2003 invoice price for Forester X (Cdn$ please!)

Hey folks. I`m new here. Just came on to see what folks were saying about the Forester. Funny thing, 1st post I find is about Dev-Doo and your Pregnant wife. DD , What did you compare it to make your decision?? My wife is currently 7 months preg. And we are very much interested in the Forester. We also have a 5 yr old boy as well as a 2 yr old Golden Ret. x. Current family Vehicle is a `95 Pathfinder. We like it but are looking for better Gas economy this time around. Living in Calgary and do enjoy the odd (not often enough) trip to the Rockies. No, not just downtown Banff ;-) Any ways, I`ll be watching for input on the Forester too. Thanks

Oooooo...I have mixed feelings about your post, Polaris. On one hand, we have been researching this Forester thing for 4+ years now, and I am very confident in our final decision. On the other hand, I drive Ski Doo (hence the name "Dev Doo"), but this only because I like to change spark plugs alot. I hope we can get along :-)

But seriously:

- Consumer reports: best reliabilty (on average) of anything with AWD/4x4 over the last 5 years

- 2003 Gen II chassis has built in side impact airbags, best safety rating in it's class combining front and side impact from SUV's/cars/pickups (a couple others scored the same with optional features - Ford is one)

- The 2.5 l motor has a Low Emissions Vehicle rating (non turbo models). By way of comparison, my 5.7 l GMC Z71 passes everything on the road (except a gas station)

- Great visibily for my wife (she is a bit shorter than average!)

- I'm getting Pacifica Blue Metallic...lets me pretend (almost) that it's an WRX STi (maybe, kinda, sorta?)

I have direct experience (friends, my own) with the following makes while making my decision. I doubt you'll find anyone to argue with our thinking inside this newsgroup (although, if they do, then this post becomes a good "troll detector")

GMC Z71 & 4x4 Ford Explorer Ford F150 4x4 Nissan Pathfinder Chev Tracker Subaru Forester Hyundai Sante Fe BMW

I seriously compared all the Subaru models, Hyundai, and GMC stuff on the dealer lots. All others done on paper. Check out this website...lots of fun for comparing vehicles. I like their "Intellichoice" thingy....

And don't forget my original request for dealer invoice price folks!!!

Dev_Doo

Hello, could not help myself to give you unsolicited advice. First, my wife and I bought a second hand 1998 Forester S last December. We just had a baby girl in November and our 1999 Civic Sedan was not cutting it. We travel often and needed to extra cargo capacity. I tried every Japanese brand station wagon/mini SUV out there, installing the baby seat and stuffing the stroller in the back. Anyway, we decided on the Forester, my wife liked it and I found a great deal on a not too used one.

The Forester lived up to its billing, moving us safely thru winter. I was very happy with until... Our baby got bigger and out grew the baby rear-facing car seat (up to 20 lbs). She not actually 20lbs but she is taller than the maximum height for this seat. She was only 6 months old. I had to get a stage two car seat, which is rear-facing for babies under 1 year of age. Let me tell you that the seat eats up all the room in the back, have it in the middle, the only place it will fit. We are both lean people but there is no room back there. Anyway, the problem is only here until our baby is 1 year old, then she will be sitting in a forward facing car seat. I am not sure how having two young ones in car seats will work out in the Forester.

Anyway, if I had known what I know now about car seats, I would have probably bought a larger (wider) car.

Bao

Thank you for the head's up...two kids are in the plan for us, so we'll consider your thoughts well!

We might space the birthdates out a little, so one rear-facing car seat at a time will be enough (but you never know!).

BTW....I found out that dealer invoice price is $25 995 Cdn for a base Forester X (compared to $27 995 MSRP). If you add the automatic tranny, the dealer pays $1000 more and charges you $1100 more.

Then add all the taxes, PDI, etc.

Try this for your dealer invoice