Subaru Forester

[Steve Gio Profile 14er Peak List (9) 13er Peak List (8)Trip Reports]

Well I just bought one and I'm pretty excited about it.

[LetsGoHigher Profile Website 14er Peak List (4) Trip Reports]

Enjoy the clearance and AWD. Where do you first plan on taking it?

[Steve Gio Profile 14er Peak List (9) 13er Peak List (8)Trip Reports]

Unfortunately the first place was work. Hopefully all that follow will be more enjoyable.

[randalmartin Profile 14er Peak List (39) 14ers in Winter (1)13er Peak List (14)Trip Reports]

Nice choice. I bought a Forester a year ago and have been very happy with it.

[nkan02 Profile Website 14er Peak List (58) 14ers Skied (8)14ers in Winter (19)13er Peak List (42)Trip Reports]

I would say it is a good compromise choice. I've been mildly frustrated with Forester's inability to get to more difficult THs. On a positive side, its gas mileage is not that bad (although not great) and it is very spacious.

[CinciKid Profile 14er Peak List (21) 14ers in Winter (1)13er Peak List (5)Trip Reports]

I've gotten my 2000 Subaru Outback up to Jennings Creek TH, N Cottonwood TH, and other roads that require decent clearance. It's got 182,000 on it and still goin strong. I like that its good enough to get me most places i want to go but still gets about 26-28 mpg on the highway. Enjoy

[Steve Gio Profile 14er Peak List (9) 13er Peak List (8)Trip Reports]

Well the ability to drive forest roads is the main reason. The VW GTI was just to low, not to mention $$$ to maintain. My thinking is when the road gets too rough for your vehicle, that is the trail head. This should get us a little farther.

[mtnview Profile Website 14er Peak List (27) Trip Reports]

Yes keep everyone posted on how it does to various trailheads. Rav4 here.

I am still looking for the ultimate hikers vehicle, good gas mileage, can handle easy to moderate 4x4 roads and can sleep in it comfortably.
Thought I was onto it with the 2011 Jeep Compass or Patriot but a CVT transmission (think pulleys and steel chain and hydraulic pressure) IMO just looks inherently flawed.

Regards
Allan

[nkan02 Profile Website 14er Peak List (58) 14ers Skied (8)14ers in Winter (19)13er Peak List (42)Trip Reports]

I used to have RAV4. Loved that car. Switched to Forester last year. Clearance and MPG is better for RAV. For a real mountaineering car I'd consider XTerra. Of course, MPG sucks

Forester did get me to Lindsey TH, S. Colony lakes TH and Capitol TH. But it was not the vehicle for Castle TH. So, some success, but not like XTerra which pretty much gets you whenever you want to go with a peace of mind. Plus that one is a fun car to drive.

[thebeave7 Profile Website 14er Peak List (45) 13er Peak List (45)Trip Reports]

I've got an '06 Forester (slightly smaller, but better gas mileage than the new ones) and have been very happy. Yes it's not a super powered driving machine, and yes it's not a 4wd for hardcore jeeping, but I've gotten to pretty much any trailhead that wasn't a jeep road. Upper South Mineral Crk, Yankee Boy(within about 1/2mi of the end), Capitol Crk, Huerfano Valley, N Halfmoon Crk, N Cottonwood Crk, Mayflower Gulch to name a few (no problems at all). If I can't drive it in the Subaru, I can usually run/hike faster than those that can

Eric

[Dave B Profile 14er Peak List Not Entered Trip Reports]

My wife just sold her RAV4 for a 4-Runner Trail Edition. It's pretty wicked bad-ass.

The trail head is now pretty much where we feel like starting walking... Well except maybe on the way to Little Bear.

[planet54 Profile 14er Peak List (58) 13er Peak List (18)]

Does a Forester have tow hooks. I don't mind giving stuck vehicles a pull but anymore it seems that there is nothing to hook on to except plastic.

Oops it may sound like I am knocking your new ride . I am considering buying one myself, so I was only asking. Perhaps a better way to put it would be to say , consider having tow hooks installed if they are available.