looking at a forester xt
Discussion
Right car deals are flopping left right and centre.
I'm now in the dilemma of keeping my 10 plate diesel focus for a few more months and swap or swap it pretty soon and have some cash in my pocket.
I've noticed the foresters are highly praised if you want some 4x4/estate and the 2.5t is remarkably quick!
Problem is the one nearby (12 miles from me) has 97k miles on the clock. Ideally I want a trouble free motor for the next year and I don't know how reliable this car is.
It's up for £4k 55 plate and well specced so even if I couldn't haggle sounds like a good price?
The dealer is G&S Drake if anyone knows it - hopefully a good reputation.
Second part is as it will be my daily should I lpg it (which I've read has been done no problem) or is the mpg pretty good? Id like 30 round town and 40 on a run if that's possible although I fear I may be asking too much.
All answers appreciated
I'm now in the dilemma of keeping my 10 plate diesel focus for a few more months and swap or swap it pretty soon and have some cash in my pocket.
I've noticed the foresters are highly praised if you want some 4x4/estate and the 2.5t is remarkably quick!
Problem is the one nearby (12 miles from me) has 97k miles on the clock. Ideally I want a trouble free motor for the next year and I don't know how reliable this car is.
It's up for £4k 55 plate and well specced so even if I couldn't haggle sounds like a good price?
The dealer is G&S Drake if anyone knows it - hopefully a good reputation.
Second part is as it will be my daily should I lpg it (which I've read has been done no problem) or is the mpg pretty good? Id like 30 round town and 40 on a run if that's possible although I fear I may be asking too much.
All answers appreciated
These are great cars, I run a 07 XT PPP and it does everything well. The only thing I can think of to check is sagging rear suspension, all Foresters of this generation came with self levelling rear suspension (SLS) and it can cause problems as the car gets older. The replacement SLS units are bloody expensive and only available from Subaru. Standard replacements are available with a bit of research on http://www.subaruforester.org/ , normally KYB shocks with custom springs.
My own lead-footed mpg results are something like 23-24mpg in mixed use, about 30mpg on a long run using cruise control and absolutely bloody dreadful pottering around town.
Highly recommended, mine's been very reliable and you'll surprise a few people when you put your foot down!!
Hope this helps
My own lead-footed mpg results are something like 23-24mpg in mixed use, about 30mpg on a long run using cruise control and absolutely bloody dreadful pottering around town.
Highly recommended, mine's been very reliable and you'll surprise a few people when you put your foot down!!
Hope this helps
Edited by BurgerKing on Friday 8th March 15:29
I bought a 2004 Forester 2.0 XT for £4250 from a Subaru main dealer last year, with 82k miles on the clock. It had a few scrapes and honest blemishes but everything worked and it was 1 previous owner. I only got it as a summer camping motor, but loved it so much I have kept it ever since. I usually end up taking it ahead of the RR! Great reliable cars with great standard spec and a lot of character. Mine has Cruise, Leather, Full Lengh Sunroof, Heated Seats, loads of storage and 4 cup holders, 3 charging/electric sockets and much more..it has been metronomic for me since I bought it, now on around 92k..
..there are a few things to watch out for though. The engines tend to use a lot of oil and they benefit from good regular oil changes. The cambelt will be due at around this mileage, dealer I bought from offered to change it before I even thought about it! The rear shocks have a tendency to 'sag' at around this age/mileage. The only bargaining point with mine was the rear shocks. The dealer had another similar age Forester (that had only done 40k miles) in stock (non Turbo) with self levelling rear suspension and ground clearance notably higher. In the end they swapped the shocks over and I was a very happy man. I have heard these shocks can cost over £1k to replace by Main Dealer! When I got the car home there was a receipt from a KwikFit Fit type place for rear shocks at around £200, so I was glad I noticed the saggy rear!..pity whoever bought the non-Turbo Forester they butchered though!..
..the only other fly in the ointment is fuel consumption! Maybe it's the way I drive mine, but it's on a par with the M3 in its thirst for super unleaded/Vpower!
Other than those points I have nothing but praise. I love the performance, image and reputation of these cars too..
..there are a few things to watch out for though. The engines tend to use a lot of oil and they benefit from good regular oil changes. The cambelt will be due at around this mileage, dealer I bought from offered to change it before I even thought about it! The rear shocks have a tendency to 'sag' at around this age/mileage. The only bargaining point with mine was the rear shocks. The dealer had another similar age Forester (that had only done 40k miles) in stock (non Turbo) with self levelling rear suspension and ground clearance notably higher. In the end they swapped the shocks over and I was a very happy man. I have heard these shocks can cost over £1k to replace by Main Dealer! When I got the car home there was a receipt from a KwikFit Fit type place for rear shocks at around £200, so I was glad I noticed the saggy rear!..pity whoever bought the non-Turbo Forester they butchered though!..
..the only other fly in the ointment is fuel consumption! Maybe it's the way I drive mine, but it's on a par with the M3 in its thirst for super unleaded/Vpower!
Other than those points I have nothing but praise. I love the performance, image and reputation of these cars too..
Edited by billzeebub on Friday 8th March 17:13
Edited by billzeebub on Friday 8th March 17:15
Lefty said:
We had a '55 plate 2.5 XT and loved it. No way will you ever get 40mpg though!!
Subaru parts can be v expensive, the secondary air pump on mine went and I was quoted nearly a grand to replace it. Spent £450 on an Ecutek licence instead, got 240bhp and deleted the error codes
Subaru parts can be v expensive, the secondary air pump on mine went and I was quoted nearly a grand to replace it. Spent £450 on an Ecutek licence instead, got 240bhp and deleted the error codes
I've realised this but my commute is fairly straight and level with odd uphill/downhill and little stop start. Also I suggested lpg to get around this 
Atleast there's plenty of parts aftermarket for subaru's. Might see if I can get a year bumper to bumper warranty chucked in
it should have a full service history, check on clutch this will be ready if it has not already done.
cam belt done?, take a code reader secondondary air valves/pump fail.
wheel bearings, arb's/ drop links tired, dic's check for wear etc
notchy gear changes,
have a look on here....
http://www.subaruforester.org/
cam belt done?, take a code reader secondondary air valves/pump fail.
wheel bearings, arb's/ drop links tired, dic's check for wear etc
notchy gear changes,
have a look on here....
http://www.subaruforester.org/
Crazysteve said:
it should have a full service history, check on clutch this will be ready if it has not already done.
cam belt done?, take a code reader secondondary air valves/pump fail.
wheel bearings, arb's/ drop links tired, dic's check for wear etc
notchy gear changes,
have a look on here....
http://www.subaruforester.org/
For the code reader should I get the torque pro app from android store or ask a garage to bring theirs and pay for time etc?cam belt done?, take a code reader secondondary air valves/pump fail.
wheel bearings, arb's/ drop links tired, dic's check for wear etc
notchy gear changes,
have a look on here....
http://www.subaruforester.org/
I don't know how to check half of those so ill have to find an expert to bring with me
BurgerKing said:
My own lead-footed mpg results are something like 23-24mpg in mixed use, about 30mpg on a long run using cruise control and absolutely bloody dreadful pottering
You're doing very very well. Mine was generally in the teens, best was 23 from memory.Edited by BurgerKing on Friday 8th March 15:29
But that might explain the problems I had at around 70k miles and caused me to get rid.
It was great fun though with diesel rep drivers.
Once had a guy in a Passat on the M3 floor it as he pulled into the middle lane from the outside lane, presumably thinking he would leave me floundering. He may as well of slammed his brakes on the speed I went past him.
smiffy180 said:
For the code reader should I get the torque pro app from android store or ask a garage to bring theirs and pay for time etc?
I don't know how to check half of those so ill have to find an expert to bring with me
yep get the torque app thing and http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am... or one similar.I don't know how to check half of those so ill have to find an expert to bring with me
easy to use, just google any codes or ask on the forum.
Russ T Bolt said:
BurgerKing said:
My own lead-footed mpg results are something like 23-24mpg in mixed use, about 30mpg on a long run using cruise control and absolutely bloody dreadful pottering
You're doing very very well. Mine was generally in the teens, best was 23 from memory.Edited by BurgerKing on Friday 8th March 15:29
But that might explain the problems I had at around 70k miles and caused me to get rid.
It was great fun though with diesel rep drivers.
Once had a guy in a Passat on the M3 floor it as he pulled into the middle lane from the outside lane, presumably thinking he would leave me floundering. He may as well of slammed his brakes on the speed I went past him.
The other thing I've just thought of is that I went through 2 clutches under warranty, thankfully the dealer eventually got it right at the third attempt (30k miles ago)! The facelift model does have a noticably heavy clutch because they switched to a push type, 300ft/lb of torque from the PPP upgrade doesn't help.
Just being nosey but what went wrong at 70k miles?
BurgerKing said:
I only get high 20s mpg if I'm on a 2 hour run to Anglesey, average is probably 23mpg doing the daily commute 20 miles each way around the M60.
The other thing I've just thought of is that I went through 2 clutches under warranty, thankfully the dealer eventually got it right at the third attempt (30k miles ago)! The facelift model does have a noticably heavy clutch because they switched to a push type, 300ft/lb of torque from the PPP upgrade doesn't help.
Just being nosey but what went wrong at 70k miles?
It was actually 76k from memory, the dealer thought there might be head/gasket problem, but would need to take the engine out to investigate further.The other thing I've just thought of is that I went through 2 clutches under warranty, thankfully the dealer eventually got it right at the third attempt (30k miles ago)! The facelift model does have a noticably heavy clutch because they switched to a push type, 300ft/lb of torque from the PPP upgrade doesn't help.
Just being nosey but what went wrong at 70k miles?
It was still on the original clutch.
Russ T Bolt said:
BurgerKing said:
I only get high 20s mpg if I'm on a 2 hour run to Anglesey, average is probably 23mpg doing the daily commute 20 miles each way around the M60.
The other thing I've just thought of is that I went through 2 clutches under warranty, thankfully the dealer eventually got it right at the third attempt (30k miles ago)! The facelift model does have a noticably heavy clutch because they switched to a push type, 300ft/lb of torque from the PPP upgrade doesn't help.
Just being nosey but what went wrong at 70k miles?
It was actually 76k from memory, the dealer thought there might be head/gasket problem, but would need to take the engine out to investigate further.The other thing I've just thought of is that I went through 2 clutches under warranty, thankfully the dealer eventually got it right at the third attempt (30k miles ago)! The facelift model does have a noticably heavy clutch because they switched to a push type, 300ft/lb of torque from the PPP upgrade doesn't help.
Just being nosey but what went wrong at 70k miles?
It was still on the original clutch.
Anyway, back to the original thread. Great cars, buy one!!
Just got mine back from Subaru with some surfs blood now in the gearbox and a fresh belly of Fuchs Pro-S in the engine. It really does shift a lot smoother now but the most fun fitting today was the front and rear Whiteline anti-roll bars. The car feels brilliant and the wooly steering has so much more feel now. It also corners as flat as the STI, so much so I've realised I need some new tyres.
if you get one make sure this is the first thing you do, especially on the rear. It only adds to the car and is worth every penny.
if you get one make sure this is the first thing you do, especially on the rear. It only adds to the car and is worth every penny.
BurgerKing said:
Thanks. Mine uses a bit of oil but well within acceptable limits (i.e. no head gasket issues). The annoying thing is my Wife's 13 year old Legacy B4 RSK doesn't use a drop, neither did my classic Impreza. None of them have the monster torque of the 2.5 lump though, it really is a different engine in terms of power delivery, quite old school in PPP tune (in terms of how it comes on boost).
Anyway, back to the original thread. Great cars, buy one!!
It never used any oil. On two occasions, some months apart the temp gauge went way off the scale in normal driving. Luckily I noticed it and was able to stop. It then ran fine once it had cooled down. No other indication, ran fine etc.Anyway, back to the original thread. Great cars, buy one!!
I never like the 2.5 as much as the 2.0 in my Impreza STi
Edited by Russ T Bolt on Tuesday 12th March 20:28
CaptainSlow said:
Ben, where are you? I'm looking at getting rid of mine...04 plate 113k miles. Rear shocks replaced. Looking for £2k. I'm in Bucks. pm me if interested.
Im in halifax and also noticed yours is the 2.0 and I'm after the 2.5 Thanks for the offer though.
I'm still looking about but the OH is getting inheritance at the end of the month and said she would put half in (or more) if I wanted so debating sticking with the oldish subaru and have plenty of cash for any repairs or go newer.....
Im sat in the middle at the moment but having money in my pocket sounds better - plus I could spend it on go faster
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