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theabortionator
April, 2025

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Thoughts on '99 Forester

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ched_der
Posts: 362 - Karma: 867
Recently found a listing on Craigslist for a Subaru Forester in my price range(5000) with low mileage(73000), and was curious if anyone had negative experience with this model. I've heard that foresters from 2000-2003 have had numerous problems or faults that started to pop after a couple years of use. Hoping to make this my daily car/ski-mobile for the next couple years of high school and don't want to end up paying tons of money on repairs,etc. Are there any specific problem areas that I should check out?

link
http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/5094348149.html

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10 years ago
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cydwhit
Posts: 5077 - Karma: 43,062
Ha, you are in spokane, check out the Tri-Cities and Missoula craigslist, I had more luck there on deals when I was looking for a subaru, that seems a little steep for a '99 but it does have low miles
10 years ago
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ched_der
Posts: 362 - Karma: 867
cydwhitHa, you are in spokane, check out the Tri-Cities and Missoula craigslist, I had more luck there on deals when I was looking for a subaru, that seems a little steep for a '99 but it does have low miles

I definatly check that out
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
I mean that's just cheap but that's pretty low miles so not bad. Not sure what they go for out there regularly.

I bought an 02 forester in december. Got it with 197k odo miles and 65k on the engine so new I was going to need to put in some work, got it for $2k though.

At some point I'm going to need a new tranny but trying to get another 20k milesout of what's in there. at 216k now.

Thinking of putting a new moto in it eventually too and running it into the ground.

Had to put a new cat on it. Do a wheel bearing, and grabbed a new ac compressor from a pick and pull but she's a pretty decent car imo.

One big problem with these is the head gaskets going. Seems to be pretty common. Hopefully you'll get another 100k out of it though.

IF you're dropping that much loot I'd have somebody take a good look at everything and see how things look/what it needs. The miles are solid, but for 5k I'd want to know that everything SHOULD run fine for a while.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
Those wheels are kind of bunk looking but you can find wheels for fairly cheap if you cared.
10 years ago
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FBGM
Posts: 8184 - Karma: 2,677
I have an '01 forester, it's awesome, never really had any problems with it. just a clutch replacement but that's only because my brother is fucking stupid and can't drive stick.
10 years ago
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,681
$5000 for a 16 year old car with 75k miles that was originally sold new for under $20k?

That is a good deal?
10 years ago
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Charlie*
Posts: 198 - Karma: 579
It may have low miles but its a 16 year old car. If the cars done 73k thats only roughly 4500 miles per year...so that either means one of two things - its all city mileage which generally represents a lot more wear and tear on the components (stop and go vs highway cruising) or (the more likely case imo) it has spent a good chunk of time sitting...also not a good thing. And at 5K, I'd steer clear...
10 years ago
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rballs_
Posts: 709 - Karma: 2,992
cobra_commander$5000 for a 16 year old car with 75k miles that was originally sold new for under $20k?

That is a good deal?

1. They start at 24,000 brand new
2. It's hard to find ones with less than 300400392 miles on them because they run forever
3. People WANT them. There's a reason you can't find a ton of them for sale.
4. 75k Miles on a car that could easily go to 200k with good maintenance.
So yeah, it's a decent deal. I would try to talk him down a bit though OP.
10 years ago
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Lonely
Posts: 7095 - Karma: 68,630
I've got an 04. I've had quite a few issues with it related to the turbo. Otherwise they are good cars. I have heard of some issues with the parking block on that year. Check out the forester forums.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
To the "it's a 16 year old car" point. That doesn't really matter. They're still pretty sought after. Even with a blown motor they're still worth something. You can't really get them with under 150k in good shape for under $2,500 a lot of times. Obviously there are deals out there but even in the northeast where they seem to be the cheapest there weren't that many out there for cheap in good shape. 150 k ish for like 1,600 seemed to be about the best you can do ad who knows what condition some of them were in.

Whether it's worth it really depends on how good of shape it's in. IF you're going to need to put work into it, it's gotta be cheaper but people really do like those cars. And they went to hell imo in recent years anyway. Im not interested in the ones newer than 06 honestly.
10 years ago
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,681
rballs_1. They start at 24,000 brand new
2. It's hard to find ones with less than 300400392 miles on them because they run forever
3. People WANT them. There's a reason you can't find a ton of them for sale.
4. 75k Miles on a car that could easily go to 200k with good maintenance.
So yeah, it's a decent deal. I would try to talk him down a bit though OP.


1. They didn't in 1999...
2. a reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
3. another reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
4. It could. It could also easily blow a head gasket in the next 20-30k miles. That bumps the price up considerably.

Buying used subaru's is generally stupid. Smarter to buy a new one and sell it in 5 years to the idiots who buy used subaru's for way to much money.
10 years ago
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,681
Also could easily be facing a blown transmission in a few thousand miles. ~$3000
10 years ago
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,311
Don't get a Subaru, get automative supremacy, get a:

10 years ago
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msg
Posts: 1108 - Karma: 3,269
cobra_commander
Buying used subaru's is generally stupid. Smarter to buy a new one and sell it in 5 years to the idiots who buy used subaru's for way to much money.[/QUOTELol yeah let's listen to the guy that reckons buying new is a good idea

Buy used, but know what you're looking for.
10 years ago
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jaybake
Posts: 223 - Karma: 616
I know nothing about the car itself, but every time I've looked inside an old Forester, the driver is an obvious lesbian. Which is ok, just something to keep in mind.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
cobra_commander1. They didn't in 1999...
2. a reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
3. another reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
4. It could. It could also easily blow a head gasket in the next 20-30k miles. That bumps the price up considerably.

Buying used subaru's is generally stupid. Smarter to buy a new one and sell it in 5 years to the idiots who buy used subaru's for way to much money.



Let's see there. I bought an 02 forester for $2000. I could throw a wrx motor in the thing, blow it, rinse and repeat several times while throwing in a new tranny, and fixing this or that and still be massively under the price of a new one.


It's gonna be old soon anyway. I think I'm generally around 40k a year. Some years a ton more cause I was always on the road, but I'm not going as far at the moment.


I see an 09 forester with 167k for $6900. So If I buy a new one for $24k I'm spending like 3k a year to own that. Im only invested 3500 ish into my car with about 90k on the motor right now. I don't see how it's a better deal to take the new car?

I mean obviously you get a new car, but it's just cheaper. You could say that having higher quality, newer parts, etc is a better value but you can buy old cars with under 100k only like 5 years old for 16-18k under the price of a new car.

I'd just rather keep my investment down. These old subarus are worth something, no new car will retain shit for it's value honestly.

If I want a new car ever I'll go for something 4-6 years old with under 100k and pay 1/5 of the value of the car on something that I should be able to get at least double the life out of.

Just my $.02
10 years ago
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dingus
Posts: 1328 - Karma: 7,879
Two of my friends have 99 foresters, one is automatic, one is manual. The manual one has about 125k on the odometer and I think he got it for $2,700 and it is bone stock, the automatic one got his for $2,500 I think with like 134k and it has ton of upgrades such as a pod filter, upgraded silencer (but turns out to have a header leak so its really loud), wired for subs, and custom tints, and it may have some unknown engine upgrades. I personally think 5k is too steep for that rig, even though it does have low miles it could have undisclosed problems.
10 years ago
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dingus
Posts: 1328 - Karma: 7,879
cobra_commander1. They didn't in 1999...
2. a reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
3. another reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
4. It could. It could also easily blow a head gasket in the next 20-30k miles. That bumps the price up considerably.

Buying used subaru's is generally stupid. Smarter to buy a new one and sell it in 5 years to the idiots who buy used subaru's for way to much money.

Yeah I agree, Subarus tend to blow head gaskets around 70k-100k I believe, unless the subie already had the head gaskets replaced it will more than likely blow. Great cars none the less but like all cars they have problems.
10 years ago
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crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,185
Important things to look for has the timing belt/associated pulleys and water pump been done already and have head gaskets been done(and if they havent they will probably act up soonish) and I'd get someone that knows about subarus to look at it for you.
10 years ago
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,681
theabortionatorLet's see there. I bought an 02 forester for $2000. I could throw a wrx motor in the thing, blow it, rinse and repeat several times while throwing in a new tranny, and fixing this or that and still be massively under the price of a new one.


It's gonna be old soon anyway. I think I'm generally around 40k a year. Some years a ton more cause I was always on the road, but I'm not going as far at the moment.


I see an 09 forester with 167k for $6900. So If I buy a new one for $24k I'm spending like 3k a year to own that. Im only invested 3500 ish into my car with about 90k on the motor right now. I don't see how it's a better deal to take the new car?

I mean obviously you get a new car, but it's just cheaper. You could say that having higher quality, newer parts, etc is a better value but you can buy old cars with under 100k only like 5 years old for 16-18k under the price of a new car.

I'd just rather keep my investment down. These old subarus are worth something, no new car will retain shit for it's value honestly.

If I want a new car ever I'll go for something 4-6 years old with under 100k and pay 1/5 of the value of the car on something that I should be able to get at least double the life out of.

Just my $.02


I have done several 'cost of ownership' analysis for various people over the years. When combining improvements in fuel economy, maintenance costs (often you can get included in a new vehicle), depreciation, and risk, it rarely comes out in favor of of used Subarus around Seattle. They are just too expensive. It is not out of the ordinary for a 5-6 year old subaru to sell for $18-$20k. The used turbos will depreciate more, but there you are just asking to have the engine blow up. Sure if you want to buy it at 15-20 years old and have a somewhat reliable beater, but then I wouldn't pay over $3k, and make sure it has had the major overalls done already.
10 years ago
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rballs_
Posts: 709 - Karma: 2,992
cobra_commander1. They didn't in 1999...
2. a reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
3. another reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
4. It could. It could also easily blow a head gasket in the next 20-30k miles. That bumps the price up considerably.

Buying used subaru's is generally stupid. Smarter to buy a new one and sell it in 5 years to the idiots who buy used subaru's for way to much money.

1. Inflation.
2. Because they run for a long time???
3. Pretty sure that people wanting subarus isn't a bad. Obviously they don't want them for nothing.
4. A head gasket/timing belt isn't a bad fix. People always overexagerrate.
10 years ago
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ched_der
Posts: 362 - Karma: 867
cobra_commander1. They didn't in 1999...
2. a reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
3. another reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
4. It could. It could also easily blow a head gasket in the next 20-30k miles. That bumps the price up considerably.

Buying used subaru's is generally stupid. Smarter to buy a new one and sell it in 5 years to the idiots who buy used subaru's for way to much money.


chill out, its a car thread bro
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
cobra_commanderI have done several 'cost of ownership' analysis for various people over the years. When combining improvements in fuel economy, maintenance costs (often you can get included in a new vehicle), depreciation, and risk, it rarely comes out in favor of of used Subarus around Seattle. They are just too expensive. It is not out of the ordinary for a 5-6 year old subaru to sell for $18-$20k. The used turbos will depreciate more, but there you are just asking to have the engine blow up. Sure if you want to buy it at 15-20 years old and have a somewhat reliable beater, but then I wouldn't pay over $3k, and make sure it has had the major overalls done already.


Well when looking at what I might be able to sell a car for I'm looking at the fact that I could buy one for 7-10k in the condition you're talking about definitely being able to sell one for 18-20k.

Idk. If you want a new car that's fine, but there's no way it's a cheaper route to go new. IF you want a newer car just buy a 5-7 year old model for 6-10k and roll from there.

And subarus really aren't expensive. We're not talking about audi's.

It's whether you want to shell out the $$$ for a newer car, not whether it's a better deal imo.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
Also just checked the gas mileage thing. Epa lists my 2002 at 19 city, 25 highway. A 2010 is 20 city, 27 highway.

I'm averaging 27 highway anyway. Range is 25.5 to 30.5.
There are probably newer ones that list highway around 30. You mentioned 2010(or I got that number from somewhere so went with that)

Just because a car isn't from the last 5 years doesn't mean it's a beater
10 years ago
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,018
cobra_commander1. They didn't in 1999...
2. a reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
3. another reason why buying a used Subaru is stupid
4. It could. It could also easily blow a head gasket in the next 20-30k miles. That bumps the price up considerably.

Buying used subaru's is generally stupid. Smarter to buy a new one and sell it in 5 years to the idiots who buy used subaru's for way to much money.


you can't win. even with rational thought, NS will always favor subarus no matter what.

never understood how soccer mom cars became a huge thing for skiers..
10 years ago
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Charlie*
Posts: 198 - Karma: 579
If you look around, you might be able to score a killer deal on a volvo 240 wagon. Great reviews!
10 years ago
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japanada
Posts: 13785 - Karma: 1,959
search the midwest and southern states, you can get early 2000s subis with around 100k on them for about 3k. They demand so much out west bc of how killer they are in the mtns and snow. The more centrally located in the US you look, the cheaper they get.
10 years ago
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Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,323
My Wife has a 99 forester. It's a lemon. I don't trust that year of forester.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
Peter.you can't win. even with rational thought, NS will always favor subarus no matter what.

never understood how soccer mom cars became a huge thing for skiers..


Soccer moms are mini vans and suvs. Sure the new foresters are pretty much a shitty suv but the old ones have some style.

Also,

I

Wonder


Could it be that maybe, skiers wanted a car where they could fit their ski stuff?

Could it be that easy?

Omg that's it!

A car that's awd, lasts forever, and you can fit stuff. I think we might be onto something.
10 years ago
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ABalls
Posts: 2091 - Karma: 3,754
theabortionatorSoccer moms are mini vans and suvs. Sure the new foresters are pretty much a shitty suv but the old ones have some style.

Also,

I

Wonder


Could it be that maybe, skiers wanted a car where they could fit their ski stuff?

Could it be that easy?

Omg that's it!

A car that's awd, lasts forever, and you can fit stuff. I think we might be onto something.


I have a 15 forester, all I can say is the car is incredible minus some of the dull exterior design.
10 years ago
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msg
Posts: 1108 - Karma: 3,269
theabortionatorSoccer moms are mini vans and suvs. Sure the new foresters are pretty much a shitty suv but the old ones have some style.

Also,

I

Wonder


Could it be that maybe, skiers wanted a car where they could fit their ski stuff?

Could it be that easy?

Omg that's it!

A car that's awd, lasts forever, and you can fit stuff. I think we might be onto something.


Don't be ridiculous
10 years ago
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crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,185
dodgeDon't be ridiculous


How is that being ridiculous?

how do you feel about impreza 2.5rs?
10 years ago
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broto
Posts: 9040 - Karma: 25,673
theabortionatorSoccer moms are mini vans and suvs. Sure the new foresters are pretty much a shitty suv but the old ones have some style.

Also,

I

Wonder


Could it be that maybe, skiers wanted a car where they could fit their ski stuff?

Could it be that easy?

Omg that's it!

A car that's awd, lasts forever, and you can fit stuff. I think we might be onto something.


just bought a forester for those reasons, and the fact you can still find newer subies with manual transmissions, unlike a lot of other manufacturers. that's a prized feature for a lot of drivers in the snow as well. plus on the east coast you can find em cheap and in good condition. it is a nightmare trying to buy a subie in utah though.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
brotojust bought a forester for those reasons, and the fact you can still find newer subies with manual transmissions, unlike a lot of other manufacturers. that's a prized feature for a lot of drivers in the snow as well. plus on the east coast you can find em cheap and in good condition. it is a nightmare trying to buy a subie in utah though.



If I buy a newer one I'll probably sell mine out west. Def seem to fetch a good amount more.

The manual tranny is the only way I roll. Also some of my good friends in PA own subarus and do a lot of work on cars. A couple of them just opened a legit garage so getting work done cheap is a plus too. Not that they don't work on other cars but they're already on the lookout for subaru parts so if there's something I'm looking for I can just have them keep their eyes out.


I might spring for a newer one at some point or through a new motor and tranny in mine and run that shit till 400k. Still gotta decide
10 years ago
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Casey
Posts: 8008 - Karma: 26,789
I think 73k is ridiculously low miles for a 99. That car is most likely not going to need a clutch, head, or anything major for awhile. Putting money into old cars is just a fact of life, if that's THE car you want then you can be set for a long time for pretty low cost over time.
If I were you I would buy it for 5k, put fifty thousand miles on it and sell it for like 4k right before all the components take a shit and you gotta dump 2 grand into it to keep it on the road.
10 years ago
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ABalls
Posts: 2091 - Karma: 3,754
brotojust bought a forester for those reasons, and the fact you can still find newer subies with manual transmissions, unlike a lot of other manufacturers. that's a prized feature for a lot of drivers in the snow as well. plus on the east coast you can find em cheap and in good condition. it is a nightmare trying to buy a subie in utah though.


Took me forever to find a 6 speed forester but I did, they are out there.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
ABallsTook me forever to find a 6 speed forester but I did, they are out there.


is that a typo or are there actually 6 speed foresters out there?
10 years ago
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ABalls
Posts: 2091 - Karma: 3,754
theabortionatoris that a typo or are there actually 6 speed foresters out there?


Oh they're out there, I own one. They're aren't many of them though.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
ABallsOh they're out there, I own one. They're aren't many of them though.


Interesting. When did they start making those?
10 years ago
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msg
Posts: 1108 - Karma: 3,269
crotchventHow is that being ridiculous?

how do you feel about impreza 2.5rs?


Sarcasm
10 years ago
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crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,185
dodgeSarcasm


Doesn't really work in writting.
10 years ago
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,018
theabortionatorSoccer moms are mini vans and suvs. Sure the new foresters are pretty much a shitty suv but the old ones have some style.

Also,

I

Wonder


Could it be that maybe, skiers wanted a car where they could fit their ski stuff?

Could it be that easy?

Omg that's it!

A car that's awd, lasts forever, and you can fit stuff. I think we might be onto something.


or they could buy one of the tons of other mid sized SUVs or wagons that have AWD to fit their ski gear in. you guys act like if you want a 4 wheel drive car, subaru is the only option
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
Peter.or they could buy one of the tons of other mid sized SUVs or wagons that have AWD to fit their ski gear in. you guys act like if you want a 4 wheel drive car, subaru is the only option


Subarus became SUV's but didn't start out that way. As far as wagons what's really out there?

Passats, Volvs, Audis. I mean there are a few but there aren't THAT many(obviously more) but I just saying that they aren't everywhere. Wagons kind of went out.

Subaru had a few, they're good cars, and people like them. That doesn't mean that there isn't other shit out there, but people like subarus. Hell, one of my friends had a volvo, he loved that thing.

I didn't get a subaru to be part of the sweet subaru club, I needed a new car, and the forester fit my needs. They run well, I can get parts easily, even if I blow the motor it's still worth something if I wanted to sell it. It meets my needs and I'm happy with it.

If you want a volvo get one, if you want a passat get one, if you want a bicycle get one.

Pretty simple imo.
10 years ago
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tBatt
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 580
The referenced post has been removed.


Swift sport springs. Drops ~1.5" in the front and 1" in the back. Not much of a difference in appearance but gets rid of some of the rake and about a 30% stiffer spring rate. It can be done without being a jugaloon.

as far as the car goes, definitely look out for head gaskets. My buddy got a '99 Outback last year with 78k on it and it blew the head gasket in the first 5 months. Cats are also a known problem on these, and if there is any rust check for frame rot around the rear a-arms.
10 years ago
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ABalls
Posts: 2091 - Karma: 3,754
theabortionatorInteresting. When did they start making those?


cant tell if sarcasm but the first year for the forester was 97. im assuming that they've been around since the first year. only difference between the transmissions I came across was that the automatic has a 60/40 power split front to rear. the manual has a 50/50 power split.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
ABallscant tell if sarcasm but the first year for the forester was 97. im assuming that they've been around since the first year. only difference between the transmissions I came across was that the automatic has a 60/40 power split front to rear. the manual has a 50/50 power split.


What is with people to day? This is the second time where I said something that was imo completely reasonable and somebody quoted me saying "can't tell if serious" "can't tell if sarcasm"

Also I don't even know why you quoted me honestly, or why you wrote any of that to me.
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52495 - Karma: 172,911
Also from what I can dig up it seems to 2008 was the first year and that was on diesel options and 2014 was the first day they had that for the standard models.

I didn't really look around that long, don't really care that much.

This site is weird sometimes. I feel like if I said I was going to eat lunch at some point today somebody would quote me and say "can't tell if serious or not".


weirddddd
10 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7054 - Karma: 26,398
Kinda bugs me when people get Alaska plates just to fake AK residence and to avoid paying their dues in Washington. Whatever, doesn't have anything to do with the car itself. If the Forester is as advertised then it sounds like you want it. Great car, long skis will fit at a diagonal in the back with the back seats folded down and then poof you will have no room for hitchhikers and your stuff will be nice and warm in the car with you. Just like a little truck with a canopy but better mileage and you won't have to keep fixing leaks in ur canopy.
10 years ago
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
Honestly I wouldn't. You would be better off with a legacy or something, possibly a small 4x4 japanese truck would be a better bet. Don't get me wrong, the forester is a pretty fucking amazing vehicle (drove one up to my local hill in bunk as shit conditions and it was awesome) but I can't imagine the same awd platform in a car would feel that much different.


If you're driving it to and from the hill, I would say get something that you can do some shit to yourself (legacy/impreza/wrx) if need be because foresters like many other suvs, require a hell of a lot of upkeep and don't like to be abused in a sense of getting to the hill asap on a nice sunday morning.

just my input though, if you want a forester you want a forester. I just would ask a few questions about the plates.
10 years ago
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