I BLAME TOYOTA! Less choices on '09 Forester

[F14CRAZY]

Being that I'm a Subaru owner and interested in replacing mine in the not so distant future (due to its obscene rear-end damage), I've been pretty interested in the 2009 Forester. I checked them out first hand at NAIAS and was pretty impressed.

I got thinking, will the XT be offered with a manual trans? These days you can't be too sure, even with Subaru. I checked Subaru's site on it...XT is listed as having a "standard" automatic. Hmm, maybe they put it that way, making the manual an option, or maybe...the 6 speed manual is an option!

Did a little more googling...cars101.com...

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forest...ester2009.html

lists the 2.5 X base, auto and manual, 2.5 Premium auto and manual, but NOTHING ABOVE THAT! Scroll down...LL Bean edition doesn't have a manual listing (as it is with the current Forester), but come to the XT...NO MANUAL!

OMFG. Of all the companies I swore that Subaru would be a safe haven for me and others that prefer to operate their own clutch pedal and shifter, but seriously I feel betrayed because of this (NO, Sportshift isn't gonna cut it, and I DO NOT want a DSG or anything like that).

My first thought is that IT'S TOYOTA'S FAULT! Their interest in building numb, bland, uninspired appliances for mere "consumers" was forced onto Fuji Heavy Industries due to their 8.7% stake.

About all I can do now is hope the Outback XT/manual can hold out until like the 2009 model year, when I'm ready for another purchase, or that Saab will make a 9-3x XWD/manual despite GM's dislike for manuals as well.

Further research:

-'09 Forester is based on the Impreza platform, and that offers a turbo/manual (WRX)

-HP ratings are the same for the '09 versus the '08 (or my '07). Subaru has used basically the same manual transmission for their vehicles since 1995. The same 5 speed is used in the Legacy GT and Outback XT (heavier) which put out 243 hp if I'm correct. The '09 Forester XT is rated for 224 hp.

I've sent an email to Subaru about my concern, and expressed that availability of an MT was one of my buying priorities. I've also sent an email to my salesman.

[Htay7500]

I don't want to hurt your feelings but...for the US, there will be no manual with XT trim. though I don't know if its available on the base engine. before subaru made the worlds 1st boxer diesel, subaru haven't had a new engines for some 2yrs. on the positive note, there will be a diesel forester...

[jry]

Originally Posted by Htay7500

I don't want to hurt your feelings but...for the US, there will be no manual with XT trim. though I don't know if its available on the base engine. before subaru made the worlds 1st boxer diesel, subaru haven't had a new engines for some 2yrs. on the positive note, there will be a diesel forester...

And i think the '09 Forester is sharp.
We spent a bit of time with the Subaru folks during press days. Naturally, no mention of the Diesel. Can hardly wait to put that one through the grind.
Of course, Subaru says that they will not bring the diesel to the US until they can clear the emissions regs for all 50 states and they want to let the other auto companies be the guinea pigs and take the lumps first, when it comes to diesels.

[Xenon]

Buy an STI then. That's what I'd do. It has a better interior too.

[F14CRAZY]

But they don't offer the Forester STi in the US

[driverblogger]

It can't just be Toyota, I have read numerous articles saying that manual transmission is going to phase out in the United States for autos and manumatics.

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

But they don't offer the Forester STi in the US

No, but there is the Imprezza, and that has just as much interior space.

[JJ26]

It's not Toyota...

But here's to hopefully seeing a F-STi in the future. But a Legacy STi is more likely and I hope that rumor comes true.



F14CRAZY- you should check out NASIOC for info. And the new hatchback could do what the old Forester does as it is bigger. But the STi is gonna cost you $35k and up depending on options which as you know is way more than the old forester xt and way more than a WRX with a manual. Unless you option out a WRX and you be close to $30k considering my 02 WRX was $23k back in 2002

[casket_demon]

I blame lazy people.

[F14CRAZY]

An Impreza in Outback Sport trim would be an acceptable replacement, I guess. Not as much clearance as a Forester but better than a normal Impreza at 6-some inches

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

An Impreza in Outback Sport trim would be an acceptable replacement, I guess. Not as much clearance as a Forester but better than a normal Impreza at 6-some inches

Unless you need a 6-seater, a Legacy Outback is worth looking into. It has a manual option too.

[F14CRAZY]

Yeah, Outback XT

I received this reply from SOA today:

Dear Mr. Croff:

Thanks for for visiting the Subaru Web site and for your interest in Subaru
products.

The 2009 Forester 2.5XT models will only be available with an automatic
transmission. Subaru reviews the sales results of each model, market trends, and
customer feedback regarding how to equip and offer our products. We use this
information to make the difficult decisions that need to be made. One of these
difficult decisions was to only offer the 2009 Forester 2.5XT models with an
automatic transmission.

Your comments will be noted in our Customer/Dealer Services database. We use
such information to track the performance of our products with the intentions of
improving upon them. In the past, input from our customers has been helpful in
initiating changes to our newer models. We hope to continually improve our
products and appreciate your feedback.

Thank you for your time and feedback.

Sincerely,
Nancy Quinn
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer/Dealer Services Department

[Mischief007]

This absolutely sucks.

I'm telling you guys, as much as I am a manual fan, the new vehicles are going auto/manumatic 99% of the time. I guess I won't be purchasing a new car in a very long time.

[roteague]

Originally Posted by casket_demon

I blame lazy people.

Wait until you get older, with arthritic knees, and see if you feel like driving a stick shift. I don't.

[Htay7500]

Originally Posted by jry

And i think the '09 Forester is sharp.
We spent a bit of time with the Subaru folks during press days. Naturally, no mention of the Diesel. Can hardly wait to put that one through the grind.
Of course, Subaru says that they will not bring the diesel to the US until they can clear the emissions regs for all 50 states and they want to let the other auto companies be the guinea pigs and take the lumps first, when it comes to diesels.

I also read that they wanna release them only when the trend of diesels in the US goes up a bit.