Great to drive but wish I waited for the 2009 version
concerned about safety, budget conscious, daily driver, not rich, Practical, fuel-conscious, value conscious, cost-conscious
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DEC
3
2008
Subaru Forester - 2008 —
I was in the market for a small SUV or wagon and spent a couple of years thinking about the different models on the road and researching the pros and cons of each. I was hoping that a hybrid vehicle would come on the market that would meet my needs and be within my price range but my previous car was on its last legs and it was time to take the plunge.I test drove the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, the VW Passat, and the small SUVs made by Hyundai and Kia. Driving the Forester just blew them all out of the water. The experience is much more like driving a passenger car than an SUV. Handling is just fantastic and is especially evident in wet weather--the all wheel drive is superb for wet, slippery roads and hills--and also when taking corners a little on the fast side: none of that top heavy, "Am I going to topple over?" feeling that one gets in an SUV. No wonder it receives so many "Best in Class for Safety" awards.
I got the premium version with the extra large sunroof, heated front seats, and CD player: by far the most luxurious car I've ever owned and is a pleasure every time I get behind the wheel. I love the heated seats when the weather gets cold, and the huge sunroof is wonderful in the summer and makes the car feel much more spacious. For me, it was well worth the extra expense to get these features.
The Forester has proved to be extremely useful for transporting a variety of stuff (lumber, appliances, etc) and has saved me from paying a lot of delivery fees. It is an extremely versatile vehicle with a generous sized cargo area, fold down back seats and a large roof rack.
It doesn't get stellar marks for MPG. Not terrible (between 20 and 26 MPG depending on road conditions) but I'm sure there will be many hybrid vehicles available in the near future that are more affordable than the current crop and I'll be kicking myself for having a comparative "gas guzzler".
My biggest regret is that I couldn't hold out for the 2009 redesigned Forester. The rear seats on the 2008 are cramped and not a comfortable ride for adults but are much roomier in the 2009. I guess that's always the case though: whatever you buy this year, the "new, improved version" will be out next year.
I've owned this vehicle for a little over a year now and overall am very happy with it. It has all the features I need, is a joy to drive, and hopefully will prove to be a reliable car for many years to come.
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