Another Subaru

[LMarshall73]

Due to pain at the pump and mounting mainenance costs, I gave in a few weeks ago and traded in the H2 for an '04 Subaru Forester. The H2 was pushing 130k miles, the Foz just hit 65k. I was getting 11.8mpg highway in the H2 and I've been averaging 26 in the Subaru (and I've been driving it like I stole it - it's great to not feel like you're going to tip over when merging!).

I've already swapped out the front sway bar and added a skid plate. If all goes as planned, I'll be ordering a set of lift springs and new struts next week.

The old:

The new:

Aside from saving at the pump, my payment dropped $150 a month, my insurance dropped $80 a month, and I have another 35k miles/3 years covered by warranty!

 

[BIGdaddy]

nothin' but "win", right there!

Love the colors!

 

[Rallyroo]

I like that generation of the Forester. As for the current gen Forester? Ewwww. Yuck.

Instead of taking my Land Cruiser, I'm taking my 2005 WRX Wagon out to Moab for some mountain biking this Memorial Day weekend.

 

[LMarshall73]

The big downside to the H2 was to cost of getting anywhere to actually use it. Since I'm not spending a c-note + to fill up, I've been having more fun getting out and actually driving places (went down to Florida about a week after I got it, then up to VIR for the Grand Am race a couple weeks ago. Once I get it the way I want it suspension and tire wise I'll be doing some camping and fire-road driving. You know, actually enjoying it instead of wondering how much it will cost to get there and back.

On a side note - if gas was still at $2.50 a gallon like it was 11 months ago when I bought the H2, I'd probably still have it.

 

[BIGdaddy]

The big downside to the H2 was to cost of getting anywhere to actually use it. Since I'm not spending a c-note + to fill up, I've been having more fun getting out and actually driving places (went down to Florida about a week after I got it, then up to VIR for the Grand Am race a couple weeks ago. Once I get it the way I want it suspension and tire wise I'll be doing some camping and fire-road driving. You know, actually enjoying it instead of wondering how much it will cost to get there and back.

On a side note - if gas was still at $2.50 a gallon like it was 11 months ago when I bought the H2, I'd probably still have it.

Good for you, sir. Live and learn.

Glad you're out there enjoying it!

 

[Herbie]

Manual or Auto?

If Manual, you NEED to get the Kartboy shifter and bushings. You may like some other stuff too: http://www2.kartboy.com/x4/home.php?cat=265

 

[LMarshall73]

I went with an auto, but I've already picked up some kartboy goodies for it.

 

[a.mus.ed]

I really wanted to find a Forester of that generation when I was looking for mine, but never found anything in my price range. Looks nice!

 

[Herbie]

I went with an auto, but I've already picked up some kartboy goodies for it.

Glad to hear it, you don't be disappointed! Tom (Kartboy) is a friend and a lot of the early Impreza parts were prototyped on my cars. He's consistently made high quality stuff, just very focused. Every time I try to get him to add a new part to the lineup, he studies the idea and rejects it if he can't do it "right".

 

[LMarshall73]

Got my King lift springs and KYB GR2 struts installed last weekend.

The STI belongs to the guy that helped with the install.

 

[stack]

update

How do you like the lift? I've got an '03 that I was thinking of doing the same with, but have been on the fence about dropping the $. Would love to get an real world opinion/review.

Thanks!

 

[LMarshall73]

With the stiffer springs + sway bars I get the benefits of the extra ground clearance without any extra sway on the road. I have quick disconnects too, so the sways don't affect off road handling.

Some new pics I took this weekend at Sandblast Rally in Cheraw, SC.

I finally got some Yokohama Geolander AT-S all terrains mounted yesterday. Hopefully I'll get some more pictures this weekend.

 

[WhatThaFrig]

Nice Forester. I've got an 05 XT that I'm thinking about putting a lift on.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Can you share the lift details? Perhaps the company and a write up of the procedure? My wife has just bought a 2002 Forester, we are on less than ideal dirt paths every day and a few extra inches would give us both piece of mind.

Thanks,

John

 

[LMarshall73]

The lift simply consists of a set of King Lift Springs from Primitive Racing. I installed those on a set of new KYB GR-2 struts, then it was just a matter of swapping out the OEM parts with the new stuff. I also needed to add camber bolts to get the suspension properly aligned afterwards.