the map light lens itself to turn it on which is much easier to find in the dark than a small button behind it.

I could not confirm which controls are backlit on the cutaway car at the LA Auto Show, sorry. But I'll bet $10 that only the power lock control and driver's window switch, not all of the windows.

Are far as a lit glove box, I don't think it has it. (Does the current Forester?) I looked real close for it and saw cutaways where it might go, but couldn't see any light on light switch. Note, the only 2014 Forester on the show floor that you can sit in is a cut-away demo that was made from an early prototype demo (it has a mix of features from the XT and 2.5i and has a lot of nonfunctioning parts), so it's possible the demo doesn't have it but the production one does.

I had a 2003 Forester, and I had read on the Internet back then that one could order the standard replacement harness for the Outback's glove box light and it fit perfectly into the Forester simply by splicing into a nearby power line. I was so proud of myself for having one of the only U.S. Foresters with a glove box light. And I'd do it again for the 2014 if need be.

[eps105]

Originally Posted by cnn007

I know the 2014 Forester has CVT transmission, is anyone knows except for fuel economy,
is the CVT faster than the original 4 speed auto?

Yes, the current 4EAT Forester is rated 0-60 in like 10.2 seconds, IIRC. The new one with the CVT is estimated at 0-60 in 9.3.

If it performs anything like the new 2.0i Impreza, it has great low-end torque and feels very, very peppy in everyday driving. I expect the 2.5i Forester to perform comparably around town but also have a little more reserve power climbing hills and at elevation where many feel that the Impreza is a little lethargic.

[Blue Fox]

Originally Posted by Philsfan

My biggest surprise is that there is no blind spot monitoring system.

Don't need it........your built-in blind-spot system works better. That's why your head pivots on your neck.