Faults:

A buckled wheel from kerbing -- not really the car's fault though!

General Comments:

I was looking for something that combined four-wheel drive and decent ground clearance, with a bit of performance. Most off-roaders are slow and awful to drive, but the Forester is quick and handles well, and is perfect for the weekend hiking trips I take with the dog.

Permanent four-wheel-drive, with a viscous centre diff and an LSD on the rear axle, means traction in snow and muddy fields is excellent. In the snows of early 2010, the car kept going through situations I was sure it would get stuck! Coupled to a 177 bhp turbo engine, the Impreza-derived suspension and drive train delivers excellent traction on wet roads, and combined with minimum ground clearance of 20 cm, I can't think of many cars that would be faster on a wet rural back-road.

The car has delivered the excellent Japanese reliability I was expecting, and is a welcome break from the dreadful record of my previous car (a 1999 BMW 535i V8). The only expenses have been services and consumable parts.

The first downside is refinement. The cabin is quite noisy at motorway speeds, with wind noise being particularly intrusive. I have to crank the stereo right up, and conversations aren't easy. I understand 2005 and later models received more soundproofing -- the car certainly needs it.

The second downside is that it's an expensive car to run. Despite the relatively small engine, it's not much more economical than the V8 it replaced! In mixed driving, I'm averaging 26 - 28 mpg (UK). Long motorway runs return slightly worse economy, and the best I've ever managed is 31 mpg pottering around the Loire on French D roads. Service intervals are 7,500 miles/12,000 km, which leaves me paying for two services a year.

My Forester has climate control and leather seats, but you definitely get the impression that the fixtures and fittings were designed for long life, rather than surprise and delight.

On balance, I'm happy with the car. There are very few that tick so many performance, reliability, and versatility boxes so well. A little more refinement would go some way to making up for the costly running costs though!

Faults:

It had three minor defects when I got it at one year old. I suspect they were manufacturing defects not spotted by the first owner:

Front passenger seat belt height adjustment jammed.

Front passenger door didn't turn on interior light.

Nearside headlamp height adjuster didn't work.

General Comments:

A big change from a top-heavy SUV. Performance, handling and economy are all somewhere in between an SUV and a fast estate. And so is off-road ability which is, realistically, limited to occasional rough tracks by the lowish ride height and long overhangs and lack of underside protection. The automatic gearbox is a mixture of good and indifferent; overtaking performance on kick-down is impressive, but it can be hesitant in its decision making.

Rear seat room is a bit marginal, but to improve that would either lose boot space or increase the overall length of the car, which is handily compact.

Faults:

Nothing, Its Japanese!

General Comments:

Operation of the clutch was heavy.

For a car of this size it is extremely quick! done more that the speedo said it would.

Great equipment in car e.g. cruise controle, A/C.

Seats were quality and heated.

Room in car was amazing and bags of it.

AWD system give masses of grip and confidence in the vehicle.

If your looking for a car that's safe for all the family, but a great hoot when you won't to give it a bit more stick! this is the one!

Faults:

So far, nothing at all.

The car looks and drives very nicely in the short time I have owned it (1 week).

I researched this site to choose my new car.

General Comments:

The engine is very tight, but I expect it to loosen up in the next month or so.

This should improve fuel consumption which came out at 25 MPG for the first tank full.

The car is well equipped with boys toys, including heated seats and category one alarm.

The only slight disappointment is the drivers seat does not go as far back as I would like, but I'll get used to it.