Subaru Forester ?

[AWS]

We are looking to buy a SUV to tow behind our small motor home.  It will be used for Rockhounding and Hunting no heavy offroad work.  It needs to be accessable by an old greyhound, and older humans, climbing into a jeep won't cut it.

So far one of the lightest, most ground clearance, can be towed four down and most room for everyone seems to be a Forester and the price is very reasonable.  Can any of you give me the Yeh's and Nay's of this rig?  Any suggestions for a tough little SUV wagon type body weighing in near 3000 lbs.

Thanks

AWS

[Woodchuck]

I would be asking questions about head gaskets, the 2.5's are famous for them, if near 100k, timing belt?

[yajsab]

I believe the gasket problem is the older style.  If you get the 2005+, it should be fine.  For a 4wd/awd in this class, you should be fine with the forester.  I don't have one, but I have an 2005 impreza.  I had no problem so far.  It's timing belt, so that service is due in a year or two.

[hunterbuilder]

I like the Ford Escape for that size of "cute-ute". I've had the Escape and it's cousin Mazda Tribute. Mercury Mariner is also basically the same vehicle. Ours were the 6cyl model, they also make a 4cyl with a manual transmission.

[FC]

2004 and later are free of the headgasket problems  , despite the rep that some on this site give them Subies really are great cars and you won't turn gay just by buying one unless your name is Paul  . If you have never owned a Subaru you will be AMAZED at how well they do both offroad and in the snow.

[Forrestrover]

We have a 2003 and love it. It's our second Forester. I highly recommend.

[cwuwildcat]

I don't know anything about subaru's, but how easily are they to tow?  Will you have to disconnect drivelines?  If so, don't they sit pretty low to get under?

[BigD]

Got the wife one in 08, does great, studded tires in the winter and you have a hard time breaking the tires loose in the snow or ice. I would reccomend one, I'm sure we will by another when this one is worn out. Also easy at the gas pump. 65k and not one problem yet, wish I could say that for my american rigs

[Bean Counter]

I no longer recommend Subarus. Around 60,000-120,000 you'll have a head gasket failure--almost guranteed. I think the newer ones (2010+) may avoid this problem with a resdesigned, multilayer shim gasket but the older ones it seems as though its unavoidable. Because of the design of the engine the labor is exhorbitant (like, 8 to 10 hours). $2,000 job. Its the head gasket, stupid.

+1 to everything else though: great crash saftey ratings, AWD is very nice in the PNW, etc.

[Bean Counter]

http://www.subaruheadgasket.com/

http://allwheeldriveauto.com/subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/#comment-60227

[Bean Counter]

How about a Toyota Rav4 instead?

[HntnFsh]

Brother in law bought an immaculate looking 06 Subaru a few months ago.Just over 100,000 miles.Put less that 2000 miles on it.Had to have the head gaskets replaced.Just over 2 grand.They have to pull the engine.Dealer Shop had it over 6 weeks.

Was also having heater problems.Found out the heater core was plugged. When he told me that.I just shook my head.Put 2 and 2 together.The car was haveing issues.Somebody put stop leak in it and dumped instead of fixing it.Expensive lesson!

[Woodchuck]

How about a Toyota Rav4 instead?

great choice 

[jeepasaurusrex]

A Jeep Cherokee has about the same entry height but way more ground clearance, not to mention interior space. I had one that I flat towed behind my truck/camper. It towed great.

[Woodchuck]

P.S. the turbo cars and the 6 cylinder cars do not seem to have the head gasket issues the normally aspirated 2.5 does.