photo2001

Thanks! Just curious, what is the purpose of the flex additive?

Did something today to my 2000 Forester that was really dumb. I was parked waiting for someone to come out of a store. When they were on their way to my car, I opened the passenger door and threw it open. *BAM!!* The door hit something solid. I couldn't image what it was, then looked and it was a very low brick wall about a foot high. It was too low to see from my vantage point when I parked there, but it still made me sick. I imagined a big dent, but when I got home, all I could find was a scratch in the gray painted cladding in the edge of the door. Not that bad. Does anyone know if there is a special touch-up paint for the gray cladding? I think it's a plastic material, but I'm not sure.

I had a '98 Forester and turned it in (at end of lease) for a 2000 Forester, which I purchased. I did a lot of research before purchase and it was the best combination of price, comfort, size, and mileage for me. Btw, I got it with leather and had the dealer put in a sunroof, (Subaru didn't offer a sunroof for the 2000 Forester). Someone mentioned that you might not be able to get the Forester with a sunroof, but there's always aftermarket, even though some people don't like the idea of anyone cutting a hole in the roof of their car unless it's the manufacturer. My roof works perfectly. Not having driven the Passat, I can't comment on it. Just seeing it on the road, it doesn't look like it has the road clearance of the Forester, but I don't know that for a fact. I am very happy with my car. Btw, since the Forester is classified as a 'station wagon' instead of a truck, I believe there are some savings on insurance. Good luck with whatever you choose!

I've had two cars with cloth seats. My last car and my current car, (both Forester S modes), have leather seats. I find the leather to be much more supportive to the back, and it has made a difference for me on long trips. Agree that they are hotter in summer and colder in winter. Mine are heated so n/p in winter, (except the first few minutes), and it's garaged so generally not hit by direct sunlight. Cleanup is easier fpr the occasional spill. I say, go for the leather!

Thanks for all the replies! I'll try the suggestions, and if they don't work, I still have an (extended) warranty on my Forester. :cool:

For the first time since driving my 2000 Forester S, I notice wind noise around the driver's window last week. I've heard that the 'frameless' windows on the Subie's can develop problems like this. Has anyone else seen this? Any recommendations?

Thanks all for the responses! I will be getting the oil/filter changed asap. Btw, I have only used the Subaru dealer for service since owning the Forester, so I assume they use the best oil for the season. Thanks again!

As the title says, this is a pretty basic question. I have a 2000 Forester S with a little over 30k miles. I always try to change the oil every three months, but in the last few years I've had difficulty doing that for various reasons. It's been more like every 5 or 6 months. On the other hand, I am hardly driving the car right now. If I put 100 miles on the Subie a month that would be a lot. I know tht oil breaks down even when a car isn't being driven, but am I shortening the life of the engine significantly by extending the oil change intervals. Btw, I live in the Northeast U.S. if that makes a difference in the matter. (cold w/second snowstorm coming this weekend they say) At least the car is garaged. photo2001 :-)

One of the buttons on the alarm remote for my 2000 Forester S has stopped working. It's the button that locks the doors and sets the alarm. This is a 4-button remote. All the info I have on the remote is the name 'MICRO' on the back of it. I can't find any codes numbers. I think there was a sticker on it once with the model #. The button for unlocking the doors works fine. I don't know if this is an aftermarket alarm system. It was in the Forester when I bought it from the dealer, and there is another remote for auto-starting the car made by 'DEI', and this remote seems to be fine. Can anyone recommend where to get a replacement remote other than going to the dealer who will probably charge a lot more? Thanks!

I have an aftermarket moonroof in my 2000 Forester S. The dealer had it put in before I took delivery. I have not had any problems with it. I only wish it were as big as the new factory moonroofs. I'm not sure, but I think it was made by a company called 'Hollandia'. It works perfectly. The only thing is that there is a lot of wind noise over 40mph when the roof is fully open. The built in wind deflector doesn't do much. I will be having an aftermarket air deflector installed sometime soon. I don't think Subaru offered a factory sunroof in 2000. Hope this helps.