What is best lower priced used Subaru for off-roading under $5000

Shepard

New Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2021
Messages
4
Location
Perris Ca.
Car Year
2013
Car Model
Forester
Transmission
Manual
I don’t have a Subaru right now. Had 1985? GL10 wagon. I loved that car, had built in traction control from lack of horsepower ha ha. Out off-roaded my brothers Dodge Ram 4x4, and Chevy s-10 4x4. They were pissed! 😂. So what is generally considered best for modifying to off-road? I don’t want to go crazy spending money. But don’t want a car I will damage easily off-road. Kinda like 1st generation Foresters.
 
depends what means off roading, how hard. depends do you want modify it or use stock. older better as simplier. most love foresters. doesnt mean they only ones can do stuff. preVDC subarus all are 1WD when at least 1 wheel lifts from ground.
maybe you wanted to say under $500 ? not 5000 . haha
older imprezas with forester shocks and maybe some more lift can do amazing things that foresters even cant.
 
like old impressa‘s also, there‘s a short one is it a sport model? Good approach clearance front and back would be important. I tore my old wagons bumper off. What is preVDC I’m guessing it‘s traction control? $500 would work also, cheaper the better. My off-roading would be whatever it can do! With out damaging it (much). My old wagon seemed to climb better in reverse, was I imaging that? Maybe I just tried harder because I did’nt have to turn around if I did’t make It to top. Old impresa sport with a lift, I’ll do a search.
 
If it's just for off-road fun and not load carrying I reckon an older Impreza 2.5L with 4EAT would be great.
 
A stock MY09 with more than 200,000km and a few dents would be ideal, especially if you're going to stay out. We have a few Subarus in the family now - older model X and an XV - what the MY09 can carry is other level. Maybe the biggest one taking family into account is the safeties - ANCAP 5 Star in Australia and the same level where you are. I can live without Apple Play but things like antilock brakes, ESP and side airbags I wouldn't do without.
 
Series 2 SG (2006) Forester was my choice. 2.5L, NA, 5MT dual range. Good approach and departure angles. Far better low rev torque than the series 1 SG or the XT. Add a decent sump guard and you are ready to go almost anywhere rational.

However, just noticed that you're in the States, so no dual range (bugger!).
 
Ratbag you had me sold on the 2006 forester with dual range! Dammit! I wonder if the Dual range could be swapped into a U.S. version (manual or Automatic). My last Subaru a 1985 gl10 wagon had the dual range, loved that car, out climbed most 4x4’s
 
Shepard said:
Ratbag you had me sold on the 2006 forester with dual range! Dammit! I wonder if the Dual range could be swapped into a U.S. version (manual or Automatic). My last Subaru a 1985 gl10 wagon had the dual range, loved that car, out climbed most 4x4’s
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I seem to recall someone in the States did the conversion, about 5-8 years ago. IIRC, freight was the killer. You can source rebuilt and custom DR boxes from a company in Sydney, Australia.

Some scoff at the 1.196:1 LR. I find it very well suited to the 2.5L EJ253 engine. I did a few calculations and it turns out that the gearing to torque ratio remains pretty constant from the 1970s, with the low, peaky torque curves to last DR boxes sitting behind engines (EJ253) that have a torque curve that is essentially flat from 1200 to 6300 rpm.

I like to keep cars as standard as possible these days. I've done some pretty hairy mods in the past, but most were simple and carefully considered.

BTW, :welcome: to the forum.
 
The dual range is only about 20% reduction so nothing to get excited about really ;)
 
Kevin said:
The dual range is only about 20% reduction so nothing to get excited about really ;)
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It gets me to 85 kmh in second, LR. That's sufficient speed and momentum to get me and a 750 kg trailer up a 1200 metre long, 30° slope. Any lower gearing in the LR would require changing up into third, with consequent loss of momentum, and possibly stalling.

Interestingly, that was the same situation with my 1981 Mitsubishi Colt when towing. It also had about a 20% low range reduction when in 'Power' mode. More than just useful. Critically important in some situations.
 
My old 1985 gl10 wagon from what I recall when in 4 wheel drive high and low range it was hard to turn, wheels scrubbed a bit (Like a 4x4 truck). What do the new models have that prevents that to allow full time all wheel drive?
 
^ Actually @Kevin , viscous LSDs in the centre and rear, from the 1993 Impreza onwards. Open diff in the front.

In spite of some rot talked about vLSDs, they work. They are also much better mannered than mechanical LSDs, being almost completely unnoticeable in operation.
 
I have no complaints with the standard rear LSD in my MY03. It works well, a small amount of rear wheel spin from the non traction wheel then off you go as the diff comes in.
Similarly no complaints with the 1.59 LR either.
As Ratbag has often mentioned the torque curve is not wonderful below about 2500 rpm but the LR more than compensates.
 
Ratbag said:
Open diff in the front.
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And that is what I was referring to as the question was about turning and the wheels scrubbed - which would be the front just like my FJ40 when in 4WD ;)
 
Kevin said:
And that is what I was referring to as the question was about turning and the wheels scrubbed - which would be the front just like my FJ40 when in 4WD ;)
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At one stage of my life I lived in the NT and owned a Haflinger. This had 2 diff locks and, when engaged, turning in deep sand or mud was well nigh impossible. But you could not stop it going forward.
 
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If you’re going to do anything that requires the dual range, go for an auto. Add a big external oil cooler for the auto if you’re not in a cold climate and enjoy. The auto will do all the work that the dual range would do.

It a bit more boring in my book but it’s a compromise since you don’t have the dual range from factory.

That said, I’ve seen (on a forum, not in person) a dual range centre diff lock for the six speed in development atm. They’re planning to make something similar for the 5spd in the future too. If they pull this off it will be a game changer for the single range gearboxes!

Cheers

Bennie
 
As funny as it wouldnt sound newer more pricey subarus with CVT gearboxes are worse offroad then older ones. And if you aiming for that price and mentioning word " offroad" why think of subaru at all? Subarus where good offroad and cheap in good old days. Then later , really its just name thats left. Most awd systems later years doing fine for what they are rly.
 
^ indeed e.g. the older X-Trails that dropped AWD at 40 klm/hr and reverted to FWD :D
 
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