Spit some Subaru Forester info at me?

[Basement Yeti]

Since my van is totaled I am researching a new vehicle that I can use to dabble in light Expo while living here in San Diego and going to school. I was originally looking at a Chevy S10/Blazer or a Ford Ranger but after someone mentioned the Forester I decided to dig a bit.

I am darn well impressed with these vehicles. My problem is I don't like cars, but they seem almost truck-like. The safety rating and fuel economy as well as their off road capability certainly has me interested.

I'm looking at the 1998-2003 models.

I'm already aware that if their timing belts are not replace every 100k miles it could destroy the engine. What other kind of preventative maintenance should be done after purchasing? What is the life expectancy on these engines? Any other common faults or issues? Are they easy enough to work on?

I really am super intrigued by these things!

 

[Martinjmpr]

Subarus are great vehicles. I don't know how common they are in CA but here in CO they are one of the most frequently seen vehicles. Just on my block there are 4 or 5. My mom is on her 2nd Subaru and my brother and his wife have 2 of them.

As for the 1st gen Foresters (which I am casually researching as well, for my next DD) you do have to watch out a little for the very early (1998-2000 or so) 2.5l motors, they do have a higher-than-normal chance of head gasket failure. That's the bad news. The good news is that "higher than normal" still isn't that high - I owned a 99 Outback Wagon with the same 2.5 boxer and it never had a hiccup in 80,000 miles (42k to 120k.) Given the number of these vehicles I see on the road, I'm guessing the HG failure rate is probably less than 5%. For later (2001-up) it should be even lower than that.

Subaru has two different AWD systems depending on which transmission you get. 5 speeds get a fixed 50/50 system where all 4 wheels are always driven with approximately equal power. Automatics get a torque-sensing system (I believe) where under "normal" conditions, the front wheels get 90% of the power and the back wheels get 10%. If the system senses slippage in the front wheels it will start sending more power to the rear wheels, up to 50%.

Now that's good, in the sense that it allows an auto tranny equipped vehicle to get nearly the same MPG as a manual, but it's also bad in the sense that AT-equipped Subarus are very sensitive to things like tire size. So sensitive, in fact, that if you have to put a spare tire on, you are supposed to disable the AWD by removing a fuse from the fusebox under the hood. Removing this fuse puts the car into FWD-only, and a warning light comes on the dash. Over on the Subaru boards, there are dire warnings about running mismatched tires on AT-equipped Subarus because it can damage the transaxle.

Other than the head gasket, I'm not aware of any major "issues" with older Foresters or Outbacks. Like I said above, here in CO you can't swing a dead cat without hitting 10 of them, and if they can survive the harsh weather here, they should be able to survive the much milder climate of SD.

As for "expedition-lite", I think they're the perfect vehicle. They have good ground clearance, of course the one thing they lack is low-end torque, but like anything else, you have to know your limitations and stay within them.

Down in Oz (Australia), they have some crazy, tricked-out Subarus that they do amazing things with. Of course, they also get dual-range transmissions that haven't been available on US-spec Subies since the 1980's, which is a shame. But it shows you that the platform is very capable and rugged.

 

[Ozarker]

Recently I bought an 04 Forester non-turbo. MPG was not what I expected, but is ok. I had the TB changed as part of the purchase deal. Had the do all the other replacements while in there. I drove away and it began overheating, I think they took the radiator out and dropped it as the end caps were then bad. Had that replaced and drove off, and it began running very rough, pulled over and turned it off and steam came out. Started it later and a poof of white smoke came out the pipe, yep...head gasket. Now, it's at another shop waiting on parts and authorization from the warranty folks for the work.

Any suggestions while we are in there?

I like the car and have not had it off road yet, but I'm treating this thing with kid gloves. It's in very clean and nice shape. Hope it will be a good one when I get it back.

 

[Basement Yeti]

Thank you for your response fellas. They are pretty rare here in San Diego. I haven't found hardly any one Craigslist, Auto Trader, or eBay Motors. I think I might need to fly and buy, but for the prices I have found them at, I can surely afford the plane ticket and gas to get back here, plus the out of state registration.

Would you say the manual AWD system is better or equal to the auto AWD system? I do not know how to drive a manual transmission car.

Also, what happens if there is a head gasket failure, will it destroy the entire engine?

 

[Basement Yeti]

Perfect timing on this thread. I have no subi experience. Have seen some mid 90's foresters with the 2.5 for pretty cheap lately with under 100k miles.

Can someone explain the different platforms? Legacy, Outback, Forester. Pros and cons. I'm replacing an old worn out Civic. I have a short 20 mile back road commute. Don't really want to pile the miles on my low mileage 1st gen Trooper for commuting.

Do all Subi's have cat converter and head pipe issues? Seems like all the folks I have known with Subi's over the years have had to spend crazy money to replace the Y pipe cats ect.

Good questions. The cat on my moms Outback went out.

 

[desertrover]

Unless a catalytic converter is defective or very poorly designed, its failure is usually the symptom, not the problem. Things that damage cats are incorrect air/fuel ratios, certain oil additives, and use of high octane gasoline in vehicles not designed for it. I've always replaced defective cats with cheap weld-in universals, but that might not be legal here for OBDII cars.

 

[Basement Yeti]

What exactly does a catalytic converter do?

 

[desertrover]

It takes carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons (unburned fuel), and assorted oxides of nitrogen and reconfigures them into water, carbon dioxide, and plain old nitrogen. Feed it the wrong ratios, and it more or less cooks itself.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Can someone explain the different platforms? Legacy, Outback, Forester. Pros and cons. I'm replacing an old worn out Civic. I have a short 20 mile back road commute. Don't really want to pile the miles on my low mileage 1st gen Trooper for commuting.

You can find more information on the Subaru message boards (I used to be on the USMB - Ultimate Subaru Message Board - but I think they've moved so I'm not sure of the URL anymore.)

Anyway, here's the basics:

There are 3 basic Subaru platforms currently sold in the US. The biggest is the Tribeca, which is a Crossover/SUV introduced around 2007. I don't know much about these except that IMO they are hella ugly. They are not very common around here (CO) and I don't know how well they've been selling.

Next in size is the Legacy. The Legacy is available in either a 4 door sedan or a 4 door wagon.

The Legacy is also the basis for the Outback Wagon (abbreviated OBW.) This can be confusing because sometimes you hear the vehicle described as an Outback Wagon, other times as a Legacy Outback. Outback Wagon and Legacy Outback are the same thing. The Outback usually has bigger wheels and tires (which gives it slightly more ground clearance) and usually has more options. Here in CO Outbacks are more common than non-Outback legacy wagons.

There is also a non-Outback Legacy sedan and wagon. All Legacy's have either the 2.5l flat (opposed, or boxer) 4 or a flat six that is either 3.0 or 3.6l. All the 4 cylinder models are available with either manual or automatic trannys (I think the 6 cylinders are automatic only.)

The Baja, which was a 4 door pickup-type vehicle, was based on the Legacy platform and was sold from about 2004 - 2006. They never sold very well, though I see several of them around here every day.

Smallest in size is the Impreza platform. The Impreza is available as either a 4 door sedan or a 4 door hatchback/wagon. It also used to be available with Outback trim as the "Outback Sport" but I think they discontinued that model last year. The WRX, which is a sporty rally car, is also built on the Impreza platform. AFAIK most Imprezas have the 2.5l boxer four although some of the earlier Imprezas had either a boxer 1.8 or a 2.2 and I think the early WRXs had a turbo charged 2.0. All are availabel with either manual or automatic trannys.

There is also the boxy "crossover" Forester, which is built on the Impreza platform but is otherwise a different vehicle. Some Foresters were sold with turbocharged engines.

All Subarus sold in the US since 1997 are AWD.

That's the basics. You can, of course, find out more if you look.

 

[Basement Yeti]

I'm definitely almost 100% to deciding on a Forester. Thanks so much.

 

[gahi]

i'm definitely almost 100%

:sombrero:


You'll like it! We've got an '05 impreza. Its been great, and been some places it shouldnt have. If you really want to offroad it, lean towards an automatic. (<<<I hate that statement)

 

[ihatemybike]

If you get the Forester and decide to lift it, please please visit me for the install. I really want to lift different vehicles as of late.

 

[Pedro]

The 4speed Auto can be modified (via a switch that comes factory in every other country) to LOCK the center diff at the push of a button. It effectively gives you 4wd.

The information for this is all over the web. I have not done it nor have I ridden in one that has had that mod. but I have been told that it is fabulous.

You can also swap in the transmission and low range transfer from the earlier loyal's with an adapter plate.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

My vote is for a WRX-STi. Awesome off road and on. If you ever go to a Autocross event, you will see why they are so coveted.

 

[Basement Yeti]

Wow, I never knew you could lock the center diff for true 4x4, sick! I really want one!

Hey Aaron, how about if I budget a few hundred extra bucks and find a Forester around your area where I bet they're more common than here. You could check her out for me and see if it's in good running order, we can lift it, and go have some fun? I need a vacation. lol

If not I'd need to find someone who knows Subarus around here to make sure it's been taken care of.