looking at a forester xt
Discussion
I picked up a 118k 2.5 XT PPP last year and so far, ive had no major issues as such.
Only problems ive had/have are;
Some rust on the wing i failed to notice when i purchased it and some scratches to the bumper - £300 quid to sort out
Passenger door lock wont always unlock/lock with the remote
The dip stick for checking oil isnt accurate at all - had an oil change last year as thought it was running out, was pretty much full yet the stick showed none. GOt the same issue now and even putting in 250ml doesnt show anything.
The gear shift isnt exactly what i call rifle bolt (but ive come from cars that do/did) but apparently a short shift kit can improve this.
On a recent 200 mile run, i managed 22mpg though that was crusing at around turbo kicking in time - it really could do with a 6th gear for the motorways.
However, the pro's def outway the con's of the car, just buy one on condition and ideally the belts been done recently.
Also, alot of parts from the Imprezzas can be swapped over so some parts are cheap
Only problems ive had/have are;
Some rust on the wing i failed to notice when i purchased it and some scratches to the bumper - £300 quid to sort out
Passenger door lock wont always unlock/lock with the remote
The dip stick for checking oil isnt accurate at all - had an oil change last year as thought it was running out, was pretty much full yet the stick showed none. GOt the same issue now and even putting in 250ml doesnt show anything.
The gear shift isnt exactly what i call rifle bolt (but ive come from cars that do/did) but apparently a short shift kit can improve this.
On a recent 200 mile run, i managed 22mpg though that was crusing at around turbo kicking in time - it really could do with a 6th gear for the motorways.
However, the pro's def outway the con's of the car, just buy one on condition and ideally the belts been done recently.
Also, alot of parts from the Imprezzas can be swapped over so some parts are cheap
Russ T Bolt said:
CaptainSlow said:
smiffy180 said:
I'm after the 2.5
...have plenty of cash for any repairs...
OK, that's fortunate ...have plenty of cash for any repairs...
Good luck. smiffy180 said:
Just out of interest wouldn't aftermarket be better in some cases? Ie go for a upgraded turbo instead of one from subaru?
It wasn't turbo related.They couldn't find a fault, but had just fixed another 2.5XT that had started with the same symptoms, the bill was just under £5k for the repair. It was cylinder head related, but being a boxer engine you cant't easily get to the heads.
To investigate further the engine had to come out.
My dad has had a 07 Xten with PPP from new. Its on over 90k miles now and the only problem he has had other than routine maintenance is a wheel bearing go. Has had some serious stick in that time too as I was driving it for a couple of years and even took it to the Ring.
I'm either lucky with my Subarus or have learnt to drive in some magical way as in normal use we get 24-27mpg from the Forester a steady motorway run could increase that but motorways are usually done at 80mph. You will never get near 40 though.
I used to be able to coax over the offical figures out of my 3.0 Legacy. My 400+ bhp P1 averages about 24mpg with varied use and I managed over 30mpg from my old STI on one slow run.
Also you asked about buying the ex police one. A friend of mine is a PC. If his stories represent the usual use of police vehicles I would say its best to steer well clear lol
I'm either lucky with my Subarus or have learnt to drive in some magical way as in normal use we get 24-27mpg from the Forester a steady motorway run could increase that but motorways are usually done at 80mph. You will never get near 40 though.
I used to be able to coax over the offical figures out of my 3.0 Legacy. My 400+ bhp P1 averages about 24mpg with varied use and I managed over 30mpg from my old STI on one slow run.
Also you asked about buying the ex police one. A friend of mine is a PC. If his stories represent the usual use of police vehicles I would say its best to steer well clear lol
Russ T Bolt said:
It wasn't turbo related.
They couldn't find a fault, but had just fixed another 2.5XT that had started with the same symptoms, the bill was just under £5k for the repair. It was cylinder head related, but being a boxer engine you cant't easily get to the heads.
To investigate further the engine had to come out.
which is why i said ie They couldn't find a fault, but had just fixed another 2.5XT that had started with the same symptoms, the bill was just under £5k for the repair. It was cylinder head related, but being a boxer engine you cant't easily get to the heads.
To investigate further the engine had to come out.
you didnt state the problem 
But bloody hell thats ridiculous! Id rather buy a new engine
RB Will said:
My dad has had a 07 Xten with PPP from new. Its on over 90k miles now and the only problem he has had other than routine maintenance is a wheel bearing go. Has had some serious stick in that time too as I was driving it for a couple of years and even took it to the Ring.
I'm either lucky with my Subarus or have learnt to drive in some magical way as in normal use we get 24-27mpg from the Forester a steady motorway run could increase that but motorways are usually done at 80mph. You will never get near 40 though.
I used to be able to coax over the offical figures out of my 3.0 Legacy. My 400+ bhp P1 averages about 24mpg with varied use and I managed over 30mpg from my old STI on one slow run.
Also you asked about buying the ex police one. A friend of mine is a PC. If his stories represent the usual use of police vehicles I would say its best to steer well clear lol
I'm either lucky with my Subarus or have learnt to drive in some magical way as in normal use we get 24-27mpg from the Forester a steady motorway run could increase that but motorways are usually done at 80mph. You will never get near 40 though.
I used to be able to coax over the offical figures out of my 3.0 Legacy. My 400+ bhp P1 averages about 24mpg with varied use and I managed over 30mpg from my old STI on one slow run.
Also you asked about buying the ex police one. A friend of mine is a PC. If his stories represent the usual use of police vehicles I would say its best to steer well clear lol
ok ill stay clear; it just looked really nice 
I have a 2005 2.5xt and getting 27mpg, best was 31 on a run to Devon. Its a really great car and seriously quick on boost, even fully loaded with ppl and luggage. Everyone is surprised at what it can do.
Mines done 80k miles (40k with me) and its been perfect. I would highly recommend u get one.
Mines done 80k miles (40k with me) and its been perfect. I would highly recommend u get one.
I'm guessing that the facelift 2.5XT (after 2005) are the ones with the secondary air injection to reduce cold start emissions, this probably factors into the official mpg figures somewhere. I bet there's bugger all difference in real world use.
I have a secondary air injection pump on my 07 XTen PPP, if it ever goes wrong I'm going to get the fault code mapped out and pull the fuse (replacements are not cheap).
I have a secondary air injection pump on my 07 XTen PPP, if it ever goes wrong I'm going to get the fault code mapped out and pull the fuse (replacements are not cheap).
Edited by BurgerKing on Sunday 17th March 14:28
BurgerKing said:
I'm guessing that the facelift 2.5XT (after 2005) are the ones with the secondary air injection to reduce cold start emissions, this probably factors into the official mpg figures somewhere. I bet there's bugger all difference in real world use.
I have a secondary air injection pump on my 07 XTen PPP, if it ever goes wrong I'm going to get the fault code mapped out and pull the fuse (replacements are not cheap).
Cheers, I'm thinking of spending a bit more now as it opens up a whole load more.I have a secondary air injection pump on my 07 XTen PPP, if it ever goes wrong I'm going to get the fault code mapped out and pull the fuse (replacements are not cheap).
Edited by BurgerKing on Sunday 17th March 14:28
Nice 06 plate with 63k on clock nearly top of the range
Also I'm yet to see a forester in action this year. I've seen 2 both parked up. Are they not that common?
Apologies if I'm pointing out the obvious here but check the registration dates on any 06 plate cars, prior to 23 March 2006 then car tax will be reasonable but after that it's bloody expensive (mine was £460 last year from memory). Probably even more important after the budget tomorrow.
corvus said:
What are the seats like in these for long runs? Are the pedals low in relation to the seat or is it like a standard car but just higher off the ground? Was thinking about one of these as I have a dodgy back and I was thinking the more upright driving position would be better.
Mine was fine, I put 50,000 miles on it in the first 2 years.I didn't notice it was any different from jumping straight back into another car, except you we're then sitting lower. I often got straight out of the Forester and into our A4.
corvus said:
What are the seats like in these for long runs? Are the pedals low in relation to the seat or is it like a standard car but just higher off the ground? Was thinking about one of these as I have a dodgy back and I was thinking the more upright driving position would be better.
The seats in mine a very nice on long runs, they even keep your arse/back warm at the flick of a switch. The only thing I wished for was a little more side bolstering in the backrest, it all feels a little slidey at times although perhaps it's worse with leather. The pedals feel like they are in a natural position (i.e. not too high) and I regularly drive my Wife's Legacy which I have to admit has the perfect driving position. My mother-in-law loves the Forester because it's like a normal car but you don't have to either drop down into it (like the Legacy) or climb up like some other more serious 4x4s.
BurgerKing said:
Apologies if I'm pointing out the obvious here but check the registration dates on any 06 plate cars, prior to 23 March 2006 then car tax will be reasonable but after that it's bloody expensive (mine was £460 last year from memory). Probably even more important after the budget tomorrow.
Oh s
t I forgot about that! corvus said:
What are the seats like in these for long runs?
The seats are spot on. Before I even got mine I recomended my mum to get one, she's got a mega bad back but has never been comfier. Theres a lot of adjustment for the seat and steering wheel which helps.Re rarity, you'll never see another on the motorway, ..but poss over the park taking the dog for a run.
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