Looking at used Forester - questions ?

[penguin]

I have a L series but it is time to finally move to a more recent model. I am looking at a 2000 Forester. It is in excellent external condition, no dings or rust. However it has done 250000km and has not has much done to it in its life. I can see a few things that need attention:
new steering rack
front struts
probably timing belts
oil leaks from engine and tranny
the oil on the tranny (5sp man) is clear but has a dark grey sludge on it (aluminium ?)

The asking price is 5000.

What do you think about the price ?

I would like to get a vehicle that has a known service history at that age so I can better work out what needs doing and hence what it is going to cost us overall.

anything that should be checked out thoroughly on a Forester ?

Thanks

[steptoe]

Just this week met a former multiple Brumby owner, now in a 2002 MY03, so GEN2, Foz 2.5 240,000km and $5k, needed new brakes and tyres.
Thought it was a steal myself.

Take it through a $60 blue slip inspection at an AUVIS inspection joint. Bit more than a pinky but the identity section may reveal if anything amiss in numbers etc

Known service history can be worth (insert 4 letter word) as I found out last year on a car with 20 years at one dealer, still did not save the coling system components from rusting out to 7 letter word.


4 letters huh ?? try L E S S

[penguin]

Thanks

What are the differences between the gen1 and gen2 foresters ?

Blue slip a good idea.

[steptoe]

shape, with the generations getting facelifts within. Loking at the first of the first gen , tail lights are three colours in the order of a Brumby tail light , just a bit FATTER and one, maybe the only facelift of first gen body shape got the tail lights spread to the tailgate itslef. First gen was all contained in the rear guard corner. The was two, maybe three AUD front grilles.

Second gen grew a little, with rear tail lights more pointy at the top, and after a fw years, tail light shape remained but configure changed.
Third gen is current Foz shape. Someone should be able to fill in other holes of info

[penguin]

Thanks

Is there mechanical differences, running gear, steering, engine, etc ?

[Gannon]

A first gen Forester, 1997 to 2002, known as the SF, are based on the GC/GF 1994 to 2000 Impreza platform.
2.0L engine, 5sp manual AWD or 4sp auto AWD


The second gen, 2003 -2009, known as the SG, based on the later GD/GG 2001-2007 Impreza.
2.5L engine, 5sp manual AWD or 4sp auto AWD

[stilson]

SF has 1.44:1 low range
SG has 1.19:1 low range

SG XT and XS have rear LSD possibly X also.
SG has larger brakes and more clearance for larger wheels due to redesigned rear struts.

2.5 noticeably more powerful.

[Davidov]

Coming from someone who has an SF, DO NOT GET one! The 2.0l motor is a gutless POS and wrecks a truely good car!
Although if you plan on lowering it, the low range gearset in it is more than 2 and a bit times better and all round the car is better as an offroader. However as said the 2.0l motor is gutless and a POS, has no power at all and can't even keep up with day to day traffic let alone be fun.
However the rest of the car is awesome, fun, practical, economical and just sick in general.

250k km isn't too bad for one. If looked after you could expect to get 450km easily from one. Make sure you get a manual too. An auto with either the 2.0l or 2.5l is just shit.

-TAZA using Daves account

[Gannon]

On the kms thing, Ive had my 01 Outback since 174000kms on it and it now has 249807kms and apart from the 200000km major service and an oxygen sensor, hasn't cost me a thing, but the engine is a little rattly for about a minute after startup, and the auto transmission is getting a little doughy, but so far, its still very reliable.

[thunder039]

mine blew up with 168,000 on the clock (2.0l) make sure you have a ervice history never again

[penguin]

The vehicle we are looking at is a manual, that is a must as it is a work horse for us as we haul trailer loads of firewood in the winter to keep warm (Snowy Mountains). We like to have dual range (like our trusty L series) so we can get moving up a trail with the loaded trailer on.

I do not mink doing some work on the steering, suspension and running gear but would prefer to avoid a engine rebuild and hate body work, especially rust !

I can get after-market parts for the shocks, steering rack, wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints and drive shafts (front) all for about $2K. If I work on one bit then I may as well fix up all the gremlins there so it is reliable for a while afterwards.

Is the $5k then the $2k for parts plus the unknown other aspects looking too dear ?

That grey sludge on the transmission dip stick is worrying me ?

[thunder039]

if you get a sf you are going to have to replace the suspension with heavy duty gear as it will sag.
i hate towing heavy loads with my sf as well not enough torque. the wg (second gen) will be better in the long run due to 1, suspension wont need to be upgraded and two has the bigger motor for towing 2.5 vs 2.0
i own both and the sg is a much better car in every aspect

[penguin]

Thanks.

What is the fuel economy like with both versions, with load and without loads ?

[thunder039]

the sf i average out at about 9l per 100km driving around gippsland without load. around 11-12 with.
the sg averages 9-11l per 100km without load so is slightly more thirsty, i havnt done a lot of towing with this car but i would say 13l per 100km

also note my sf is manual my sg is auto so a sg manual would achieve better economy.

the economy loss is well worth it in my opinion also

[coupe]

$5000 + $2000 seriously.... Sorry to put a damper on the idea but you might be better off thinking of another car that is in better condition mechanically. This car screams "bad move" at me. Get the car checked over before passing any money over.
Maybe a liberty would be a better buy or an outback or find a another forrester.

[Gannon]

Yeah Id steer clear too.
Get a SG because you will love the benefit of the larger engine, plus being a bigger car will handle a trailer load better, and its newer. We got out SG Foz 2 years ago for $11K and it only had 160000ks on it.

[sven '2']

A different view

I have owned both

SF limited with (hard) 250K kms / manual

SG with 45K kms / auto

Save from seating comfort and power; the SF was quieter; better ride; was at least 15% better on fuel; better AC; cruised and towed better. None of this of course makes any sense as cars are supposed to evolve, but Subaru got it wrong IMHO with this model.

Off road the SG extra power was welcomed, but after years of driving Ls one becomes adapt at skill over power when off road. As an example, my stock std did the Simpson at 200K km on the clock and aside from a missing oil filler cap, did extremely well.

Regardless of what car you buy, service history is important esp once in high ks, and price should be south of $5K

Good luck

[INEEDABEER]

$5000 + $2000 seriously.... Sorry to put a damper on the idea but you might be better off thinking of another car that is in better condition mechanically. This car screams "bad move" at me. Get the car checked over before passing any money over.
Maybe a liberty would be a better buy or an outback or find a another forrester.

I agree, spend a bit more on something thats been serviced and lower ks. If you consider that they let steering go what else have they let go as well.

[yarney]

Coming from someone who has an SF, DO NOT GET one! The 2.0l motor is a gutless POS and wrecks a truely good car!
However as said the 2.0l motor is gutless and a POS, has no power at all and can't even keep up with day to day traffic let alone be fun.
However the rest of the car is awesome, fun, practical, economical and just sick in general.



-TAZA using Daves account

I also have two SF's one 2l manual and one GT auto
I have been driving the 2l Manual for two years and the last twelve months off-road. It's been on beaches and forests and 4wd parks and never had a problem i have been very happy with it's performance, i have done quite a lot of touring with it loaded and i would never call the engine a POS it never let me down
It drives great on the road also. It's done 265000km
It's no drag car but it dose the job

A different view

I have owned both

SF limited with (hard) 250K kms / manual

SG with 45K kms / auto


but after years of driving Ls one becomes adapt at skill over power when off road. As an example, my stock std did the Simpson at 200K km on the clock and aside from a missing oil filler cap, did extremely well.

Regardless of what car you buy, service history is important esp once in high ks, and price should be south of $5K

Good luck

I to had an L series and agree

You can pick up an SF for $5000 with low km and a great service history often now. I would expect to pay about $2500 at best for the one your looking at sorry

Jan
PS here is a video of a stock SF loaded with camping gear and two people on a very steep hill-climb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWRkBYyI ... e=youtu.be