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2014 Forester Back Cargo Size, Manual or Auto, Earth Toned Paint?

3504 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  Gallatin, 
L
I have some questions.

Are there any pros of a manual transmission now that the CVT gets better fuel mileage?

How big is the cargo area from the back of the front seat to the trunk lid with it closed? Wondering if I can camp in it as i'm 6'3.

Is the Jasmine green metallic or brushed browns metallic considered earth color? Want something that blends in when hunting and doesn't stick out.
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Lester1965 said:
I have some questions.

Are there any pros of a manual transmission now that the CVT gets better fuel mileage?

How big is the cargo area from the back of the front seat to the trunk lid with it closed? Wondering if I can camp in it as i'm 6'3.

Is the Jasmine green metallic or brushed browns metallic considered earth color? Want something that blends in when hunting and doesn't stick out.
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I'm 6'3 and I own a manual '14 forester.

I got the stick shift because it's plain more fun to drive. I'm happy with the decision. Also I've been getting really great gas milage - sometimes over estimated, depending on how I drive it of course.

Camping in the back of this car is not really a great idea for a couple reasons. At 6'3 you're really pushing it in terms of length. The back seats do not fold down completely flat; there is a hump. I've found I'm better off laying the driver's seat back and sleeping that way than trying to lie in the back; I bring a tent with me. But a couple times I've inflated my twin air mattress back there. It barely fits, but when I do that, it makes it possible to lie back there without the bump screwing me all up. It's not perfect, it doesn't lie down completely flat, kinda better to deflate it some so that you sink into it a bit. Need to scoot the front seats forward to make room. Perfect? not at all. In fact I wouldn't recommend it. But in a pinch it will work and I'll probably do it again if I ever find myself needing to spend the night in my car alone and don't want to have to pitch a tent.
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M
Just picked up our jasmine green forester today, if you threw clods of mud on it, could pass for a hunter's vehicle!
Good luck with your decision
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pleiad7
Cargo area measurements: 2014 Subaru Forester
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Wyldcat89
the biggest pro for the manual is the connection to your vehicle IMO, the manual was also a lot more fun to drive but I guess it depends what you're looking for in a vehicle. I went with the CVT because it's a little more relaxing drive.

For an outdoor enthusiast, I'd recommend the burnished bronze color, it's gonna show fewer scratches and hide dust (because it's dust colored, lol). The biggest reason is because it comes with the black interior in which the Jasmine doesn't. I'd be a little hesitant with the cream colored seats. Good luck with your decision though, both colors are quite nice!
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GeoJosh
pleiad7 said:
Cargo area measurements: 2014 Subaru Forester
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Great resource there. OP's requested measurement is "V"- cargo floor length to back of front passenger seat moved all the way forward and upright 79"

As Wyldcat pointed out, if you like the Bronze and Green equally, consider the interior colors.
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Chucker
Wyldcat89 said:
the biggest pro for the manual is the connection to your vehicle IMO, the manual was also a lot more fun to drive but I guess it depends what you're looking for in a vehicle. I went with the CVT because it's a little more relaxing
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Depending on where you plan on taking the vehicle, the manual also gives you more control over getting in and out of sticky places. It saved my butt more than once with the Impreza.
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Wyldcat89
I also want to add that I made a point to sleep in the back of both my Foresters in the driveway, I required lots of pillows and two camping mats under me to start out. For the test in my 2010, my gf and I got in a fight so I was super motivated to make it through the whole night.. I didn't make it, my side was killing me as much as well as my pride. The 2014 has that 2" lift right in the middle of the cargo area that makes it super uncomfortable. No fight that time but I still didn't make it through the night. If you have gear with you out in the woods, good luck. I hope you have a roof box or something so you have some room and I hope you're more motivated than me.
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jimbobrian15
Lester1965 said:
How big is the cargo area from the back of the front seat to the trunk lid with it closed? Wondering if I can camp in it as i'm 6'3.

Is the Jasmine green metallic or brushed browns metallic considered earth color?
Click to expand...
I finally slept in mine last weekend. I'm 5-10 and have the Jasmine Green 2014 model. At 6'3", I think your head would sit between the front seats. I think you could be comfortable lying down, but there isn't room for sitting up. I used a cheapo $20 Twin Coleman air mattress (73"x39"x6"). The 6" loft brought me level with the top of the center console. That's why I think your head could go there. I had extra gear on the floor between the back and front seats, which kept the head of the mattress from sinking down there. I had a Thermarest Ridge Rest folded in half on the cargo floor to level out the rear seat "hump". That made me pretty level and the top of my head was just rear of the center console. I moved my pillow up onto the center console. It was nice. I had moved the front seats forward to allow the 73" mattress to fully inflate lengthwise. I slept very well. I could open and close the automatic door with my key fob :icon_wink:. The 12V outlet in the cargo space made for a convenient air pump connection.

I'll be hunting in my Jasmine Green forester, but wouldn't call it an earth tone. It has a metallic quality. My wife picked the color and I've had many compliments on it. It's unique and distinctive. Some pictures are in my journal and My Photobucket.
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bongofury said:
I'm 6'3 and I own a manual '14 forester.

I got the stick shift because it's plain more fun to drive. I'm happy with the decision. Also I've been getting really great gas milage - sometimes over estimated, depending on how I drive it of course.

Camping in the back of this car is not really a great idea for a couple reasons. At 6'3 you're really pushing it in terms of length. The back seats do not fold down completely flat; there is a hump. I've found I'm better off laying the driver's seat back and sleeping that way than trying to lie in the back; I bring a tent with me. But a couple times I've inflated my twin air mattress back there. It barely fits, but when I do that, it makes it possible to lie back there without the bump screwing me all up. It's not perfect, it doesn't lie down completely flat, kinda better to deflate it some so that you sink into it a bit. Need to scoot the front seats forward to make room. Perfect? not at all. In fact I wouldn't recommend it. But in a pinch it will work and I'll probably do it again if I ever find myself needing to spend the night in my car alone and don't want to have to pitch a tent.
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This concerns me because I plan to buy a Forester or Outback with camping in the back as a main feature. I'm also 6'3. I spend a lot of time filming grizzly bears and I'd like a hard-sided camping vehicle for the times bears are in camp.

I didn't notice a bump in the 2015 Outback, but I did in the Rav4. I've looked at a Tacoma, but the bed is only 6 foot and I'd need a cap. Plus, the mileage stinks. I'm pretty much burned out on laying a front seat back and crashing. It's no good, IMHO unless you are completely exhausted.

I also have a tent, but when you get to single digits, the car is just better insulated. you can get away wit ha 40 degree bag in 10 degree weather in the car. I currently use a Camry for this, and it's been a tank. I was hoping the Outback/Forester would address this issue.

I notice the Outback is 8 inches longer. Does this effect the "camp-ability"?
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GeoJosh
Gallatin said:
I didn't notice a bump in the 2015 Outback

I notice the Outback is 8 inches longer. Does this effect the "camp-ability"?
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There appears to be a bump in the floor of the 2015 Outback... look below. Note they are just now arriving at dealerships, so you may have been looking at a 2014.

The extra 8 inches should give you more room length wise to stretch your legs, but roof height is a little lower.
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G
Thanks for the photo!

I did almost buy a base Outback 2015 for $23,700. The bump didn't bother me as much as the one in the 2014 Rav4. I was able to lay in the car with the passenger seat pushed forward. While camping, I would fill the floor space between seat and back seat tops with a duffel bag and pillows.
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