New 2014 forester owner experience

[JohnM]

JohnM....what's your opinion on the CVT trannie?

Only first-hand experience I have with CVTs is with our Mirage. There's no kick when it downshifts or upshifts. The engine just goes to the desired rpm and stays there. There's a bit of a disconnect between the engine sound and the actual speed that's why some people don't like it. It's supposed to be more economical than traditional ATs because the engine is always at the rev appropriate for the load.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/cvt.htm

BTW re the vibration: if you were seriously considering the Fort before then the Subie's quirk is nothing compared to the diesel vibe

[Kevz321]

Only first-hand experience I have with CVTs is with our Mirage. There's no kick when it downshifts or upshifts. The engine just goes to the desired rpm and stays there. There's a bit of a disconnect between the engine sound and the actual speed that's why some people don't like it. It's supposed to be more economical than traditional ATs because the engine is always at the rev appropriate for the load.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/cvt.htm

BTW re the vibration: if you were seriously considering the Fort before then the Subie's quirk is nothing compared to the diesel vibe

JohnM, thanks a lot for the link, that help a lot in taking away some of my worries with cvt's no regrets in joining this site. Really helpful in decision making before letting go of that huge investment. kababayans!!!

[EQAddict]

regarding the CVT transmission of the Forester XT turbo which I have, it has 3 modes:

Intelligent 'I' - for the standard CVT 'unlimited gear ratios' mode. This is similar to the Mirage where it just goes to the desired RPM and stays there.

Sport "S" - 6 speed simulated mode. It will simulate 6 virtual gears for you including upshifts and downshifts. You can also use the flappy paddle shifters here to downshift or upshift ala manual mode

Sport Sharp 'S #' - 8 speed simulated mode. Same as Sport mode but with 2 more gears or a total of 8 virtual gears.

I tried all the modes many many times. I like the Sport 'S' mode the best. Sport # is too jarring especially on manual mode. Though Sport # would be the most engaging because of all the virtual gears if you're into that sort of thing.

Intelligent mode is for easy schmmeeeasy driving and eco mode.

[HarmLess]

Hi Kevz321! Yup I experience that same thing everytime I start up my XT. Dapat nga magawan nila ng paraan ito.

[stu515]

Copy pasted below comments on the "Subaru Engine Vibration" thread, I wonder if this is true with their 2014 model? I'm just worried about the "global phenomenon" since am considering getting the 2.0iL variant. Thanks.

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Dear Fellow Owners of Subaru Vehicles,

I recently purchased a brand new Forester 2.0X (non-turbo). Although my buying experience has not been without any difficulties and challenges, I have one adverse comment about my ride: ENGINE VIBRATION.

I noted the vibration on the same day that I got the car. I found it very annoying. My driver-friend noticed it and so did a staff at Motor Image Pilipinas.

They told me that this is a global phenomenon. To their credit, they upgraded my ECU to address my complaint. I got my car back last Saturday and noticed that the vibration had reduced a bit. Still, the unusual vibration remains. I can't help but notice this because I have a 7-year old German car that doesn't have this problem. My old car is way smoother at idle.

By posting this, I'd like to find out whether my experience with engine vibration on the Subaru Forester is singular to my unit or is indeed a global phenomenon.

I look forward to your feedback. Thanks.
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Your feedback is giving me a sense of the commonality of our experiences. It gives me some relief that the vibration is not unique to my unit or engine.

Nevertheless, I am bothered by this "state of affairs" of the Subaru engine. Aren't boxers supposed to have less vibration than in-line and V-configured engine layouts? What's going on here?

I'd like to wait and see for the feedback of more Subaru owners. I'd like to know just how rampant this phenomenon is in the Philippine market. If we can muster a sizeable number of owners who are bothered by this, then maybe we can all band together and make proper representations with the master franchise owner of Subaru vehicles in Asia.

There's got to be a better response we should get from the Motor Image Group. I'm sure this can be explained away. But I didn't choose this car for the good excuses or explanations they offer. I got it because I believed it has got something far better to offer than the usual choices.

To sum up my experience, at idle, the engine shakes and vibrates intermittently, like a diesel engine, at certain stages in the cycle. Is this anything like yours?

I look forward to more of your feedback.
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Been observing our 2013 Impreza lately during Katipunan morning traffic and I think that the vibration has something to do with the A/C system. Like how the rpm goes up to sustain the coolness by letting fan spin faster I guess.

[jp923]

2014 Subaru Forester!
Before we decided on this we were also considering the Tucson and the CX5 but when you put them head to head the forester's features stands out.

Safety: it has 8 airbags, traction control.
Performance: proven and tested naman na ang boxer engine and symmetrical awd ng subies. Plus the X-mode is now a standard even in a base model. You'll never know when you'll need it
Comfort: since my family's a fan of soft and comfy rides ok sya cause they placed the engine lower so you'll get a lower center of gravity daw which results to less vibration.

Fc: hway (conservative) I got 9.8L/100km or 10km/L according to the car which sounds about right.
Hway (hataw) 13L/100km or 7.6km/L

In city I average between 7-8km/L

This is the base model btw. The non turbo 2.0 model. For 1.397m as its sticker price, it's worth every penny.

Maintenance wise, you only have to take it to the shop every 8k km and it would cost you around 6.3k.
The only advice of our agent is to maintain the comp insurance cause some parts are expensive like the headlight alone cost 120k and I'm not even sure if it's a pair already.

I hope this helps!

[blueflower]

I got my Forester XT a couple weeks ago. First time to own a Subaru. It's fun to drive in the city and on the highway. The power is awesome. Handling is superb. I like it.

Has anyone tried the X-Mode? I've tried it a couple of times. When I engage it, it makes a grinding-like noise. It works fine but with the noise. Is this normal?

[attorney]

I went to subaru this afternoon and they said the batch of foresters starting october has better ride and suspension than the earlier 2013 models. They received lots of complaints (maganda lang daw ng konti ang fortuner ride) daw thats why they retuned it. But im not very trusting when it comes to sales agents. They will say anything just to make a sale.

Any feedback to new foresters owners? Thanks

[blueflower]

Good day. I've been driving the new Forester XT for 3 weeks. The suspension is on the firm side pero hindi naman siya matagtag. Parang it's a carlike ride but not as soft. It can corner at a faster speed than larger SUVs. It has good low rpm torque. Acceleration is very good. It gets to 100 kph easily. A 100kph speed feels like 80kph. I have no problem with passing other cars even on uphill.

When using x-mode, the noise comes up when going downhill. Probably when hill-descent is activated, it automatically applies the brakes to control the speed when going downhill. It's good on steep roads. On flat and uphill roads, there's no noise.

So far, I'm satisfied with its performance. It's fun to drive.

So far as space inside, my family loves it. Lots of space.

Other stuffs like radio, aircon, etc., it's at par with other cars.

[armanjr]

Sana nga totoo. Wife also complains of the matagtag ride especially on the back. Will txt nga my agent.

I went to subaru this afternoon and they said the batch of foresters starting october has better ride and suspension than the earlier 2013 models. They received lots of complaints (maganda lang daw ng konti ang fortuner ride) daw thats why they retuned it. But im not very trusting when it comes to sales agents. They will say anything just to make a sale.

Any feedback to new foresters owners? Thanks

[paulp]

Same feedback I got from someone from Subaru GH after I test drove the 2014 forester. The test drive unit had stiff suspension. He mentioned that they gave the feedback to HQ and the new batches should have softer ride.


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[icon]

Is this confirmed na yng newer batches have softer suspension? Meaning ba yng cars released jan 2014 onwards? When we talked to MI, jan pa dw most likely marerelease new shipment.

[armanjr]

Yap it's confirmed. New batches have softer suspension. The change was applied starting October, 2013.

Is this confirmed na yng newer batches have softer suspension? Meaning ba yng cars released jan 2014 onwards? When we talked to MI, jan pa dw most likely marerelease new shipment.

[icon]

Yap it's confirmed. New batches have softer suspension. The change was applied starting October, 2013.

Thanks. That is good to know. We're leaning towards getting a 2.0il. But still thinking if we could save on the 100k or so and get the sportage AT gas model instead... Like the space and road visibility of the forester better though.

[karl2001]

Any one experience forester leather seats getting damaged. I have a xt almost 6 moths old meron cut iyong leather seat n start sa edge malapit doong sa metal bottom sa passenger side. I when to the casa , check p nila kung cover ng warranty

[HarmLess]

Yap it's confirmed. New batches have softer suspension. The change was applied starting October, 2013.

Hmm... So how about the older units that don't have the new suspension yet? Will they be changed for free?

[armanjr]

If you have the old unit Ask your SA bro. They may have the solution to this .

Hmm... So how about the older units that don't have the new suspension yet? Will they be changed for free?

[Hitman88]

Guys, i test drove the 2.0il i noticed medyo stiff yun suspension niya. Talaga bang medyo matagtag ang ride? Paki share din ang FC niyo. Thanks.

[sarmpat]

Yes, ride is really on the "firm" side.
After nearly 6K on the ODO, I'm averaging 9.4km/L (mix of city and highway driving)

Guys, i test drove the 2.0il i noticed medyo stiff yun suspension niya. Talaga bang medyo matagtag ang ride? Paki share din ang FC niyo. Thanks.

[oliver1013]

Just came from MI greenhills, was really impressed at the pricing and features...was 99% sure of getting a 2.0iL. But after reading posts here on engine vibrations, para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig...and no auto locks as per a post here..really?

Actually I'm also considering the cx5, but leaning towards the AWD of the forrester..pero mukhang magiging toe to toe ang laban, lalo na matagtag pala tong forrester, yun pa naman ang binibida ng Mazda agent na maganda, yung ride daw nila exceptional para sa CUV.

Deym, lalo tuloy gumulo isip ko