The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hi everyone,

I am thinking about buying a Subaru Forester X as this looks like an excellent all-around vehicle with some off-road capability, but ideally I'd like to take occasional trips to Fraser Island and Moreton Island, also Double Island Point, and am wondering if the Forester X could handle such journeys. The dealer I spoke with said he didn't know, but he thought that maybe the Forester might not be able to handle deep sand or difficult terrain. Can anyone here advise me on this? Has anyone here driven a Forester X on Fraser or Moreton, or on the beach etc?

Thanks,

Mike

The forester will be fine. Adding a lift kit, bigger tyres, bullbar etc will improve its offroad ability but you will probably be happy with it as it comes from the factory.

Beach driving is largely about driver ability, if driven properly you wont have trouble with the forester

I'd say depending on how deep the ruts are on the inland tracks, but I can't see it being a major drama. Plenty of standard subies tackle those beaches. As long as you have a set of maxtrax, shovel and or a snatch strap, even if you do get stuck you'll be able get moving again.

Bigger tyres are always a good idea on sand but remember you should let tham down when on sand, it makes it easier to drive and the engine doesnt have to work as hard.

Some of the inland tracks on Fraser can be quite difficult in any car. Generally speaking though the main tracks that every one uses are graded often and are on the easy side for an unlifted Forester. As VV said, a lot of it is about the driver. Gain some experience with your car and learn its' capabilities on the easier tracks and the main beach itself. Once you know what it can do with ease then start looking at the more difficult tracks.

Down the track if you find you want to do some more adventurous offroading look at getting one of the many lift kits available these days.

It seems as though you are local to this area from where you say you want to go. So, why not drop in to the Subaru 4wd club one night and have a chat in person to some of the members there. Quite a few of the board members here are in the club. There are Forester owners in the club that you can talk to about the ability of Foresters offroad.

Hi Mike welcome to the board if you do buy the Forester x and you don't have much experience and would like some.
We are having a trip to Double island Point from 23th to 25th of November its the Subaru club of Queenslands Christmas party see our web site for details http://www.subaclub.com or ring David Martin on 0429121996

Jan

Thanks a lot for the info. If I buy the Forester soon I just may be able to join the Double Island Point excursion depending on my workload at the time.

One more question if you don't mind. I am a surfer and have always carried my car key with me in the water to avoid having my car stolen, however, I'm told this is not possible with the electronic keys that are standard these days. The dealer said that the only thing I could do is have a key cut that opens the door, take that with me in the water, but leaving the ignition key inside the car - which would seem to defeat the purpose! Any advice on this issue? (I used to bury my car key in the sand, but one time someone saw me do this and stole my car!)

Cheers,

Mike

PS The last question I have is, should I go auto or manual? I prefer manual but the dealer said that the auto is actually better on sand, as in less likely to get stuck.

Cheers,

Mike

The dealer is right about the key. If you carry a spare as he said you can hide you other one under the seat or some thing like that.

The auto is pretty fool proof. That is any one could drive it pretty much any where. They do sap power though. A manual if non-turbo would be dual range and pretty bloody easy to drive on the beach as well. If it is turbo they can be a little harder to get moving. This is solved by simply backing up a metre when you stop. This gives you a nice flat compact bit of sand to drive off on.

With regard to the key security question, have you considered installing a small metal lock-box inside the car (under a seat, or in the spare wheel well)?



Then all you'd need to have is a plain key cut to open the driver's door.



Jack