Topic: Tom's 1997 Forester S/TB - For Sale!

[GrantC]

Can anyone translate these?

From one or two characters I can recognize (and guessing from the interval between the numbers) I'd say "last oil change was at 71,200 and next scheduled one was for 81,200."

[GC8REX]

Thanks man! I figured it was something like an oil change with those numbers but what are the characters in the top left of each sticker? Those characters are the only difference between each sticker, so it would imply they changed oil and something else at the same time.

[YvanF]

She's a beaut. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing this last night at the wing meet. Just need to convince my parents to get one of these now.

I'm slowly trying to convince my whole family to convert to Subaru's. 

[pistachoo]

From one or two characters I can recognize (and guessing from the interval between the numbers) I'd say "last oil change was at 71,200 and next scheduled one was for 81,200."

The "engine oil" boxes aren't checked.  Lazy techs?

Thanks man! I figured it was something like an oil change with those numbers but what are the characters in the top left of each sticker? Those characters are the only difference between each sticker, so it would imply they changed oil and something else at the same time.

I don't know the characters, but the katakana reads as follows:

[Zac]

Looks great in person tom! Wish I could have seen the fancy interior in daylight though, the green colour adds too the sleeper ness 

[GC8REX]

The "engine oil" boxes aren't checked.  Lazy techs?

I don't know the characters, but the katakana reads as follows:

Hey thanks a lot dude!

So looks like they changed the brake and clutch fluid at 71200, which is awesome. The brakes and clutch definitely feel very solid, so I believe it.

Just changed my own oil, so no worries about that unchecked box.

[GC8REX]

Looks great in person tom! Wish I could have seen the fancy interior in daylight though, the green colour adds too the sleeper ness 

Thanks Zac! Haha yeah don't get many looks which is awesome

Gotta say though... glad I'm getting tires swapped soon, was kinda interesting in the snow today.

[seat safety switch]

They change the brake and clutch fluid every 10,000 km? Wow.

[GC8REX]

They change the brake and clutch fluid every 10,000 km? Wow.

I was surprised about that too, maybe it just means check it in 10000km? I wouldnt be surprised though, Japan has pretty rigorous mechanical inspection requirements

[blessthekellen]

hows the shifting on the forester compared to the GC?
I drove a 5 speed Forester (2004 turbo) and the shifter was sloppy as hell, absolutely hated it.
These a lot stiffer/more GC like?

Regards,

[AwdSex]

You should bring this by tomorrow if you swing by.

[GC8REX]

Getting brand new yokohama Geolandar a/t-s tires installed and balanced tomorrow, as well as daytime running lights. Should be ready for an OOP next week sometime, will likely bring it to Apex Specialized as I've heard good things.

hows the shifting on the forester compared to the GC?
I drove a 5 speed Forester (2004 turbo) and the shifter was sloppy as hell, absolutely hated it.
These a lot stiffer/more GC like?

Regards,

Shifting is smooth, feels like a new clutch. More defined featherpoint for sure. GC shift point feels more forgiving though, mainly due to it being older and more worn.

The engine in the forester seems to rev up quicker than the gc one did stock (my crank pulley helped a tad), which makes it slightly easier to double clutch on downshifts.

Since it has a smaller turbo, the foz drives MUCH MUCH better in 1st, has a much lower torque RPM. 1st gear in my WRX is almost useless other than getting the car moving or racing.

You should bring this by tomorrow if you swing by.

Will do! Look forward to seeing your guys' progress by the time I get there.

[AWDFTW]

1st gear in my WRX is almost useless other than getting the car moving or racing.[/]

ZOMG!!! You must mean on the streets! BAN!!


Really sweet car man. I'm really liking the JDM Forester so much! Might have to replace ours with one!!

[GC8REX]

ZOMG!!! You must mean on the streets! BAN!!


Really sweet car man. I'm really liking the JDM Forester so much! Might have to replace ours with one!!

Haha nope not on da streets.

Thanks for the compliment! Just can't wait to get her OOP done

[GC8REX]

Another update today. I'm learning so many new things about the forester every day, hard to keep track of them all to tell you guys, but here's some of the latest updates:

-Discovered rear seat has armrests that can fold down, as well as reclining rear seats (!).
-Found the hidden cupholder in front that I was wondering the location of haha
-My forester didn't have the rear audio option, so there are no speakers in my rear 4 speaker grilles. However, I plan on replacing everything either way so not a problem, and all the wiring is connected to accommodate speaker install . In the JDM Forester there are a total of 8 seperate speakers: 2 front tweeters in the door, 2 6.5" speakers in front doors, 2 5.25" speakers in rear doors, and 2 larger size tweeters in rear pillars. Once I have my system set up this should be quite the audio experience haha. I will post my audio install pics/details once I do it to help any other foz owners.
- Another awesome feature of the audio system: ALL speakers can be installed/removed without removing door panels! If you've installed car audio before you know how much of a treat this is. No more undoing door clips/screws and struggling to get it back on perfectly.
-Did my official first wrenching on her today! Needed to tighten up the accessory belts as  they were squeaking a bit when cold.

Biggest update of today though was my new tires (Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S) and daytime running lights in preparation for my OOP. This work was done by William (my importer), awesome service as usual.

The pics!
Shameless plug haha

What the rear speaker looks like, should be able to fit a fair size tweeter in there. Didn't bother taking pics of other speakers until I post a DIY

Secretive cupholders:


The new rubber! Pretty aggressive tread


Testing it out in our yard

[seat safety switch]

Geolanders are pretty popular on Dirty Impreza; they seem like a fairly serious tire. How's the highway road noise?

[GC8REX]

Geolanders are pretty popular on Dirty Impreza; they seem like a fairly serious tire. How's the highway road noise?

Surprisingly not too bad! Still very quiet inside, other than a little wind noise. Slightly more rough riding on the highway but not enough to be irritating. And they pull easily through the snow,water,mud I tested them in.

[Spencer-jdm]

I've been looking at these foresters for some time now, this topic might make me pull the trigger on one since they are dirt cheap from overseas. I was looking at one identical in every way to yours this morning haha sweet suv! I really dig the front ends on the foresters. pretty burly looking

[GC8REX]

I've been looking at these foresters for some time now, this topic might make me pull the trigger on one since they are dirt cheap from overseas. I was looking at one identical in every way to yours this morning haha sweet suv! I really dig the front ends on the foresters. pretty burly looking

They're an awesome value that's for sure!

[Way_Gone]

Yup, all kinds of jealous over here. Glad I've got another dd so I don't have to use my fun car but man... this would make such a great combination of good dd+fun!

[GC8REX]

The Foz is going for her OOP early tomorrow morning, fingers crossed!

Installed DRL with the tires, so I'm hoping no issues.

[booSTIn]

Hey uhm Tom..... How long is this thing going to be "arriving" for?

She's coming together though hey? You liking it so far?

[GC8REX]

Hey uhm Tom..... How long is this thing going to be "arriving" for?

She's coming together though hey? You liking it so far?

Haha I'll change up that title soon here.

I love it man, such a nice vehicle compared to the wrx, but still very peppy, I'm very familiar with the engine, 5 speed is awesome, and the storage is CRAZY.

After inspection (providing nothing fails), I'll be installing a stereo. DVD head unit, 6.5" components in front (stock tweeter grilles hopefully), 5.25" components in rear (including tweeters in stock pillar mounts), my amp and sub from wrx, and POSSIBLY rearview camera 

After THAT, I may be considering STi axle or catback.

Also want to buy OEM rear storage floor mat (Cargo bin its called I think?), roof rack/ski rack, and then eventually get rear bumper fixed/replaced (will know more about that later).

Also, check this out:

[Jessica]

Don't forget the front and rear sway bars!! 

[GC8REX]

Don't forget the front and rear sway bars!! 

you're a bad influence! haha