1998 Subaru Forester - opinions / advice

[Gatordoc]

Hey all,


I am currently shopping for a AWD/4x4 to "replace" my big Dodge (2500, quad cab, cummins, etc...). It's been a great truck, but my needs have changed and it's more truck (and higher cost of ownership) than I need currently, so I am looking to downsize. I was a mechanic in the Marines for about 10 years, so I am not afraid to spin wrenches (I've rebuild engines, transmissions, gearboxes, etc...), but I need something that I can reliably DD through the winter since my current primary vehicle is a motorcycle.


The Forester is a car that I have always liked, and I've found one locally (western lower Michigan) that might fit the bill, but I don't know that much about them so I was hoping that the ExPo collective could give me some input on what to look for when I go to check it out.


1998 Subaru Forester L
180k miles
5 speed manual transmission
Looks like it is in good shape in the online ad, but I have not yet seen it in person so I haven't been able to look at the undercarriage, etc... or enquire about maintenance history.
It is at a dealer, they are asking $3,000 for it.


I know that the head gaskets can be an issue with these cars so I will ask about that.
I will also ask about the usual maintenance items like timing belt, clutch, fluid changes, etc... but I am wondering if there is anything specific to this vintage Forester that I need to be careful of or look for. I have a reader and will pull the codes when I look at the vehicle in person.


I am confident that a Forester will meet my needs with respect to usage, so I am more looking for feedback with respect to reliability, common issues, things to look for; that sort of thing.


Thanks, guys/gals!

 

[kojackJKU]

I had a subaru legacy and I got rid of it very quickly....i was not a relliable vehicle.

 

[nokincy]

At that price it needs to be in really good shape with the headgaskets and timing belt replaced already. I paid $1700 for my '98 5-speed in good shape with 160k, drove for several thousand miles before the headgaskets started to go. Replaced the headgaskets, and have put many thousand more miles on it. They're great on road, and even in stock form will take you just about anywhere you want to go off road. Subaru's AWD system is the best of the best, weak points are obviously ground clearance, and a lack of underside protection if you're going to be doing any serious off-roading.

Other than that I love mine and average 27-28 MPG.

 

[kojackJKU]

I owned mine for 9 months, it was a 2001, bought in 2001 to 2002, I paid 7k out of pocket for warranty work, always had computer troubles, I dont know what warranty was for with a subaru, seeing as I paid for all labour from warranty work. Left a sour taste in my mouth. not a big fan of the boxer motor either.

 

[Gatordoc]

At that price it needs to be in really good shape with the headgaskets and timing belt replaced already. I paid $1700 for my '98 5-speed in good shape with 160k, drove for several thousand miles before the headgaskets started to go. Replaced the headgaskets, and have put many thousand more miles on it. ...

I wondered about the price they are asking - KBB says it should go for around $1300 from a dealer. This surprised me as the asking price of this car is very much in-line with others of this vintage in my area. Also because of the fact that Subaru has a pretty good reputation with respect to reliability and quality, and their cars tend to retain their value quite well as a result. We do pay a premium around here for rust-free vehicles, which may be a part of the markup.

I will be able to call the dealer on Monday when they are open again (I've been at work all this weekend) to enquire about the condition of the car and the maintenance history. If they cannot provide that, but the body is in excellent condition, I'll likely offer no more than $2,000 for it. Lack of rust is a big selling point up here, but with 180k miles it's effectively a time-bomb if there has been no documented preventative maintenance done recently.

Thanks for the input, fellas.

 

[nokincy]

I'd say $3,000 could be fair, but only if it's really clean and the maintenance has been kept up and documented. Other than that they're cake to work on, and have no real problems. Take it in a parking lot and do some tight figure 8's, and listen to hear if the CVs are failing.

 

[DJGoo]

A couple days late but here's my thoughts:

If it has the 2.5L $3000 is good. I paid $2500 for my Outback with 236K. Plan to replace the trans oil if you do a lot of rough stuff, and all the maintenance is easy peasy (2.3 hours for a timing belt!) if you do it yourself. I THINK the interval for a timing belt is, like, 140K or something (it's way up there). Basically, if it's a M/T, take the engine out and do the clutch, T-belt and water pump, and head gaskets all in one go. That's the best way to do it (Removing a Subi engine is hardly a project). I have 259K on my 2.5 Outback ('97) with original drive train and everything (head gaskets, belts, clutch at ~200k). I say go for it!

 

[shmabs]

The 98 has the dual overhead cam motor (EJ25D), so its a little bit more involved maintenance wise. My wife drove one for a short while and we loved it, but like others have said, headgaskets should be done asap. Once you pull a head off and see how little material there is for a the head gasket to seal, it will all make sense. I have no first hand knowledge of this, but most of the competent shops i called around here said the 98's had a tendency to burn exhaust valves once they went out of adjustment, and adjusting the valves on the DOHC motor's i believe requires pulling the cams.

Mike

 

[DJGoo]

Yeah, the old head gaskets are a single layer metal sheet. The new gaskets for the EJ25's are multiple layer, so you can retrofit them.

 

[roadtrip]

Our '01 was nearly bullet proof. Out side of the earlier head gaskets (well covered here) and rear wheel bearings there is not much that goes consistantly wrong. We had ours for 7 years and put about 160,000 miles on it. Lots of multistate road trips, snow, beach and mild single track driving on top of the daily life of a wagon driving. Our's died a quick death at 250k with both the motor and trans (auto) going in the same week. Very few people who pick one up are unsatisfied.

Holy crap! first post and I joined in 2007! Gold lurker status for me!:wings: