ateday
Forum Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2014
- Messages
- 990
- Car Year
- 2002
- Car Model
- MY03 Forester
- Transmission
- 5 sp manual, 1.59 LR
Finally made it back home to Adelaide after far too much time behind the wheel.
Being retired, and enjoying music, I usually head north to, Beautiful one day, concrete the next, SE QLD at about this time each year..
I volunteer from early December during the set up phase of the Woodford Folk Festival, attend the festival and the Sandgate Music By The Sea Festival and take the opportunity to visit many friends and rels who reside in SE OZ.
No off roading at all, and minimal dirt roads, but plenty of bitumen driving, 8100 kms in fact in the 9 weeks I was away.
I traveled from Adelaide to Orange, Wrights Beach, on the NSW south coast, Sydney, Newcastle up to Brisbane and then Woodford.
I was fortunate to have my, (much), better half take a few weeks holiday from her employment and join me for the festivals and spend a bit of time touring SE QLD and NE NSW.
Both festivals were great and well worth recommending. The smaller Sandgate one being excellent value but only over a weekend.
The trusty auto performed well given its age and distance covered.
As noted above about 8100 kms using about 714 litres of various grades of petrol ranging from E10 to 98 and consuming about 3 litres of oil. At current fuel prices 95/98 becomes a viable option. Seems to make little difference to economy or performance though. Not too bad considering the car was well laden and had the luggage "coffin" and roof racks on for the entire journey.
The only down seems to be that the synchro on 5th gear is going, requiring a pause in neutral whilst changing from 4th to 5th to avoid that tell tale light "crunch".
Apart from adding the necessary fuel and oil I also used 2 cans of the Austech UEC . As this product seems to do as well as the expensive SA459 and costs $45 for 12 cans, at the factory, then its use is not a great expense.
However some needed maintenance is apparent for the near future. The front rear diff oil seal is leaking and a small leak is appearing just behind the sump guard so perhaps the rear engine oil seal is on the way out.
All food for thought given that at its age, 13 years this July, and distance covered, 315000 kms, the car`s value is probably not a lot. Probably less than the total repair costs if the synchro issue is fixed and with engine out why not replace rings, bearings etc?
Maybe the Iveco is closer than I think as I wish to go out to Lake Eyre and the Birdsville Strezlecki tracks later this year and cross the Simpson with the SA Subaru Club next year.
As a purely town car it is probably ok as is but for some hard work no.
Overall a good trip away if a lot of driving.
Being retired, and enjoying music, I usually head north to, Beautiful one day, concrete the next, SE QLD at about this time each year..
I volunteer from early December during the set up phase of the Woodford Folk Festival, attend the festival and the Sandgate Music By The Sea Festival and take the opportunity to visit many friends and rels who reside in SE OZ.
No off roading at all, and minimal dirt roads, but plenty of bitumen driving, 8100 kms in fact in the 9 weeks I was away.
I traveled from Adelaide to Orange, Wrights Beach, on the NSW south coast, Sydney, Newcastle up to Brisbane and then Woodford.
I was fortunate to have my, (much), better half take a few weeks holiday from her employment and join me for the festivals and spend a bit of time touring SE QLD and NE NSW.
Both festivals were great and well worth recommending. The smaller Sandgate one being excellent value but only over a weekend.
The trusty auto performed well given its age and distance covered.
As noted above about 8100 kms using about 714 litres of various grades of petrol ranging from E10 to 98 and consuming about 3 litres of oil. At current fuel prices 95/98 becomes a viable option. Seems to make little difference to economy or performance though. Not too bad considering the car was well laden and had the luggage "coffin" and roof racks on for the entire journey.
The only down seems to be that the synchro on 5th gear is going, requiring a pause in neutral whilst changing from 4th to 5th to avoid that tell tale light "crunch".
Apart from adding the necessary fuel and oil I also used 2 cans of the Austech UEC . As this product seems to do as well as the expensive SA459 and costs $45 for 12 cans, at the factory, then its use is not a great expense.
However some needed maintenance is apparent for the near future. The front rear diff oil seal is leaking and a small leak is appearing just behind the sump guard so perhaps the rear engine oil seal is on the way out.
All food for thought given that at its age, 13 years this July, and distance covered, 315000 kms, the car`s value is probably not a lot. Probably less than the total repair costs if the synchro issue is fixed and with engine out why not replace rings, bearings etc?
Maybe the Iveco is closer than I think as I wish to go out to Lake Eyre and the Birdsville Strezlecki tracks later this year and cross the Simpson with the SA Subaru Club next year.
As a purely town car it is probably ok as is but for some hard work no.
Overall a good trip away if a lot of driving.
.