As you may know, the 2014 Subaru Forester is Motor Trends SUV of the year. It is also Consumer Reports top pick in its class. I test drove one several months ago and I was entirely unimpressed at the time because the air conditioning was sub-par and the acceleration was quite feeble. I considered a Toyota RAV4 but it scored poorly on the insurance institute's offset accident collision test and is therefore no longer recommended by Consumer Reports. In contrast, the Forester has a top safety rating and in the event of a severe crash, the engine is designed to drop onto the pavement instead of thru the firewall and into your lap. Score one for Subaru. So, I decided to take another look at the Forester. As it happens the model I got, a premium version with the all-weather package and navigation, accelerates quite well and the air conditioner works like it should. I don't what the deal was with the one I test-drove before but my vehicle performs as expected. A few other Subaru Forester owners have also complained about the air conditioning in their Foresters and/or the acceleration as well. Others, like myself, are reporting good climate controls and decent acceleration.
Cost! Here's the scoop on the poop. I elected not to deal with the dealers. Instead, I used Car Bargains to negotiate the deal for me. The cost of the service just went up $50.00 as of the first of the year. In my experience, it is worth it. Here's the link to their website:
http://www.checkbook.org/auto/carbarg.cfm
After a long wait, my bids from various dealers in my area arrived by email from Car Bargains. Several dealers refused to bid, citing the popularity and scarcity of the vehicle. Others, however, did compete for my business with Car Bargains acting as my negotiator. One dealer offered the vehicle at dealer invoice plus $300.00 while two others offered the same model at invoice.(For those who don't know, the invoice is the cost of the vehicle that the dealer pays the factory when the dealer purchases the car. Don't confuse this price with the MSRP price which appears on the sticker on the window of a new car.) Finally, one dealer, who happened to be the one located in my area, bid invoice LESS $600.00!!! Obviously, I bought it there. Thank you Car Bargains for a great deal on a new vehicle.
Getting back to the Forester, the one I got is "tight" meaning it's well-screwed together. You have to shut the doors hard which close with a "thunk". The triple door seals effectively squash road noise. The ride is fine, the AWD is great and the fuel economy is excellent, averaging 27 MPG between city and freeway, with mid 30s on the highway. In other words, it's getting the EPA. The view out from the vehicle is excellent. The seats are fine and supportive. Now, I've only got 55 miles on it so this is only an initial impression on the vehicle. Dislikes? No temperature gauge! Only idiot lights for cold, borderline over heating and over heating exist to warn the driver. I like a gauge instead.
All in all, a fine vehicle and so far so good...
Cost! Here's the scoop on the poop. I elected not to deal with the dealers. Instead, I used Car Bargains to negotiate the deal for me. The cost of the service just went up $50.00 as of the first of the year. In my experience, it is worth it. Here's the link to their website:
http://www.checkbook.org/auto/carbarg.cfm
After a long wait, my bids from various dealers in my area arrived by email from Car Bargains. Several dealers refused to bid, citing the popularity and scarcity of the vehicle. Others, however, did compete for my business with Car Bargains acting as my negotiator. One dealer offered the vehicle at dealer invoice plus $300.00 while two others offered the same model at invoice.(For those who don't know, the invoice is the cost of the vehicle that the dealer pays the factory when the dealer purchases the car. Don't confuse this price with the MSRP price which appears on the sticker on the window of a new car.) Finally, one dealer, who happened to be the one located in my area, bid invoice LESS $600.00!!! Obviously, I bought it there. Thank you Car Bargains for a great deal on a new vehicle.
Getting back to the Forester, the one I got is "tight" meaning it's well-screwed together. You have to shut the doors hard which close with a "thunk". The triple door seals effectively squash road noise. The ride is fine, the AWD is great and the fuel economy is excellent, averaging 27 MPG between city and freeway, with mid 30s on the highway. In other words, it's getting the EPA. The view out from the vehicle is excellent. The seats are fine and supportive. Now, I've only got 55 miles on it so this is only an initial impression on the vehicle. Dislikes? No temperature gauge! Only idiot lights for cold, borderline over heating and over heating exist to warn the driver. I like a gauge instead.
All in all, a fine vehicle and so far so good...
I do not know if this is true or not, but someone told me that the best way to 'break in' a new vehicle is to get out on the open road/interstate highways and put a few thousand miles on it at highway speeds, rather than slowly putting miles in "off and on" city driving. :S 
. Best mileage I have gotten out of the Prius was 64.9 MPG in about 150 mile trip...
