[Nobert]

Hiya all,

I’ve decided to buy a Forester within the next 6 – 8 weeks and would appreciate any info, suggestions etc on expectations, deals and what to look for from experienced owners.

I will have a budget of approx £10k and am hoping to get a 2006/56 with about 30k on the clock. I really fancy an XT 2.5 but what with the car tax going up to +£400 next year I just can’t justify it to my good lady wife.

I will be going from a 2.0 turbo Volvo (whcih pulls really well) but it doesn’t look like there is a 2.0 turbo Forester available for the year I am looking at. Is this correct? If not what am I missing and if so would be a viable alternative?

I would normally go for a petrol model as I only cover about 6000 miles per year but would listen to any reasons to get a diesel as well.

Gadgets-wise I’m not bothered as long as it’s got heated seats (if leather).

I am willing to travel circa 150 miles for the right one.

I would also like to buy from a dealer (for piece of mind) but if anyone thinks otherwise I would appreciate other suggestions.

I’ve browsed these forums for the last week or so but there’s a lot to get through and I’m completely new to Subarus.

Thanks for any replies

 

[mdg]

Home | Subaru (UK) Ltd Official Website

SUBARU FORESTER 2.5 XTn : Adams

This could be a contender. Cheaper tax too.
SUBARU FORESTER 2.5 XT PRODRIVE PERFORMANCE PACK : Southgate

SUBARU FORESTER 2.5 XT LEATHER : Slip End Garage Limited

Any help?

 

[mykp]

If your only doing 6k miles a year then my advice would be to splash out on the £400 road tax and have 6000 miles of turbo charged, bansai fun.

I've had my forester for 5 years now and it still makes me grin like a cheshire cat everytime I push my foot to the floor. I had an X on hire when mine was being repaired after an accident and to be honest I was really disappointed as it lacked guts.

However its not my money, so you makes your choice :biggrin:

The last two XT's look sweet.

 

[The Rookie]

2.0 swapped to 2.5 in 2004, so no you can't get a later 2.0 turbo, but its no more economical anyway!

Simon

 

[Nich B]

One of these please

 

[Nobert]

Thanks for these - I have had a look at the dealers' sites but haven't yet found anything - will keep looking...

Would also prefer a manual (over automatic) and one that hasn't been used for towing.

As an aside I've just had a service of the Volvo (local independent garage) for £150. Are the running costs for Foresters much more expensive as I've just been reading a thread (can't post a link but it's titled 5 year service, where the cost of £400 - £500 for a service seems acceptable. Is this an average cost?

Cheers

 

[tess daz]

Hi and welcome to one of the most useful forums i have come across,i would go for the 2nd xt if i were buying with your money!!!!

 

[Alan MaC]

Where in the UK are you based?


regards



AM

 

[Nobert]

Thanks for the additional applies (spent too long replying to the first answer to notice the others).

Really like you suggestion Nich B - especially the 'Superb Family Car!!' bit...

£10k is my max I'm afraid - just can't stretch any further (well - maybe £500) :biggrin:.

Is an automatic any good in the snow/wet. Does it not get ahead of itself a bit coming down hills - I live in Wales and we have a lot of hills.

Cheers

 

[Nobert]

There's one I quite fancy on Ebay (Item number: 370320366224) but am wary of spending £9K on one from an independant dealer.

Another question - has anyone bought one of those 3rd party warranties for their Fozz (see, getting the terminology) or are you happy with just regular servicing?

Am I also right in thinking (curiosity that's all) that the 'New' Forester doesn't come in anything other than 2.0?

Cheers

 

[Alan MaC]

Nobert,

Car Planet seems to be the place for dealers.


I Wales I'm not aware of any bargains dealer wise.


There is an FSTI member on here from Wales that may be able to give you a few pointers.

As you can see about my post on Car Tax Bands I worry about what is around the corner orRRRRRR after the election.:huh:

Good luck, they are great beasts.

I was up in Abergavenny in the worst of the snow, Heads of Valley Road, not a problem.

Mind you I was on my own.

Regards


AM

 

[Brian Lacey]

My T/tb is an auto but the 98 vintage, later autos may be different but there is no engine braking effect going down hill and so the brakes are used a bit more in that respect.

For 6k miles a year-- get a turbo and enjoy !

Cheers and good luck

Brian

 

[mykp]

cant speak from experience on the Auto in an SG forester but in my SF its great. I was SOOOOO anti auto but basically had a gun held to my head by my missus when I got rid of my last manual car. The "I want to be able to drive it as well!" arguement.... So we have an Auto.

I live on the foot hills of the peak district and 90% of my driving is done going up and down dale. My forester rarely sees the motorway. Gearbox is fine and never gets ahead of itself. and they dont mind being used in semi auto mode either. Even in all the recent snow I had no problems even when the woman in front of me crapped herself going up a steep hill in a Nissan Navara, she stopped because she was wheel spinning and I sailed past her in about 12 inches of snow.

I suppose the proof is in the pudding and a test drive of both is in order.

 

[tim525l]

Hi Norbert,

I haven't been a Fozzy owner for all that long (bought mine in May '09) but so far I'm a big fan; there doesn't seem to be more capable vehicle for the money!

For what it's worth, I bought a fully loaded 53 plate 2.0 XT auto with 55K on the clock for just over £4k. I'm sure the vehicles mentioned above are a bit smarter and a bit more powerful, but they do seem pricey when compared......

 

[forester200]

go for a 2004 sti ....fabulous car and should hold its value more than the xt because of its rarity ....or if you are only doing 6k miles a year do you really need to spend 10k when you could get a trusty stb for less than 3k in some cases ?? bit older but plenty a fine tune has been played on an old fiddle as they say ....

 

[Nobert]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions so far.

I hadn't really considered an older model at all (until seeing the last 2 posts) as I was a bit concerned about servicing and general running costs (I usually buy a car and run it for many, many years) but will need to look into this as well now.

As an aside I've looked at Parkers' and have got a rough price I'd like for the Volvo in mind - anyone any good/willing to say yay or nay to it? If so, I'll post the specs here later.

Thanks again.

PS - Which models have the bonnet scoop. Is it only the turbos?

 

[Brian Lacey]

Turbo = bonnet scoop, as simple as that !
You mention running a car for years... I bought my 1998 T/tb in 2002 and it is still my daily/family drive car. There are many on this forum who have had a Forester for a good many years. I had UK Legacy Turbo estates before getting the Foz' but got tired of the grey interior ! T/tb had 12k miles in 2002 now at 105K. Ignoring the relatively small mods compared to many it is just a case of finding a good Subaru specialist, usually an independent place, and trusting them to do the correct thing. I am lucky in that Carnetix is 5 mins drive away ! Keep to schedule servicing and little goes wrong. They are not the cheapest to have serviced by any means but over some 15 yrs with a Subaru I have never been left stranded by a broken bit !. Yes parts wear out and need replacing but that gives you the chance to upgrade. The autobox on mine ( and I think on Mike's S/tb) is still the original oem one, just change the fluid as per the book.

Good luck

Brian

 

[mykp]

yep still the original gearbox. Due an oil change soon. Did have a small problem with mine in 2008 when I thought I'd broke it as it wouldnt go in park, turns out my over exuberance pressing the button had caused to break. Cost me £2.28 for a new part and about 30 minutes to fit it.

 

[The Rookie]

I've had my Forester nearly 4 years, my last car (Ford) I've had since 1993....

Simon

 

[forester200]

Had my 1997 manual s/tb foz 9 years ...35,000 on the clock when I got it and 140,000 on it now and no problem what so ever with the engine etc ...has been well looked after by myself and my brother who is a supra specialist , that is the key if you want longevity ....the Japanese import s/tb is different from the uk turbo by the way . If you want someone to look after it for you then just tell everyone where you are in the country and the guys on here will let you know of some very good specialist garages who are better than main dealers:biggrin: