figgy Posted October 16, 2014 Report Share Posted October 16, 2014 As per title, I'm looking to buy a Subaru Forester the one I'm going to look at is low miles around 60.000, it's the 2.0 turbo version ten years old. Anything special to look for when test driving? Had a look on the Subaru owners forum but couldn't find a forester buyers guide. Noting that there are a few owners on here I thought if ask. Thanks for any help figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuddster Posted October 16, 2014 Report Share Posted October 16, 2014 IIRC you loose the low box option on the turbo's. if thats important to you. f. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted October 16, 2014 Report Share Posted October 16, 2014 We've got one for sale! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2014 (edited) IIRC you loose the low box option on the turbo's. if thats important to you. f. Thought that was only on the sti versions. Had a good look online and it appears your right. Only the base x model comes with the high low box,known as the farmer model. Luckily I don't go anywhere to need that, would hope with the power the engines put out it can pull itself out of anything without lie ratio. As half the line up us turbo. Both the 2.0l and 2.5l both come in turbo and non turbo. You'd think it would still be an option. Spandit what's the one your selling? Figgy Edited October 17, 2014 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) Check that the self levelling shocks at the rear (if it is an sls car) are not weeping oil. Eventually they all break and need replacing. Now the sls shocks don't have to be purchased from Subaru they are a bit cheaper (or you could replace with conventional shocks and springs as I did) , but if the shocks are weeping it's something to bear in mind. Check there is life in the clutch and that the gearbox selects without noise. Check that it's up to date on maintenance. Otherwise it's a car that will run big miles. If you can find a good 2.5 then it does deliver a bit more torque but the turbos are all good cars. Edited October 17, 2014 by theshootist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 Cheers for the advice. Went to look at the low miles one but it was tatty with bumpers damaged and sprayed badly and rust blisters everywhere in nooks and crannies. Walked away after test drive,mechanically perfect but been neglected body wise. Went and saw another a year younger but 90.000 miles full service history main dealer till 60.000 then independent garage.new SS exhaust,SLS shocks been replaced. Only thing needs is a rear wheel bearing and a pair of tyres. Done the deal well chuffed with it Seat covers and dog box needed now for it. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 Good news. Got my seat covers from country covers I think. Big rubber boot liner and rubber mats off eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 I'll have a look for the seat covers. Came with a oem rubber boot liner mat. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuddster Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 I'd be interested in knowing what mileage you get to a tank if you get the chance to post. I used to have a legacy estate which was great but IIRC it was about 420 miles to a tank if driven steadily. I was on a shoot and one drive was at the far end of a very muddy inclined track-I didnt attempt it with my landcruiser being on road bias tyres. Disco 3's just slid side wards as did a range rover but the only one to make it and look easy was a forester. good luck with it f. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 Country covers buy in their seat covers from a place at Walsall, tried to con me with that one but the fools left the other ticket on the bag (oh they were also cheaper if direct from their supplier). My XT has done upwards of 170k and we have had it from new. Eats tires and drinks petrol and you need to keep a close eye on the oil as they tend towards using it from brand new. Not ever selling it, yes its gone droopy at the back now but its had a hard life. If it ever becomes un economic to keep I will likely still keep it and do a re-build on it Repairs have been drop link bushes (bad tracks etc don't help), couple of wheel bearings and an exhaust gas sensor and a new back box for the exhaust. Not bad as its off road daily, you don't need low range just go a bit quicker and keep moving it creates enough torque to handle it just watch ground clearance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 I'd be interested in knowing what mileage you get to a tank if you get the chance to post. I used to have a legacy estate which was great but IIRC it was about 420 miles to a tank if driven steadily. I was on a shoot and one drive was at the far end of a very muddy inclined track-I didnt attempt it with my landcruiser being on road bias tyres. Disco 3's just slid side wards as did a range rover but the only one to make it and look easy was a forester. good luck with it f. ,2.0 xt will give 32 mpg if you treat it like a baby on a level motorway, give it a bit of stick on the twisty up and down lanes and your in the teens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southeastpete Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 I har the 2.0xt but it has mild mods and remapped to 99ron. I average around 21-23mpg, long motorway journey at 60mph ad you could get toward 32mpg. I have AT tyres in, but have yet to test it in anything slippy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 (edited) Ill see what it's like on fuel. It's just had a new stainless exhaust with the Middle cat removed which I got with the car,the front cat on the down pipe is stil in and the new exhaust runs from this point. It's a little raspy but not to much. Thinking of having it tuned as its now breathing easier so want to make sure it's fuelling is optimised for the less restrictive exhaust. Think tyre wise I'm going to go with road bias tyre as not really taking it off road more tracks and for getting to shoots in the snow. Thanks for heads up on seat cover supplier, I'll check them out, can you remember the Walsall supplier? Figgy Edited October 18, 2014 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Ill see what it's like on fuel. It's just had a new stainless exhaust with the Middle cat removed which I got with the car,the front cat on the down pipe is stil in and the new exhaust runs from this point. It's a little raspy but not to much. Thinking of having it tuned as its now breathing easier so want to make sure it's fuelling is optimised for the less restrictive exhaust. Think tyre wise I'm going to go with road bias tyre as not really taking it off road more tracks and for getting to shoots in the snow. Thanks for heads up on seat cover supplier, I'll check them out, can you remember the Walsall supplier? Figgy No sorry, they come up on the NET as a biggish supplier (it was for my L200 ) I sent then back which was a major thing to get Country covers to refund, never ever ever should I recommend them. Put std Yokahama G900 geolanders on it great on road, rated for the right speed and I have had them take me places few believe. All Scoobs are tire eaters BTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 No sorry, they come up on the NET as a biggish supplier (it was for my L200 ) I sent then back which was a major thing to get Country covers to refund, never ever ever should I recommend them.Put std Yokahama G900 geolanders on it great on road, rated for the right speed and I have had them take me places few believe. All Scoobs are tire eaters BTW. I have done 16,000 miles on a set of tyres which came on my Forester XE (55 reg.) in March and as far as I can see they have not worn in the slightest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) JDog what tyres are they. Sound like just the ticket for me. Need to get a rear wheel bearing done,apparently they eat them. Thought ahh no bother £30.00 for bearing an hour to do at home looks like a specialist tools required job after looking online at how to's. Love driving it and the handling for such a tall car is superb next to no roll in corners. My rav4 cornered like a 2CV. Figgy Edited October 19, 2014 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I get good wear from the geolanders but when the current set are done I will be switching to a summer road tyre. They are a great all round tyre but can be pushed too hard in my car because of the increased power. For winter last year I used wredstein wintrac 4 winter tyres which have been brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 If I got for geolanders it has the original brand new spare in the boot so could buy just one and change the spare to a used tyre. Will see what's best. Plenty of folks slate the geolanders and are using all different tyres they think are better. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 If I got for geolanders it has the original brand new spare in the boot so could buy just one and change the spare to a used tyre. Will see what's best. Plenty of folks slate the geolanders and are using all different tyres they think are better. Figgy What can I say? I have only travelled 170k on them in all weather, speeds on and off road I have done 16,000 miles on a set of tyres which came on my Forester XE (55 reg.) in March and as far as I can see they have not worn in the slightest. A lot depends on roads and driving style of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I have been known to push on now and again but normally drive steady away as its shoot bus really. Going to see what prices I get as it's got some Goodride tyres on the front that look ok and don't have much wear so I'll be only replacing the rears. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IEH Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Probably wrong, but I thought you had to change all 4 tyres together on Subarus to avoid transmission problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Probably wrong, but I thought you had to change all 4 tyres together on Subarus to avoid transmission problems? Transmission wind up? What it certainly aint good for is 4 way wheel alignment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I don't put to much store in that four tyres the same is a must, yes it's better for handling. But if you put tyres of the same size on all round you don't have a difference. Ltd slip diff moves at different speeds. Wheel spin on and off-road etc. Not many cars have true 50-50 split of drive front and rear so are imbalanced from the off. Same tyres on an axle yes I agree with for handling safety but front to rear not so much. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted October 21, 2014 Report Share Posted October 21, 2014 If I got for geolanders it has the original brand new spare in the boot so could buy just one and change the spare to a used tyre. Will see what's best. Plenty of folks slate the geolanders and are using all different tyres they think are better. Figgy I think the geolanders are the way to go if you want a single tyre to do everything. With the constant awd system I have not got stuck on muddy fields and tracks or in the snow. 2 years ago I pulled a RR classic on mud terrains out of a muddy ploughed field on my shoot (I am still crowing about it to anyone who will still listen!). Absolutely zero skill involved, I just floored it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 21, 2014 Report Share Posted October 21, 2014 I think the geolanders are the way to go if you want a single tyre to do everything. With the constant awd system I have not got stuck on muddy fields and tracks or in the snow. 2 years ago I pulled a RR classic on mud terrains out of a muddy ploughed field on my shoot (I am still crowing about it to anyone who will still listen!). Absolutely zero skill involved, I just floored it. Most really don't get what these things can do. I drove a chap around for a season or two with the hounds who kept telling me don't go in that field with your car etc, all the time I told him (its only extra ground clearance those cars have over mine not greater traction) anyhow one time we drove up into the forestry ploughing through deep snow up a big incline we had Land Rover and Range rovers trying to turn over for a belly tickle, pick-ups fighting for grip and waggling their buts like they were doing some Espanic dance but the scoob just ploughed a straight line up to the clearing were we parked just like a regular day. He looked at me muttered something in shock and never told me "don't go in that field" again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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