Playing the pilot to the Forester

Samurai · 3rd January 2006, 22:44

I was driving back to Bangalore today. I was on the Hassan-Bangalore stretch and I had just crossed Chennarayapattana, and I see a SUV behind me with a Chevy badge. Well, it had to be the Chevy Forester, a SUV I have admired and respected for many many years. Then a wicked thought crossed my mind. I wondered how long will it take the 2.0L Chevy to pass me if I don't make it easier. With that thought I just took off with my Baleno. This was a 2 lane highway, not meant for crazy speeds, so I didn't exceed 140Kmph. Not surprisingly the Chevy kept up, I kept pulling away and the Chevy managed to keep company. This went on for 15 minutes and the Forester made no serious attempt to pass me. I started suspecting that the Chevy driver must have turned me into his pilot car. Darn! he was turning my own trick on me.

Having that thought in mind I ran into a contruction zone where a friendly bone rattling speed breaker welcomed me. As I was getting through the construction zone I remembered that for the next few KMs the road was not so great. Therefore I slowed down to 40s and forced the Chevy to pass me. I didn't relish the idea of crossing my sword with a Forester on a rough stretch. It wouldn't be level playing field for my car...

Thus ended my first brush with Chevy Forester on Indian roads.

nitrous · 4th January 2006, 00:52

Quote:

I didn't relish the idea of crossing my sword with a Forester on a rough stretch.

Very sensible thing to do.

ballkey · 4th January 2006, 06:42

I dont think the Forester with its heavier weight can pass the Baleno on a straight line. On bad roads however..

I'd love to get my hands on a used Forester. I guess they're almost as jealously guarded as VTECs

ajmat · 4th January 2006, 09:20

encountered a similar scenarior with a Forester on Mysore Road - When it came to roadworks - the tables were turned !!

GTO · 4th January 2006, 15:05

Fun experience! Nothing like the pleasure of comparing two entirely different machines on the highway. I had a ball taking the C220 and the Vtec on a family trip.

The Forester, IMHO, is overrated. I have driven it and really dont think too much of it from the enthusiast point of view.

Quote:

I'd love to get my hands on a used Forester. I guess they're almost as jealously guarded as VTECs

The Forester is so rare, that the government may offer protection to the ones on the road!

GTO

deepakhon · 4th January 2006, 15:18

You probably might have encountered my colleague, but wait! He ripped off all the Chevy badges and imported Subaru badges for his Forrester from the US. He keeps driving b'ween Bangalore and Ujjire near Dharmasthala.

deepakhon · 4th January 2006, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

The Forester, IMHO, is overrated. I have driven it and really dont think too much of it from the enthusiast point of view.

GTO

Depends on what you want of the vehicle. If you are considering the 0-100 timings, Forrester might disappoint you, especially if you are used to VTEC and the C. But if you want to rip off with the same speed on any road, either good or bad, this is the car for you. I do not remember any car within this range which gives the same confidence when being driven like that on such kind of roads. I drove mycolleague's Forrester around a bit, but could not get a long stint. I really loved the directness of the steering, the agility and handling of the vehicle inspite of its bulk.

GTO · 4th January 2006, 16:07

Nope, I am not talking about the 0 - 100 timing buttttttttttttttttttt the laggard of an engine! Its got absolutely no life below 2000 rpm and was a pain to drive in the city. The interiors were boring and the available room was unacceptable for the rear passengers.

Lastly, the Looks : I hate them. Forget all the SUV talk, to me its just a station wagon. It may handle well for an "SUV" but quite a few sedans can teach it a thing or two.

GTO

Surya · 4th January 2006, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Its got absolutely no life below 2000 rpm and was a pain to drive in the city.
GTO

It is overrated.

Surya

v1p3r · 4th January 2006, 18:47

I don't know if you guys have tried to take sweeping corners in the Forester at 150+. I have, and trust me, it is the one car you'd want to have in a situation like this. And gunning it on a dirt road without a care...

ajmat · 4th January 2006, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

The Forester is so rare, that the government may offer protection to the ones on the road!

GTO

Guess what the humble Farmer of Karnataka uses ??????

Samurai · 4th January 2006, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

Guess what the humble Farmer of Karnataka uses ??????

You gotta be kidding me! Really? DG goes around in a Forester and not an Amby... Hmm.

iceman91 · 4th January 2006, 21:00

the corners at 150+...in a forecter...c'mon..

ajmat · 4th January 2006, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

You gotta be kidding me! Really? DG goes around in a Forester and not an Amby... Hmm.

Yep - was coming from UB towards Mallya and we were stopped and waved over to let a two white ambys and a purplish Forester go by - passed Mallya Hospitl and see old DG being helped out

v1p3r · 4th January 2006, 21:28

If someone told you what DG's family, or actually just one grandson, drives in, you'd be shocked.

Iceman, not sharp corners, but winding roads...you know the type...AWD and all that stuff really helps...the test drive guy was scared as hell!!!

3rd January 2006, 22:44	#1
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,014 Thanked: 49,875 Times View My Garage	Playing the pilot to the Forester I was driving back to Bangalore today. I was on the Hassan-Bangalore stretch and I had just crossed Chennarayapattana, and I see a SUV behind me with a Chevy badge. Well, it had to be the Chevy Forester, a SUV I have admired and respected for many many years. Then a wicked thought crossed my mind. I wondered how long will it take the 2.0L Chevy to pass me if I don't make it easier. With that thought I just took off with my Baleno. This was a 2 lane highway, not meant for crazy speeds, so I didn't exceed 140Kmph. Not surprisingly the Chevy kept up, I kept pulling away and the Chevy managed to keep company. This went on for 15 minutes and the Forester made no serious attempt to pass me. I started suspecting that the Chevy driver must have turned me into his pilot car. Darn! he was turning my own trick on me. Having that thought in mind I ran into a contruction zone where a friendly bone rattling speed breaker welcomed me. As I was getting through the construction zone I remembered that for the next few KMs the road was not so great. Therefore I slowed down to 40s and forced the Chevy to pass me. I didn't relish the idea of crossing my sword with a Forester on a rough stretch. It wouldn't be level playing field for my car... Thus ended my first brush with Chevy Forester on Indian roads.
	() Thanks

4th January 2006, 06:42	#3
ballkey BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 439 Thanked: 84 Times	I dont think the Forester with its heavier weight can pass the Baleno on a straight line. On bad roads however.. I'd love to get my hands on a used Forester. I guess they're almost as jealously guarded as VTECs
	() Thanks

4th January 2006, 09:20	#4
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,197 Thanked: 31,459 Times View My Garage	encountered a similar scenarior with a Forester on Mysore Road - When it came to roadworks - the tables were turned !!
	() Thanks

4th January 2006, 15:18	#6
deepakhon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,441 Thanked: 77 Times	You probably might have encountered my colleague, but wait! He ripped off all the Chevy badges and imported Subaru badges for his Forrester from the US. He keeps driving b'ween Bangalore and Ujjire near Dharmasthala.
	() Thanks

4th January 2006, 16:07	#8
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,944 Thanked: 322,283 Times View My Garage	Nope, I am not talking about the 0 - 100 timing buttttttttttttttttttt the laggard of an engine! Its got absolutely no life below 2000 rpm and was a pain to drive in the city. The interiors were boring and the available room was unacceptable for the rear passengers. Lastly, the Looks : I hate them. Forget all the SUV talk, to me its just a station wagon. It may handle well for an "SUV" but quite a few sedans can teach it a thing or two. GTO
	() Thanks

4th January 2006, 18:47	#10
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,363 Thanked: 7,504 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (7)	I don't know if you guys have tried to take sweeping corners in the Forester at 150+. I have, and trust me, it is the one car you'd want to have in a situation like this. And gunning it on a dirt road without a care...
	() Thanks

4th January 2006, 21:00	#13
iceman91 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: melbourne/banga Posts: 1,961 Thanked: 36 Times View My Garage	the corners at 150+...in a forecter...c'mon..
	() Thanks

4th January 2006, 21:28	#15
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,363 Thanked: 7,504 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (7)	If someone told you what DG's family, or actually just one grandson, drives in, you'd be shocked. Iceman, not sharp corners, but winding roads...you know the type...AWD and all that stuff really helps...the test drive guy was scared as hell!!!
	() Thanks