photo2001

Check it out: http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/category/cat.Subaru:headbang:

I'm thinking about getting a Forester XT in a year or so. Just wondering about the air intake on the hood. Is air constantly flowing through the hood scoop while driving, or just when boost is demanded? What happens with rain or snow that goes into the scoop? Also, I park on the street and am wondering how vulnerable the hood intake is to vandalism. For example, what if someone dumped beer or another substance in there? What would happen?

....exactly! I'm a gadget junkie too, had to cut back recently because of unexpected expenses. But, but, but my '00 Forester doesn't have side-curtain airbags, so I have to do this research for safety reasons. Yes, that's the ticket!

Thanks for all the replies. Reality is, I can't wait to pay off my car. But what does car lust have to do with reality?

The last payment oo my '00 Forester will be december '07. I've heard there will be a total re-design for '08 models. While I think of how nice years of being payment-free will be, I can't help dreaming... anyone heard/seen any advance news on '08 subies?

Hi All. I've got a remote starter & alarm/door lock in my 2000 Forester. The way it's supposed to work is, if the alarm is set, you shut the alarm/unlock driver's door with one remote control, (a Micro), then push the 2 buttons on the other remote control at the same time, (a DEI Valet), the lights on the car flash, then the car starts and the driver's door locks. It runs for about 20 minutes, and if you don't drive it, it's supposed to shut off and automatically reset the alarm. Everything works except that after the 20 minutes of engine running, the motor shuts off, and the driver's door UNLOCKS (which shouldn't happen), and the car alarm doesn't reset at all. I think the programming got messed up with the recent tree falling on it, battery going dead, major service episode. Getting it to the dealer is tough for me, and I'm wondering if I could re-program it myself. There is an 800 # on one of the remotes, guess I should call it. Anyone familiar with these setups?

Got my tree-crushed Forester back this week. The body work looks great, but the rest of the service..not too happy. There's a scratch on the dash next to where they replaced the fog lamp switch that wasn't there before. The check engine light came on the first time I drove it. I told them it was coming on and they said they never saw it. OK, I guess that's possible. It looks like a pipe from the exhaust system is hanging kind of low, and I know it wasn't like that before. WTF??!! Now, I paid $2000 for all the work they did. $1K for the body work and $1K for the service, (tune up, cv boots, switch replace, trans oil flush), I expect the car to be close to perfect, not have new problems. Guess I'll be on the phone tomorrow.

Wondering if there are any fuel injector cleaner additives recommended for Subies. Not noticing any performance issues at 36,000 mi. on my '00 Forester, but would like to avoid problems. I always thought additives can do more harm than good, but I often hear 'click & clack' on NPR recommending them. Opinions? Recommendations?

Makes sense about the rubber gaskets going after 6 years. I have trusted the dealer in the past, however the business was sold recently and I don't know if any of the same employees are there, but I purchased the car there, (at the end of a lease) and am still paying for it, so am going on semi-blind faith. I would work on my car myself, but since I suffered a spinal cord injury, not possible. Also why I only put on a few thousand miles a year. Also one of the main reasons I bought the Forester. Ease of entry/exit, heated seats with lots of adjustments. The most comfortable of the vehicles I tested. The car has shown no performance issues, and I mentioned that to the shop person who agreed with me. $300 is excessive for a fuel cleaning no matter what. This Forester doesn't get the mileage I got with my '98 Forester, but that has been the case since it was brand new. I believe Consumer Reports gives a black mark to mileage for the 2000 model year also. Phase II engine issues? The transmission fluid change is a good idea, maybe I'll call them to ask about that tomorrow. Thanks for the replies!

I'm the guy who had the tree fall on his 2000 Forester. The body work is done (haven't seen it), and I decided to have it serviced while it's there, which it is overdue for. The basics, oil, filter, drain and replace coolant, plus a few other things, the additive 'recall' which was never done, and the fog light switch needed replacing. So they tell me some seals are leaking from the axle onto the exhaust system and need replacing for $200. I tell them to do it, although I've never noticed leaks, but I don't have the car garaged and rarely look for leaks. But the car only has 36,000 miles on it so I am suspicious, but I say go ahead partly because I've read so much about leaking seals on this board. Then she asks if I want them to service the fuel injectors for about $300, and I'll get better mileage. I said no thanks. What kind of fuel injector 'service' costs $300 when there's nothing wrong with them? This car is driven about 5000 mi. a year, mostly highway, never off-road. How do you know when you're being taken for a ride?

The MG had 2 6 volt batteries behind the seats, and the contacts constantly failed. TWO engines blew in a year, and someday I will tell the story of breaking down on the Bronx-Whitestone bridge...BIG fun!

Sorry, no pics. This is also the second car that was hit by a tree. The first was a '73 MGB, but in that case the car was totaled, and it was the end of a love/hate relationship. If you know MG's, you'll know what I mean Btw, the answer is: " when a tree falls on MY Forester, *I* make a noise, and it sounds a lot like crying...":banghead:

There my 2000 Forester was, sitting minding it's own beeswax, when along comes a storm and crashes a limb onto it! Oh well, that's why we have insurance I guess, (and credit cards, I have $1000 deductible...no big screen tv this year).

Anyone heard any news on changes in the '07 Forester?

Can anyone recommend a good locking gas cap for a 2000 Forester? I'm not sure if someone tried to siphon my tank or not, but when I went out today, the hinged cover was open, and for some reason, now it won't close properly. The tank doesn't look like they got any fuel though. I don't know why Subaru didn't include interior releases for the filler cover for my car. Except for the obvious reason, it was cheaper for them. I assume the new Subs have a release for the covers now? All the other vehicles I've owned had either an interior release or a lock on the filler cover. One thng I'm concerned about is getting a CEL with an aftermarket cap, but I'll take the chance since I now park outdoors. Welcome a recommendation for a cap and where to purchase. Thanks.

I use my emergency brake all the time. I wonder if it's 'sticking' when I first start moving, and then releasing? Btw, the squeal hasn't been happening lately as far as I can tell. Unless my hearing is going. Kevin

FWIW, Consumer Reports rates the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred as best all-season tire in their 11/05 ratings. It's got an unusual tread setup, one kind of tread for dry, one for wet, and the center tread for ice and LIGHT snow. Second highest rated are the Michelin X Radial, but I believe they are only available to members of shopping clubs. If they are made in a size for my Forester, I think I'm going to try the Goodyear's when my Yokohama Geolander's go, (still have the originals). I did read that the TripleTred's have to be rotated front to back not diagonally because of the tread shape. See a review here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+TripleTred

Looking at new tires for my 2000 Forester S. Consumer Reports rates GoodYear Assurance TripleTred tires the highest. Has anyone bought these? I've only had the Geolander's on my car which have been ok, but I'd like tires with a little better performance. Also the TripleTred tires have that center tread for ice, (has pumice in the tread?) and they're talking about a bad winter here in the northeast. If you've got these on your car, what do you think? Ride quality? Any effect on mileage? If you use a different brand, what do you think about them? Thanks, Kevin

I recently had to have a new battery put in my 2000 Forester. We have AAA, and they come out and put a battery in...easy deal right? WRONG! I wasn't there when they swapped the batteries. When I get the receipt there's a note written on it that says: 'battery tie-down stuck'. Hmm, I figure they had some trouble with it, but they got the job done, so I guess all is well...NOT! The next time I get in the car, I see a piece of metal on the floor on the passenger side of my car. I pick it up and IT'S THE BATTERY TIE-DOWN! They installed the battery but removed the tie-down. I haven't had time to look at the battery or call AAA yet, but I am pissed off. The only thing I can think of is that the battery they put in is the wrong one for my car. This is not the first thing AAA has screwed up. One time they came out to jump start my car, and the guy needed to remove the fuse box cover. As he was finishing, just as he's about to close the hood on my car, I see his screwdriver sitting in the engine compartment right where the hood latch is. I stopped him just in time before he probably would have broken the latch. We're not talking rocket science here folks. I would be doing these things myself, but for health reasons I can't. Anyone else had bad experiences with these people?

It's an auto.

Just recently, when the engine is cold on my 2000 Forester, the first time I put it in gear and drive a short distance, (less than a block), there is some kind of high pitched 'squeal'. It only happens on first putting it in gear, when the engine has been sitting overnight. then I don't hear it again. The car is overdue for a service, but I hardly drive it lately. It only has 35000 miles on it. Any ideas? Kevin

Hi all, I have a 2000 Subaru S and would like to replace the stock gas cap with a locking one. With the increase in gas prices, I think it's only a matter of time before someone tries to siphon my tank It happened to me and friends of mine in the '70's gas crunch. Does anyone know of a locking cap that's ok to use on a Subie, and where to get one? Kevin

Hi Pini, I live in a highrise building. There are door people who always helped people who need help getting from the elevator to their car. The board of the building sent a memo around last week that the door people will no longer be allowed to help people in and out of the building for insurance reasons. That is why I am looking at getting a power chair and a lift to put it in and out of my car. However, I believe that what the board of my building is against federal laws because the entrance to this building is not handicapped accessible. Otherwise they will have to retrofit the whole building and that would be very expensive. If I do have to get a chair, I will probably be able to get government assistance to pay for it. Thanks, Kevin

Hi Pini, Thank you very much for your reply. I've started to do some internet research and see that there are many types of chairs and lifts available. I have never needed a chair before, but the building I live in has made some new rules that make it almost impossible for anyone who has a problem walking, as I do, to get in and out of the building. I think this is illegal, and am looking into that also. I doubt that I could afford the robot type of lift you mention. I will be doing more research and let you know what I discover. Thank you again for your kind offer of help. Kevin

I have a 2000 Forester. I may have to get a power wheelchair or scooter. If there is anyone that uses a power chair and has a lift installed in a Forester, I would greatly appreciate if you could tell me what model chair and lift you are using. Thanks, Kevin