2015 Forester 2.0

[alin555]

On 5/20/2024 at 5:13 PM, Incom said:

I have the intention of renewing the COE but have dependency on how high the COE is.
Just be prepared to change out a lot of wear and tear parts.

Get FXT if possible, if you do enjoy sprint driving.

Thanks for sharing! I tried both FNA and FXT, indeed I enjoyed the FXT more!

On 5/20/2024 at 11:05 PM, richard_crl032 said:

I agree with Incom to get fxt if you have such intention .. fna takes off well but runs of steam while fc is not low or even typical if on city driving.

I have spent quite a bit on my fxt and I agree again with Incom that whether to extend really depends 10 yrs COE by then even if scrap value is low at maybe 7k due to lowish 17k for my 2017 fxt. 

Do also consider mileage of your ride for another 7k+ for a new lower block and top overhaul and perhaps another 5k for new aircon compressor, radiator, starter, water pump, alternator and complete set of rubber hoses since any such failures can be castrophic or big turnoff that required towed due to breakdowns. 

And yes, the usual suspension, endlinks, bearings etc. may be another 3k i.e. 7k+7k+5k+3k plus 10 yrs COE with also needed 10% yrly increase of roadtax as well ad perhaps 2-3k for a new paint job to refresh yr forester to 80% new while noting this estimated 25k excluding 10 yrs COE are cash payable unlike loan of new car. 

Then pray expensive cvt transmission, steering column, catalytic converter last hopefully 5 yrs more or another 10k for all new ?

Dunno but brand new cars especially EV going at 5 seconds 0-100kmhr certainly dampen my idea of extending 10 yrs COE not only fxt but even most conti sport cars.

Cheers.

PS: still find shortcoming on ride comfort of forester a big red flag

Thanks for the detailed sharing! In this case, would there be other Forester competitors you would recommend for reliability and cheaper maintenance? Would Harrier or Tucson 2017 model fit the bill?

[richard_crl032]

On 5/21/2024 at 9:49 AM, alin555 said:

Thanks for the detailed sharing! In this case, would there be other Forester competitors you would recommend for reliability and cheaper maintenance? Would Harrier or Tucson 2017 model fit the bill?

Most welcomed ! 

Unfortunately I do not have experience with 1.6T Tucson but cannot imagine it to drive better than fxt and harrier turbo both at 2.0T.

However, I do have experience with harrier turbo as I was one of the many who booked the 1st batch without test car but cancelled it after thrice test drive as it does not have grunt or awd like fxt and it was sgd30k more.

However, Toyota reliability is not in vain and since buying older at much less $ difference than when new, I would go for it especially if for drive comfort and a nice family car (not driveability nor awd stability aka sportiness of fxt or "car fun"). Nevertheless, the mentioned expenses to avoid tow and looking a bit newer should still be considered imho.

Hope this helps and cheers.

Edited May 21, 2024 by richard_crl032

[richard_crl032]

On 10/19/2021 at 10:28 AM, richard_crl032 said:

Hi,

I also had wiper issue error issue which is a faulty valve .. think sgd120 at BMS AMK.

I have 3x50k km svc package with them and frankly I dun bother to haggle with MI .. if it is out of warranty, I just go to BKS woodlands or BMS AMK unless safety related under recall e.g. broken exhaust hinge.

Warranty period exists for a reason if it fails early which unfortunately the fxt has several that may out of warranty period .. I am just waiting for 4th front bushing change and 3rd bearing change (1st one during warranty) after 90k km 🤣

Cheers.

Hmmh .. a bit quiet here nowadays indeed 😅

4th front arm bushing and 3rd all bearing changed at 150k km in 2024 or 3.5 yrs or 60k km from above update .. yes, still on my fxt for next 3 remaining yrs while 2nd 10 yrs old coe yet to be seen. 

EV is tempting but overpriced, still developing battery technologies that WILL render today's inferior as well as retired 3 yrs ago for <20k km/yr that makes FC less of a concern and EV less attractive.

Tein endura pro plus dampers finally restocked and available for tomorrow's appt at BKS woodlands and alignment at Autopoint with Kenny i.e. this tein dampers with lowered Swift springs that are lower and more stable than sti pink springs last about 60k km which is probably ok and acceptable.

Cheers.

[commonjunks]

On 7/1/2024 at 10:05 AM, richard_crl032 said:

Hmmh .. a bit quiet here nowadays indeed 😅

4th front arm bushing and 3rd all bearing changed at 150k km in 2024 or 3.5 yrs or 60k km from above update .. yes, still on my fxt for next 3 remaining yrs while 2nd 10 yrs old coe yet to be seen. 

EV is tempting but overpriced, still developing battery technologies that WILL render today's inferior as well as retired 3 yrs ago for <20k km/yr that makes FC less of a concern and EV less attractive.

Tein endura pro plus dampers finally restocked and available for tomorrow's appt at BKS woodlands and alignment at Autopoint with Kenny i.e. this tein dampers with lowered Swift springs that are lower and more stable than sti pink springs last about 60k km which is probably ok and acceptable.

Cheers.

Mine left 2.5 year, not sure what i am going to do. Paying 100k going to sting.

[richard_crl032]

On 7/1/2024 at 10:05 AM, richard_crl032 said:

Hmmh .. a bit quiet here nowadays indeed 😅

4th front arm bushing and 3rd all bearing changed at 150k km in 2024 or 3.5 yrs or 60k km from above update .. yes, still on my fxt for next 3 remaining yrs while 2nd 10 yrs old coe yet to be seen. 

EV is tempting but overpriced, still developing battery technologies that WILL render today's inferior as well as retired 3 yrs ago for <20k km/yr that makes FC less of a concern and EV less attractive.

Tein endura pro plus dampers finally restocked and available for tomorrow's appt at BKS woodlands and alignment at Autopoint with Kenny i.e. this tein dampers with lowered Swift springs that are lower and more stable than sti pink springs last about 60k km which is probably ok and acceptable.

Cheers.

New tein endura pro plus dampers, top mounts, bump stops, edfc motors and fan motors .. $$$$ 🥲

Edited July 2, 2024 by richard_crl032

[commonjunks]

On 7/2/2024 at 12:29 PM, richard_crl032 said:

New tein endura pro plus dampers, top mounts, bump stops, edfc motors and fan motors .. $$$$ 🥲

How much was the damage? Ball park.

[richard_crl032]

On 7/2/2024 at 5:06 PM, commonjunks said:

How much was the damage? Ball park.

Excluding the edfc motors that I bought 4 yrs ago i.e. dampers, top mounts, bump stoppers and the 2 electric fan motors and of course the installation, it is sgd2.15k which is fine as BKS still gave best unchanged price from 3.5 yrs ago for the endura pro plus 🙏🙏

Ride now 2.5/3 finger gap and no longer 1 finger gap due to obviously depleted endura pro plus dampers and ride comfort resumed 🥳🥳

Bump stops looks fine i.e. not collapsed, cracked etc. but replaced since ordered while front top mounts were oreli rusty and glad replaced .. will oil them a bit since exposed with mounting of the motors 😅

Cheers. 

 

Edited July 2, 2024 by richard_crl032

[Marcus28]

Good morning everybody, I just secured my COE for my forester yesterday. 

Just to check, do you advice to upgrade its stock audio system?

[kermitfm]

@Marcus28 Congratulations on getting your new car. Whether or not to upgrade is really a personal decision and depends on what are your expectations and need.  Do you want or need to have very good hi fi output for music when in your car, or are you just using it to listen to news and background music. There are also features which you may want to take into consideration. These are just some that comes mind :

• Connection to power amplifier and more speaker outputs
• Need sub woofer?
• Apple carplay/Android Auto - wired or wireless?
• Standalone GPS?
• Screen size
• Compatibility with steering controls
• Control Interface

And of course it must meet you budget.  Cheers and enjoy your ride.

[Marcus28]

@kerminfm, Thanks. I will give up the idea of audio upgrade as planning to change car in every 2 years. I just discovered the budget requirement is very substantial in cost. 😞 

[Stratovarius]

On 7/8/2024 at 4:20 PM, Marcus28 said:

@kerminfm, Thanks. I will give up the idea of audio upgrade as planning to change car in every 2 years. I just discovered the budget requirement is very substantial in cost. 😞 

You do know that you dont have to change car when tyre botak right?🤣

[thefalcon]

Hi Richard,

It been a long time I follow this thread before I got my FNA in mid 2016.

You are the most active member here that guide us in the Forester. Thank you so much for your sharing here.

I'm also looking into renew COE or a New Forester. If you have time would you share with us on the new mild Hybrid Forester that is starting at S$170K.

Thank you in advance.

[Tohto]

On 7/8/2024 at 10:40 PM, thefalcon said:

Hi Richard,

It been a long time I follow this thread before I got my FNA in mid 2016.

You are the most active member here that guide us in the Forester. Thank you so much for your sharing here.

I'm also looking into renew COE or a New Forester. If you have time would you share with us on the new mild Hybrid Forester that is starting at S$170K.

Thank you in advance.

The current Forester model is too old. North America already roll out the all new model, but still using old engine. 

[inlinesix]

On 7/9/2024 at 11:22 PM, Tohto said:

The current Forester model is too old. North America already roll out the all new model, but still using old engine. 

Subaru sells EJ20 over 20 years 🤭

[richard_crl032]

On 7/8/2024 at 10:40 PM, thefalcon said:

Hi Richard,

It been a long time I follow this thread before I got my FNA in mid 2016.

You are the most active member here that guide us in the Forester. Thank you so much for your sharing here.

I'm also looking into renew COE or a New Forester. If you have time would you share with us on the new mild Hybrid Forester that is starting at S$170K.

Thank you in advance.

Hi Falcon,

My pleasure ... retired 3 yrs ago and plenty of time to share.

Just checked equivalent or alternative e.g. Harrier hybrid at 220k+ and I dun think you will go wrong with forester mild hybrid at very competitive 170k with awd, eyesight 4.0 (with allowed solar film), ample space and the usual great visbility .. making it a safe and happy family SUV. This is especially since you had already or still having the SJ FNA which is inferior without eyesight, higher FC without electric motor as well as higher NVH i.e. noiser.

Cheers.

 

[kermitfm]

On 7/8/2024 at 10:40 PM, thefalcon said:

Hi Richard,

It been a long time I follow this thread before I got my FNA in mid 2016.

You are the most active member here that guide us in the Forester. Thank you so much for your sharing here.

I'm also looking into renew COE or a New Forester. If you have time would you share with us on the new mild Hybrid Forester that is starting at S$170K.

Thank you in advance.

Hi Falcon, I am driving the e-boxer for about 4 years now. I think this is the first version and it did not come with Apple Carplay. I upgraded the head unit and that's all I have done. My previous model was the previous version, I think the FNA SJ.  I find the eboxer has more power (more pull) maybe because of the added battery output. If I put it on Sports mode, it pulls even stronGER. Caveat - I am a 'gentle' driver so I don't normally push the car very hard. I noticed that high speed cruising is better.  I love the adaptive cruise control and used it a lot when on Malaysian highway. The only downside is the very small petrol tank capacity. I think the gauge will hit 1/4 after about 400 km (or less). As a comparision, I can get to KL using slightly 1/2 tank. On the eboxer, I will reach KL on 3/4 tank.

Of course the mileage is better. I was doing 10 litre /  100 km in the SJ while in the SK, it is about 8 litre / 100km. 

The lead -acid batteries (not the hybrid battery) seems to have short live. I have changed the main battery and the stop start once each and the I think I may need to change the stop start battery again soon.

Overall, I am happy with this model. Better than the SJ which have no adaptive cruise and no iSight. Happy to answer any question you may have.

 

[thefalcon]

@richard_crl032 Thank you Sir.

[thefalcon]

On 7/12/2024 at 7:12 PM, kermitfm said:

Hi Falcon, I am driving the e-boxer for about 4 years now. I think this is the first version and it did not come with Apple Carplay. I upgraded the head unit and that's all I have done. My previous model was the previous version, I think the FNA SJ.  I find the eboxer has more power (more pull) maybe because of the added battery output. If I put it on Sports mode, it pulls even stronGER. Caveat - I am a 'gentle' driver so I don't normally push the car very hard. I noticed that high speed cruising is better.  I love the adaptive cruise control and used it a lot when on Malaysian highway. The only downside is the very small petrol tank capacity. I think the gauge will hit 1/4 after about 400 km (or less). As a comparision, I can get to KL using slightly 1/2 tank. On the eboxer, I will reach KL on 3/4 tank.

Of course the mileage is better. I was doing 10 litre /  100 km in the SJ while in the SK, it is about 8 litre / 100km. 

The lead -acid batteries (not the hybrid battery) seems to have short live. I have changed the main battery and the stop start once each and the I think I may need to change the stop start battery again soon.

Overall, I am happy with this model. Better than the SJ which have no adaptive cruise and no iSight. Happy to answer any question you may have.

 

Thank you so much for your sharing. How many liter is the petrol tank for eBoxer?