A new towing vehicle for Bobam

Gidday Athos

Athos said:
Roxsie II had the "standard AT". Below "D" there were "3"/"2"/"1" positions for restricting the upper gear ratio. Same as your description for the "sport shift", but without the up/down selection method: just move the lever into the right position (involved some left/right selections to make it hard to drop it too far down accidentally: the lever path wasn't straight).
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That's the difference. And the Sports Shift (Tiptronic) was originally designed by Porsche to overcome the problems of wear and tear on "conventional" auto boxes by driving them like a manual, as I understand things.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong ...

Ratbag: does the spec sheet for the MY06/07 show the gear ratios? I expect them to be the same across the two gearboxes, but that's just an assumption. In the latest Forries the 'L' model upwards have up/down shift paddles on the steering wheel, but the gearbox itself seems to be the same as the non-L model.
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Yes.
All models from the first SF to the 2012 N/A AT have the following gear ratios:

1st = 2.785:1
2nd = 1.545:1
3rd = 1.000:1
4th = 0.694:1

with a FD ratio of 4.444:1 all models.

This all remained the same until the 2012 Forester, according to the brochures I have.

It seems that the only differences are in the TCU (Transmission Control Unit), but there may also be differences inside the boxes, even though the ratios have remained the same all the way through.

I wasn't even aware that the Forester came with two different ATs until I read up on it in my OM ... :eek:!

Note that the turbo ATs had a different FD ratio, but still had the same gearbox ratios.
 
Bobam said:
What firmed up the choice was discussing with a friend [an ambulance officer] why he had bought a foz [00 limited from memory]. He is a quiet studied sort of a fellow not prone to quick decisions.
He just said, 'of all the car smashes I go to I have never dragged a dead person from a Foz, and now we all know that if we get on scene and one of the cars is a Foz there's a very good chance one cars injury's will be minor or less'.
Not much you can say after that!
It would be very interesting to see how many ambo's own foz's/Subby's.
In Queensland the ambo's first [rapid] response vehicles are all Foz's.
regards.
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There have been a couple of ORS members who have had bad accidents in a Subie, incl a few in Foresters that rolled. The most notable was BlueFox who was hit from the rear at highway speed, did end-over-end flips & rolls. All but one walked away & he suffered injuries that kept him in hospital for a while but fully recovered. In most other cars I would think there would have been at least one fatality!

If you want to go offroad, IMO go the Foz over the Outback. The overhangs are just too restrictive unless you go custom front & rear bars.

The Foz is limited to the 2.5l but you could get a H6 transplant ($$$ though). There is a group in Qld who did this with a Foz (Dulagarl now owns this) & a Liberty wagon (Venom now owns this)...both very capable vehicles!

The XT will be a little more on fuel if you drive gently, a lot more if you're a leadfoot lol & will be a lot more fun :lildevil:

The 4EAT (not sure which models) will lock power distibution 50/50 fr/rr, I think you need to use the "hold" button & select 1st/2nd to activate this
 
Ratbag said:
1) "Standard" AT (without MANUAL mode). This version has a POWER and HOLD button on the gear lever that allows the driver to select the change point
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The hold button can be used as a 'change up' button. When the gearbox is cold you can get it change up at 1800 rpm instead of 3100 rpm by flicking the hold button ON/OFF at the desired change point.


:iconwink:
 
Thanks All,
Will stay with original decision [late 05 to 07 Foz AT X or XS]. have biccies in hot little hand will buy.
Spoke to the local dealer re my requirements but they don't seem to get many trades of this type [not really surprised] or my numbers didn't interest them.
So off south to look around.
Any suggestions re trustworthy/straight up [is that an Oxymoron] dealers/yards in the Bris north side/Sunny coast area?
regards
 
Can understand your reasoning Ratbag re dealing with dealers over private and paying the premium. But will still look at private as generally at least a couple of k difference in price and generally for less k's. but am open to all. Will be extremely diligent and take overalls for general grovelling around underneath. Hope to find some older gentle couple who have been offered silly money as trade-in and happy to meet half way.
ie, honorable transaction for both parties.
I don't really have a trade as sons or other family generally inherit our cars.
So 01 may go to eldest son to replace ageing comode.
98 may become my 1 man desert car.
You never know your bad luck all, we might have to swerve to miss each other one day out at Red or share a camp near the big lakes.
regards.
 
Gidday Ratbag,
Have found a 05 AT locally that seems good [yet to inspect closely].
A query for you!
I understood the series 2 03-07 [err S?] was released in August 05. Apar from cosmetic changes to front and changing to clear lens at the back it also had the 121 kw ej25. Can you confirm the release date? as this one is dated 7th month 05 but model no is given as my06 and it has all the cosmetic changes and presents very clean and tidy. Basically driven 126k country miles by lady to work on highway [albeit the Bruce Highway so everyone else's goat track].
Has to have timing belt service done but that will be reflected in the price I pay.
regards
 
Gidday Bob

Bobam said:
Gidday Ratbag,
Have found a 05 AT locally that seems good [yet to inspect closely].
A query for you!
I understood the series 2 03-07 [err S?] was released in August 05. Apar from cosmetic changes to front and changing to clear lens at the back it also had the 121 kw ej25. Can you confirm the release date? as this one is dated 7th month 05 but model no is given as my06 and it has all the cosmetic changes and presents very clean and tidy.
Click to expand...

If it has the cosmetic changes - dual headlights, different tail lights, different alloys, single front centre arm rest, three spoke steering wheel - it will be a series II SG.

The real indicator is that on the compliance plate on the P/S of the engine bay it will have "Engine Type EJ253" followed by some other code numbers.

This is one of the huge changes from the series I SG, which uses the EJ252 engine. The EJ253 engine has tumbler valves on the inlet manifolds and also uses the variable valve lift technology (AVCS) to increase the torque at both low and high revs. It also uses a MAF sensor on the intake manifold instead of a MAP sensor, which improves fuel economy and engine smoothness. There are probably other tweaks in the engine as well, but these are the ones I know about.

These give a lift in both power and torque compared with the series I engine, and also flatten the torque curve of the EJ253 significantly.

The series II also has better synchro in the manual box, but that is irrelevant to you.

Basically driven 126k country miles by lady to work on highway [albeit the Bruce Highway so everyone else's goat track].
Has to have timing belt service done but that will be reflected in the price I pay.
regards
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The car is well over time for the timing belt, as supposed to be done every 125,000 kms or 5 years whichever comes first in Oz. That having been said, the same model states 168,000 kms and 8y 9m in the USA ...
The timing belt and accompanying items will cost around $1,000 to $1,200 to have done.

Check to see if the plugs were replaced at 112,500 km service. These are platinum tipped, so cost a lot! If not, I recommend using the recommended NGK plugs, rather than other brand equivalents. My ordinary NGK plugs in my '93 Impreza had done nearly 100,000 kms, and still worked fine. Supposed to be changed at 25,000 kms in that car.

Use Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 fully synthetic oil when you do the service. Costs a lot, but mine is still vaguely honey coloured after 9,000 kms and about 20 months. No sign of emulsification or sludge build up. It hasn't used any oil in that time.

Check that the spare is an alloy rim as well. Mine came with a steel spare, and cost me $195 for a s/h alloy to replace it.

Check under the spare for water marks, leaks, rust.

Sounds like a flaming good one.

Which AT has it got?

Is it the X or XS? The XS has a far more expensive and better stereo, among other things.
 
Bobam, last month I purchased a car for my youngest daughter in the Brisbane region. I looked at and drove 6 low mileage green manual Mazda 2s which were listed both privately for sale and through dealers. I was glad I went the extra distance to Tweed Heads because even a 2 year old car with not very many kms on the clock can vary significantly in the quality of car you are purchasing.

Clearly you have good access to the internet. Use it to your advantage and search all avenues with your specific requirements - Carsales, Gumtree etc. Our Scooby2 was purchased quite unexpectedly 3 months after I did a search looking at what we could get in the price range we had to spend. She popped up because of the search criteria history in the computer and was exactly what we were looking for.... when I wasn't even looking... if that makes any sense!

Good luck hunting!

Best regards,
 
G'day again Bob

Bobam said:
Can understand your reasoning Ratbag re dealing with dealers over private and paying the premium. But will still look at private as generally at least a couple of k difference in price and generally for less k's. but am open to all. Will be extremely diligent and take overalls for general grovelling around underneath. Hope to find some older gentle couple who have been offered silly money as trade-in and happy to meet half way.
ie, honorable transaction for both parties.
Click to expand...

Almost the best car money can buy is from someone you know, and know the history of, driving pattern/style, etc.

Next best (if you don't have a trade-in) is from a private seller who presents with good bona fides.

The disadvantages are that the private seller knows exactly what they have; and that there is no statutory warranty of any description. The chances of recovering anything from a private individual are slim, if you get a real lemon ... :(

Don't forget to check the stolen vehicle register, etc! After all, it is the business of a conman (or woman) to inspire confidence!

I don't really have a trade as sons or other family generally inherit our cars.
So 01 may go to eldest son to replace ageing comode.
98 may become my 1 man desert car.
You never know your bad luck all, we might have to swerve to miss each other one day out at Red or share a camp near the big lakes.
regards.
Click to expand...

And you are quite right, one never knows what one's future holds ... :iconwink: :ebiggrin: :biggrin:.

I will be coming up to Brisbane to visit my brother and other rellies sometime soon ... :lildevil:.
 
Hello All,
Had a look at a local my06 today.
It was Ok but had some niggly little things not to my liking so will pass on it.
Off down south as there is greater choice down there.
While on test drive realized just how much extra power was available in my06 over my01.
Will tow the little van much easier.
regards
 
Good to see you're being patient. Its so easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying cars. I have a rule that when I start looking for a new car I never buy the 1st one I look at no matter how good it is. I wait till I've seen a few & get a good feel for whats available for what price.

Stay patient & you'll get exactly what you're looking for at the right price. Good luck :biggrin:
 
Gidday NL,
It is proving to be as you said, a matter of waiting. I went down to Brissy etc for 3 days looking and realized what a joyless experience it is.
From very deceptive dealer descriptions that cost hours of frustrating and fruitless travel in mongrel b-----d traffic, [Brisbane is still a disaster area at peak hour, 2 pm onwards, especially if you are going North].
To private owners that seem to think that their vehicle is the only one available and so therefore you wait until it is convenient for them.
Had three people tell me the car wouldn't be available for days to view, good luck with that.
 
Gidday Bob

That's all very irritating ... :(.

What was wrong with the first one you looked at, out of interest?
 
Hello Ratbag,
Not a lot really and it is still on the burner.
Major query was a dent in the RH A pillar which concerns me.
Owners live 1/2 hr from town and it seems particularly difficult getting the vehicle to the inspection station for some reason, which raises my antennae a little also.
So on consideration it is sliding off the burner.
Will relax and look again after xmas.
There are some nice ones out there [at least they are described as 'nice'] but accessing them seems to be difficult.
My turn will come. Have been considering other non-Subaru options as well.
Although MY06 AT still seems best in both long and short term.
regards
 
Yeah, Bob, I would be worried by something that tends to indicate some kind of accident. I guess living 1/2 hr out of town does make it difficult to organise.

Ours seem to have fallen into our laps relatively easily, but I knew exactly what I was looking for, and how much they were each likely to cost (so no "sticker shock" to get over) - and pounced the instant I saw a match.

Good hunting, mate. Have a safe and happy Christmas.
 
ihave a diesel forester tows my 1600kg windsor rapid at max legal speeds everywhere and uses 13L/100km in hilly terrain 11 on flat stuff 6L/100 without the van
It only comes in manual gearbox
i have chipped the computer at MRT performance and the now 520nm of torque and 140kw power is like driving a V8 no joke It pulls like a 14 year old watching his first porno
I strongly recommend this car for everyday and as a tow vehicle
mine is the premium but the standard diesel has all the bells and whistles it needs
 
G'day pokeabout :welcome:

Have you had any issues with the diesel? Interesting how Subaru now recommend NOT getting a diesel for urban use...
 
Yeah, gidday PA

A warm :welcome: to the ORS forum, mate.

Interesting thoughts about the diesel. That sounds like a very serious amount of torque!

It helps if you put your general location in your user profile ... :iconwink: :cool:.
 
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