Due to this influx in the popularity of leasing your vehicle, we are seeing a much higher number of people —whether they lease or buy— trade their cars in for an upgraded version every few years. The Subaru Forester and the Subaru Outback are being outdistanced by full-size family road trippers. Minivans like the Honda Odyssey are trekking families across the country in roomy, user-friendly comfort.
Feel the rush. The big road tripping vehicles offer more cargo room and more seats for extra passengers. The family road trip is still alive and well, but more are opting for these larger family vehicles.
The Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback do not compete with these bigger family-sized vehicles. In the last few years, Subaru has run massive recalls on these popular models, with issues involving corroded brake lines, short-circuiting puddle lights and the industry-wide replacement of Takata airbags.
The combined vehicle count for both recalls totals , and as of January , some These recall programs affect several high demand models including the Subaru Outback. I believe that no car produced currently will be trouble free, there are many news stories including recent surveys show on average problems per cars. The new fuel economy standards coupled with stricter emissions laws are the causes for this. I am looking into buying a subaru impreza 2.
I was just wondering if the 2. The head gaskets cant be seen, and I am not sure how the untrained eye identifies new vs old?
It really takes a while for a tech to get good at looking for signs of replacement or cover up. Other than HG, generally speaking the Impreza is pretty solid, but its always about that car not the general expectation the car should be solid. Why not pay for a professional pre purchase inspection? I am looking at a legacy wagon being sold by a mechanic. He has put in a used engine, new timing belt, brakes, water pump, and new tires.
Should I have hesitation? Interior and paint look good. We have been looking at the Outback, Imprezia Hatchback and the Forrester from to We need cargo space, would love better mpg and cheaper to insure, the Outback is all of that but the CVT is worrisome to my husband. Kind of on the fence about the Forrester, I like the style but I thought it would have more cargo space than the Outback.
Any suggestion on which model would be best? We live in Ohio, smack in the middle of Cleveland and Columbus so we have a great number of dealerships to choose from. I read the previous comments and see you keep telling people to have someone inspect the car that knows a Subaru, if it is a certified Subaru is it safer to assume that it is the better choice to buy?
I always suggest what you enjoy the most, what fits you best as its going to be you that needs to enjoy it for years to come. I ended up moving to the Subaru line. The used car manager was eventually fired as the reputation for selling junk caught up and he moved on. This is a cycle at every Dealership, always has been always will be. I just bought a Tribeca with 80K miles.
So far I love the car. My questions is, does the Tribeca have the head gasket problems the 2. Also, does this vehicle have a timing chaing or belt? Your 3. The only 6 cylinders Subaru ever made that used a belt was the 2. Its got k miles, but recently developed an oil leak. Turns out that leak is from bad crank shaft seals according to our mechanic. So my question, if you would not mind me asking, is it worth fixing? Will the Outback last to k miles, or more?
I recently purchased a 2. It appears to have a clean service record per carfax with 32 service records with oil changes and basic maintenance. Just before sale they replaced the water pump, Timing belt, thermostat, and rear wheel bearing. I was told the head gasket problem was fixed by Is this true?
I just need to get more miles out of it to get the kid through college! Hi im looking in buying Subaru Forester. Replacing a timing belt and waterpump on a Subaru is not any more or any less difficult than most Japanese imports. The owner has meticulous records and changes the oil frequently. He installed a new radiator recently as well but had the AC go out last week and the car needs a new steering rack boot and a alignment.
Does anything stick out to you that would make you not purchase it? Is it a good buy for a college student? Hey, Justin. I know I should still get a pre-purchase inspection but wonder how to find someone good in this area southern Utah. I would ask other Subaru owners in your area where they go for service.
This could be done either online through one of many Subaru owners Forums or locally by striking up a conversation with someone at a gas station, store etc. Good Morning! I was wondering about your opinion on the Tribeca. My Honda van is slowly sucking my bank account dry it has , miles on it There is a local deal with a Tribeca with 89, miles on it available. They are asking 16, Thanks for your input. I really like the Tribeca with the 3. Any car you consider needs to be inspected before you buy it however.
Justin, A few months ago I visited a dealership to buy a new Subaru. I had decided on the Impreza Hatchback. The salesman kept showing me used cars and then finally when I got him to show me a new car he talked me out of it. Subaru — handles well in north Idaho, they are dependable, under warranty and hold their value — all appeal to this single mom trying to make a wise purchase, but knows nothing about buying a new car. I read that the CVT is very costly after warranty and if by chance something goes wrong with it prior to the end of the warranty then it has to be sent off to be worked on.
Here is the truth, a salesman makes almost no money selling you a new car. This is what the internet did to the new car sales division of a franchised Auto Dealership. Instead the Salesmen who is paid on commission makes much more money when he sells you a used car they stole form someone else on trade.
I would say that based on what you have posted that car is worth considering. I still caution you need to have a prepurchase inspection performed however. I think the price for a that has had the HG repairs done is fair provided the car checks out. This can sometimes be tough to do with a private party sale but I think it is really important. Hi Justin I am close to buying a Subaru Forester and has thousand miles.
Single owner and he has changed the engine at thousand miles. Will it run for another thousand miles if i get it repaired and take care of it regularly. I love the car. No frills but as I petite it has perfect view from all sides. Look forward to your reply.
I would like to think so but without seeing the car its tough to say. I am also not sure what repairs it needs? I have a Outback Base, 5-speed manual with , miles. All maintenance have been done accordingly including a recent timing belt, water pump, tensioner, idlers and seals at , I am the only driver and very gentle with the car. And I love this car for its simplicity and reliablity. I am anticipating next big ticket item may be the clutch.
In general I understand clutches last about K miles. Clutches are all over the map in terms of longevity, we have customers replace them at , and others at 30, The average is around , but again its going to be different for each driver based on use. Prices are best left to who is performing the service. I am looking into getting a new car as I travel an hour to school everyday. I would start by telling you that the Impreza was one of the best cars Subaru ever built, so you will be hard pressed to replace it.
Next any Used Subaru you consider needs to be inspected prior to you buying it, that way you know where you stand with it and have a general idea of what to expect. Make sure this inspection is done by a Subaru shop as well. Does it have a bad gasket? How many more miles it could have? It is from a dealership, its 1 owner certified but its sold as is-no warranty. Hi Justin My Subaru forrester has done , km I bought it brand new and it has been great My mechanic said from , it will start costing me money And I should consider getting rid of it I have had it serviced every 10, km since purchased What do you think?
Thanks Jennie. Hi Justin- I am thinking about purchasing a suburu outback with miles. Hi there — I just bought a Outback with K. My son totalled his Honda Civic and he was communting to college everyday and we made the mistake of being in a hurry and not having a pre-purchase inspection.
Anything we should have checked or be looking out for at this point? It needs to have a complete inspection done by someone familiar with Subaru prior to really trusting it to take care of your son in his commute.
The common things for that model would be wheel bearings, and a possible oil leak from the head gaskets. I would def talk them down. I am leaning toward the subaru so I can just pay it off and call it a day!
Do you think it would still be worth it to buy the if it was in great shape? Usually good advice is to buy the latest model with the lowest miles you can find when looking for used.
There is an enormous difference in fuel economy between the and models I would be hard pressed to not suggest you strongly consider the , but really you should drive both and for longer then 10 minutes and buy which ever suits you the best. What maintenance issues should I look out for.
Just skeptical to purchase a vehicle with that high of miles and expect to put another 90, miles in the next 5 years. How many miles should I expect outbacks to last? Hey there Justin, I cant tell you how helpful your expertise has been in my search for my first car. Looks like a pretty GD impressive machine and it seems like it has been well maintained, and its being sold by an authorized Toyota dealership not a independent dealer. Any wisdom you could send me on this car? How do these tend to hold up?
I love my 3. The key here is to have it inspected by a Subaru shop prior to buying it. Love the honesty of your answers. The black and white opinions you find online is utterly astounding. Exploder that is like a beloved family member fighting off their second round of terminal cancer — I keep fighting for her to live, but she just wants to die. However, in the almost two years I drove the thing I became addicted.
I am now looking at purchasing my second Outback, but am hesitant. At one point she was put up in an auction. Her body is fit, though — let me tell you!
Dark black skin with curves like an angel; and those dual moon-roofs give her that sexy librarian look, you know? The 4th owner did the same thing. My concern is with the turbo and the head gaskets as per usual. The current owner just buys and flips cars and has no idea. The report indicates nothing that would allude to so much as a timing belt replacement, which also tells me that the HGs may not have been inspected.
But could an inspection come up negative and then 6 months down the road she could have another episode? Is this a car I can bring home to meet the parents? They use a MLS gasket from the factory and they do hold up well to the lower compression found in he turbo engines.
I of course changed the oil every miles, and inspected the oil feed line filters, also known as union screws every 60k. If you have purchased the car, I would have the feed line filter the turbo inspected and or replaced, as well as someone removing the down pipe and inspecting the turbo shaft play. If there is no record of the timing belt being done, thats a priority as well. I have as a company provided vehicle a Outback 3.
I change the oil every 5k miles and opt for a major service every 50k miles. I tow on occasion a trailer with quads or a Rzr and quad at the limits of the Outback without a problem, and that includes some steep grades to Flagstaff. This car has never had one mechanical issue and does not use more than 1 quart in between changes, which it has done since new and is within Subarus specs. I will be fitting my 5th the pair of tires soon and do not rotate in between changes.
I always experience even wear and use the car off road probably more than average. There is no cupping or uneven wear. I will be getting my Outback early next year and hope that it serves me as well as this one.
It now has , miles on it. My husband and I had new struts and clutch installed during those 5 years. My husband passed away about 8 months ago and during that time I did accidentally let the oil go down. You have to add a couple quarts in between oil changes.
I do have the choice of selling our Prius and the Outback and hoping for a Outback — but the Prius has never had a problem and has , miles. What would make you give up on spending large repairs for a car this age — and risk more of the same with another? My thought process was with the two cars Prius and Outback I might be able to make it 6 years or so and then buy a 3 year old Subaru with low miles a few years before I retire.
I drive miles round trip everyday and drive the Prius for gas mileage and the Outback for snow road days. I truly do wish I could ask my husband for advice. Assuming its a manual transmission replacing the bearings in the transmission is somewhat common, and very straight forward for a shop like ours. So if its at a Subaru shop it should be a no brainer for them to make those repairs. The best advice I have is make sure your relationship with the shop is good and that they are very comfortable with the cars you own.
At some point the Toyota is going to need some work as well, so I would also plan for that in the future. If you want to down size to one car I think I would look at a Outback if at all possible. A will get much better fuel economy and have really shown to be good cars. Just make sure what ever you do if you buy a used car that you have it inspected by someone who really knows Subaru before you make any purchase. My concern, as with all the rest is it has k miles on the clock.
We are recent college grads without a lot of cash and want to purchase an AWD drive car, at least I do ha , and I saw recently a Subaru for sale by a private party. It is a model with a V6 engine and he has put about grand into it, and even replaced the bottom rack because it was a northeast car for a few years and got some rust.
I am a first time car buyer and want something that will be reliable and last for a few years while we get situated in our new home in the mountains of Utah.
Ill be traveling up to the resorts for work from the valley so some good highway driving will be done. Any thoughts? He said the only issue that may arise in time but not soon would be the muffler. Just might need replaced.
Would love to know your thoughts! Oh and he wants to sell for Which is really good for a college grad in student loan debt! Please can you tell me how good a subaru forester will be…it was bought from a subaru dealership who said they maintained it.. I would tell you to have a pre purchase inspection performed by a good Independent Subaru shop. A Forester is a great option, but not everyone will be the same and you want to make sure the car you have in mind is a good car not a theory.
Thank you Justin for this awesome resource! I am looking to buy a beautiful blue WRX wagon with auto. It should be a good purchase, but you still need to have a pre purchase inspection performed to make the the car itself checks out okay.
Hello, I own a Impreza wagon with about , miles. It is my only car, and I now drive about 15, miles a year with work and road trips.
Plus, I like that my controls are no frills and simple. My question, if there is one, is how much longer could I reasonably keep this car being that I use it for commuting and, well, everything? I know that it will need another timing belt replacement at the , mark, but how long can the transmission go?
The transmission should easily go k to k or even longer this assumes good maintenance of course. Hello Justin, sorry to ask a question that has been asked before. We just bought a Forester and I totally love driving it but it is primarily my girlfriends so I want my own Sube! I am looking at the older version of the Outback that are more like a station wagon than an SUV, I believe that means or older, correct? So I think my search is for a ?
I feel that the cars a run harder in Canada so I am concerned about longevity. Is there any change in the non-turbo 4 cyl between and ? I am trying to keep the mileage below , km, I will be putting about 10, km on a year. If you can find a Outback that does not have the AVCS system, I think that will hold up better over the long run, it came out mid year and it kind of makes the engines a little more fragile in my opinion.
There are some advantages to the and however such as better audio systems, better interior materials and slightly more efficient engines. We had it inspected by an independent mechanic that reported that the head gasket was sweating. We were not too concerned because we were told this was not a leak. However, after the first week we noticed oil drops in the garage floor. We took it to a Subaru dealer that confirmed that there is a small leak from the head gasket. We were told to monitor it and that, eventually, we would need to have it fixed.
Other than this issue the car is in great shape. Under the purchase agreement we have 30 days to return the car, no questions asked. Do you think it would be worthwhile to keep it or should we return it? Without seeing the car its tough to say how the rest of the car checks out. But Id plan on the timing belt and components as well. My dilemma is that I wonder if I should spend the extra money for the 3.
Is the 3. I expect to be driving this vehicle for the next years so the vehicle will definitely have regular maintenance either way. I live in western Quebec and will be driving this car to a cabin which will demands 60km of rough dirt road each way at probably a dozen times per year.
Other than that, the car will be used for road trips long distance with just 2 of us in the car and bicycles on the hitch rack. I drove transports for a number of years and used to going slow but steady. What would you recommend for engine? I drive the 3.
I would not hesitate to by the 2. In doing research on this type of transmission, I understand that they only last for less than a , miles. I usually drive my Subaru for at least , miles. I feel like Subaru is letting us down by using a transmission that will only last that long. There is no other engine you can use for the Tribeca. Just a Short block form Subaru, having the heads inspected and rebuilt as needed, replacing the timing chains, guides and tensioners etc.
My wife wants a Subaru Outback. If you were looking to buy a used Outback in this range….. What year would you suggest and how many miles on the car would you feel comfortable with? I live on the East Coast of Canada. I use my car for work and I drive daily. It has , km which is about , miles. I had to replace my short block. It was a bearing problem not oil consumption. I now need to replace the catalytic converter and possibly some fuel sensor not sure related to the intermittent check engine light.
It goes on and off randomly. And the bad news is that the noise coming from the transmission whining sound can be fixed by replacing the transmission.
The CVT is not a serviceable unit. The vehicle has been dealer maintained since new. This is my third Subaru. So, is the day of the , mile Subaru over? Was this a bad model year? The Bearing issue was from lack of lubrication most likely due to low oil levels, the result of extended oil change intervals. The Converter thing is less common, and I am somewhat surprised by it.
But the car does already have miles, which is a lot for a The CVT Thing is only becoming an issue as there is confusion created about when to change the fluid, just like there is confusion when to change the oil. Thank you Justin for your response on staying with a at this time for a 4 cylinder.
We are only looking at the 4 cylinder so thanks for the heads up. However, could you give a little more clarity on the why only the at this time?
I would have a hard time articulating to my wife the way you could. She has a friend that said to go to the because they went from a timing chain not a belt. So now she is all twisted up. I have trouble telling anyone to buy a because of the possibility of buying one that may use oil, there is not a test that could ever be done to know if this might be an issue with the car, only time would tell. So you could buy a car that technically checks out, but uses 2 quarts in between oil changes, have this drive you crazy, or not stay up on it and ruin the engine.
Now Subaru is going to extend the warranties of these cars, but why buy something with a known issue? Just like I would advise against a Volkswagen Diesel right now. No idea if its a good deal. Hi i am looking at a subaru impreza sedan with , year for 8, how may miles can you get in this engine? It all depends on how well it was and will be taken care of, but as a generality they should go k and beyond, again if well maintained.
Purchased new, I now have , mi on my Legacy 2. Also there is no fluid replacement necessary according to maintenance schedule. So, in general, the CVT is not serviceable. Please comment on the CVT longevity and any recommendations Subaru may now have to extend its life. We have replaced a few CVT transmissions. No more or no less then we would have the Prior Gen Auto transmissions going 5- 6 years out from new.
They come with all the same features of a Subaru Forester and more as the Subaru Outback is very spacious, perfect for families that need space to fit their luggage or groceries in the back seat. However, if you want to look at another vehicle manufacture altogether then a good alternative to the Subaru Forester is the Toyota Rav 4 which offers a similar package of features but is less expensive. The best things about the Toyota Rav 4 is that it has a lot of space in the back seat for passengers and lots of trunk space for luggage.
Are They Reliable? Contents Are used Subaru Foresters reliable? What is the most reliable year for Subaru Forester? What are the worst years for Subaru Forester? What Subaru Forester should I avoid? What are the most common problems with the Subaru Forester? Do Subaru Foresters rust easy? Are Subaru Foresters expensive to maintain? Despite an otherwise glowing review, U. To help improve the reliability of your vehicle it is recommended to keep up to date with factory scheduled maintenance and adopt smooth driving habits.
Please also read our article: where are Subaru Forester made and 11 Subaru Forester facts and statistics. The Subaru Forester like many vehicles has had its share of problems throughout the years, however the most notable spikes occurred in , , and Owners reported excessively high oil consumption.
The model years with the most reported complaints were and with and complaints respectively, we would advise avoiding these model years if possible. The current model year of the Subaru Forester has so far not had a single complaint listed, and is one of the safest choices when looking to purchase. Here is a chart using data from Car Complaints breaking down the number of complaints made by model year:. How you drive your vehicle will play a big part in brake longevity. If you tend to do a lot of stop-and-go driving or are prone to heavy braking then your brakes will need frequent replacement.
Subaru Forester batteries should last on average between years. This can vary, depending on factors such as climate, driving habits, the type of battery, and more. Subaru Forester tires last up to 4 years, which means an average of 60, miles given the 15, miles driven per year.
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