Optional items for new Forester

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Juneappal - 28 Jun 2007 21:35 GMT

I am likely going to purchase a new Forester (2007), and I would
appreciate some input about which of the dealer accessories I should
opt for and which I should either forget about or install myself with
aftermarket alternatives. I live in the Seattle Area - no salt on the
roads, no significant salt spray. I do intend to occasionally take
the vehicle to the family farm - gravel roads, parking in the field.
Here are the ones I am thinking of:

Trailer Hitch $230 Is this a bolt-on item that I could pick up at a
junk yard and install myself ?

Rear Window Dust Deflector ?

Bumper corner molding - seems I should be able to install these
myself, if I can find them for under $60

Front Bumper underguard - Costs $330 - what does it do?

Rear bumper cover - seems to be a rubber mat that glues onto the
bumper - helpful since I have a dog with claws who will use that
entrance, but l should be able to do that one myself too, no?

Also - the only thing in the premium package that interests me is the
heated side mirror/wiper de-icer - can that be installed aftermarket?

Thanks for any thoughts,

Adam

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bigjim@backpacker.com - 28 Jun 2007 21:46 GMT

etrailer.com has hitches for ~$130 or less. Do it yourself no
problem. Dont know what bumperguard is maybe sort sort of
brushguard? 1stsubaruparts.com has these accessories at good prices.
Many things are just stick on.

> I am likely going to purchase a new Forester (2007), and I would
> appreciate some input about which of the dealer accessories I should
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Adam

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Bonehenge (B A R R Y) - 29 Jun 2007 01:07 GMT

>etrailer.com has hitches for ~$130 or less. Do it yourself no
>problem.

Yeah, it's like (4) bolts and a plug-in! Some of the DIY suppliers
have the installation instructions online, check them out.

$230, installed, isn't a HORRIBLE price, though. Dealers were getting
almost $400 when I bought my Subie.

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Carl 1 Lucky Texan - 29 Jun 2007 02:44 GMT

> I am likely going to purchase a new Forester (2007), and I would
> appreciate some input about which of the dealer accessories I should
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Adam

Check the OEM discount prices at www.subarugenuineparts.com . I THINK
some of the installation guides for the options are even online there -
if not, email Jamie (of www.subiegal.com fame, she works there) and she
might scan the install guide for you.

no finacial interest - just a satisfied customer

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

Signature

to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)

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nobody > - 29 Jun 2007 03:05 GMT

> I am likely going to purchase a new Forester (2007), and I would
> appreciate some input about which of the dealer accessories I should
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Trailer Hitch $230 Is this a bolt-on item that I could pick up at a
> junk yard and install myself ?

DoItYourself
http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2007_Subaru_Forester.htm
3 models around $130
They also have the hookup gear including the special diode box.

$189.46- at http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=932

I spent $250 to have a Draw-Tite installed as my wife doesn't even want
me looking underneath a car (I once 'bench-pressed' a Plymouth Reliant,
painful!)

> Rear Window Dust Deflector ?

DIY
Nice, looks good, works.
http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=931

Nice looks better, rear spoiler $249.61 - $263.33
http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=929

Take your choice

> Bumper corner molding - seems I should be able to install these
> myself, if I can find them for under $60

DIY
$49.53 at http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=931

> Front Bumper underguard - Costs $330 - what does it do?

It's on http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=931
Looks like a brushguard kinda thing. This is something I'd want to look
at and hold by the bumper to see how much good it would do with your
intended use

> Rear bumper cover - seems to be a rubber mat that glues onto the
> bumper - helpful since I have a dog with claws who will use that
> entrance, but l should be able to do that one myself too, no?

All of the above:
DIY
http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=931

> Also - the only thing in the premium package that interests me is the
> heated side mirror/wiper de-icer - can that be installed aftermarket?

That's a build-only option. You'd have to buy a replacement windshield
to get the wiper de-icer, *then* add the wiring parts. Same for the side
mirror de-icer.

> Thanks for any thoughts,
>
> Adam

http://www.subaruparts.com/ is in Tacoma.

Personal favorite 'extra' on my '00 OBW is the Rear Gate Bar on
http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=78 , saves contortions and
fumbles when raising or lowering the tailgate. They don't list one for
your possible Fartster.

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Blair Baucom - 29 Jun 2007 03:46 GMT

Install manuals for these options are here:

http://techinfo.subaru.com/html/ixSearchFree.jsp?text_keyword=&keyword=&publicat
ion_type=12&free_pub=13

Blair

>I am likely going to purchase a new Forester (2007), and I would
> appreciate some input about which of the dealer accessories I should
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Adam

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Juneappal - 29 Jun 2007 03:57 GMT

Sometimes you post an novice question and people give you a lot of
grief. Other times, like this one, people are chomping at the bit to
give helpful, friendly advice. Thanks tremendously - not a single
flame, but 6 genuinely helpful responses.

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nobody > - 29 Jun 2007 04:48 GMT

> Sometimes you post an novice question and people give you a lot of
> grief. Other times, like this one, people are chomping at the bit to
> give helpful, friendly advice. Thanks tremendously - not a single
> flame, but 6 genuinely helpful responses.
>
> :)

Now that you mentioned it,
Your father was a hamster and your mother smells of elderberries

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