[Raptorman]

I have just been to look at a used 2004 Forester XT. Overall it looks
in fairly decent nick with a small section of rust about 1-2 inches in
length on the drivers side front wheel arch lip.

Took it for a quick test drive and felt nice although the brakes were
juddering under braking and when I checked the front discs they need
replacing along with pads and probably do rears at same time. The drivers
side electric window didn't work either so that needs fixed aswell.

It was priced at £2850 so I tried my luck and offered £2200 and to my
surprise the dealer(after checking his books) was happy to accept that
price.

There is no service book but there are some receipts covering services
upto around 60k including timing belt change at 50k. Also there is no
road tax on it. The mileage in the add says its done 114,000 but the
clock says its done just over 100,000.

Does £2200 sound about right? I must admit I am rather taken with it
but don't want to get stung. The dealer really didnt want me to walk
away when I said I wanted to think about it over the weekend.

Oil and coolant looked good.

Also the sunroof seems to work fine, one of the side light bulbs is out, the
alloys would probably need refreshed and I forgot to check if the a/c was
working but will check and get a longer test drive if I go back.

What do you think? Go back with mechanic or leave it?

 

[Gigsy]

Sounds like a good price.

They're generally pretty solid and the stuff that does go wrong is usually pretty easy to sort out - plenty of breakers out there too if you're looking to save a couple of bob on parts.

The one thing I'd check is that the rear suspension isn't sagging as the stock dampers are v expensive to replace (though there are non OE options to sort this for a couple £100).

Go for it.... I still miss mine :biggrin:

(Ps mileage-wise, there's a thread a few posts down about covering 160k miles that might be of interest

 

[Raptorman]

Sounds like a good price.

They're generally pretty solid and the stuff that does go wrong is usually pretty easy to sort out - plenty of breakers out there too if you're looking to save a couple of bob on parts.

The one thing I'd check is that the rear suspension isn't sagging as the stock dampers are v expensive to replace (though there are non OE options to sort this for a couple £100).

Go for it.... I still miss mine :biggrin:

(Ps mileage-wise, there's a thread a few posts down about covering 160k miles that might be of interest

The rear suspension looked dead on, I must admit after reading
here the driver side window does concern me.

 

[Banstead Stig]

If the window worries you, make them fix it and warrant the work.

If they don't go for it, knock a bit more off the price now you've researched the issue. :icon_wink:

 

[Gigsy]

Re the window, that could just be the switch - should be easy enough to test.

 

[FLfrstr]

is the rusted arch a front or rear? I ask because there was a thread that had a nice looking forester with a rusted out wheel arch that basically busted loose from the uni-body. It was a 1st gen but it would be a good idea to make sure the rust is merely cosmetic, pull the carpet back on the interior and check the spare tire well.

here is the link
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f98/ever-seen-227730/

 

[Pindie]

I agree with Gigsy. Get them to sort the window and the deals done!

Everything else you an do yourself like bulbs, pads, discs, fluids. If the interior is not knackered it probably needs some TLC and some use.

 

[sahunt]

I would be budgeting for cam belt if I was buying it. And get the garage to replace the side light bulb as part of the deal - you have to remove the headlight - not a big deal, but it's not the 2 minute jobs that replacing a blown bulb should be!

-- Steve

 

[forester200]

Sounds like a shocking garage to me if they are trying to sell it like that ...did they admit to all these faults or let you find them and hope you didn't notice? .... If they admitted to the faults then fair play

 

[Raptorman]

Sounds like a shocking garage to me if they are trying to sell it like that ...did they admit to all these faults or let you find them and hope you didn't notice? .... If they admitted to the faults then fair play

The dealer only mentioned the rust on the wheel arch, everything else
I pointed out to him.

He said he only bought it because he knew a "Subaru" person would
buy it, and he was trying his best to get me to agree to buy it there
and then, he really didnt want me to think about.

 

[Raptorman]

Quick question regarding model years.

I have seen a LPG converted Forester listed as a S-Turbo but with
the model year as 2004? Would this be a crossover model?

I am going to look at it tomorrow as it is listed as 77,000 miles
with nearly a years mot.

 

[Banstead Stig]

No, it is either an error in model or an error in year.

 

[Raptorman]

No, it is either an error in model or an error in year.

Put into google images the following....

2004 forester s turbo

It's the first pics you will see, I am guessing they listed the year wrong then.

 

[Banstead Stig]

Yes, that is earlier than 2004.

It is a S Turbo.

 

[Raptorman]

Yes, that is earlier than 2004.

Cool, just wasn't sure on model changes.

Am I right that if its been converted to gas it should have a lubrication
system for the valves?

 

[Banstead Stig]

I believe so. Not something I know a great deal about I'm afraid.

 

[mike.hutch]

If its running on LPG it needs to have had a flashlube system fitted at the time te LPG was fitted.

You can change the sidelight bulb from inside the wheel arch, but its not an easy job unless you have very small hand and a very strong grip to turn the fixing.

I would be more worried about the rust, the XT doesn't rust much, so the chances are its been repaired in the area of the rust.

The timing will need doing ASAP, which is another £350.

 

[Raptorman]

If its running on LPG it needs to have had a flashlube system fitted at the time te LPG was fitted.

You can change the sidelight bulb from inside the wheel arch, but its not an easy job unless you have very small hand and a very strong grip to turn the fixing.

I would be more worried about the rust, the XT doesn't rust much, so the chances are its been repaired in the area of the rust.

The timing will need doing ASAP, which is another £350.

Mike, the first forester I looked at had the rust and sidelight issue, the
LPG forester is a different one I am going to look at tomorrow and is a
s-turbo.

Just like to say thanks for all the great info from you guys.

 

[mike.hutch]

I'd definitely look for an XT over an S Turbo. having had both, the XT feels a lot more modern inside. Saying that, I do still have a bit of a soft spot for S Turbo to look at.

 

[sahunt]

+1.... The SF looked awkward to me, and the SH/SJ are too blobby. The SG is a future classic.

-- Steve