was looking at a 2008 and a 2009 model and was wondering which ones better off road or can they even be used off road. if so whats the most you can do with them once you get off road.

not really off road but you can go into some dirt

Not very. No ground clearance and little power.

They are civilized off roaders, meaning you take them into the meadows across streams and up rocky roads.
They are not ravine climbers, boulder jumpers or white water machines

They're actually pretty good for a car of that type,,,they're no land cruiser but they can handle a dirt track no worries, they're really well made obviously being a Subaru and decent quality, however when a part does break they are pretty expensive because they're so well made. My friend has a forester and they take it into the snow, and light offroading, nothing to serious.

Foresters have car type axles vs beefy live axles like, for example a full size Ford truck.

They have limited slip type transfer cases providing power to the front wheels when speed between front & back differentiates - vs a lock in transfer case like a truck.

Non lockable hubs unlike a big truck.

The upside is that these things make for a much more civilized ride on the road, better tire wear, better fuel economy, etc.

Downside is that they do not rock climb & mud bog like more pure bread 4WD vehicles. But a Forester does ok in snow & basic off road.

But then again, 98% of AWD vehicles never see dirt.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ki9ad5UCmwo -UpHill Climb

http://youtube.com/watch?v=feFRI9juwV4 -Off Road Demo (Dealer Training)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OgWrASK68yQ&feature=related
Mud

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2yp1PkXizeQ&feature=related -O9 In Sand

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_ZwfRpk8XYo&feature=related -Off Road Course

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q7dVFY5CxT0&feature=related
Suabru Vs Competition

Heres some videos to watch to help answer for yourself. The 2009 is better offroad & r very capable vehicles with good ground clearance & an awsome AWD. While 173HP on the 4cyl boxer is plenty, if u feel u need more power the 250HP XT is more than enough. With the right tires u should have no problems with any Subaru offroad. And while they r not built as rock climbers, properly equipped they can go swimming & the same places u may or may not want to bring ur Jeep or any other SUV

They're good for light off roading, but nothing too serious. For more advanced stuff, you'd need a truck (recommend Ford F-150 or Toyota Tundra) or a good SUV like a Toyota FJ Cruiser or Land Cruiser (or Range Rover).

First of all, you want the 09. It has way more ground clearance. 8.7 for non turbo, and 8.9 inches for turbo. (also redisigned if that means anything) They are excellent off roaders, but are not designed for extreme off roading. Just dont go extreme off roading and the car will do excellent.

Check out the motor trend sport utility of the year award, the Subaru has it, and read the review. That should answer your questions

l personally think they are ok for off road for around $25k. The car is mostly for multi purpose traveling condition. Not really a good off road. Does not have a lot of ground clearance. No enough power unless you get the turbo version. But the cars has horizontal boxer engine and keeps the car low profiled and would not flip like other suv when taking hard turns.

If you want off road get a Toyota FJ Cruiser, RAV4 4x4 or a Jeep wrangler for that price.