Ok guys....I'm trying to help my dad out....he owns a 96 plymouth voyager with 140K+ miles on the van...he's owned it since brand new....its now near death i think. the valves are making a pretty noisey ruckus even when warmed up, he's dumped a considerable amount of money in repairs through the last couple of years. I have a few friends that work at a chrysler dealer as mechanics and service writters thankfully...but i feel that the whole job will be worth more than the car. the value of my dad's van is about $1000 private party...and the van is pretty beat up on the interior, drink and food stains everywhere. I'd like for him to get a forester actually since im fairly familiar with subarus and the support out there is just so great that even if i decide to sell my car, i cant leave the community for those owning a newer forester (latest body style) please let me know of anything i should be aware of before actually suggesting this car to my dad. we're a family of 5 and a dog, but i dont ever travel with them in their vehicle anymore, but they go shopping alot as far as groceries and walmart trips. id love for him to get the XT turbo model but since it will be a commuter/family taxi i think an N/A 2.5L will do just fine
for any input!

 

BTW, most anything you want to know about the Forester: www.subaruforester.org

The advice and opinions come directly from the source: Forester owners

Turbo FTW!!

These vehicles are stable, reliable, and the safest small SUV ever tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Definitely a great mutt-mover (in case dog walking is part of the assignment), with the capacity to seat 4 comfortably, and 5 without too much squeezing, this is an all-around excellent choice.

As for hauling? I've fit a queen size bed frame (headboard and footboard included) and two nightstands in a single load.

 

wow nice....yea I'm looking towards the Forester since my dad cant stand driving in a car like my mom's 99 Accord and something spacious. I think I'll go monday to my local dealer to see how they are comfort wise and driving. Like I said, I'd prefer him getting the turbo version lol, but the standard will do perfectly well for the family needs.

 

You'll be pleasantly surprised at how nimble and lightfooted the Forester drives, even the NA models. It's basically an Impreza with boxy sheetmetal. As for the XT, there is enough family resemblance that most STi goodies are direct bolt-ons.

 

oh man...dont tell me that, i may wanna dump some cash into that car then even if it isnt my own lol how is it comfort wise? I just refuse to get a tribeca though...far too fugly for my tastes lol

 

Comfort-wise? If your dad is coming from an old Plymouth Voyager van, the Forester will seem like a luxury vehicle in comparison... it's got a lot of nice amenities like a new sliding armrest between the front seats and a fold-down center armrest in the rear, and heated seats and side mirrors on the X Premium. Also check out the enormous moonroof on the Premium models. You can read up on the other details and specs here: http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forest...ester2006.html

The ride is nice and the seats are comfy (drivers seat has adjustable lumbar support). It's definitely a comfortable road trip car; Roo and I have made several 12+ hour road trips in my XT with no signs of fatigue, where my old OBS would've left me with back pain only after a few hours.

Some upgrades I would suggest even if the car is left stock otherwise:

1. Decent tires. We jokingly call the stock Yoko Geolandars "factory rim protectors" because that's about all they're good for. If you test drive a stock Forester, you will notice that you will have no trouble squealing around corners at 30mph. I'd replace them ASAP with some Falken Ziex 512's or similar A/S tire because the stockers have serious traction issues.

2. Rear sway bar. The stock RSB is a 17mm hollow bar, and under hard cornering there is plenty of body roll due to the higher ride height. Most of it can be mitigated with a stock STi 20mm RSB (the whole kit can be had here for just over $100, or you can get cheap cast-offs from STi owners who have upgraded theirs). I would recommend upgrading the endlinks at the same time, or they might end up bent at some point if the stock ride height is maintained otherwise.

Anyways, that's all I can think of right now...

 

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/for...?s=&forumid=45

Forester info there too. Must register to see pics but it's free