Pierre-Jules Boulanger's early 1930s design brief was for a low-priced, rugged "umbrella on four wheels" that would enable two peasants to drive 100 kg of farm goods to market at 37 mph, in clogs and across muddy unpaved roads if necessary. Most famously, it would be able to drive across a ploughed field without breaking the eggs it was carrying. Boulanger later also had the roof raised to allow him to drive while wearing a hat.
That lead to the Citroen 2CV. Which I can’t help but think is partly responsible for the Subaru Forester. Hardly anyone really needs to drive across ploughed fields, I don’t know anyone in Britain that wears clogs, let alone with a top hat. Yet, the Subaru Forester, with its rugged looks, high ride and even higher roofline is clearly designed to be an estate car that can allow men in morning suits to traverse the odd muddy rut from time to time.
Which is why it’s such a disappointment when the suspension pings like the suspension is made of rubber bands and springs made originally for Bic biros. Which happened everytime I mounted a sleeping Policeman.
I wasn’t disappointed that the heating system, while looking perfectly normal with 3 conventional dials, had an eccentric way of interpreting my inputs. That felt very charming in a 2CV sort of way. It’s no big deal; you’ll figure out how it works in day or two. Although, you may not be able to articulate to anyone else what to do. I know I can’t.
It may sound like I don’t like the Forester, but that’s not true. I would rather have it than, say a Nissan Pathfinder. It is light and airy and doesn’t feel excessive like those big 4x4s. The trim levels, leather quality and little design touches, like the lighting in cup holders all make this feel like a near-premium car. Up there with Audis and Volvos and such. And I like the idea of being seen in a Subaru far more than I like the idea of being seen in a big Volvo estate. Which is why I would buy the Subaru Outback, with the same 2.0 diesel Boxer engine that the we tested in this Forrester.
This engine can accelerate to 60 mph in 10 seconds, achieves high fourties mpg without trying while cruising silently. It is a really impressive piece of engineering let down by the flimsy gear shift and ‘elasticated’ suspension.
The Outback not only felt better put together, it looked sleeker. It was also more anchored to the road, both for motorway cruises and cornering on the twisty roads that lead to ploughed fields. Which it can also cross, in order to get to the Dutch wedding breakfast that required the clogs, top hat and eggs.
What’s the market like?
There are only ever a few hundred Foresters in the market, even if we include the early 2002 models. There is a small customer base of repeat purchasers, mainly in rural communities and an even smaller dealer network which supplies them. This means prices stay very firm and supply and demand are carefully managed between two parties that want a long-term relationship. Without the heavy competition in terms of dealers or ex-fleet stock flowing into the market, prices stay firm apart from the years around MOT trade-in.
If considering buying a Subaru for the first time, 3 and 4 year old cars will have lost most and be about to enjoy low depreciation for 2-3 years. 5 year old, well looked after examples, are probably the bargains to go for.
The number of nearly new petrols versus the number of nearly new diesels in the market is about the same. The 2.0 petrols are a bit cheaper though, as the 2.0 litre diesel boxer engine is still very new to the range and as it offers such excellent performance and economy it is in great demand.
What else can this budget buy?
There are lots of cross-overs and large estates that may work for you around the £12,000 3 year old mark. But the only direct competitor is arguably the Volvo XC70, which is the sumptuous V70 estate pumped up and given a bit of edge. Looking at as close to like for like as I can get, the Volvo is going to be £2,000 to £3,000 more. In terms of quality of build, living experience and image the Volvo is worth the extra. But there is something ‘staid’ about being seen to drive a big Volvo estate, whereas a Subaru, even the ugliest one of the flock, is somehow a bit fresher.
Summary
A rare combination of estate car with 4x4-like characteristics. Rugged image let down by frail-feeling experience. If you like it and need a car with this uncommon skill set, great, but prices need to be softer to make this a no-brainer.