Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

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Comments

  • emtemt Member Posts: 39
    I don't disagree with you, but if used cars sales are so slow, why are they asking a mint for them? I would think they would want to get rid of them. Just had another dealer quote me a price on an 03 Forester X with 6000 miles. His best straight deal price....$19995... I laughed at him. I can buy a new 04 for less. What will shock me is if I get offered book value on my 93 Legacy.... take care
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's just an asking price, it's not a sale price. Unlesss it's a no-haggle place the price will very likely go down before the sale.

    -juice
  • emtemt Member Posts: 39
    Not to argue with you, but when I had the guy on the phone I said, is that your best no trade price?? He replied yes. If he has to see me face to face to give me his best price, then I do not want to deal with him. His loss, not mine. My money is good anywhere.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You're exactly right.

    I just checked fitzmall.com, indeed they list used cars too. They have a '98 Forester but nothing newer. They have 2003 Outbacks for $18-19k, and consider those cost more than Forester when new, their prices are much better than what you're being quoted.

    Now this is just my opinion, but Subies don't depreciate quickly, so a new one is a better value. They're knocking off only a little bit compared to a new 2004.

    -juice
  • ellengelleng Member Posts: 33
    Well just took delivery this evening of my new 04 Forester. Bought from fitzgerald subaru in Gaithersburg, MD and was quite happy with the experience. Traded in my 1999 forester with 112k miles on it and am very happy to be driving my new forester this evening. Hopefully I will have as few issues with this one as I did my old one.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Congrats on the new ride! I've been to Fitz/Gaithersburg many a time. :) We bought out two Subies at Fitz/White Flint.

    Bob
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    congrats. Tell us more, i.e. color, manual, etc.

    Greg
  • storytellerstoryteller Member Posts: 476
    Hi guys. My daughter has a 2000 Forester that has suddenly developed a strong smell she describes as "burnt cilantro." She has changed half a tank of gas, and it still smells. The smell is strong enough that she has to have all the air vents shut. One garage changed a belt, telling her that would solve the problem. The smell is still there.

    What should she do?

    Thanks!

    Steve
  • ellengelleng Member Posts: 33
    Its an XS premium in the Sierra Gold color. Automatic. I had them put the all weather mats and also a set of wheel locks on. I've never had a car with an alarm system so I've been paranoid about setting the blasted thing off but so far so good. I ended up getting the "buyer protection" plan for free and also a better deal on the extended warranty. I put a lot of miles on my cars so it hopefully will be worth it. Traded my 99 with 112k miles on it. Had very positive experience with fitzgerald
  • ellengelleng Member Posts: 33
    Not sure if this is your problem but I had a burning smell on my 99 due to the coolant issue that Subaru now has formally announced. 99- 02 foresters are affected. There is a coolant conditioner that needs to be added to the radiator.
  • caperosiercaperosier Member Posts: 58
    Just thot about it: could the burning smell (no cilantro in Maine) be from slipping belts, fan or other?
  • storytellerstoryteller Member Posts: 476
    My daughter says a mechanic thought the smell might be due to a slipping belt and he replaced the belt that runs the alternator. The smell persists. Of course, there are other belts, right?

    I noticed an old post on the Outback boards where somebody had some kind of oil leak that dripped oil on the exhaust system close to the engine, causing a bad smell. But I don't gather that is a common problem, or there would be more mention of it here.

    I think she might need to go to a regular Subaru dealer on this. She has been using general purpose mechanics, but this might require a Subaru specialist.

    Steve
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Subaru Crew chat starts in about an hour. Link is on the left.

    Steve, Host
  • ellengelleng Member Posts: 33
    I am interested in purchasing the armrest extension for my new forester. Where do you all feel I could get the best deal? Don't want to pay what the dealer wants.
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    Buy the part and install it yourself. Watch for shipping costs; they can eat up the difference between your local dealer's parts department and the online sellers.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sweet, Ellen, congrats! I love that dealership. 112k miles on a '99, you must love driving!

    I don't know what burned Cilantro smells like. :o)

    Could be a dirty undercarriage, I'd have that cleaned first. I just use a pressure washer to do that. If it persists look at the bottom of the block for oil stains near the gaskets or at the front of the block (front main seal).

    It also might be leaking coolant, that would smell sort of sweet. Call your dealer and ask that they schedule the addition of that coolant additive that you may have heard about, it also extends your warranty on related parts to 8 years 100k miles.

    E-mail parts@libertysubaru (add a .com which I removed to stop e-mail harvesting programs) for a price quote, they're usually competitive.

    -juice
  • taft4taft4 Member Posts: 57
    Are the prices for the Subaru Extended Warranties the same everywhere, mandated by the manufacturer, or might some dealers discount them?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Nope, I doubt you'll find two dealers with the same prices.

    -juice
  • ellengelleng Member Posts: 33
    Well I can only comment on my experience. Fitzgerald normally discounts the warranty 25% from list. However, I got the "employee" discount when I got my new forester and ended up purchasing it. $849.00 for 5 years 100K miles.

    Unfortunately, due to my commutes and just general crazy schedule I spend ALOT of time on the road. So it will potentially be worth it for me.
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    I know of dealers taking up to 40% off the high end warranty.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    $849 is great, wow. Given you'll probably use the full 100k, I think you got a steal.

    It includes roadside assistance, that alone costs $71/year purchased seperately.

    -juice
  • subtranssubtrans Member Posts: 1
    I have a 1999 Subaru Forester S- The dealer says that we have a catastrophic transmission problem (after only 62,000 miles that will cost $5200 to fix. Has anyone else experienced this kind of failure? And what have you done -with Subaru and with the problem? Thanks for any advice you can offer.
  • maverick1017maverick1017 Member Posts: 212
    catastrophic transmission failure at 62K already?! My 98L has over 106K and the tranny is still going strong. It's and auto btw, I assume yours is an AT as well. Maybe Patti can help you out? you are only 2k over the powertrain warranty, doesn't the odo have a certain % error to it?? Best of luck! but post this over at the Official SOA presence (aka Patti) board.

    Mike
  • bobbymeisterbobbymeister Member Posts: 4
    While surfing Fitz's Subaru site I find Subbies with a listing of some kind of eat instead of the speed tranny ( number of gears or auto ). Hope someone here can clue me in ? Have checked Subaru's home site , but can't find any info on this !
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    4-speed, electronic (controlled) automatic transmission.

    For MY05, the all-new Legacy GT and Outback XT & H-6 models will get a 5EAT.

    Bob
  • bobbymeisterbobbymeister Member Posts: 4
    Thanks again for info !
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    When I bought my 2001S new I resigned myself to soon be looking for replacement tires after reading all the neg mileage comments here.
    I'm happy to say that after 35 grand, the Geo's still look nearly brand new.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    impressed with the Geo's. I rotated my tires yesterday, I am also always impressed at how light the rim/tire is. I noticed how mud, etc. can really accumulate in the pockets on the back side of the aluminum alloys. It is very easy for the package to get out of balance with such a light rim.

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    subtrans: $5200 seems high even for a brand new one installed. Shop that around.

    Even better, call 800-SUBARU3 and see what kind of help they can offer you. I bet they at least help a little.

    -juice
  • gmginsfogmginsfo Member Posts: 116
    In catching up on postings after a recent 1500-mile trip from SDiego to SFrancisco and Sacramento and back, I read of a TCM problem that needed fixing on an '03 XS and a transmission recall inspection. Since I own one of these with the 4EAT, should I be concerned. Is a list of affected VINS available?

    My Forester made the trip fine, in weather that ranged from steady rain to windy dry conditions and everything in between. Mileage could have been better, especially with gas now over $2.10 a gallon throughout CA, but I had the cruise set on 84 whenever I could on I-5, so I shouldn't complain. Lesson learned when crossing over to 101 from I-5 up and down the Golden State: gas up BEFORE you go. There's precious little in the way of gas out there. Highlight of the trip: driving back from SLObispo to SDiego at night and cruising thru downtown LA from the 405 and the 101 to the 405 and the 5 with zero delays and never below 70. Now I know how freeways are supposed to work!

    At 11,600 miles, I'm just getting ready for my first scheduled dealer maintenance. Any recommendations on good shops in the SE SDiego area?

    Lastly, sometimes I seem to notice a faint roughness when idling at stoplights. Nothing that shows up on the tach or is otherwise perceptable, but I "feel" it nevertheless. Any cause for concern?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If it gets worse, could be something like a bad motor mount.

    The TCM recall was no biggie, let them fix that. Mention the rough idle while you're there, ask them to document the complaint just in case.

    -juice
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item- =2464146341&category=31868

    Get the entire drivetrain and suspension, just $7300 right now.

    Start with a stripped base X model for $18.9k, and even with labor you could have a Forester STi for well under $30k.

    -juice
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    Dang.
    2001S, 38K miles.
    "Check Engine" light went on. (Gas cap tight.)
    My mechanic faithfully services "according to the book" but says I have to take the car to the dealer for the code read.
    Has anyone had the light come on about this mileage?
    I'd hate to think Subaru preprograms the light as a way of "getting you in" so they have the opportunity to sell you services, as did the desk guy with whom I made the appointment.
    Thanks for the input.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    they don't 'trigger' mileage codes, so it's likely a legit code. If it's just on steady and not flashing, then it's something emissions related (like the loose gas cap). Typically, it will clear itself in a few on/off cycles or by 1/4 remaining in the gas tank as long as the condition is not present anymore.

    -Brian
  • ellengelleng Member Posts: 33
    My check engine light came on twice and both times I had to replace spark plug wires. They put it on the computer and found out the cylinder was misfiring and that the wire needed to be replaced. Don't know if this helps or not
  • suydamsuydam Member Posts: 5,109
    Mine (a 99 Forester S, 65,000 miles came on and off several times (started about 45,000 miles maybe), took a long time to figure out the problem, but eventually it turned out to be a bad coil pack. No problems since (knock wood).
    '24 Kia Sportage PHEV
    '24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Your mechanic really needs an OBDII scanner. For $110 you can reset codes on your own.

    AutoZone will read/reset codes for free.

    If that's still too much work, reset the ECU by disconnecting the negative battery terminal for 20 minutes.

    -juice
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    first 5K miles on my '03 XS. It turned out to be a "false" reading (ignition misfire) that required a removal and re-programming of the computer. No problems in the last 10k miles.

    John
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    Thanks all for your responses.
    It is good to have a "go to" place steeped in experience when a concern crops up.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    CELs are just a lot more common now, ODB2 requires that a single misfire be reported and logged. It's ridiculous.

    -juice
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    Long-Term Test: 2003 Subaru Forester - Wrap-Up
    http://www.edmunds.com/used/2003/subaru/forester/100076808/roadte- starticle.html?articleId=77223&editorialpage=page012
  • suydamsuydam Member Posts: 5,109
    Liked the Edmunds wrap-up, but it's interesting that the reviewers refer to the Forester throughout as a "small SUV" when Edmunds has it listed as a "compact wagon" if you try to research it. The CRV and RAV-4 (direct competitors) are listed as compact SUVs but you won't find the Forester there.
    '24 Kia Sportage PHEV
    '24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    What's in a name? :o)

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    the lines are blurring...
    Honda is referring their Pilot, Odyssey, and CR-V as trucks now - at least in the recent ads.

    The Forester? It's a wagon. :)

    -Dave
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Toyota markets the RAV4 and Highlander as having 4WD. They're really AWD.

    -juice
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    regarding road noise penetrated with me. I like the Geos considerably, but if indeed the road noise is partly their cause, I would look at changing to something else.

    I don't think the engine criticism were valid, but I haven't driven the automatic. The manual has no problem at any reasonable speed.

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The auto is supposed to be adaptive. Part of the problem might have been that it was a fleet vehicle, not just one driver but many. So it never could get used to all the different driving styles.

    -juice
  • ezshift5ezshift5 Member Posts: 858
    ..(or rather non-adaptive) Good call!
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    2001S.
    Had occasion to really use fog lights last Friday night.
    Really not impressed - it seemed that the outer radiuses of the low beam were simply brightened, which leads me to suspect that the fog lights need adjustment (as in, lowered).
    Is this easily done? Can I do it with a screw driver? "How to?"
    Thanks!
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