Well, I thought I'd better joint this site, owning a Subaru and having offroad aspirations and all...
A few weeks ago I took a bit of a roadtrip up to Alexandra in Central Otago with my Dad, and bought a 2002 SG Forester X 5sp D/R, in what is very close British Racing Green. 205,300km (after driving it for a couple of weeks). It's not perfect, having many superficial parking dents, and it does need a good polish, but it has no rust due to the dry Central climate, and it burns no oil. Most of its kms are open-road, as the previous owner spent a lot of time commuting between Dunedin and Alex for work meetings, and so it drives pretty much like new. It has factory cruise control, and optional foglights too.
Picked it up for ~1/3 of what dealers are charging for JDM 2.0 autos with ~100,000kms so a pretty good deal. Best price:condition ratio SG I could find - I bought it for the 2.5, not the crap DR gearing (more easily rectified & no cert needed). Having said that, I've tested out the D/R on our driveway (really steep) and it's not too bad, but low 1st is equivalent to about low 3rd in Dad's Pathfinder and the lack of engine braking compared to what I'm used to scared me a little.
Great power and torque from the 2.5, and fuel economy isn't too bad. Does the EJ251 need 95 octane? The PO always used this, but according to the owners manual 90 octane is minimum - 91 is lowest in NZ. Anyway, between Alexandra and Roxburgh, on the way home to Dunedin, there is a very steep hill with a passing lane and a 55kph entry corner. I was following Dad (Toyota 86 auto) in the Foz, and we both pulled out at the bottom of the hill to pass a tourist in a JDM Sunny. I was in second, expecting to get thrashed going up the hill. By the top, and shifting at 5750rpm or so to 3rd, I had dropped about 10m on the 86. Impressed to say the least! Best part of the trip was driving his 86 to Alex.
Had a new clutch at 60,000km, so it is going to need a new one soon. Also has a slight oil leak at the rear of the engine (but doesn't burn any) and I will be doing gearbox/diff oils when I install the extended rear breather (already got the 8mm vinyl tubing). Cambelt was done at 113,000kms so I'll do it before 220,000 and get the clutch/seals at the same time. Should I do head gaskets too? They aren't weeping and I checked the radiator cap for white goo - also checked it again yesterday after 1000km and it's still fine.:ebiggrin:
Plans for mods are:
Bashplate (Done with one off my old Leone)
Daytime Running lights (done)
New 215/65r16 Kumho KH18 tyres (not A/T but done, I'm used to using chains offroad anyway)
RallyArmor mudflaps - didn't have OEM ones (done)
Removed those annoying little flaps before front wheels (visual mod)
Fitted roof rack - early 90s Prorack from a Maxima
STi sway bars with quick-releases front/rear - do I need bugeye-on sways or will GC ones fit?
Fan switch - diagram please?
Rear diff breather
1.45:1 DR (or maybe AD Subaroo 1.6:1?...)
LSD front/rear/DCCD centre?
Raised Kings!!!!
Slightly modified intake - front silencer removed and first 'box' re-reouted into fender for CAI/less water risk.
Repaint wheels, probably gunmetal metallic
Reason why I went to a Forester was for ease of modding - I can't be bothered certing it and up to 50mm spring lift is legal in NZ. I'll probably body lift/cert eventually - that, plus an R180 ARB air locker, is in my VERY long-term plans for the car.
I know you're all bored with the tl/dr wall-o-text, so here's some pics with more once I've done more mods/polished it:
Bringing offroad Subarus to NZ! (hopefully).:lol:
A few weeks ago I took a bit of a roadtrip up to Alexandra in Central Otago with my Dad, and bought a 2002 SG Forester X 5sp D/R, in what is very close British Racing Green. 205,300km (after driving it for a couple of weeks). It's not perfect, having many superficial parking dents, and it does need a good polish, but it has no rust due to the dry Central climate, and it burns no oil. Most of its kms are open-road, as the previous owner spent a lot of time commuting between Dunedin and Alex for work meetings, and so it drives pretty much like new. It has factory cruise control, and optional foglights too.
Picked it up for ~1/3 of what dealers are charging for JDM 2.0 autos with ~100,000kms so a pretty good deal. Best price:condition ratio SG I could find - I bought it for the 2.5, not the crap DR gearing (more easily rectified & no cert needed). Having said that, I've tested out the D/R on our driveway (really steep) and it's not too bad, but low 1st is equivalent to about low 3rd in Dad's Pathfinder and the lack of engine braking compared to what I'm used to scared me a little.
Great power and torque from the 2.5, and fuel economy isn't too bad. Does the EJ251 need 95 octane? The PO always used this, but according to the owners manual 90 octane is minimum - 91 is lowest in NZ. Anyway, between Alexandra and Roxburgh, on the way home to Dunedin, there is a very steep hill with a passing lane and a 55kph entry corner. I was following Dad (Toyota 86 auto) in the Foz, and we both pulled out at the bottom of the hill to pass a tourist in a JDM Sunny. I was in second, expecting to get thrashed going up the hill. By the top, and shifting at 5750rpm or so to 3rd, I had dropped about 10m on the 86. Impressed to say the least! Best part of the trip was driving his 86 to Alex.
Had a new clutch at 60,000km, so it is going to need a new one soon. Also has a slight oil leak at the rear of the engine (but doesn't burn any) and I will be doing gearbox/diff oils when I install the extended rear breather (already got the 8mm vinyl tubing). Cambelt was done at 113,000kms so I'll do it before 220,000 and get the clutch/seals at the same time. Should I do head gaskets too? They aren't weeping and I checked the radiator cap for white goo - also checked it again yesterday after 1000km and it's still fine.:ebiggrin:
Plans for mods are:
Bashplate (Done with one off my old Leone)
Daytime Running lights (done)
New 215/65r16 Kumho KH18 tyres (not A/T but done, I'm used to using chains offroad anyway)
RallyArmor mudflaps - didn't have OEM ones (done)
Removed those annoying little flaps before front wheels (visual mod)
Fitted roof rack - early 90s Prorack from a Maxima
STi sway bars with quick-releases front/rear - do I need bugeye-on sways or will GC ones fit?
Fan switch - diagram please?
Rear diff breather
1.45:1 DR (or maybe AD Subaroo 1.6:1?...)
LSD front/rear/DCCD centre?
Raised Kings!!!!
Slightly modified intake - front silencer removed and first 'box' re-reouted into fender for CAI/less water risk.
Repaint wheels, probably gunmetal metallic
Reason why I went to a Forester was for ease of modding - I can't be bothered certing it and up to 50mm spring lift is legal in NZ. I'll probably body lift/cert eventually - that, plus an R180 ARB air locker, is in my VERY long-term plans for the car.
I know you're all bored with the tl/dr wall-o-text, so here's some pics with more once I've done more mods/polished it:
Bringing offroad Subarus to NZ! (hopefully).:lol:
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:rotfl:
I loved how well it went offroad, wasn't anything too hardcore and I wasn't pushing as I was by myself with only chains and a tow rope for recovery gear. It's also kinda hard to go from low 2nd to 1st when heading downhill without experiencing 'runaway'. I can see why Dad loves his tiptronic for offroading - and the 2.5:1 in his Pathie!
