Subaru Forester

[foresterx]

Just have them test drive the RX450h or even the RX350! Though not in your options throw in a test drive of the Range Rover Evoque. Too bad there arent any stocks of the 2012 Explorer handy, but they can try to catch the off road test drive at the MIAS at the end of March.

you do realize that the cars you are suggesting are way more expensive than dindop's original choices.

[dindop]

Just have them test drive the RX450h or even the RX350! Though not in your options throw in a test drive of the Range Rover Evoque. Too bad there arent any stocks of the 2012 Explorer handy, but they can try to catch the off road test drive at the MIAS at the end of March.

Outside sa budget sir yung mga binanggit mo
I am only willing to shell out 40k per month on a 3-yr loan, with a 20-30-% dp.
But come to think of it, baka halos within range yung explorer ah! Will ask my wife to go to ford na din.

[foresterx]

Outside sa budget sir yung mga binanggit mo
I am only willing to shell out 40k per month on a 3-yr loan, with a 20-30-% dp.
But come to think of it, baka halos within range yung explorer ah! Will ask my wife to go to ford na din.

the explorer is 2.34M and FC is about 4-5km/ltr and PMS would be atleast 10k every 6 months. sadly most of the times the more expensive your car is the more expensive it is to use and maintain.

[JackFlash]

*dindop,

I can imagine why your wife's choosing among those SUVs. She doesn't want to look like a "soccer mom" when she has to do the driving. The showroom experience... reminds me of a story my friend recounted about how his wife bought her car. She went to the showroom, took one look at a Tucson and on the spot, talked to the salesrep and made the downpayment.

Exasperated, my friend told her that she spent less than 30 mins deciding to buy a car worth over P1M without so much as a test drive. But when buying shoes that cost like P3000, she takes much longer, trying on different styles, walking around the shop, checking the mirror, etc.

Her reply: "I already rode in my friend's Tucson and I liked it. You don't expect me to go around trying on my friends' shoes, do you?" Men indeed are from Mars...

If the missus is bent on the FXT, here's an idea of maintenance costs (though I doubt if this will ever concern her):

1st 1600 km or 1 month: P4,424* / P7,574**
10,000 km or 6 mos: P6,343* / P9,493**
20,000 km or 12 mos: P7,093* / P10,243**
30,000 km or 18 mos: P6,343* / P9,493**
40,000 km or 24 mos: P27,306* / 30,456**
... then cycle repeats itself for the next 20,000 kms.
*Shell or Motul Xcess
** Motul 300V

[dindop]

*dindop,

I can imagine why your wife's choosing among those SUVs. She doesn't want to look like a "soccer mom" when she has to do the driving. The showroom experience... reminds me of a story my friend recounted about how his wife bought her car. She went to the showroom, took one look at a Tucson and on the spot, talked to the salesrep and made the downpayment.

Exasperated, my friend told her that she spent less than 30 mins deciding to buy a car worth over P1M without so much as a test drive. But when buying shoes that cost like P3000, she takes much longer, trying on different styles, walking around the shop, checking the mirror, etc.

Her reply: "I already rode in my friend's Tucson and I liked it. You don't expect me to go around trying on my friends' shoes, do you?" Men indeed are from Mars...

If the missus is bent on the FXT, here's an idea of maintenance costs (though I doubt if this will ever concern her):

Those are pretty decent numbers, they're not bad at all... thanks jackflash

Actually my wife takes cares of anything related to finances back home, so any money that goes out concerns her ahahaha... she's the one asking how much it costs to operate and maintain the forester xt

Am not very good with finances, i just work and send her almost everything ahahahaha... if it were entirely up to me, screw the suv/cuv, man... hello m3 or sti

[dough jones]

Am selling my july 2010 forester 2.5xt. 16km ang tinakbo. All stock. Ang dinagdag ko lang ay mud guards at back up sensor. Kaka renew lang din ng insurance last week. Asking price is 1.388M. Contact me at 09228934501

[number001]

Anyone knows if the locally available 2012 2.5 XT has been upgraded to the new FB series engine?

[number001]

Anyone knows if the locally available 2012 2.5 XT has been upgraded to the new FB series engine?

I'll answer my own question.

No. Only the 2.0XS gets a new (updated) FB20 boxer engine.

The XT model retains the 227 horsepower 2.5 liter turbocharged engine that speed junkies have already formed an attachment to. However, there's a newly developed 2.0 liter flat-four in the XS. The latest “FB” series engine might still produce the same 148 horsepower, but all the improvements have been made on the inside. By reducing internal friction by 28%, it now has smoother acceleration, an improved fuel economy by as much as 10%, and consequently produces much less emissions. Owners of the new 2.0XS should also be delighted that Subaru has switched from a toothed-belt to a chain-driven timing gear, improving the engine's longevity.

Motor Image gives the Subaru Forester a make over in MIAS

This review

2011 Subaru Forester 2.0X - Honest Car Reviews by AutoIndustriya.com

says that the new 2.0XS is short on power. Is it really that bad? Is the 370K really worth the upgrade to the XT?

I wonder why didn't MotorImage upgrade the 2.5XT's engine to the FB25?

[foresterx]

says that the new 2.0XS is short on power. Is it really that bad? Is the 370K really worth the upgrade to the XT?

I wonder why didn't MotorImage upgrade the 2.5XT's engine to the FB25?

regarding the 2.0 short on power, compared to what? compared to it's bigger brother then yes it really is short on power but compared to cars you encounter daily then no it's not. compared to it's direct competitors again no it's not.

is it worth it to get the 2.5xt, i suggest if you can get the 2.5xt the difference in FC isn't that much but the performance is worlds apart.

[number001]

the difference in FC isn't that much but the performance is worlds apart.

I'm assuming that in terms of road handling there will be no difference bet. the 2.0 XS and 2.5 XT? Difference is just their straight line top speed, acceleration, etc...?

Based on the price list, these are what the XT has over the 2.0XS

2.5 li turbo charged
17" wheels
8-way adjustable driver's seat
leather upholstery

Not so much difference bet. the two variants to justify the price difference (pls. correct me if I'm wrong). The 2.0 XS is really a value for the money.

The 2.0XS has the newer boxer engine, FB20. BTW for North America, the 2.5 li (non turbo) has also been upgraded to the newer FB25. The engine of the turbo charged 2.5 XT remains unchanged.

Just what kind of " free items " should I haggle for ? Recommend a good sales man from greenhills branch ?

[dough jones]

Nasa performance yung difference. The reviews are correct. Under powered talaga yung 2.0. Kung gusto mo talaga ma experience ang subaru difference, better get the 2.5. Hindi ka mag sisisi. It is really fun to drive. For me worth it yung 370k if you have that extra cash to spend. Samantalahin habang may turbo pa yung inooffer dito sa atin. Iba talaga lakas ng turbo gasoline. Look for carlo malapitan. Sya SA ko sa greenhills.

[foresterx]

I'm assuming that in terms of road handling there will be no difference bet. the 2.0 XS and 2.5 XT? Difference is just their straight line top speed, acceleration, etc...?

Based on the price list, these are what the XT has over the 2.0XS

2.5 li turbo charged
17" wheels
8-way adjustable driver's seat
leather upholstery

Not so much difference bet. the two variants to justify the price difference (pls. correct me if I'm wrong). The 2.0 XS is really a value for the money.

The 2.0XS has the newer boxer engine, FB20. BTW for North America, the 2.5 li (non turbo) has also been upgraded to the newer FB25. The engine of the turbo charged 2.5 XT remains unchanged.

Just what kind of " free items " should I haggle for ? Recommend a good sales man from greenhills branch ?

don't look at the paper, drive one and you'll see the difference and not just in straight line speed. the 2.5xt has a much better handling also compared to the 2.0. the 2.0 handles pretty well and really is a drivers car but subaru's turbod cars are just different but ofcourse in the long run an n/a engine will be much cheaper to maintain and more reliable. anyway if you're not that into speed and just want a car that really connects you with the road then the 2.0 is just enough.

again to those saying the 2.0 is under powered what have you compared it with? against it's competitors, cr-v, xtrail, cx-7 if you race them on a straight line with gas on the floor yes it will be left behind but not by that much but it will out handle all of it's direct competitors. my family owns an x5m, modified c63 amg and audi r8 so if you're telling me that i don't know what fast is because i haven't driven a fast car then you're wrong. i'm not saying the 2.0 is fast, under powered compared to our other cars then yes it is but compared to it's competitors and cars you encounter daily then no, it's not under powered.

[number001]

How about tinting the sunroof ? Anyone done this? What shade of tint should I use for the sunroof?

Btw, Planning to put super black for side windows. Magic Super black for front and rear windows. All from Solargard.

[pup2]

According to my SA in 2007, it is not common daw to tint the sunroof. But I actually suggest you do. Sa init dito sa atin you can actually feel the heat emanating from the ceiling on a hot summer day if you don't have tint.

About the super black magic, IDK how old you are but it makes it harder to see out of the side mirror on dark, rainy days so you might want to use a lighter hue.

[number001]

According to my SA in 2007, it is not common daw to tint the sunroof. But I actually suggest you do. Sa init dito sa atin you can actually feel the heat emanating from the ceiling on a hot summer day if you don't have tint.

Know of anyone with Foresters who had their sunroof tinted?

About the super black magic, IDK how old you are but it makes it harder to see out of the side mirror on dark, rainy days so you might want to use a lighter hue.

It gets hard to see vehicles at the back through the side mirrors, if they don't turn their headlights on.

[pup2]

Me! I tinted mine super dark magic. Im glad I did.

Yep ... If you'll notice, many jeeps don't bother turning them on at night anymore.

[number001]

Based on what I see and read from the net, the new FB20 in the Forester XS requires fully synthetic oil.

Regarding the PMS, does Motor Image force the owners to service based on months (if mileage is not met) or by mileage (ideal for high milers) ? My ride will be used sparingly so I prefer an annual oil change.

[number001]

Also would really appreciate it if owners of Forester can verify if all these noise I'm reading in the other threads that Subaru parts are so expensive that they are willing to forgo all the good characteristics of the Forester and settle for something else that has cheaper parts.

With all new cars our family has owned through almost two decades (ie. Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan, etc...) none of them required any "expensive" parts replacement in the first ten years and some none at all. As long as they are properly serviced that is. Which surprises me on how some would post like " a friend says subaru parts are so expensive" or insinuating the brand is less reliable than the other mainstream Japanese brands. Which makes me think that those statements are being made based on perception rather than reality through experience. I mean Consumer Reports (I know some would they are not reliable) rated Subaru as #1 for reliability starting 2012. That's got to count for something.

any comments, grannyshifter aka foresterx or pup2 ?

PS: Note I don't own any Subarus yet. I'm in the market for one now.

[JackFlash]

Based on what I see and read from the net, the new FB20 in the Forester XS requires fully synthetic oil.

Regarding the PMS, does Motor Image force the owners to service based on months (if mileage is not met) or by mileage (ideal for high milers) ? My ride will be used sparingly so I prefer an annual oil change.

To answer your questions:
1. Yes, Subaru recommends fully synthetic for the Forester.
2. No MI won't force you, but they will strongly recommend that you have the PMS after every 10,000 km or 6 mos, whichever comes first.

In my case a service advisor kept texting to remind me that my FXT was due for its 10,000 km PMS, 6mos after the last one. Though the car had only logged a little over 5,000 km, the SA brought up item 2 above. Since it's an office car and di naman ako ang babayad, I sent the car over. It was just as well, especially after reading this: How often should I change my oil? — Yahoo! Autos

[JackFlash]

Based on what I see and read from the net, the new FB20 in the Forester XS requires fully synthetic oil.

Regarding the PMS, does Motor Image force the owners to service based on months (if mileage is not met) or by mileage (ideal for high milers) ? My ride will be used sparingly so I prefer an annual oil change.

To answer your questions...
1. I have a Forester XT. It uses fully synthetic oil.

2. MI won't force you to do PMS every 10,000 kms or 6 mos., whichever comes first. But they highly recomment it. Up to you if you want to follow or not. I guess that choice depends on the driving conditions you subject your car to.

3. Cost of parts. Haven't experienced this yet. Will see if any major part needs changing during the 20,000km PMS. Can't comment yet on reliability and durability since my ride is less than 1 yr old. The only problem it gave was a slight rattle in the tailgate a few weeks after I got it. Some bolts were tightened, fee of charge since it was under warranty. Other than that, it's been good to me.