Forester 2.5 XT 2004-2008
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm interested in getting one of these 2.5 Turbo models - is this the same 2.5 engine I've read horror stories about? I know the internet is full of the bad stuff over the praises but I do want a reliable motor that won't need £1000s spending on it down the line. That said I do currently own a modern diesel which probably will need £1000s spending on it down the line anyhow!
Another option could be the 2.0 version (non-turbo) as this will just be the family hack but I think I would forever kick myself - any comments? I am drawn to the forester as it seems much more grown up than an Impreza (i.e. it will pass the wife test - I personally like the Impreza).
I prefer manual but do see quite a few auto's for sale - what's the 2.5 like in this guise: is it an old school 4 speeder?
Any pitfuls to look out for - linky to buyers guides would be great if anyone has handy.
Cheers
Matt
I'm interested in getting one of these 2.5 Turbo models - is this the same 2.5 engine I've read horror stories about? I know the internet is full of the bad stuff over the praises but I do want a reliable motor that won't need £1000s spending on it down the line. That said I do currently own a modern diesel which probably will need £1000s spending on it down the line anyhow!
Another option could be the 2.0 version (non-turbo) as this will just be the family hack but I think I would forever kick myself - any comments? I am drawn to the forester as it seems much more grown up than an Impreza (i.e. it will pass the wife test - I personally like the Impreza).
I prefer manual but do see quite a few auto's for sale - what's the 2.5 like in this guise: is it an old school 4 speeder?
Any pitfuls to look out for - linky to buyers guides would be great if anyone has handy.
Cheers
Matt
you could go for the forester Sti , that is a very quick car , the lesser option would be a 2.5 xt or the like , the foresters are not as prone to engine issues , they are more practical and cheaper to insure compared to an Impreza , my fsti is probably the best all round car I've had , bin boot and quick
Matt, just buy a 2.5ltr FXT and be done with it. You have two choices pre-facelift or facelift. It's the later facelift models that 'can' suffer ringland failure as per some Impreza's, but...and let's really understand this issue...far fewer FXT's have experienced this as they're less stressed than some Impreza's + it was primarily overseas markets where units were sold in greater numbers. As with all cars, buy the very very best you can afford with the best service history and in mint condition...but be prepared to view many and wait a good number of months. Don't settle for second best as they are out there, tucked away, being cosseted by their existing owners. It's worth putting a wanted note on subaruforester.org where the guys are great and have superb knowledge when things go wrong. Good luck with your search.
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/
PS a manual gearbox is de rigeur with lovely Motul 300 75w90 or good mix of Smurf's Blood
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/
PS a manual gearbox is de rigeur with lovely Motul 300 75w90 or good mix of Smurf's Blood
I ran two manual 2.5 XTE Foresters from new and neither missed a beat, i put circa 90k on the first one over almost four years. The XTE has nav, full leather, heated everything and is a great car, obviously look for one with full history, regular oil changes with quality oil and genuine filters are important, also timing belt history. Running costs aren't the lowest you will find, it never really concerned me as reliability is my priority.
The 2 litre can feel a bit 'asthmatic', especially with a full load (156hp against the 2.5's 227hp), however it's cheaper to run and the smaller engine is literally bomb proof, a chap I go walking with has one with circa 250k miles on and it's not been touched but for a clutch and the usual service items.
If you're not that technically minded I would take somebody along with you when you're looking to buy, ideally with a bit of Subaru knowledge, Subarus are a bit 'quirky' but there's nothing to shy away from, rear shocks are possibly the most costly item that wear in later life. If you live off the beaten track or get harsh winters as we do then quality tyres are a must, these cars are incredible in bad weather but good tyres make them virtually unbeatable until ground clearance becomes an issue.
The 2 litre can feel a bit 'asthmatic', especially with a full load (156hp against the 2.5's 227hp), however it's cheaper to run and the smaller engine is literally bomb proof, a chap I go walking with has one with circa 250k miles on and it's not been touched but for a clutch and the usual service items.
If you're not that technically minded I would take somebody along with you when you're looking to buy, ideally with a bit of Subaru knowledge, Subarus are a bit 'quirky' but there's nothing to shy away from, rear shocks are possibly the most costly item that wear in later life. If you live off the beaten track or get harsh winters as we do then quality tyres are a must, these cars are incredible in bad weather but good tyres make them virtually unbeatable until ground clearance becomes an issue.
Thank you guys for the advice, I'll pop over to the Subaru forum for a gander. I've found a few 1 owner cars with full service history I'm considering.
castroses said:
IF your wife has such sway that she can tell you which 8-12 year old car you can or cannot buy, personally I'd try to find myself a pair of balls first and/or find a new wife.
YMMV.
Don't be a muppet of course she has a say, it's the family car. "Personally" if I was you I'd try to have a word with myself and/or find a new method of communicating with people. "YMMV".YMMV.
Edited by castroses on Monday 12th September 00:01
/|\ how'd you make that appear in that little box like that?
You only live once dude - buy the car YOU want! Although for a family car, but still with a hint of 'fun' I reckon there's nothing better than the 2004-08 model fozzie. I've owned one for 8 years and just can't think what to replace it with so will likely keep it another 8. Best of luck in your search!
You only live once dude - buy the car YOU want! Although for a family car, but still with a hint of 'fun' I reckon there's nothing better than the 2004-08 model fozzie. I've owned one for 8 years and just can't think what to replace it with so will likely keep it another 8. Best of luck in your search!
I bought a 2007 2.5 FXT last August as the family hack/ daily drive. I love it and am struggling to see what the 'next car' would be without winning the lottery (perhaps a FSTI, though I'd miss the leather/ nav/ heated seats, etc.)
Missus loves it, too, and the kids love it when (occasionally) I boot it, "daddy, make it do the turbo!" Grins all round
Having said that, my local dealer has just taken on a 2010 Impreza Cosworth Sti (CS400) - a blast in that last weekend may have just made my mind up - though swmbo would take some persuading...
Missus loves it, too, and the kids love it when (occasionally) I boot it, "daddy, make it do the turbo!" Grins all round
Having said that, my local dealer has just taken on a 2010 Impreza Cosworth Sti (CS400) - a blast in that last weekend may have just made my mind up - though swmbo would take some persuading...
vxr2010 said:
go for the fsti plus it's better on fuel , some are on ebay at very low prices , it's a great time to buy bad for selling
6 months ago, you couldnt find an fsti for less than 10k, now they seem to be starting at 6.5k (but need some work it seems), whereas xt's are on the way up? (though not check current prices).Dont worry about the nav, its outdated and a pos. I replaced mine with an old 7" tab (youll need the double din hood and fashion a bracket). If your doing lots of motorway miles, go for an fsti as its got a 6 speed box, the xt's have a 5 speed and its a b
h on motorways
But how in God's name can the FSTi have better fuel economy than the 2.5 FXT...one would have thought the FSTi would be a little thirstier?There are a few differences between the facelift and pre-facelift 2.5 XTs - some good (facelift has 17" wheels, xenon headlights, slightly cleaner looks), some not so good (troublesome secondary air pump, uglier front end IMO). Both can suffer from self levelling rear suspension problems, which can be fixed with various after market options. The secondary air pump can be deleted, with the fault codes deleted on the ecu, which can be DIY if you’re savvy enough with a laptop apparently. The auto is a torque converter slush box, and comes with VDC stability control (which I personally disliked intensely on my auto Outback H6). I was lucky enough to find a one owner, fsh, facelift XTe manual with the air pump deleted properly, and recent KYB/Springcoil front and rear struts and Whiteline 22mm arbs. It has the Prodrive performance pack and a mild remap, giving 280 bhp/310 lb/ft, which puts it in standard Sti territory. I have fitted Impreza v7 front seats, similar to the ones in the Sti, which hold you in much better than the slippy standard leather ones. The 5 speed manual is indeed rather low geared, especially first gear, but the 0-60 time on mine is 5 secs, which can be quite comical in what looks like a farmer's car, and it makes it great for towing. I get 27 mpg on average, and up to 32 mpg driven like a granny, which almost never happens....Advantages of XT over Sti: sunroof, cruise, leather, heated seats, sleeper looks. Advantages of Sti: 6 speed box, more power, no SLS to go wrong, better brakes, great looks, and, well, it's an Sti. I like to think mine is a good compromise - I really like the look of other owners’ Stis, but prefer my car to look a bit more discrete, it’s quite entertaining seeing tailgating BMWs becoming a speck in the rear view mirror.
as above the fuel economy on a good run at the national speed limit I often get 35 mpg , but have had 32.5 , that's measured tank to tank how much used v mileage , I believe that's better than equal turbo xt , you get a longer 6th , the gear ratio which is the same as the newer sti's, even the run to work with the odd boot for a bit of fun I still often get 27 , it has a smaller turbo so less fuel used than the new age Sti , less lag and it's no slower off the line , it's probably around 320 to 330 Bhp , in my books and horses for courses a good all rounder with a few mods done
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