Let's Talk About Subaru Foresters

[anabolice30]

My audi a4 shit the bed. Ever since I bought that car it has been replace that, replace this. Granted it died at 232k miles, but I've driven e30s with way more miles that were plenty reliable.

However Audi got me hooked on AWD. Currently I'm eyeing a 1999 Forester with 140k miles. Red on tan manual. The car is pretty clean inside and out with a fair price. However so was my Audi. What I'm looking for is a low maintenance daily driver that lets me spend my time and money on an e30.

Has anyone owned a Forester? Are they reliable? I know they are notorious for blowing head-gaskets, but Subaru updated the new gasket and it is supposed to be fine. Also heard that ball joints on the first generation foresters are really weal, but replacing them with joints from a Legacy wagon is supposed to do the trick.

[TurboJake]

If it's made after 1997, 140k mile Subaru and low maintenance do not go in the same sentence.

Don't get me wrong, I love subaru's. They're fantastic, but they do fall under the maintenance whores category. Fantastic cars, when maintained to the T.

Pre-97 Subarus are pretty much "eehhh, I'll throw this part at it because I kind of feel bad" maintenance, which is what I think you're after.

[chadthestampede]

I worked at a Subaru dealer for a time and they all seem to go through head gaskets like candy. They have their own coolant additive that they recommend using. That seems a little bush league to me. People love them tho.

[anabolice30]

If it's made after 1997, 140k mile Subaru and low maintenance do not go in the same sentence.

Don't get me wrong, I love subaru's. They're fantastic, but they do fall under the maintenance whores category. Fantastic cars, when maintained to the T.

Pre-97 Subarus are pretty much "eehhh, I'll throw this part at it because I kind of feel bad" maintenance, which is what I think you're after.

Fuck. What happened in 1997? Also, what would you recommend that is what I'm after, and Forester-esque ala 4WD, decent gas mileage, and good for outdoorsy stuff?

Although in my price range of <$3k a forester seems to be the only thing to fit the bill. I'd get a honda, but the ones for sale are always rices out

[Exodus_2pt0]

2.8 B5 Avant quattro.

No turbo(s) to worry about, great AWD.

You know my other recommendation, not going to even go there... But that's out of the 3k budget.

What happened to your a4? 1.8t right?

[kickinindian]

the 2.5l if the gaskets have been done recently are pretty good, just have to do one mod to the coolant hoses, the coolant is run weird on the cars where it goes from the block through the heater core, then to the t-stat, the heater core clogs up with age and makes the t-stat open up a lot later or not at all, you need to install a bypass to let the hot coolant keep the t-stat open.



here is the link https://www.dirtyolbc.co.nz/communit...e-overheating/


also you can get a legacy or a legacy outback and bolt on all the forester suspension, and you will have a forester ride height.

[anabolice30]

2.8 B5 Avant quattro.

No turbo(s) to worry about, great AWD.

You know my other recommendation, not going to even go there... But that's out of the 3k budget.

What happened to your a4? 1.8t right?

No, it was 2.8. Fixed the engine rough idle/limp mode/overheating, but now the heater core has blown AND there is some mysterious rattling coming from the engine. Sounds like a timing chain tensioner to me, but both of those jobs, I wish ashamedly admit are above my pay-grade. And it will need a new clutch soon, and I'm not sure I want to mess with all that for a 232k mile car. Which is all a shame, because I really enjoy the car.

[TurboJake]

Fuck. What happened in 1997? Also, what would you recommend that is what I'm after, and Forester-esque ala 4WD, decent gas mileage, and good for outdoorsy stuff?

Although in my price range of <$3k a forester seems to be the only thing to fit the bill. I'd get a honda, but the ones for sale are always rices out

They switched over from the EJ20 (solid, reliable engine) to the EJ25 (Headgaskets like candy) in most of their lineup. Newer models could still be had with the EJ20, but it was pretty much only in the Legacy, Impreza and WRX (EJ205) line. Unfortunately, the Forester never came with the EJ20 in the US, only in Japan.

Before we can really give a really good suggestion, what do you mean by "Outdoorsy stuff". Because to me, Outdoorsy stuff involves a vehicle with a snowplow, going miles deep into the woods without a trail, and crossing rivers. And do you want 4WD, or AWD? Because those are very different.

you need to install a bypass to let the hot coolant keep the t-stat open.

That bypass really should have a check valve in it for very cold climates. Not so needed for southern states though.

[z31maniac]

Are you a lesbian? Do you wear Birkenstocks?

If yes to either, buy one.

[kickinindian]

That bypass really should have a check valve in it for very cold climates. Not so needed for southern states though.

what would the check valve be needed for? worst comes to worst you would not have a heater, that said when it was like 20 something in another car that had this and it still blew super hot and defrosted the car just fine, as long as not all of the coolant bypasses it should be fine.

[TurboJake]

If the core was flowing properly, there is the possibility of cooled coolant flowing back into the feed line, which would result in less heat. It could also really open it up and allow very little to be put through the heater core itself. The check valve would provide a little bit of resistance but still leave that option there, along with preventing backflow.

Again, southern climate, not so needed. Really cold climate (Like up here, where it regularly reaches -40 before wind chill), could be a big deal.

[kickinindian]

oh okay makes more sense now just like a 1 way valve to stop the heater core coolant from back flowing through the Tees.

[anabolice30]

By outdoorsy stuff I mean hiking, camping, kayaking, bringing dogs, and friends and girls with me. Although miles deep in the woods with no trails would be a bonus.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Allroad. Do eet

[MikeK]

I think they're fantastic. I have an SG9 ('06 Forester) and it does everything I need it to do. Haul supplies for family's small business, take on nasty NorthEast winters, carry people and luggage. I don't feel too terrible leaving the Forester at airport parking lots for weeks at a time.

I purchased it about a year ago w/ 37K miles. It's now approaching 57K. I had the car looked over at a local indy Subbie shop and they did say that my headgasket is slowly showing signs of headgasket issues... not too thrilled about that.