ihatemybike
Explorer
Completely cool with me. I have a couple Subaru WRX tuning friends that I can drag along for the inspection too.
Spit some Subaru Forester info at me?
- Thread starter Basement Yeti
- Start date
toylandcruiser
Expedition Leader
On my 2011 forester, not sure about the older ones. When you put the auto trans in 1st or 2nd, it splits the power 50/50.
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Basement Yeti
Explorer
That is way cool. I'll go onto the Aussie offroad Subaru forum and ask about the 50/50 AWD when shifting into 1 or 2 or whether you can electronically lock the center diff.
Can you do a suspension lift on the 1998-2003 Subaru Foresters? I was reading you could use stiffer springs, plus a bit larger tires for 1"-2" of lift. That gives you like 8"-9" of ground clearance.
Can you do a suspension lift on the 1998-2003 Subaru Foresters? I was reading you could use stiffer springs, plus a bit larger tires for 1"-2" of lift. That gives you like 8"-9" of ground clearance.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Just FYI, Subaru tends to keep their "generations" at 5 year intervals, so a 1st gen Forester (which is what it sounds like you're talking about) is 1998 - 2002. 2003 was the first year of the 2nd gen.
IMO 2nd gens are the best looking Foresters out there (the distinctive features of the 2nd gen are the hexagon tailgate and triangular taillights.) But 1st gens can be found for quite a bit less.
2nd gens got a limited slip in some trim levels (XS and XT, I think) but not all. I don't think the 1st gens ever had a limited slip in the rear.
As far as availability, it sounds like Subies aren't common in SoCal. Which makes sense, I guess, because it's kind of a "snow belt" car anyway. Head over to the Rocky Mountain West and they are as common as weeds. There are at least 4 on my block alone (the only vehicle more popular on my block is the Toyota 4x4.) Since you're in SD, I'd say the closest large market to check out would be Flagstaff or maybe Las Vegas. You could also try San Francisco or the NorCal area, since they get snow up there and you would be getting a "CA Legal" car, which is probably important in order to be able to pass emissions.
Automatic Subarus are very finicky about tire size but as long as you buy all your tires at once, rotate them regularly and take out the fuse to disable AWD if you put the small spare on, you should be fine. Incidentally, I believe the 1st gen Foresters actually had a full sized spare. I don't think they went to the mini-spare until the 2nd gen, which is a plus for the 1st gen.
Basement Yeti
Explorer
I've looked online. I haven't seen any suspension lifts for the Forester, besides in Australia.
check out http://www.writerguy.com/primitive/index.htm They have lift springs, strut spacers, and skid plating for Foresters. Should be able to get you about 2" of lift.
Rotor
Rotor
crawldit
Adventurer
Also check out http://www.subaruforester.org/ I've been doing a lot of reading over there lately. Tons of information about lifts and tires. I'm hoping to be in a Forester myself this weekend. They just seem to be an all around good vehicle.
Basement Yeti
Explorer
Subaru's are pretty easy to repair and maintain, right? I'm dead set on purchasing one in the next few weeks. It's just a bit of a bummer because I've learned so much about repairing and maintaining my old Astro van. Guess I'll have to learn some more in's and out's, huh?
Basement Yeti
Explorer
I'm looking for a 1997-2002 auto transmission Subaru Forester with around 150,000 miles on it, no preference on trim, preferably in white. I've found some good ones on Auto Trader for 2-3k. I'll have to fly and buy.
gahi
Adventurer
your in San Diego right?
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/2581909725.html doesnt say what trans is in it.
or this one
http://slo.craigslist.org/cto/2577658291.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/2581909725.html doesnt say what trans is in it.
or this one
http://slo.craigslist.org/cto/2577658291.html
ihatemybike
Explorer
Just caused you learn a bit on the Astro doesn't mean the knowledge isn't useful on other vehicles. I learned most of my wrenching skills on Astros, but to my knowledge I'm the most experienced* non-professional Jeep Liberty mechanic in the Chicagoland area.
*Based on the user experiences of the two main Jeep Liberty forums.
*Based on the user experiences of the two main Jeep Liberty forums.
Basement Yeti
Explorer
I found this Subaru Forester within my budget on Craigslist. It says it has a rebuilt engine. Is a rebuilt engine something I should shy away from, of course it depend son who and how it was rebuilt, how would you tell how sturdy a rebuilt engine was?
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2570191135.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2570191135.html