Latham goes Subaroo shopping, finds a Forester XT

So I found a 2004 Sube Forester XT for sale. Is 156,000 kms (98,000 miles) high for these cars? What issues should I look for and tell me some stories based on experience with such a beast.

Thanks in advance, Tony.

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AnthonyLatham
So I found a 2004 Sube Forester XT for sale. Is 156,000 kms (98,000 miles) high for these cars? What issues should I look for and tell me some stories based on experience with such a beast.

Thanks in advance, Tony.

The are the mechanical and theoretical and spiritual anti-thesis of the Volvo 240.
Where's my facepalm jpg?

It gets worse John! I'm also looking at Audi A4s and BMW 3s. The Acura TL also made the list, along with the Sube WRX. Both you and Jason Ross will have to wait until I have permanent space for fettlin' a 240. It WILL happen, eventually...

I owned one for for about 5 years, I think it had about 90k miles when I sold it. I lost one turbo at about 70k but I had a flash on it and worked the turbo pretty hard....and I think I changed the oil like MAYBE 3-4 times..

They haul ass, 4:44 gears, top heavy, kind of fun to drive. I'd buy one again, but the 5spds are weak, so if it's been driven by anyone other than a chill hippy, I'd think twice.

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AnthonyLatham
It gets worse John! I'm also looking at Audi A4s and BMW 3s. The Acura TL also made the list, along with the Sube WRX. Both you and Jason Ross will have to wait until I have permanent space for fettlin' a 240. It WILL happen, eventually...

Audis!!!??
Bring More Wampum?

A Honda with lockwashers?

Didya win the Lotto?

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Gravel Spray
I owned one for for about 5 years, I think it had about 90k miles when I sold it. I lost one turbo at about 70k but I had a flash on it and worked the turbo pretty hard....and I think I changed the oil like MAYBE 3-4 times..

They haul ass, 4:44 gears, top heavy, kind of fun to drive. I'd buy one again, but the 5spds are weak, so if it's been driven by anyone other than a chill hippy, I'd think twice.

Thanks for chiming in here Peter. Road test and turbo exam, along with a compression test will be required.

Forester XT's have a nasty habit of locking you in park when you dont want them too. Not a tough fix by any means, but if you dont know about it and your wife is stuck at safeway its a bit annoying.

Other than that, fairly reliable and fun. Finding one with a manual trans is tough, finding one with a manual trans and a sunroof is really really tough.

Thanks AJ. Yes, this one is a manual. I'm going to drive it this evening. Watch this space for updates.

Fun cars, decent space, good all a round package.

Subaru Turbos do die, figure $1,000 to replace by the time you get all the little bits.

Fairly easy to work on once you get to know your way around.

I replaced two fuel injectors on my 2005 legacy over the years I owned it.

I dunno about the Forester being the opposite of an Ovlov 240. Most of the Foresters out there sport the same exact bumper stickers as the old 245s do....although I think my Legassy wagon is probably a little closer in spirit.

If I wadded up the Legacy, I'd probably be looking at either another one of those or a Forester turbo.

Audi A4s need suspension bushings more often than oil changes.

I think the potential weaknesses on the Subies have been well documented above.

Timing belt and head gaskets. 90k seems to be the magic number. i wouldnt know because i bought mine with 78k with timing belt and head gaskets done already. it is fun to drive in the snow, my fiance felt really confident driving in the snow this year. i felt great at 60 on a snowy dirt road headed to Ma's for xmas. i approve, but if you have a family you will run out of room quick.

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fiasco
I dunno about the Forester being the opposite of an Ovlov 240. Most of the Foresters out there sport the same exact bumper stickers as the old 245s do....although I think my Legassy wagon is probably a little closer in spirit.

If I wadded up the Legacy, I'd probably be looking at either another one of those or a Forester turbo.

Audi A4s need suspension bushings more often than oil changes.

I think the potential weaknesses on the Subies have been well documented above.

The B23 connecting rod bearings are approximately---damn near twice the width of the Subrau MAIN bearings.
The Subaru rods bend at low stress---Volvo rods make big block Chrysler rods look wimpy.
Subaru crank is cute, and revative to a V4 crank, spindly. Comepare to the fine hunk of forged steel in the Volvo, the Subie crank looks like some lawnmower thing.
The Subie pistons have square dishes that FAIL in the corners of the dish.

Spiritual antithesis.

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john vanlandingham
The B23 connecting rod bearings are approximately---damn near twice the width of the Subrau MAIN bearings.
The Subaru rods bend at low stress---Volvo rods make big block Chrysler rods look wimpy.
Subaru crank is cute, and revative to a V4 crank, spindly. Comepare to the fine hunk of forged steel in the Volvo, the Subie crank looks like some lawnmower thing.
The Subie pistons have square dishes that FAIL in the corners of the dish.

Spiritual antithesis.

None of that matters whatsoever in a street car. Fact is, Subaru stuff is easy and cheap to work on and is super reliable. I was going to say that you also don't get confused for a lesbian in a Subaru either and then I realized that we were talking about Foresters and now I'm thinking back to that thread where some sensitive person was all offended in a thread about perception of drivers where I stated that it was a commonly accepted perception that only Lesbians drive Foresters. Actually I think I said dykes. Regardless. A friend wanted a 5 speed Forester. He looked for like a week, which is almost forever for him as he likes to decide he wants something and go buy it. He ended up getting an Outback XT shipped from Florida to Colorad as he couldn't find a five speed XT. Ironically the next day after he put down some big deposit on the car I came across a tech in a 5 speed XT with dealer plates at a 7-11. They'd taken the car in on trade and he'd just finished changing the clutch. But I digress...

We had a Forester a couple years ago, great car. Just sold a legacy Outback also a great car. Other than the ocasional turbo issue the 2.5 likes to lose head gaskets around 120k miles. Some have wheel bearing issues once in a while. Overall very good cars that mostly run forever and hold good value. I can't see any comparison between an old Volvo and a contemporary Subaru.

I think I'm currently on my fifth or sixth 90s Subaru. Everyone has been bought for $1000 or less and sold for around $2k. My current Impreza I picked up for $200 and costs me $11 per month on my insurance. Spent $200 on some 2004 seats for it and need to replace the seals on the oil pump. They are great daily drivers in my opinion.