I'll have a 2010 Forester for a week; any questions I should look to answer?

[ifcar]

I'm scheduled to pick it up tomorrow morning, I believe a 2.5XS automatic. Is there anything about the car anyone is particularly curious about or interested in?

[Galaxy]

You might want ot write a bit about the unique engine. Such as if a modern boxer 4 banger has any advantages in terms of smoothness etc, when compared to a modern I4.

[ifcar]

You might want ot write a bit about the unique engine. Such as if a modern boxer 4 banger has any advantages in terms of smoothness etc, when compared to a modern I4.

As far as I know, Subaru uses the engine primarily because it fits well with its all-wheel-drive system, not for smoothness.

[Galaxy]

As far as I know, Subaru uses the engine primarily because it fits well with its all-wheel-drive system, not for smoothness.

Perhaps the shortness of the flat 4 does allow them to better integrate the AWD components, however the boxer is inherently better balanced then I4s.

[J86]

Kinda an odd question.  Are the rear seats remotely comfortable?  My grandmother is on her third Forester, and the rear seats in all of 'em have been horribly uncomfortable.

[ifcar]

Kinda an odd question.  Are the rear seats remotely comfortable?  My grandmother is on her third Forester, and the rear seats in all of 'em have been horribly uncomfortable.

I'll certainly check on that. Is your concern that they're too hard, or that there's not enough space?

[J86]

I'll certainly check on that. Is your concern that they're too hard, or that there's not enough space?

Space was fine.  From what I remember (haven't ridden in her car in over a year, probably) there wasn't too much padding and the seat was oddly contoured...as in flat as a board.

[giant_mtb]

Perhaps the shortness of the flat 4 does allow them to better integrate the AWD components, however the boxer is inherently better balanced then I4s.

It lowers tha COM of the car, making it uber fast.

[Raza]

Maybe a focus on the cargo bay would be nice.  I mean, you could look up numbers, but there's no accounting for shape in those numbers.  I bought a trash can and while it would fit in my car, there was no opening large enough for it to actually get into my car.  My car's trunk is massive, but because of the relatively narrow opening, large, bulky items can't fit.  So in a car like the Forester, where practicality is one of the main concerns, I think that would be good to know.

[ifcar]

Maybe a focus on the cargo bay would be nice.  I mean, you could look up numbers, but there's no accounting for shape in those numbers.  I bought a trash can and while it would fit in my car, there was no opening large enough for it to actually get into my car.  My car's trunk is massive, but because of the relatively narrow opening, large, bulky items can't fit.  So in a car like the Forester, where practicality is one of the main concerns, I think that would be good to know.

I'll definitely go into detail on the cargo area. Were you also unable to get the trash can into your back seat?

[93JC]

As far as I know, Subaru uses the engine primarily because it fits well with its all-wheel-drive system, not for smoothness.

Subaru uses a boxer-4 because the starting building boxer-4s in the '60s, and have ever since.

In fact, the first Subarus to use the boxer-4 engines were front-drive. They went with the engine configuration because the Volkswagen Beetle was popular.

[the Teuton]

And the flat-4 is a fairly compact, robust motor for its physical size.

Compared to a longblock Mitsubishi I4, it's tiny.

[S204STi]

I think the main reason they stick with it though is because of heritage and the marketing.  For example, they can do their "Symmetrical AWD" thing, pointing out that the entire system is laid out in straight lines with relatively few twists and turns.  Also, the low center of gravity and low hoods give a distinct driving experience, with with Euro pedestrial crash standards, meaning the front of the car isn't chunky by necessity.  Additionally, they talk about primary and secondary balance, meaning generally smooth running, though they still shake at idle due to other balance issues related to the design (MX793 explained it once but I forgot...), and they have a unique sound that some like and others hate.

One reason to drop it would be cost.  The boxer configuration is more costly to build.  Also NVH.  But that can be dealt with using higher-tech bushings and sound deadening. 

[Galaxy]

And the flat-4 is a fairly compact, robust motor for its physical size.

Compared to a longblock Mitsubishi I4, it's tiny.

The boxer is short but it builds very wide. Packaging it with the steering is quite difficult. Hence why boxers are usually used as mid or rear engines.

[S204STi]

Mid engine is the best way to mount them, otherwise they have to hang off the front or rear axle centerline, which compromises handling.

[Galaxy]

Mid engine is the best way to mount them, otherwise they have to hang off the front or rear axle centerline, which compromises handling.

That is not necessarily true. Subaru places the engine in front of the axle because of the AWD components. Without the AWD it would be easier to mount the engine on, or behind the axle then is possible with an Inline or V engine.

[565]

Take it on some camping/hiking/hunting trip with friends, take lots of pictures, write about the fun/frustration/experiences of the trip in the context of the car.  Kinda like one of those more theme oriented reviews rather than a straight CR style review.

Subaru markets it as the kind of car to take you on an adventure, so go on an adventure.

Actually right now in the northeast, the leaves are close to the peak of their color change.  If there was any time to take a trip through the winding country roads of connecticut, massachusetts, new hampshire and vermont, taking in the crisp fall air and basking in the radient glow of amber hillsides overlooking mirror smooth lakes,  it's now.

You could probably get up here in 6ish hours if you drive fast.

[ifcar]

Take it on some camping/hiking/hunting trip with friends, take lots of pictures, write about the fun/frustration/experiences of the trip in the context of the car.  Kinda like one of those more theme oriented reviews rather than a straight CR style review.

Subaru markets it as the kind of car to take you on an adventure, so go on an adventure.

Actually right now in the northeast, the leaves are close to the peak of their color change.  If there was any time to take a trip through the winding country roads of connecticut, massachusetts, new hampshire and vermont, taking in the crisp fall air and basking in the radient glow of amber hillsides overlooking mirror smooth lakes,  it's now.

You could probably get up here in 6ish hours if you drive fast.

A full road trip probably won't happen. Too much coordination required. Definitely lots of pictures, though.

[S204STi]

That is not necessarily true. Subaru places the engine in front of the axle because of the AWD components. Without the AWD it would be easier to mount the engine on, or behind the axle then is possible with an Inline or V engine.

Not without some odd packaging.  The engine would have to be mounted on top of the differential for that to work, which would negate the low center of gravity thing, or the engine would be facing the bulkhead, which would make repairs a bit of a pain unless they went to a timing chain.

[Galaxy]

Not without some odd packaging.  The engine would have to be mounted on top of the differential for that to work, which would negate the low center of gravity thing, or the engine would be facing the bulkhead, which would make repairs a bit of a pain unless they went to a timing chain.

More painful then vehicles like the Chrysler vans where something as simple as changing the spark plug wires on the rear bank is a PITA?

[Catman]

Can it seat 8?

[ifcar]

Can it seat 8?

8 what, and in what condition?

[Catman]

8 what, and in what condition?

8 adults with luggage.

[ifcar]

8 adults with luggage.

It's a compact, two-row vehicle. So no, unless you put the adults and some of the luggage on the roof or in a small trailer.

[Catman]

It's a compact, two-row vehicle. So no, unless you put the adults and some of the luggage on the roof or in a small trailer.

That's an option.

[Rich]

Whats the hottest lesbian you can pick up with it?

[Catman]

Whats the hottest lesbian you can pick up with it?

Here she is

[Submariner]

Here she is

Is that a guy?

[Catman]

Is that a guy?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Is that a guy?

You wish