Hello everyone.

I am looking into getting an ET Se but have a question.
I own a Subaru Forester and was wondering if anyone had any issue with the ground clearance. Every so often I go offroad as far as gravel roads (or dirt) for photography shoots. Anyone every had some issues.

I'm not talking about 4 wheeling, just non paved roads usually in a nature preserve.

 

Well, the Touring doesn't have the ground clearance of your Forester but it should be okay on gravel roads. The forester has a ground clearance of 8.7" while the Touring is only 5.9". You might want to consider a 2010 Hyundai Tucson instead.

The Tucson has a ground clearance of 6.7", is available with AWD and gets equal or better fuel economy. Granted it is more expensive than a Touring but it also has more standard features, a better engine and more room. The Touring starts around $16,000 while the Tucson starts around $19,000 ($21,000 for an AWD model).

Two other options to consider, the Kia Soul and the Kia Sportage (Kia is a sister company to Hyundai). The Soul has similar interior room to the Touring with slightly more ground clearance (6.2") and is slightly less expensive than the Touring. The Soul starts around $15,000. The 2011 Kia Sportage is a slightly less expensive version of the Tucson (its corporate twin). 2wd Sportages are estimated to start around $17,000.

 

Thanks Nova for the info. I forgot to mention that it was a 1999 Forester with a clearance of 7.5. I will look at the suggestions you mentioned.

 

I have a Hyundai Elantra Touring GLS which I took on a road trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan recently. The car handled just fine on all of the National Forest's gravel and dirt roads I traveled on. We travelled fairly deep into the woods with the car as well. Prior to purchasing the Touring we had 2 Subaru's, a 1996 Legacy Wagon and a 2001 Impreza Hatch. The Touring handled everything my Subies did. The Touring's suspension isn't as forgiving though, just take it easy.
If you are going to be doing lots of driving on gravel and dirt Forest roads you would probably be better off with the GLS version of the Touring with the 15 inch tires. Save the money and get the GLS with the popular package; it only costs 700 extra.