Replacement for Forester 2.5 XT

Replacement for Forester 2.5 XT

Author
Discussion

Iamnotkloot

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

147 months

Wednesday 19th September 2018
quotequote all
Turbo's just gone pop and it's over 170k miles now so need a replacement for around £6k.

It's for the Mrs and her criteria are:
High driving position
4 doors minimum
Prefer manual (but not essential)
Prefer hybrid (or plain petrol but no diesels)
Reliable

My criteria is:
Must either be interesting or good to drive

Considered:

Lexus RX 400h - very reliable but is this too boring to drive?
Mazda CX7 - not great on fuel but nice drivetrain
Another Forester!

Any other options? Is the Volvo XC90 worth a look? Don't like the image of a BMW X5 (despite owning two beemers!) so any others...…?

wack

2,103 posts

206 months

Wednesday 19th September 2018
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Iamnotkloot said:
Another Forester!
Is it not worth putting another turbo on it , 6k is a bit of a minefield price , especially with big petrol 4X4s

I usually put £500 over budget into search engines and see what comes up

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Edited by wack on Wednesday 19th September 17:52

Iamnotkloot

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

147 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
quotequote all
Hadn't thought of the Tribeca or the Explorer...….

However, I know Subaru don't make lookers but that Tribeca is really ugly!

Anyone any experience of the Lexus or Volvo?

Toed64

299 posts

120 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
quotequote all
How old a vehicle are you looking for?

If you've been happy with the Forester, the fuel consumption of most of the other petrol SUVs won't upset you...much. I'd go for another Subaru...probably another 3 litre Outback because ours were good. They are quieter, more comfortable and lower maintenance than the 4 cylinder cars. I've considered a Tribeca, but as you say, they are on a different plain of ugly! ...not quite Ssangyong Odious, but they are lovely to drive.

I found the Mazda bland after our Outbacks and Foresters. I considered a 7, but the motor was so much less refined than the H6 Subaru, that I didn't like it.

The XC 90 is bigger and thirstier, but a nice place to be and reliable. Friends have a V8 and it's been almost completely reliable for the last 120,000 miles, but the Yamaha V8 is absurdly juicy for local knocking around.

The Hybrid RAV 4 is quite fun, and I found the Outlander PHEV better than I expected...but I still preferred my cheaper, thirsty (and much faster) H6 Outback.



Edited by Toed64 on Sunday 23 September 11:38

ZX10R NIN

27,601 posts

125 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
quotequote all
Iamnotkloot said:
Hadn't thought of the Tribeca or the Explorer...….

However, I know Subaru don't make lookers but that Tribeca is really ugly!

Anyone any experience of the Lexus or Volvo?
I agree it's far from a looker but that's the reason it's the price it is, also it's not as bad in the flesh but it's still not a looker.

CTank

11 posts

139 months

Thursday 20th September 2018
quotequote all
CX7 good value, seem to get lower mileage ones for your money. I like mine, and don’t regret buying given my circumstances. But...

Although quick when you need it, the engine sounds horrible. I look longingly at Subaru Foresters every time I pass one. Can’t think it would be anything but slightly disappointing after your XT.

PomBstard

6,775 posts

242 months

Friday 21st September 2018
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I went from quick Subaru to quick Volvo to big Mazda a few years ago. Now back in a Sube, and happy to be so.

Of your list, all will feel sluggish after an XT, and none will feel as nimble. XC90 will be a different thing altogether.

Another vote for another XT...

RSTurboPaul

10,371 posts

258 months

Friday 21st September 2018
quotequote all
Surely a new turbo is, what, 600 quid + fitting?

It's japanese so will run forever, so why spend 6000 when 600ish will get you (back) into a working car that you like?

dmsims

6,519 posts

267 months

Friday 21st September 2018
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Volvo's 2.5T engine is pretty quick, very comfortable and seem to last - mine is on 195K

XC70 ?

This type of car is not being the most entertaining drive, have you tried the Lexus?

One for consideration - the Outlander PHEV, it might! suit your lifestyle but outside the EV range you have 1.8L pulling 2 tonnes

Honda CR-V ?

RTB

8,273 posts

258 months

Friday 21st September 2018
quotequote all
RSTurboPaul said:
Surely a new turbo is, what, 600 quid + fitting?

It's japanese so will run forever, so why spend 6000 when 600ish will get you (back) into a working car that you like?
Exactly, we have an 2.5 XT and when that goes pop I'll probably be looking for another one if I can't fix it.

For the sake of a grand I'd get the XT back on the road, unless you're looking for a reason to change into something newer......


Shed of the week seems to be the way to go. Let us know what it's like biggrin




Edited by RTB on Friday 21st September 15:03

Iamnotkloot

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

147 months

Saturday 22nd September 2018
quotequote all
Whilst we liked the Forester, we think the turbo going is just the first on a long list of problems. Done over 170,000 miles now so new issues are coming up all the time.
Plus, it doesn’t need to be the last word in dynamic feedback, because it’s not for me its for the family.

RSTurboPaul

10,371 posts

258 months

Sunday 23rd September 2018
quotequote all
Iamnotkloot said:
Whilst we liked the Forester, we think the turbo going is just the first on a long list of problems. Done over 170,000 miles now so new issues are coming up all the time.
If the body is solid, you could consider undertaking a preventative maintenance overhaul of consumable parts and other things likely to wear over time, such as boost pipes, coolant pipes, radiator, suspension parts and bushes...

Might cost another grand on top of the turbo but you'd have peace of mind that it was done and dusted, and remove risk of something failing and taking out something else.

170k miles isn't really that much, no reason it couldn't do that again with regular upkeep and care. If you replace anything that could have worn or aged underneath, you are basically driving round in a new car - except one without the unnecessary plethora of 'safety systems' on newer cars that are seemingly designed to fail and strand you in Limp Home mode miles from anywhere because a sensor has got dirty... (for example).



What will you do with the old XT if you do get rid? Missus is banging on about getting a 4-door so I'm looking for potential bargain options wink

[//vulture]

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Sunday 23 September 00:23

Sa Calobra

37,126 posts

211 months

Sunday 23rd September 2018
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Go to HDC Subaru in Hebden Bridge.

I'm in Manchester and always take my Foz there.

He works on alot of Foresters.

Toed64

299 posts

120 months

Sunday 23rd September 2018
quotequote all
Iamnotkloot said:
Turbo's just gone pop and it's over 170k miles now so need a replacement for around £6k.
lamnotloot - is this yours?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/subaru-forester-2-5-xt-...



Sa Calobra

37,126 posts

211 months

Sunday 23rd September 2018
quotequote all
Toed64 said:
Hmmm that's not just a simple turbo then if it'd very noisy. Yes it could be one with shot internals but it could also be something more ominous. Especially the 2.5..

Iamnotkloot

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

147 months

Tuesday 25th September 2018
quotequote all
Toed64 said:
Yep, that's it - just finished the bid. So I definitely need a new car now......

Sa Calobra

37,126 posts

211 months

Wednesday 26th September 2018
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Did the bidders test/view it first?

If that was me I wouldn't bid blind. Some people mind...

Iamnotkloot

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

147 months

Friday 12th October 2018
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So the Forester has gone (to Poland!) and I've replaced it with a Lexus rx400h - mmm, wallowy. Had it delivered from South Wales; couldn't find anything suitable in the North West - they mostly seem to be down South for some reason.