SOTW: Subaru Forester S-Turbo
Q: What do you get when you cross an estate car, a 4x4 and an Impreza? A: Today's Shed...
It's a genre that has spawned such vulgarities as the BMW X6 or, further down the scale, weirdness like the Nissan Juke or Honda H-RV.
This car has been accused of being the sire of a genre of cars not particularly beloved by enthusiasts, but in truth the original Forester is less of a marketing exercise and more an example of what Subaru does best - simple, ruggedly engineered four-wheel-drive cars, with a healthy dose of practicality thrown in.
As with most Subarus, the Forester is not exactly the prettiest of things but, along with the signature all-wheel drive, the turbocharged boxer four is also there, although giving only a relatively modest 170hp or so. That was always enough to make the Forester an entertaining thing to punt around, however, and certainly more enjoyable than the Volvo XC or Cross Country that was its contemporary.
This particular one might well have been one of those at some point - it's got very little in the way of service history and seems to have been knocked around a little during its 13 years on this earth. It's also got quite a short MOT and tax on it, which is potentially worrying.
It's one to go in with eyes wide open on, then, but if you know what you're doing, and are prepared to take a bit of a punt, it could be quite a bargain...
Don't like this? there are plenty more potential Sheds to tempt you in the PH classifieds...
Advert is reproduced below
1999T Subaru Forester S-Turbo 4x4 AWP (£950)
Taxed till End July / MOT till June 6th.
You are looking my Subaru, used as a commuting and family car by myself since last June. Now selling due to the mileage that I'm now doing - I've bought a diesel instead. Will be sad to see it go!
This is the higher spec "all weather pack" model including headlamp washers, foglamps & double-size electric sunroof, along with the usual refinements (air con, electric windows, central locking & immobiliser etc). It also has a stereo system with aux and USB input (nothing flashy but great for plugging in an iPhone to listen to etc)
The car is in good condition for it's age. There are a fair few blemishes to the exterior. The interior is in nice clean condition, above average for these cars (which often get used on farms etc). I will add some photos at the weekend. There's also a Subaru boot liner and load cover in the rear.
It has a Subaru-supplied stainless exhaust box, and 4x matching Yokohama Geolandar G035 all-season tyres with good tread.
Bad points would be:
- The lacquer is peeling off the alloys, so they don't look great though they all hold pressure perfectly.
- I don't have service history or much paperwork with the car generally.
- Slight suspension knock at the rear.
- Occasionally needs topping up with oil.
Overall this is a bargain of car, with good performance and the ability to plug through mud & snow if necessary. I've done 70 miles per day for almost a year and it hasn't let me down once. Also starts perfectly after being left for a week or more.
Viewing available at weekends only. Please contact me via email anytime, or via phone after 8pm. Please no messers, scammers or silly offers.
No history isn't terrible with off-road sheds BUT a boxer engine asking for oil is a sign that things are nearing their end.
That he mentions that as almost less important than tatty wheels - erm - well...
No history isn't terrible with off-road sheds BUT a boxer engine asking for oil is a sign that things are nearing their end.
That he mentions that as almost less important than tatty wheels - erm - well...
mpg figures weren't all that good either - I think 20's was as good as it got
He sold it with fault(s) declared and was amazed when he got exactly what he wanted for it £750 (from memory) - turns out buyer was a specialist who broke it for spares as it was worth more in parts.
Different - not my cup of tea and as another PH'r said I'd be worried about a few aspects of the advert but the use abuse and flog on for spares when broken.
Oh, and (to return back on topic somewhat) Subaru spare part prices are somewhat eye-watering and the alternatives for non-sporty models aren't all that plentiful in my experience.
Oh, and (to return back on topic somewhat) Subaru spare part prices are somewhat eye-watering and the alternatives for non-sporty models aren't all that plentiful in my experience.
Of course this car is neqaring end of lfe, it is SOTW, Virgin just quoted me £1700 for two weeks hire of an SUV in the states so in context this doesnt seem so bad, if you get 10,000 out of it it is good value, scrap it for £150/200.
I've had three Forester turbos - 1999, 2000 and 2003 - in between other cars. But I do get bored easily
Bought because we need 4wd winter ability, and estate-ness. All autos too.
Great fun for what they are, fairly quick, I have topped up with oil, I'm sure, but no more than anything else at that age. Compared with the Shogun and Landcruiser tonka toys I had to do fulfill the same role and a Forester is way better in all areas except space. Away from traffic lights on wet tarmac you'd surprise anything. Best moment in the last one was up a monster hill in snow, stopping behind then overtaking a £££ Audi Quattro Sales-line that looked like it was about to go backwards. All the kit too - heated screen, rear side windows, monster heater, heated seats, moonroof, great value, and it all works, even at 12 years old.
Now have a 2.5 NA Legacy - better on corners and refinement but I do miss the Foresters' turbos and the more obvious flat 4 throb.
Bah humbug. Got me looking now
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff