-
Join the MyBroadband community
South Africa’s biggest forum. Discuss, discover, and connect with thousands of members.
-
Question of the Day: Google Maps vs Waze vs Apple Maps vs physical paper maps?
Mid-range 4x4 options
- Thread starter SmartKit
- Start date
TehStranger
Executive Member
Then you definitely haven't driven a Forester 2.5 N/A
126 kw and 235 nm
I can confirm, the 2.5 N/As up on the reef are Ox wagon slow. Not terrible if you're not in a rush, but this is JHB, being in a rush is in our blood. :twisted:
Fazda
Honorary Master
There is also Subaru Johannesburg which is near Bruma, and that is where our Head Office is as well.
Thats a crap dealership.
The only Subaru dealership worth dealing with is here :
https://www.google.co.za/maps/@-29....ata=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1secwDujxZb7jM_ROIIJi4_g!2e0
(Btw, Fazda, I take a 25% commission)
Why thank you kind sir!!
Fazda
Honorary Master
I lived in JHB for nearly 30 years and there is nothing ox wagonish about 126 kw to start with, and unless you have driven the latest spec Forester with the long stroke motor, you definitely have no idea.
TehStranger
Executive Member
I lived in JHB for nearly 30 years and there is nothing ox wagonish about 126 kw to start with, and unless you have driven the latest spec Forester with the long stroke motor, you definitely have no idea.
Look, I'm not the typical Subaru hater here, I like the brand and even considered a Forester a while ago. But I'm attesting to the fact that 126kw of N/A power in a body that large is going to feel slow up here unless he's already used to something slower, "slow" is relative after all.
I'll go drive the latest spec Forester though to keep you happy.
Fazda
Honorary Master
Look, I'm not the typical Subaru hater here, I like the brand and even considered a Forester a while ago. But I'm attesting to the fact that 126kw of N/A power in a body that large is going to feel slow up here unless he's already used to something slower, "slow" is relative after all.
I'll go drive the latest spec Forester though to keep you happy.
Unlike some other SUV's on the market, the Forester is built with high strength light weight steel, and has a kerb weight of about 1450 kg. Go and check that weight with any other SUV you like and you will see that we are lighter than they are - we also have the highest safety rating of ANY SUV in the world, and the boxer engine gives it an incredibly low centre of gravity ( dead centre on the front wheels).
This is no ordinary car...
TehStranger
Executive Member
Salesman to the end.
Let me drive it before I harp on, but roughly 72kw/ton (after altitude losses) is far from rapid to be honest. Judging by his shortlist I reckon it's not a deal-breaker for him?
Yeah, taking a look around today and considering some of my plans, low range would be nice. Unfortunately few of these mid-range 4x4s have that option.
OrbitalDawn
Ulysses Everett McGill
No idea why it was ever on the list. Horrible things.
Looks like there are plenty of Freelanders in your price/year range.
Fazda
Honorary Master
Salesman to the end.
The OP is looking for an SUV and not a sports car.
Check a couple of other SUV power to weight ratios, and you will find that we are probably better than any of the others unless you are talking about some gas guzzling V 6 or V 8.In a simliar situation OP, but with a smaller budget I think. Having a look at the Freelander, fantastic vehicle, great ride, but smallish boot for our needs, and I wasn't too keen on the interior. Nothing wrong with it but at that price range you're competing with Audi's and BM's and they have it beat IMO.
Forester looks good, or we might just decide we actually don't need an off road vehicle to begin with so might go with a station wagon - V60, Avant etc.
Would you consider a double cab? Ranger, Amarok or the like?
Forester looks good, or we might just decide we actually don't need an off road vehicle to begin with so might go with a station wagon - V60, Avant etc.
Would you consider a double cab? Ranger, Amarok or the like?
Fazda
Honorary Master
Even the Ford salesman looked embarrassed to have it there...
Not quite the same price as a Forester ftw...
Indeed, but within phaktza's budget though, for the AWD drive one....ftw
TehStranger
Executive Member
The OP is looking for an SUV and not a sports car.
The OP is looking for an SUV and not a sports car.
I never implied sports car performance, was just merely stating that the Forester seems slow due to it's low power to weight ratio. Remember turbo cars lose far less power up here (5% compared to 17% for N/A AFAIK), so even though they're heavier they have more power.
But I'll humor you, here are some competitors and their power to weight ratios:
Subaru Forester 2.5 (weight = 1450; Power = 104.58kw (126kw with 17% loss); kw/ton = 72.12kw) For reference
Land Rover Freelander 2 2.2 SD4 HSE AT (weight = 1805; Power = 133kw (140kw with 5% loss); kw/ton = 73.68kw)
2014 Jeep Cherokee 3.2 V6 (with 9 speed box) (weight = 1862; Power = 165.17kw (199kw with 17% loss); kw/ton = 88.71kw)
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (weight = 2065; Power = 124.5kw (131kw with 5% loss); kw/ton = 60.29kw) Would still be my pick despite being slow
The others aren't worth looking at IMHO.
So Freelander and Cherokee have better power to weight that the Forester. Before you complain about the V6 in the Cherokee, 9 speed box plus fantastic (relatively) fuel economy means it's a contender. I don't care if you moan that it's more expensive, it's within the OPs budget and so can be compared.
Remember I'm not advocating amazing speed performance, and I know gearing plays an important role in this as well. I'm just trying to show that a Forester is not the only choice, no matter how much it isn't an "ordinary car".
Colin62
Executive Member
Make your mind up. You write the Subaru off for being underpowered, and then recommend 20% less power per ton, by your own calculations. It's starting to looks as though you're just being difficult for the sake of arguing.