[ajv133]

Hello. Currently and historically I have always driven Jeeps as my daily rider. My daily driving needs are changing and I need more storage space. My lady love has had a Forester and Outback in the past so I am familiar with the brand and considering purchasing a used one in my area.

Here are my options:

2011 2.5X premium. 92,620 miles. $12,995
2010 2.5X. 78,871 miles. $9,988

I know the premium has some bells and whistles and the '11 has the timing chain. Any thoughts here?

 

[ForesterCub]

Hi & welcome!

Both cars have their positives and negatives, on paper.

The 2011 (FB engine) has the advantage of no timing belt to change every 100k. It has the MLS head gasket (HG) which goes a long way to solving the Subaru HG problem. It also has the oil filter in the engine bay for ease of maintenance. Against that, the 2011 FB engines were prone to piston ring failure leading to excessive oil consumption E.G. a quart of oil every 1000 miles or so was / is typical in problem engines.

The 2010 (EJ) does have the timing belt that needs replacement every 100k and does not have the MLS HG as standard, so is more prone to HG failure. Ask me how I know Against that, the 2010 has many of the earlier EJ series problems ironed out and does not have the piston ring / short block issues of the FB series.

If it were me, I'd go for the 2010 BUT I would want to see a full service history. If none available then I'd walk, there are lots for sale - but that's me. Have a full insopection done and look particularly underneath at the HGs - the milegae on the 2010 is typical for when they start to leak. Also be aware the timing belt should have been replaced by now - more than 105 months since new have elapsed. Could this be why it is for sale?? If it hasn't been done then insist that it is or use it as a bargaining tool. Figure on $600 in parts for new timing belt kit.

 

[adc]

Agree with above post. I am almost positive the 2010 has the mls gasket. But in any event its unlikely that the gasket will fail. When the timing belt is replaced you need to replace idlers, tensioner, and water pump. In addition the 2011 really can't leak coolant bc the head coolant is separate from the block system.

Bear in mind you are a buying a used vehicle. You really don't know what you are getting. Get the best inspection possible. Better yet keep your jeep til you can afford to buy new. perhaps you can locate a 2018 dealer demo for like 5 or 6 k below msrp.

 

[WritWit]

If both have been pre-inspected by 2 sources and are equal, go for the lower miles one -- all the engines need new timing chain belts after something like 110k miles. Give yourself some distance between purchase and this big expense.
I got a 2005 with 40k for $10k. They're out there...

 

[ForesterCub]

I am almost positive the 2010 has the mls gasket. But in any event its unlikely that the gasket will fail.

The 2010s did not get the MLS gaskets. Most 2010 Imprezas and Legacys did.

Mine (2010) did not have an MLS HG and it did fail at 58k. Most of the latter EJ series HGs I.E. the 2009 & 2010 MY tend to show signs of failure about 65k onwards, mine went relatively early. I have an MLS gasket now and so far so good!!

 

[sneefy]

With the FB, it's not just about the gaskets, The heads have been redesigned completely so coolant does not flow from the block to heads. i.e. not through the gasket at all. The heads have their own coolant supply.

At least, that's what I've read on the internet. Hopefully it's actually true, lol.

 

[Jim with a J]

pre-2009

 

[ForesterBill]

I drove a 2010 for 197,000 miles and never had any evidence of an internal or external head gasket leak. Perhaps it is because I always added the Subaru-recommended coolant conditioner whenever I changed the coolant.

 

[DeepForest]

I seriously would consider a SAABaru. The 9-2x. I almost traded in my 2000 Forester.
I was test driving one and now I feel guilty not to buy a brand new from GM for $15000 after employee pricing and rebates (remember 2008 crash?). Same Impreza was for $23000 at Subaru.
I would actually make a few grands just for buying it.
But you cannot revert the time.

 

[ForesterCub]

I drove a 2010 for 197,000 miles and never had any evidence of an internal or external head gasket leak. Perhaps it is because I always added the Subaru-recommended coolant conditioner whenever I changed the coolant.

Hi Bill

Glad you didn't have any HG issues. Just out of interest, was most of your mileage highway driving, or? How long did you own your 2010 for?

My mileage is appx 90% tootling around town, virtually no highway. My HGs failed in February 2017. So I'm wondering if there is a mileage use / engine age factor to the HG issue, too.

 

[ForesterBill]

Hi Bill

Glad you didn't have any HG issues. Just out of interest, was most of your mileage highway driving, or? How long did you own your 2010 for?

My mileage is appx 90% tootling around town, virtually no highway. My HGs failed in February 2017. So I'm wondering if there is a mileage use / engine age factor to the HG issue, too.

I would say that 70% of my driving was highway with less than 10% in stop and go traffic. However I did take my Forester off of paved roads frequently.

Most of my oil changes were DIY and I would always inspect the HG for leaks knowing reputation of Foresters. I also had several oil analysis done by Blackstone Labs (last at 190k miles) and never had oil contamination from coolant.

I bought my 2010 2.5X Limited new and kept it for over 8 years and 197k miles. My intentions were to drive it another two years to 250k miles and buy a 2020 Forester. However, when I learned that Auto Stop/Start was going in the 2019's that motivated me to buy a 2018 and sell the 2010 pre-maturely.

 

[adc]

pre-2009

pre-2009 hill have bigger HG isues than 2009/2010

 

[tcsubie24]

pre-2009 hill have bigger HG isues than 2009/2010

Yes, but if OP is used to jeeps this is the correct answer :icon_cool:

 

[blue]

I would say that 70% of my driving was highway with less than 10% in stop and go traffic. However I did take my Forester off of paved roads frequently.

Most of my oil changes were DIY and I would always inspect the HG for leaks knowing reputation of Foresters. I also had several oil analysis done by Blackstone Labs (last at 190k miles) and never had oil contamination from coolant.

I bought my 2010 2.5X Limited new and kept it for over 8 years and 197k miles. My intentions were to drive it another two years to 250k miles and buy a 2020 Forester. However, when I learned that Auto Stop/Start was going in the 2019's that motivated me to buy a 2018 and sell the 2010 pre-maturely.

I am looking into a 2019 forester and what do you mean about the auto stop/start?what is that I have had foresters in the past and have a 2015 now but don't know what that is could you explain before I but thank you very much

 

[ForesterBill]

Auto Stop/Start is a "feature" whereby your engine shuts down whenever you stop and idle, like at a red light. I've had it on rental cars and I found it annoying. Granted, Subaru provides defeat button to disable AS/S but only temporarily. IMO, AS/S it's more of a way for the auto makers to game EPA standards than it is a way for drivers to save on fuel. AS/S is also a complex system - check out all the operational conditions on pages 339-340 of the 2019 Forester Owners Manual: https://www.buddssubaru.com/assets/forester/2019-Subaru-Forester-Owner-Manual.pdf

 

[DockingPilot]

Auto Stop/Start is a "feature"
I found it annoying.

To put it mildly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jim with a J]

pre-2009 hill have bigger HG isues than 2009/2010

Yes, but if OP is used to jeeps this is the correct answer :icon_cool:

lol, on the real

A '03-'06 SG with it's headgaskets replaced, the whole package, it's hard to bet against it at the price point.
Alot of bang for your buck for $5k

 

[blue]

thank you I will have to look into it further or maybe get a 2018 any issues with the 2018 that you are aware of?

 

[adc]

No.....

 

[ForesterBill]

thank you I will have to look into it further or maybe get a 2018 any issues with the 2018 that you are aware of?

None, other than perhaps the windshield that is made of acoustic glass and appears to be more prone to cracking when stuck by stones. Subaru started using this glass on Forester windshields in 2017 I believe. You can read about the complains in this thread:
https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f322/2018-subaru-forester-windshield-crack-edited-780995/