Subaru Forester advice please!

[HntnFsh]

My mother in law is wanting to get a good used Forester. I don't know much about them. Other than there are a ton of salvage, rebuilts, for sale.
She will probably be looking at about 2010 or newer. I'm not a fan of AWD. but haven't ruled them out either. Anything on these I should be aware of when looking for her? Would appreciate any input. Both good and bad. Any years, motors, combos etc. that really shine. Or that should be steered clear of? I know Subaru had some head gasket issues. Were these cars affected?

Thanks,
HntnFsh

[bearpaw]

We bought my wife a new forester for valentines day last year, we both really like that car. Everyone we know that has one likes it, quite a few of them, but it seems jackelope told me there were some years to avoid. Send him a pm!

[jackelope]

The head gasket issues were in the older ones. Early 2000's if I remember correctly. My in laws have one. 2012 I think. It's been a great car. No troubles with it. I'd go for it.

[Miles]

We have a 2014 Outback and really like it.  The dealer told us they had fixed the head gasket issues.  I believe it was mostly with the v-6...   we have the 4 cylinder with the continuously variable transmission and no problems so far.

[SniperDanWA]

My wife has a 2000 Outback.  I'm prepping it for my son to take now and I'm buying my wife a new Outback.  We prefer the Outback wagon over the Forrester for look, feel, comfort.  That's personal preference.  My wife is 5'7" and 135.  My son is 6'3" and 175.  I'm 6'2" and 240.  We all fit well and enjoy the handling.  I've not had any major repairs on our 2000.  Great car in my opinion.

[dewandgin]

We see leaking headgaskets up to 2008 on all Subaru 4cyls. That is the biggest problem with them. Very good cars that will go a ton of miles with the correct maintenance. Timing belt at 100k and plugs every 30k and depending on the year a fuel filter at the same time. Be sure and check the wheel bearings also on the older ones.

[Bean Counter]

We had an '03 Outback. If it weren't for the head gaskets.. and the lesbian jokes, the car was a dream. Gripped in the snow like crazy. Felt super safe in it, and got 26mpg+ real world driving. Enough room for a couple or family with one, maybe two kids. More than double the fuel economy than what gas guzzling Toyota gets now 

We had to replace the head gaskets, and by the time I sold it I think they were on their way out.. AGAIN 

Now I would avoid Subaru on principle. The horizontally transposed engine is reason for the leaking head gaskets. Its simply a matter of physics. picture an engine head on its side and all that oil, antifreeze, etc. flowing through the engine and wearing it out. The newer ones might have a better design specification, multilayered gaskets, and different torque specifications, but the physics of the proposition just bothers the heck out of me. 

[Ghost Hunter]

2012 Forester XT.  Our first Subaru.  Will be doing the timing belt at the next service (105,000).  Not impressed with the 22 mpg, but I did demand the turbo.   Wife still misses the Intrepid, but no comparison on the winter driving.  Got no complaints yet.  Works great for our grandparent role. 

[coachcw]

good cars and every Subaru that im aware of has head gasket issues . I figure it as part of maintance on them find a nice car with under 100 k expect to do a complete timming job and head gaskets to the sum of about 2200.00 and drive it another 100 k . id stick to the 2.5  4cyl.

[Bmcox86]

I have a 2012, with just over 36k on her, I get between 24-27mpg and if I'm only doing highway i have gotten up to 34mpg with her. Great for what I need, has done good in snow and ice for me so far.

[GrainfedMuley]

     I do not believe what I am reading. ALL Subaru's  are "tree hugger" cars. This is a hunting and fishing web site not a Kyactivist protester tree hugger web site. We drive Chevy's, Ford's, and Dodge Ram's  What is wrong with you people?   

[Bean Counter]

Some people appreciate Japanese quality and not having to replace a vehicle prior to 100,000 miles. I drive a Toyota with nearly 300,000 

[Johnb317]

People who have them love them.  The boxer engine on them tend to have gasket problems.  I have a friend that has a 2013 6cylinder that burns a couple quarts of oil between oil changes and is told that's within spec!

As for tree hugger car yeah, but was it wrong for me to throw the elk quarters and head into the back of my wife's Lexus RX?

[PlateauNDN]

Nope, I don't see a problem.

[rasbo]

Some people appreciate Japanese quality and not having to replace a vehicle prior to 100,000 miles. I drive a Toyota with nearly 300,000 

ok bean,my 2000 Silverado 6.o has 250,000 on it ,,,knock on wood