photo2001

Seeing the changes on the new Subies, the more I like my 2000 Forester, AND, it's almost paid for...

Just an fyi: http://www.autoblog.com/category/subaru/

Nice thing about the XT is, it'll do 0->60 in under 6, but it flies under the radar, so to speak. Not advocating racing of course. Best bang for the buck!

The Sports models of the Forester are different (in appearance anyway) from all the other Forester models. You can see the XT version here: http://autos.yahoo.com/subaru_forester_sports_2.5xt/ I think it's pretty hot! (and thanks re: the battery staying charged

If you go to Subaru.com, you can click on a link that shows a pop-up window of the new Forester Sports models. What do you think of 'em?

OK, got the Forester jumpstarted tonight, went to PepBoys, had a Bosch heavy duty battery installed, (gave up on Optima). Arranged for someone who's going to start it once a week with the remote starter...problem solved (hope). Btw, alternator tested fine, gonna work on getting the cig. lighter live-wired w/engine off and a solar trickle charger. Thanks to everyone! Kevin

Any other companies make deep discharge type batteries?

Just looked on Optima's website, and there is no match of a battery for am 2000 Forester with A/T? http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/battery_search/battery_search.html What's up with that? Even the local PepBoys gave me a vague answer when I called them. Said they'd have to see the battery in my car.

Thanks again for the recommendations. I'm going to try the Optima battery/keep the car alarm off route for now. I can't guess your age, but in my opinion, you are to be commended for helping your Mom out as you do.

Nope, no mods. I did have a moonroof installed by the dealer when I got the Forester (in 1999), but nothing else. I am able to drive without problems. It's getting to and from the car that's difficult. As I mentioned before, no handicapped access in this 50 year old building. What I didn't mention is that the door-persons used to help me and others in and out of the building. Then, last year, the board of the condo ruled that only visually-impaired people would be assisted, for insurance reasons. I then found out that this is discriminatory and against federal fair-housing laws. I have written to a senator from my state, and he wrote to the President of the fair-housing association, who called me and said he would write a letter to the condo board whenever I'm ready. (there are SOME decent politicians!) I did write a letter to the board myself months ago, not threatening, just asking for the same assistance they provide to other disabled tenants. They blew me off-no reply. I haven't felt well enough to pursue this further..but I will. FILE THIS MESSAGE UNDER: "TOO MUCH INFORMATION" LOL

Ok, the closest Sears just has offers the red-top Optima battery. They would have to order it. The local PepBoys has the red and yellow in stock. The yellow-top is $190 + $6 installation, (used to be able to do all this stuff myself). My understanding is the yellow-top is the way to go. That's my plan. One question, I saw a device on Pepboys website called a 'battery minder', but no description. Is this like the device someone mentioned earlier?

Re: Optima batteries. Do these require custom installation? I read somewhere that one type requires drilling a hole in the battery tray for a bolt and a special hold-down? Anyone?

Just checking out Optima batteries. I think i'm going to get one at sears. Expensive, but what are credit cards for? I can't do any other fixes right now. I'm going to leave the alarm off too. Come to think of it, every car I've owned, the alarm eventually caused problems. Even when I was driving every day. Thanks, great suggestions! ps: not using the roof rack for anything...thinking giant solar panel, might even get the old Forester airborne!

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately my apartment is on the opposite side of the building from where the car is parked. I'm going to have to pay someone to periodically start my car I think. The 'Simple Start' jumpstarter arrived yesterday. I charged it up, and will try it out soon. It's a neat little compact device. It does have a warning not to jumpstart frozen batteries. Of course, when do most batteries die? When they freeze, here in the northeast anyway. To whoever mentioned replacing the sunroof with a solar charger, how about incorporating a solar panel into the sliding cover underneath the sun (or moon) roof? I'm guessing that would be a popular option if Subaru offered it, and not that hard to manufacture. Or a neat invention for the aftermarket. Thanks again everyone!

I found a solar charger here: http://www.solarcharger.com/s.nl/it.A/id.64/.f?sc=2&category=62 It plugs into the cigarette lighter OR clamps directly to the battery. Now, if I clamped it to the battery, I can't just leave my hood up, or have it dangle outside the car, would be ripped off around here. So I'm thinking maybe it could sit behind the Forester's grill. But would that be safe in front of a hot radiator? I mean when I turn the motor off, obviously wouldn't drive around with it there. There IS an accessory outlet in the boot of the Forester. It turns off also, but maybe that one could be hot-wired to the battery instead of going the clamp to battery route.

Just thinking out the solar charger thing. I think the cigarette lighter in my Forester doesn't get power when the starter is off. Anyone know a workaround to this?

With this remote starter, the motor shuts itself off after about 20 minutes, and the doors are SUPPOSED to lock, however they haven’t been locking automatically since the tree fell on my car this summer…hmmm ($2000.00 later…)

Thanks for all the great replies! And quick too! I live on the 6th floor of a high-rise buiding, car is on the street, so trickle charger is not an option unfortunately. I don't think I could afford that extension cord anyway. I have a remote starter...just have trouble finding someone to use it for me (this building is 50 years old, almost no handicap access, sux). However, I DID get someone to try it tonight..doornail dead. I am very interested in finding out more about the solar charger! Will Google that.. This is what I just ordered: http://www.amazon.com/Decker-Simple-Battery-Booster-BB7B/dp/B000H774BY/ref=pd_ybh_a_1/002-4003227-6284048 I have gone through this with new batteries before. I'm going to stop using the alarm until I sort this out. Thanks again all!

The battery in my '00 Forester is dead again. The battery is less than a year old, but my car sits on the street for sometimes more than a month without being started. This is because I am disabled and don't get out much, and have nobody to run the car. However, my Mother's Taurus sits for just as long, if not longer, and it starts like it's run everyday. I'm thinking that my car alarm is running the battery down. I just ordered a Black & Decker jump-starter that plugs into the cigarette lighter to start the car without having to use cables. Anyone ever use one of these?

Didja ever find yourself waiting for that first snow just to put your Subie through it's paces? Or drivin' in a storm when most cars are parked on the shoulder? Gotta love it!

I always go to the dealer. They're not perfect, but at least they use Subaru parts. Heard too many scary stories about 'Quicky' type joints and engines seizing up. I'll never forget the time years ago when I had my Dad's new Chevy Impala serviced at the dealer. When I drove out, came to tne stop sign, brake pedal went to the floor and the car kept going right through the intersection. When I got it back to the service department, the mechanic looked at it and said: "oh, forgot to reconnect the brake hoses", with a smile. Should have made a big stink, but was happy to just be alive.:-\

I always go to the dealer. They're not perfect, but at least they use Subaru parts. Heard too many scary stories about 'Quicky' type joints and engines seizing up. I'll never forget the time years ago when I had my Dad's new Chevy Impala serviced at the dealer. When I drove out, came to tne stop sign, brake pedal went to the floor and the car kept going right through the intersection. When I got it back to the service department, the mechanic looked at it and said: "oh, forgot to reconnect the brake hoses", with a smile. Should have made a big stink, but was happy to just be alive.:-\

I love Subaru for following their own path, but that is a snout only Jimmy Durante's Mother could love. I read somewhere that one of the Tribeca's designers was just canned. Not saying that's fair, but I don't see too many Tribeca's around here, (CT), tons of Foresters and every other Subie though.

Is this the next Forester: http://www.scoobyblog.com/2006-10-04/2008-subaru-forester-photo/ or is a new Mad Max movie coming out? 'Mad Max Beyond Tribeca-Nose'?

Oops, sorry! This link should work: http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/category/cat.Subaru