Which Forester

NachaLuva

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My niece is buying her first Subie :monkeydance:

She's got 2 on her shortlist (still looking at others too), a '99 GT and a '03 X, both 4EATs.

https://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=12272747
https://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=12564318

Can anyone give any advice on these? I know the EJ25 turbo is a hell of an engine, but what about the EJ20 turbo? Reliability is a big point.

She will be using it for canoeing and bushwalking trips, so while not "offroading" as such, it will be loaded up with kayaks, gear, plus 3-4 passengers...ie a LOT of weight! Some of the tracks do get steep and slippery.

The owner of the '03 has said he will get the timing belts done first (a sweetener), even though its not quite due yet (181010km). She's not sure if the '99 has had them done yet, although they should be (207000km).

I'm going to look at them with her. I know some things to look for, like CVs clicking while turning, auto slow to engage, exhaust deposits, etc. But what else should I look for? Esp with the turbo? How do I check its wear?
 
Does either have a service history?

I would go for the 03 X. It's a nicer and newer car inside and out. Less km too. Look for abuse (offroad scratches, check the underside).

Both have similar power, the turbo will have slightly more.

Also check for oil leaks and the likes. Take it for a good drive both around town and on the highway and then decide.

Taza
 
Th '03 says it comes with service history.

Just thought, do turbos need to have premium petrol? I think they do but not sure, will add a fair bit to running costs...
 
Was just told they both come with good service history, well maintained :monkeydance:

The '99 GT is one owner, a cop, so Kiri (my niece) is hoping hasnt been thrashed like many turbos. He's selling cos now he thrashes the squad car instead :lildevil:
 
Gidday NL

I agree with Taza.

TAKE your niece with you to inspect both ...

The 2.5 NA is going to give torque lower down. This will be particularly noticeable with an AT, IMHO.

Also far less likely to have been thrashed.

Personally I can see the attraction of turbos generally, but don't like the on-going higher maintenance and running costs compared with the NA engines.

The 99 is a very nice looking unit, pretty clean and well equipped. No CD player, which may or may not be important to her. I just LOVE my 6-stacker ... :biggrin:.

Look at both. Check the underbody and service records. I ran every body seam I could get to with mine to check for deformation. Look at suspension etc for signs of unusual wear or any damage/looseness.

Check the tyre wear of all the tyres. Dealers often rotate the badly worn one to the spare.

When test driving, check the responsiveness of the engine at all rev ranges. I looked at an 04 Luxury job with the lot, but it lacked power (about the same as Roo1!), and pulled to the left badly when either steering or braking.
A few little things were missing or broken; irreplaceable little things. So open everything that should open and look inside.

Check in and under the spare wheel.

Check that there is a jack and wheel brace ... (Mine was missing the wheel brace.

Look at all the engine stuff and see that it looks to have been maintained.

Check that the CD and radio actually work (take a CD with you ... ). Check all the lights for function and reasonably decent aiming (badly out of whack headlights might indicate a prang; go looking if this is the case ... ).

Check the brakes for operation with both high and low pedal pressure.
Handbrake.
Look at the discs. Are they all nice and shiny. If one is a bit rusty, indicates that the cylinder is binding in the caliper ...

Can't think of anything else ATM. I am not very well today.
 
Was just told they both come with good service history, well maintained :monkeydance:

The '99 GT is one owner, a cop, so Kiri (my niece) is hoping hasnt been thrashed like many turbos. He's selling cos now he thrashes the squad car instead :lildevil:

So.
He probably thrashed the Forester, with the general immunity that the police appear to enjoy ...

Also, see my post above ...
 
Th '03 says it comes with service history.

Just thought, do turbos need to have premium petrol? I think they do but not sure, will add a fair bit to running costs...

That one does.

And yeah, I did mention running costs before. How often does one see discounted Premium grade fuel? The next time will be the first for me,
 
turbo needs premium. Ask if they've always used premium too. If you fail to do so then the motor pings its head off and it damages piston rings and bearing journals (what i've read). proper service history without going too far over the service intervals is important. RACV inspection isn't a bad idea, they look at the brake pads and rotors and look for leaks; torn cv boots etc. Take into account the timing belt intervals too, if it's coming up soon its an expensive service. If ithe belts overdue then i'd definitely be taking that service cost off the purchase price! Check the coolant colour; engine oil and gearbox oil. Should be at the right levels and the right colour/smell. If any of them are very low then walk away imo.

I wouldn't waste my time with any car that doesn't have a RWC. An inspector in a bad mood can quickly add alot of $$$ to a car's purchase price. Better if the seller takes that risk. Even with a relatively new car i personally think its too much of an unknow. Every time i have disobayed this personal rule i have regretted it and face palmed.

Later model cars have more underbody clearance, perhaps a consideration if its going sort-of offroad.

There is the possibility if the timing belt hasn't been done of getting the car for a good discount. Buy the timing belt from the U.S for cheap (even genuine), take it to a Subaru specialist like Subabits or Volksbaru who know what they're doing and save some $$$ on that service.
 
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Some thoughts I had:

While the turbo must run premium fuel, you really should run the 03 on premium as well. Find out what the different insurance costs are. I do the same service intervals on my WRX and Forester- I just use better oil on the turbo. Other than that, running costs are not much different. No point in getting just the timing belt- tensioner, idlers and water pump and probably seals will all need replacing for the big service. Without seeing the cars and riving the cars it is hard to say. Check both transmissions for what their oil looks like. Better still, get an experienced, decent vehicle inspector to check them out. It is amazing what the good ones find. You'd probably look more towards the 03 but it could be the turbo is the better buy. Make sure the turbo has had the big service with receipts to show what was replaced- including what I mentioned above
 
Thanks guys, some good points.
RB...as a young girl I'm sure she wants a CD player lol. prob with ipod connectivity!

Some good pointers on what to look for.
Venom, wouldnt even consider it without a RWC. Both are dealerships so come with RWC.

There's another she saw:
https://www.carpoint.com.au/all-car...earchAction=N&__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode

Low kms, ABS is mentioned but not EBD or a LSD...does anyone know if it will have them? Perhaps the owner doesnt know it does...

Thanks for everyones help... :)
 
No point in getting just the timing belt- tensioner, idlers and water pump and probably seals will all need replacing for the big service.

Which seals?

She will be getting a full RACV check. Apparently cost is ~$200, so doesnt want to do it until she decides on a car
 
while owning the 04 N/A and 99 forester although not turbo.
i love the GT's but the higher fuel consumption and the need for premium fuels would put me off. also i would imagine the insurance would be a lot higher.
i love driving my 04 forerster compared to my 99 not for speed but comfort. it is light years better then the 99 in terms of comfort. also with the 03 there will be no need to replace the sagging rear suspenson that will happen in the 99 gt.
get the 03 will be a better car, more cofortable, cheaper to run and insurance.
 
There's a few things to look at over all, which I'd be thinking of & looking at.
As others have said, check the books closely, for any & all work done & for receipts aswell.
Another thing to think about is insurance. Once insurance companies hear the word turbo up goes their price to insure you.

If you can, throw it up on a hoist & have a good look underneath, to see if it's had much, if any offroading.

Your best bet though, is to get a professional (RAVC or the like) to do an inspection for you. Once you get their report, see what it says & go from there.

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Needing some info on the auto switch...What does it do? lol :lol:

I know there's a mod people do to lock the auto into a 50/50 split front/rear drive. Is this only for older autos?

Pezimm's '07 Foz XT has a factory switch which, when 1st or 2nd is selected, locks the drive...does anyone know on which models that came in?

Also, Do all 2nd gen on have ABS? And when did the rear LSD start?
 
Rear LSD started on 2nd gen foz. Im not sure if it was all of them or XT only cant remember.

All 2nd Gen AND first gen should have ABS.
 
Gidday David

Rear LSD started on 2nd gen foz. Im not sure if it was all of them or XT only cant remember.

I think that it was only on the XS and XT, but I'm not sure.

All 2nd Gen AND first gen should have ABS.

I also think that the SF did not have ABS brakes ...

But I'm probably wrong on all counts ... :iconwink:
 
I think that it was only on the XS and XT, but I'm not sure.

Nope even the X does from the begining of the 2nd Gen's.


I also think that the SF did not have ABS brakes ...

But I'm probably wrong on all counts ... :iconwink:

All 2nd gens do. All SF's do that are Limited model (same as XS) and up. I have a Limited which has ABS and 2x air bags, cuise control, outside temp gauge and all the rest. Only thing it's really missing is climate control and mood roof.

There is also the Limited Special Edition (Same as XS Lux with the sunroof, leather and 4x airbags).
 
Nope even the X does from the begining of the 2nd Gen's.

All 2nd gens do. All SF's do that are Limited model (same as XS) and up. I have a Limited which has ABS and 2x air bags, cuise control, outside temp gauge and all the rest. Only thing it's really missing is climate control and mood roof.

There is also the Limited Special Edition (Same as XS Lux with the sunroof, leather and 4x airbags).

Thanks for the clarification, Taz.
Flaming hard to figure out what had what.

Subaru apparently only started making cars in 2012, if their web site is any guide (Zero historic information that I could find, even on their global site ... ).
 
Thanks for the clarification, Taz.
Flaming hard to figure out what had what.

Subaru apparently only started making cars in 2012, if their web site is any guide (Zero historic information that I could find, even on their global site ... ).

I have a good memory for stuff like this, too bad I don't remember what I need to for uni just as well :iconwink:
 
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