What are the pros and cons of a 2009 Subaru Forester?

Here's a website (I'm a member) of people who are passionate about their Foresters.

Tons of comments about the 2009 and reviews by several members who have bought one. Good people and an excellent resource.

http://www.subaruforester.com/

2009 Forester Subaru

I have a Subaru Forester (not 2009) and love everything about it. I have to believe that the newer version is even better.

I have owned many larger and more expensive cars, but the forrester has been the most trouble free and fun cars I have ever owned.

The Forester has a wonderful engine that delivers power when you need it and economy when you don't.

I particularly like the All wheel drive. You can feel the constant traction on curves and on the highway. The car responds completely to the slightest turn to the wheel and unlike many other cars does not push itself by rear wheels or pull itself with front wheels. It tracks along the highway with 4 driven wheels.

I don't know where you live, but here we receive a few snow storms and an occasional ice storm. I live on a high hill which requires me to make a long drive up or down this hill to reach the road. On snow covered or ice covered days my Forester never failed to get me safely and sure footedly up and down that hill.

I also like the fold down back seat which allows me to haul fairly large loads when I need to.

The only downside I see is that the rear seats do offer limited space and may not be comfortable for a large framed passenger.

It is a wonderful car

I think you will love it..

I have done a lot of research, read editor reviews from Edmunds.com, and caranddriver.com etc. But I don't take them seriously as they may be written as non-owner. I do my own research from a conscientous consumer point of view.

Finally I ordered one, and will be taking delivery on coming Monday.

The way I analyzed : the engine has been in service for so many years, and other features has been used on other models. the only thing new is the body.

The second thing is safety, driver controls the car, and it has side air bags too."being a SUV doesnt mean it has to be driven as a SUV". I bet you know what it means after your drive test. (Cant remember where I read this line).

The third reason is a real owner's comment, Check it out in Yahoo.com (USA) comment. He compared it to others Rav4, CRV, RDX. Many of his comment has been pointed out to me before by my kids. In other words, true and make sense.

The 4th reason I go for it is the mileage. It is comparable with others. Edmunds.com says, Subaru has to work harder to improve as Rav4 (V6) is still a notch better. In my opinion, it is a Subaru, not Toyota. You have to spent more on Toyota.

I spent hours and hours on Video on Youtube where owners posted their videos of their forester. I laughed at one of those: an inexperience new owner trying to prove the car by driving into a muddy river. Got stuck. Some owners race with other cars. Just chuckles, but learn a lot from them on drive safely. Even Subaru.com/.ca has valuable videos on explaining what VDC is etc etc. I interpret that they are responsible and they care.

It's basically a Impreza on the inside and they have had record sales since the release last year. Don't hear any complaints about them so I think you are alright. Also the engine and drive train are pretty identical to the one used in the last couple models. There is nothing to worry about. Get one and enjoy a great ride with one of the best AWS systems on the market.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_...