Subaru Forester buying advice please
Discussion
Hi, with the prospect of my Puma being a write off after being rear ended last week, I'm considering buying a Forester, I've always wanted one and now seems like a good time to tick it off of my bucket list of cars to own.
I've read up on them, done what I feel is enough research and wanted a few last minute pointers of things to look out for before going out to look at a few?
I'm after an XT model, pre March 2006 if possible (due to VED price change) manual preferred but will go for an Auto if the right one comes along. Not bothered about any extras.
The two issues I've read up on that can be quite scary are:
1) Head gasket failure on the 2.5 engine
2) Self leveling rear suspension failure
How common are the two above issues and how can I easily identify either when looking at Foresters?
Thanks.
I've read up on them, done what I feel is enough research and wanted a few last minute pointers of things to look out for before going out to look at a few?
I'm after an XT model, pre March 2006 if possible (due to VED price change) manual preferred but will go for an Auto if the right one comes along. Not bothered about any extras.
The two issues I've read up on that can be quite scary are:
1) Head gasket failure on the 2.5 engine
2) Self leveling rear suspension failure
How common are the two above issues and how can I easily identify either when looking at Foresters?
Thanks.
Avoid the 2.5 engine IMO
I have a 2007 Forester with 160bhp and it's more than enough for day to day.
I drove a friend's 2.5T non STI and was underwhelmed. I thought it'd be light years ahead of mine.
I absolutely love my Forester. Classless, cool, basic yet brill.
I also loved my old 1.7 Puma for different reasons
I have a 2007 Forester with 160bhp and it's more than enough for day to day.
I drove a friend's 2.5T non STI and was underwhelmed. I thought it'd be light years ahead of mine.
I absolutely love my Forester. Classless, cool, basic yet brill.
I also loved my old 1.7 Puma for different reasons
Having been hunting for Foresters back in April* - I can at least answer your latter question.
If the SLS has gone the car will look lower at the back than at the front (check the gap between wheel-arches + tyres) - like it's dragging it's bottom everywhere. If it's gone recently you might see leaking fluid from around the rear shock. If it's been gone for a while you won't.
If the back is a fair bit higher than the front - it may mean that the SLS has previously gone AWOL and a previous owner has slapped in standard shock absorbers without changing the springs as well.
I know this because one of the examples I looked at had shot rear shocks and suffered from the 'is it just me or is that much lower at the back than it is at the front?' look.
-* I plumped for a boring 2.0 non-turbo due to just needing a boring work hack to chug around in. Probably one of the most simple, low-tech and robust bits of kit I've had the pleasure to work on. I've only ever heard good things about the 2.0 engines, the 2.5 engines are not held in quite the same universal regard.
If the SLS has gone the car will look lower at the back than at the front (check the gap between wheel-arches + tyres) - like it's dragging it's bottom everywhere. If it's gone recently you might see leaking fluid from around the rear shock. If it's been gone for a while you won't.
If the back is a fair bit higher than the front - it may mean that the SLS has previously gone AWOL and a previous owner has slapped in standard shock absorbers without changing the springs as well.
I know this because one of the examples I looked at had shot rear shocks and suffered from the 'is it just me or is that much lower at the back than it is at the front?' look.
-* I plumped for a boring 2.0 non-turbo due to just needing a boring work hack to chug around in. Probably one of the most simple, low-tech and robust bits of kit I've had the pleasure to work on. I've only ever heard good things about the 2.0 engines, the 2.5 engines are not held in quite the same universal regard.
Having been hunting for Foresters back in April* - I can at least answer your latter question.
If the SLS has gone the car will look lower at the back than at the front (check the gap between wheel-arches + tyres) - like it's dragging it's bottom everywhere. If it's gone recently you might see leaking fluid from around the rear shock. If it's been gone for a while you won't.
If the back is a fair bit higher than the front - it may mean that the SLS has previously gone AWOL and a previous owner has slapped in standard shock absorbers without changing the springs as well.
I know this because one of the examples I looked at had shot rear shocks and suffered from the 'is it just me or is that much lower at the back than it is at the front?' look.
-* I plumped for a boring 2.0 non-turbo due to just needing a boring work hack to chug around in. Probably one of the most simple, low-tech and robust bits of kit I've had the pleasure to work on. I've only ever heard good things about the 2.0 engines, the 2.5 engines are not held in quite the same universal regard.
If the SLS has gone the car will look lower at the back than at the front (check the gap between wheel-arches + tyres) - like it's dragging it's bottom everywhere. If it's gone recently you might see leaking fluid from around the rear shock. If it's been gone for a while you won't.
If the back is a fair bit higher than the front - it may mean that the SLS has previously gone AWOL and a previous owner has slapped in standard shock absorbers without changing the springs as well.
I know this because one of the examples I looked at had shot rear shocks and suffered from the 'is it just me or is that much lower at the back than it is at the front?' look.
-* I plumped for a boring 2.0 non-turbo due to just needing a boring work hack to chug around in. Probably one of the most simple, low-tech and robust bits of kit I've had the pleasure to work on. I've only ever heard good things about the 2.0 engines, the 2.5 engines are not held in quite the same universal regard.
I'm on my second forester 2005 2.0 xt remapped around 200 bhp averages 28mpg very easy car to travel quickly in
Ideal for the Irish roads lots of spares and mods available front and rear subframe rust seems to be a problem so would check carefully, wind noise also a common complaint but overall a great all round car if you can live with the fuel consumption. Only 70kgs heavier than an impreza with lower overall gearing
Lots of really good info on forester.org re maintenance common faults and fixes .
Ideal for the Irish roads lots of spares and mods available front and rear subframe rust seems to be a problem so would check carefully, wind noise also a common complaint but overall a great all round car if you can live with the fuel consumption. Only 70kgs heavier than an impreza with lower overall gearing
Lots of really good info on forester.org re maintenance common faults and fixes . Thanks for the replies guys,
All the stars aligned and a perfect one popped up for sale over the weekend, I went and had a look, test drove it and a deal was done then and there.
2004 Blue/Sliver two-tone 2.0 XT with 73k on the clock, electric everything, heated seats, massive sunroof, etc. Very good condition with decent history. A little few scuffs here and there but nothing major.
Really enjoying it so far, I'm going to be putting in a new double-din android headunit this weekend to bring it up to date (Hands free, NAV, etc), no other mods planned yet.
All the stars aligned and a perfect one popped up for sale over the weekend, I went and had a look, test drove it and a deal was done then and there.
2004 Blue/Sliver two-tone 2.0 XT with 73k on the clock, electric everything, heated seats, massive sunroof, etc. Very good condition with decent history. A little few scuffs here and there but nothing major.
Really enjoying it so far, I'm going to be putting in a new double-din android headunit this weekend to bring it up to date (Hands free, NAV, etc), no other mods planned yet.
Exactly my car , (but gold bought with 80K on it)
My suspension seems fine , but I think i'm one of the lucky ones. Very common to mist with oil and leak.
Common for the radiator to leak and split along the top crimp - mine did - so check this .
Google forester control arm rust , and take deep breaths when removing the front under tray . Caught mine just in time but it can get shocking - and dangerous -.
Calipers can seize ( mine did..) but that's due to the old slider pin design , never had a car when they didn't have issues.
immobilizer is very needy , ensure you have the code and checkout the little flap near your right knee , the thing that looks like a coin tray should house a little keypad.
My suspension seems fine , but I think i'm one of the lucky ones. Very common to mist with oil and leak.
Common for the radiator to leak and split along the top crimp - mine did - so check this .
Google forester control arm rust , and take deep breaths when removing the front under tray . Caught mine just in time but it can get shocking - and dangerous -.
Calipers can seize ( mine did..) but that's due to the old slider pin design , never had a car when they didn't have issues.
immobilizer is very needy , ensure you have the code and checkout the little flap near your right knee , the thing that looks like a coin tray should house a little keypad.
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