Subaru Forester advice please!

[jeffro]

I'm running an '07 Legacy GT.
Ain't no tree huggin happening round here.
Car is bad fast, good in the snow and starts every time.

[jeffro]

Just to add...
I've always had Subs for the wife,
They are just plain reliable.
The Turbo Legacy was for me cause I wanna go fast.
Maintainence is the key, oil changes and timing belts.......

[CAMPMEAT]

If this helps you any, Soobs are all over where I live. Old ones and everything in between. They go anywhere and never see them broken down on the side of the roads here. Great mpg too.

[JJD]

Wife was a rural mail carrier for over 30 yrs.  Had to supply her own vehicle, most were subaru.  Never got rid of one with less that 300,000 miles.
Changed a few clutches as she liked std trans.  Last one was 1996 I believe, they quit importing the right hand drive models, emission issues as they were made for Australia, less stupid about emissions than guess.  Her last two mail vehicles were Jeep, you talk about trash, each one should have come with a trailer to haul all the parts that fall off as you go down the road.
We have a 2011 Outback now, great milage and the AWD works great on icy roads over here.  Heard about the gasket issues, but so far, so good.
Have not owned a Forrester, but have had great luck with Subaru regardless of which social group prefers them.

[HntnFsh]

I appreciate the feedback everybody. One thing my research is showing about the Forester. Is a lot of complaints about oil consumption. Like 1 to 2 quarts between changes. Saw somebody mention it on a 6 cyl. Any of you run into that with the 4 cyl?

[Special T]

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/

Read away! best subaru forum there is

[Bean Counter]

I gave all my maintenance records to the buyer when we sold ours. That was back when I was silly and thought 3,300-4,000 was pushing it for an oil change. 

I remember it going about a quart now that I think about it. Perhaps Jackelope or one of the other car pros can jump in but my limited understanding is that all vehicles will let some oil though the rings in order to allow them to completely lubricate Andover smoothly so some oil consumption will always be necessary.

[Grit dog]

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 

Head gaskets on a maint schedule is not what I'd call quality......
And I couldn't be seen in a leaflicker mobile!  Lol
Sorry nothing pertinent to add to the ops question.

[GrainfedMuley]

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 

I have a 92 Chevy Blazer pushing 300,000 also. What is your point. ALL cars now days live a lot longer than they used to.

[Fl0und3rz]

2005s still had the head gasket issue.  But it has been good for another 70K+ miles.  A/C compressor/fan/clutch went out roughly 150K.  Otherwise, the only other maintenance has been routine, aside from an engine pulley replacement. 

There is another issue for which the service department recommends a flush/refill of the transaxle and/or viscous coupling (can't recall which). It is for a sticking/surge/hard shift issue (happens most often accelerating out of a turn after having decelerated into it).  They add some Subaru lube and it goes away for about 30-50K miles (we've had it done twice in 170K, and it is due again).   

On the used market, I'd be leery of one that the prior owner has cheaped out on tire replacement, such as one where only one tire has been replaced due to a road hazard.  All four should be within 1/2" circumference, which, as a rule of thumb, can be checked that the four are within 3/32" of tread depth of each other.   


All in all, we are very satisfied.  It is sure-footed in the snow and ice, and it is a decent compromise between cargo carrying capacity, economy, and ground clearance.  We would probably get another, except that with more than one child, it starts feeling smallish.

[dog]

We have an '07 outback with 105,000 miles. Needs belt and head gaskets. As someone said, that's $2200 to $2500. Leaks oil constantly, at least 2 quarts between changes. You have to keep an eye on it. Not much leg room. It does stick like glue in the slick stuff but not worth all the other crap to get it. Mileage in the 22 to 23 mpg range. Air conditioning just recently quit entirely and have not yet investigated. We are going beck to Toyota.

[jackelope]

I appreciate the feedback everybody. One thing my research is showing about the Forester. Is a lot of complaints about oil consumption. Like 1 to 2 quarts between changes. Saw somebody mention it on a 6 cyl. Any of you run into that with the 4 cyl?

A quart of oil used between oil changes shouldn't even raise an eyebrow. 2 quarts on a small engine like that might, but only slightly.

 

[Red leaf 67]

Once they get some age on them, I know of at least 3 Forester owners who have experienced random problems with the power door locks . All three of these vehicles however were not garaged.  Personally, I do not favor power windows & locks, but seems like these are common / standard on most vehicles now  .

[WAPatriot]

Don't get a Subaru buy an American made. This thread has all but answered some of the questions I have had about other members.

[Fl0und3rz]

Don't get a Subaru buy an American made. This thread has all but answered some of the questions I have had about other members.

Don't injure yourself falling off your high horse.