Looking at the Subaru Forester (rental, 2010, truck, transmission)

[thebobs]

and noticed that the automatic shift only has P R N D and that is it. No 2 or 1 that I am so used to. Any reason why they don't have this?

[sunsprit]

Need to know what year/transmission you are looking at.

If it's a new one with the CVT, it doesn't have discrete "gears" in it, but has continuously variable ratios.

Or you may have to look at the shifter itself to see that it has a detent area so that you can select a higher or lower ratio in the forward gears.

[skeet09]

I have a CVT Transmission and it has D1 and D2 but its a Nissan Sentra if that helps.
I'm seeing the newer models of CVT have this, not just the Forester.

[thebobs]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

Need to know what year/transmission you are looking at.

If it's a new one with the CVT, it doesn't have discrete "gears" in it, but has continuously variable ratios.

Or you may have to look at the shifter itself to see that it has a detent area so that you can select a higher or lower ratio in the forward gears.

It is the newest one. I've been looking online at cars, so I haven't actually gone into a dealership yet.

It just struck me as odd.

So with CVT, you basically can't downshift?

[1200RT]

if you're looking at a new model, it probably has a "auto stick" type feature. You can select the gear on the left portion of the "shift pattern".

[freshjiv]

^he is right. We just test drove a 2010 Forester last weekend. The 1, 2, and D are all still there!

[LEXpert]

We had a Forester as a loaner when my wife's Outback was in for service. It was a basic model, so it felt pretty cheap. It does not have a CVT. I believe those have a 4 speed autostick/manumatic/whatever other marketing name applies......It had more rear seat room and less cargo space than our 2008 Outback. Take a look at the new Outback too!

[43north87west]

It's just a 4 speed automatic and the 3-2-1 is available using the manual shift feature. It works fine, had one for weeks as a rental.

[sunsprit]

Still need to be sure what trans you're looking at in the car.

The latest offerings from Subie include a couple of fixed gear ratio automatic trannies, as well as the CVT trans. Not sure which are optional and which is the regular offering in the various trim levels.

I'm going to take a look this afternoon at my local Subie dealer's latest stuff ....

[1200RT]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

Still need to be sure what trans you're looking at in the car.

If the OP is looking at a "new" Forrester, looks like there are only 2 choices:

Fully synchronized 5-speed manual with Incline Start Assist.
4-speed electronic direct-control automatic transmission with manual shift mode