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Tags: 2009 Subaru Forester, first drive

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2009 Subaru Forester
Among its peers, Subaru's Forester has always been the "character" among its compact sport/ute fellows. You know, funny and erudite and all that, but a bit eccentric in a suspiciously self-conscious sort of way. Styling? Frumpy. Make that, proudly frumpy. And forget about suggesting it should have a more refined engine note. In Subaruville, roarty is music to the ears. Had Hollywood ever made a movie of the Forester's life, bow-tied George Plimpton would've been perfect for the part.

And, of course, those other, less characterful little 'utes the Forester competes with have easily outsold it year after year.

But maybe for not much longer. The actor playing the role of the 2009 Forester could be George Clooney instead of George Plimpton. Trust me, you're going to give it a double take: It's bigger. It's better mannered. It's cloaked in an okay suit of sheetmetal. Thank heavens, it's still amusing and playful, but now it'll even catch the eye of the opposite sex in the room. Here's a Forester that's less Forest and a lot more Forest Hills.

The latest, third generation of Subaru's cult 'ute has dramatically pulled out its earplugs to its naysayers and made the changes that had to be made. Number one: It's bigger. More than enough to placate the knees of all those second-row tagalongs who've been complaining in the past (imagine -- a yawning 4.3 inches in added rear kneeroom). The wheelbase has been stretched too, but less so -- 3.6 inches -- while the overall length has been upped even less proportionately, gaining 3.0 inches. Here is the critical, numero uno talking point about the 2009 Forester -- its size.

Without a doubt, the majority of Forester shoppers are going to do a little jig when they see the greater capacity. But, oh boy, will there be dissenters among the traditional Foresteristas (I already know one) who are going to wail at the growth spurt. Subaru can happy-talk all it likes about better departure angles, greater ground clearance (now 8.7 inches for the normally aspirated version, 8.9 for the turbo), and even a five-inch-tighter turning circle. But some fraction of the hard-nut die hards are going to cross their arms and say no, no, no. In addition to its gained length and width (1.8 inches fatter), it's taller by a whopping 4.3 inches. Why? Many of the Forester forum-types are asking the same thing. Probably to keep its visual proportions 'ute-like instead of going all wagonish; inside, there's so much empty air above your head the FAA might have jurisdiction. Even with the gigantic (optional) retracting moonroof in the closed position, there's space for a nice aviary overhead. The downside of this could be a higher center of gravity despite the drivetrain's fractional lowering. Of note, all Foresters now have stability control, brake assist, and tip sensing to trigger the curtain bags, in addition the all the usual tricks like hill-hold for the manual-transmission cars and electronic brake force sensing. Read Article
2009 Subaru Forester



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theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 3/11/2008 7:29:43 PM
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BoredBored - 3/11/2008 7:44:58 PM
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LMFAO!, I was thinking the same.
But you've got to give it to Subaru this time. This looks like it will finally break that mold. Hell, this heterosexual man might buy one!

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Htay7500Htay7500 - 3/11/2008 7:56:01 PM
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"Should be a huge hit with a certain cropped-hair, no-makeup, sensible-shoes, plaid-shirt-wearing kinda gal."

you mean the VW beetle and jetta right? because apparently your description fits with one of my friends who owns it.

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ShredmoShredmo - 3/12/2008 10:27:56 AM
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Do you really care if gay people buy certain cars? In the US, in general, gay people are more educated than the average straight person. If anything, statements like these are positive, though I don't think that was your intention.

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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 3/11/2008 11:41:46 PM
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997JET, gals with no makeup are better than gals with makeup -- I, for one, don't want to kiss chemicals. Anyway, the 2009 Forester is perfectly unisex. My wife wants a small SUV and I find the styling quite rugged and masculine.

I am annoyed that Subaru had this vehicle locked up on an awkward inclined stand at a recent car show in Edmonton. We wanted to check out the interior for seat comfort and were unable to do so. How the hell do they expect to sell cars if they lock them up at a car show.

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lyonboylyonboy - 3/12/2008 12:54:56 AM
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This supposedly new model just does not compare to the competition. No wonder Subaru can not seem to get going. This should be a big hit in Vermont, maybe. Sorry to insult Vermont, it will sell slow everywhere.

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ShredmoShredmo - 3/12/2008 10:22:56 AM
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Why?
'cause it has a real AWD system?
'casue it gets the same MPG with AWD that they all get in 2wd?
'casue it is actually safe?
'casue it doesn't look more rugged than it actually is?
'casue the cost of admission is cheaper (in AWD trim) than the competition?

I guess you are right, it doesn't compare.


M35MTM35MT - 3/13/2008 8:50:45 AMView My AgentSpace
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How is that an insult to Vermont? Vermonters know what cars to buy for their mountainous, snowy roads. In fact, the Jeep Cherokee is the most prominant vehicle in the state! (It was a few years ago anyway) And you'll never see more Audi's and Subarus than in Vermont.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 3/13/2008 7:04:39 PM
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I used to drive to Vermont a lot in the old days when I lived in Montreal. Vermont is a beautiful state and I'm sure that drivers there would be proud to be seen in a Subaru in the winter.


NItePhireNItePhire - 3/12/2008 8:44:48 AM
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Subbies have never sold in large numbers and I think that they like it that way. I do believe however that this model will sell slightly better than the last just due to its overall growth spurt. I got to sit in one at the NAIAS this year and it is much roomier that before.

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hitechitec - 3/12/2008 2:09:11 PM
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Still no bluetooth??? What's the deal Subaru?

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EnnNorakEnnNorak - 3/13/2008 7:05:41 PM
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Still no proper AWD system -- what's the deal with the rest of the industry (Audi excepted)?


dano100dano100 - 3/13/2008 9:09:56 PM
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I realize Subbies are quirky and all but I sure wish they would ditch the hood scoop. I am 56 years old and that ugly appendage will keep me from buying this car. It took them years to get rid of the white lettered tires.

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ShredmoShredmo - 3/14/2008 12:30:24 PM
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Don't buy the XT. Simple as that. The hood scoop is functional, you know. Top Mount Intercooler for the turbo. Or you could spend extra dough , buy a F(ront)mic, get a regular hood then be done with it.


gregsfcgregsfc - 3/16/2008 7:18:25 AM
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Who cares about Bluetooth? There are many after market options available for those who are impressed by these "all-so-important" techno gadgets built into cars.

We need automakers to start putting real technology into the transportation aspects of motor vehicles and to quit putting so much of the cost into improving the entertainment value of cars. I think we are already adequately entertained to the point where our society has very little real substance left.

Instead of putting so much cost into software to impress us, automakers should begin putting some technology in that would give us real fuel economy without too many sacrifices. One of these available technologies involves clean-diesel power trains combined with some hybrid components. BMW for instance, combines clean-diesel power trains with extra battery power, fueled by regenerative braking, that decouples accessory power needs from the engine, thereby conserving fuel. Such a system nets a mid-size car 40 mpg--U.S. with outstanding performance. Subaru has an amazing, new clean diesel engine that would be perfect in the Forester(2.0-liter, four cylinder, horizontally-opposed turbo diesel).

I was hoping to click on this article and read about a "blue" drive system. In other words, that Subaru was ready to put the 2.0 Boxer diesel in the American Forester. The article mentions turbo, but I don't think they mean diesel turbo. Too bad! Maybe 2010 or 2011.

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