AberFowl Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 I am looking for another vehicle for the upcoming season... I don't do any serious offroading, just a few bumpy tracks and across the odd stubbles.. We also get a tidy bit of snow now and then up here! Are these old Subaru foresters with permanent 4wd any good for the above?I would pop some winter tyres on for a bit extra grip in snow and muddy tracks. fuel economy doesn't bother me too much, I guess around 25mpg in these? I prefer an estate car to get all the gear in, don't want anything to big and these seem to fit the bill. And owners past or present, your opinions/experiences would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Yokahama Geolander G900 are the best and what they came with originally. They will do all you ask, just look out although not a lot breaks on them parts prices have risen a lot. I have one in a turbo that's on a 53 plate 170 k and we have done all those miles and the driver seat hasn't even gotten broken in yet. Longest time I have ever owned a car its still a family favourite We recently dumped an almost new A4 it was pants nobody liked it. The forester will go laces a disco cannot (via its handling) but is limited by its clearance and lack of proper mud tyres. We bought a new Pickup last year and its generally the Forester my wife takes and she is mostly off before me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andypaint Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Yeah fit the bill fine. Very reliable and good off road. But slow expensive to tax incredibly thirsty and used to snap rear springs for fun. But the are a very capable motor and cheap to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AberFowl Posted August 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) 2litre turbo petrol...slow? I imagined they would be quick enough! I dont do many miles... Less than 100 a week Then have 2/3 1000-1500mile trips in season to shoot fowl down in England. I wouldn't need mud tyres, I don't go anywhere that needs them, I got most places in my astra estate last season but did snap the exhaust on one occasion and struggled in some snow.. Forester has that bit more room without being over big, slight bit more ground clearance than astra and awd would be useful to get going in the snow. Thanks for replys Edited August 16, 2014 by AberFowl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AberFowl Posted August 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) How much is tax? I currently pay 220 something for my vectra.. Am I right in guessing around 25mpg with the 2litre turbo? Edited August 16, 2014 by AberFowl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttfjlc Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 How much is tax? I currently pay 220 something for my vectra.. Am I right in guessing around 25mpg with the 2litre turbo? Hope this helps: Find vehicle tax information on a new or used car Used cars - registered before 1 March 2001 The tax rates shown in the table below apply to used cars, first registered before 1 March 2001 (before the system for calculating tax according to the car's CO2 value was introduced). Note that the tax rates shown apply from 1 April 2014. 2014 / 2015 Car engine size Standard 12 month rate Six month rate 1549 cc and below £145.00 £79.75 Above 1549 cc £230.00 £126.50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AberFowl Posted August 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 Thanks for that! ..Same tax as my current car so that's ok. I currently get around 25mpg on short trips and a bit better on long journeys...if the Subaru does that or better it will do for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttfjlc Posted August 16, 2014 Report Share Posted August 16, 2014 (edited) Thanks for that! ..Same tax as my current car so that's ok. I currently get around 25mpg on short trips and a bit better on long journeys...if the Subaru does that or better it will do for me! Your welcome, I'd love to get a little truck like a jimny of the same age, below "1549cc" so cheaper tax and see if possible of classic car insurance as some are entitled to it at 15 years old so that's something you might want to look into for yourself. Edited August 16, 2014 by Ttfjlc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 I had two Foresters as company cars, and did 120,000 miles with each. Driving 'carefully' I would get just over 30 mpg. They were both standard petrol. Reliability was excellent - neither was garaged due to reliability. Both of mine had sunroofs, and were very good for shooting rabbits out of.... The low ratio box was very useful in potential sticky situations. The only reason that I did not get one when I retired was that the number of Subaru agents in the NW plummeted, and this made me nervous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Thanks for that! ..Same tax as my current car so that's ok. I currently get around 25mpg on short trips and a bit better on long journeys...if the Subaru does that or better it will do for me! My turbo does that on the flat, I cant get it to 30 though, 28 is my best ever! Runs on super plus anything less it just uses more fuel. I am told the injects can play up if you run on std much. Never snapped a spring and I drive through 150 yards of cow field daily, though they eat drop link bushes ( I do have a softening on the rear (but that's due to putting silly loads in it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 I have a 2.5 turbo forester and its a very flexible car. Its traction is good with the general purpose geolanders but with winter tyres (wintrac extreme) its been brilliant in winter. Constant all wheel drive has embarrassed some expensive and well prepared vehicles on my shoot. Mine is heavily modified for extra power and i still manage 24 mpg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 How much is tax? I currently pay 220 something for my vectra.. Am I right in guessing around 25mpg with the 2litre turbo? Strangely enough I checked the tax on a 51 plate Forester today (non turbo I think) £156 for 6 months :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 I looked at these before buying my little rav4. The 2.5 petrol engine was flagged up as problematic though very good drive. Fuel economy and parts and repairs put me off, otherwise I'd have had one. Friend has a 3.0 petrol Tribecca and apart from a set of drop links it's been faultless. Averages 17mpg. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BattleFieldRelics Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Ive got the exact one on your title. I use if for off road as well as the run around and I've never had a problem. Very reliable car. I've even had someone knock on my front door asking if i would sell it to them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 I looked at these before buying my little rav4. The 2.5 petrol engine was flagged up as problematic though very good drive. Fuel economy and parts and repairs put me off, otherwise I'd have had one. Friend has a 3.0 petrol Tribecca and apart from a set of drop links it's been faultless. Averages 17mpg. Figgy Its the same engine just buyers of the 2.5 seem less likely to respect it and tend to thrash it. The engine needs monitoring closely for using oil and by that I mean no more than 1000 miles and always before a long trip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Its the same engine just buyers of the 2.5 seem less likely to respect it and tend to thrash it. The engine needs monitoring closely for using oil and by that I mean no more than 1000 miles and always before a long trip Agreed - mine burns a bit of oil and the 2.5 engine only holds 4L so you have to watch it very closely. The engine itself has been super reliable though, especially for the power they produce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Agreed - mine burns a bit of oil and the 2.5 engine only holds 4L so you have to watch it very closely. The engine itself has been super reliable though, especially for the power they produce. Consider what that same engine can put out in a rally version, same drivetrain everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistolgrip Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Honda hrv 4wd 37 mpg comfy but not the biggest of boots changed from a renault scenic r4 (unreliable expensive pile of junk) to a hrv but the 2wd version if the 4wd is better it must be awesome not a moments problem with the 2wd hrv does everything I want with no fuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickyard shooter Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Hi you wont go far wrong with the forester cracking reliable motor s turbo here 2 ltr year 2000 176.000 0n the clock parts are cheap if you look around but you wont be looking very often as they are indestructible this is my second one as 1st one was tail gated by some speeding moron. 28mpg is best off road ability will put most other 4x4 to shame. Why do you think most coursers use them lol . good luck with any choice you make . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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