Forester buying advice

[scooters]

Hi all. After a bit of guidance/help if possible please. We are looking out for a small 4x4 and the forester seems to fit the bill. Price wise we are looking to spend approximately 8k on something and have narrowed our search down to the 2.5 forester circa 2007 IHS as a candidate. Now we (read wife) wants an auto as it will mainly be used for the school run etc so seems to make sense. I've done a bit if Internet trawling to try to gen up on these things but thought it would also be an idea to ask the ph gurus for some help.
1. What is the best spec to have
2. Are they as reliable as they seem to be and what is servicing like?
3. Real world mpg mixed driving. Is 25 ish about right?
4. Are there any Indys for servicing in the glos area
5. Is buying private a no no and if so are there any specialists who are worth contacting? (Don't want import)
6. Any other help that you feel like giving

Many thanks in advance

[Ved]

scooters said:

Hi all. After a bit of guidance/help if possible please. We are looking out for a small 4x4 and the forester seems to fit the bill. Price wise we are looking to spend approximately 8k on something and have narrowed our search down to the 2.5 forester circa 2007 IHS as a candidate. Now we (read wife) wants an auto as it will mainly be used for the school run etc so seems to make sense. I've done a bit if Internet trawling to try to gen up on these things but thought it would also be an idea to ask the ph gurus for some help.
1. What is the best spec to have
2. Are they as reliable as they seem to be and what is servicing like?
3. Real world mpg mixed driving. Is 25 ish about right?
4. Are there any Indys for servicing in the glos area
5. Is buying private a no no and if so are there any specialists who are worth contacting? (Don't want import)
6. Any other help that you feel like giving

Many thanks in advance

1. XT, XTE, XTEn, STI. Basically anything with a turbo attached.
2. Yes. £100 minor £250 major, £350 cambelt+major.
3. I'm averaging 28mpg from a XT on mixed driving.
4. Powerstation may be an option but main dealers are not expensive
5. I bought mine private. The Forester owners club (European marketplace) is a good option. Just make sure it has full history.
6. Be prepared to mod it, it's hard to resist.

[RB Will]

pretty much what he said. My dad has run an 07 XTen with PPP from new. averages about 27 on mixed driving. Has done nearly 100,000 miles now and the only issue with it has been a wheel bearing, which is forgivable.

I think the only thing that maks the XTen out is that it has the built in sat nav so if you already have a Tomtom/ Garmin whatever then save a few pennies and get an XT as the DVD for updating the sat nav is many hundreds of pounds I think.

[kingstondc5]

its the same sat nav unit as found in the landie and up to date discs can be found on ebay

or just rip it out and custom fit a tablet - seems to be the new thing

[scooters]

Thanks ll for your comments. Does super unleaded have to be used for these cars and also , does the pop pack make much of a difference on an auto car. Thanks

[billzeebub]

I have a 2004 Forester 2.0XT and I love it to bits. Bought it last year at 82k miles from Scooby MainDealer for £4k. It was only intended as a summer camping car, but I have ended up keeping it and usually choose the keys ahead of the RR!..well equipped, great build quality and the 4WD system is pretty formidable. Mine is an Auto, black with black leather and it hasn't been washed since the day I bought it. It has so much character and I think its a very cool car. The only negative being the fuel economy when using the highly entertaining acceleration!

Things to watch out for in general are a Cambelt change, also the rear shocks have a tendency to sag at around this age. New units fitted by Subaru can be around £1k! Luckily I clocked my car was sitting a couple of cm lower unladen than another Forester parked near it. I persuaded the Dealer to swap the shocks (looked brand new on the car they swapped).

I would buy another in a heartbeat, it will have to be the 2.5XT next time though!!..

Always Super Unleaded for the Turbo models for me, regular oil changes too

[Ved]

Yep I always put super in mine. It's purely for longevity and safety rather than performance but I would say yes. Tot it up over a year and its probably very little difference.