Forester question

[Abe]

I just started watching this group so if I've asking in the wrong
place let me know.

I take forever to shop for a new car and my wife is putting the
pressure on. She really likes the Honda CR-V EX model. I've tried to
push her into a 2WD Toyota Highlander with a V6 because I'd feel more
comfortable towing small loads with it than the Honda. We had ruled
out the Forester because it was smaller than the Honda or Toyota.
However there was a small write-up on the 2.5 XT in the local paper
recently and my interest is renewed.

Size is still an issue. I'm wondering if there are some decent
roof-rack storage options for the Forester that could be used for
family trips a couple of times a year? I'm not talking about the
Sears plastic rook-top cargo haulers because I know about those
already. Are there any other nice fitting and looking options?

** Due to SPAM I no longer receive email responses to
** newsgroup postings, so don't bother.

 

[D L YOUNG]

Abe wrote-
"She really likes the Honda CR-V EX model. I've tried to
push her into a 2WD Toyota Highlander with a V6 because I'd feel more
comfortable towing small loads with it than the Honda. We had ruled out the
Forester because it was smaller than the Honda or Toyota"

I recommend you don't eliminate the Forester from contention too casually.

We have a 2002 Forester S- it replaced a Dakota pickup which our son wanted
to tow a new and bigger boat. I test drove the CR-V and found the seats less
comfortable than the Forester. We have had previously both a Toyota and a
Subaru at different times, and I far prefer the attitude and service at the
Subaru dealer. And IMO the Forester is the better winter car for the
conditions here in New England.

We also bought a 4ft by 6ft utility trailer rated 1500 lb, however in use we
limit the actual loaded weight to about 1000 lbs so not to overload the
Forester brakes.

The combination does almost everything the pickup did- taking stuff 90 odd
miles to and from camp, carrying the snowblower, runs to the landfill, etc
etc. The Forester has plenty of power, it cruises with the trailer on the
highway easily at 70 mph, and uses half the gas compared to the pickup. And
loading/unloading the trailer is easier because of the lower bed.

We wish you good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Rob Munach]

I just started watching this group so if I've asking in the wrong
place let me know.

I take forever to shop for a new car and my wife is putting the
pressure on. She really likes the Honda CR-V EX model. I've tried to
push her into a 2WD Toyota Highlander with a V6 because I'd feel more
comfortable towing small loads with it than the Honda. We had ruled
out the Forester because it was smaller than the Honda or Toyota.
However there was a small write-up on the 2.5 XT in the local paper
recently and my interest is renewed.

Size is still an issue. I'm wondering if there are some decent
roof-rack storage options for the Forester that could be used for
family trips a couple of times a year? I'm not talking about the
Sears plastic rook-top cargo haulers because I know about those
already. Are there any other nice fitting and looking options?

** Due to SPAM I no longer receive email responses to
** newsgroup postings, so don't bother.

We bought a Wethertech cordura rooftop "bag". The thing holds almost as
much as the cargo area of the Forester. It is amazing how much stuff you
can cram up there. We had a bout 150lbs in it one year and it made the
car feel a little top heavy on mountian roads. It was only about $100.

 

[Jim Stewart]

I just started watching this group so if I've asking in the wrong
place let me know.

I take forever to shop for a new car and my wife is putting the
pressure on. She really likes the Honda CR-V EX model. I've tried to
push her into a 2WD Toyota Highlander with a V6 because I'd feel more
comfortable towing small loads with it than the Honda. We had ruled
out the Forester because it was smaller than the Honda or Toyota.
However there was a small write-up on the 2.5 XT in the local paper
recently and my interest is renewed.

Size is still an issue. I'm wondering if there are some decent
roof-rack storage options for the Forester that could be used for
family trips a couple of times a year? I'm not talking about the
Sears plastic rook-top cargo haulers because I know about those
already. Are there any other nice fitting and looking options?

The Thule pods are very popular on the Subarus where
I live. I'm thinking of getting one so that my wife
has a place to stash her ski equipment without getting
the car all wet inside.