Buying A Used Subaru Forester?! Here's The Good And Bad Over The Last 20 Years!

04-08 forester xt is the best and there’s absolutely no debate

I love my 2018 Forester 2.5i with 6mt and factory fog lights. I worked hard and saved my money. Ordered mine the last week you could order an 18 forester. Followed a strict break in, it uses no oil during oil changes. I undercoat it every year with fluid film and it has no rust anywhere but the exhaust. In 67k miles its hand calculated lifetime mpg is 30.7. I LOVE this car and will maintain it and get every mile I can out of it.

I've owned 4 Subarus so far: 2000 Forester S; 2005 Forester XT Premium (manual transmission); 2012 Outback Limited 2.5 and 2021 Ascent Touring. I will say, I'm enjoying my wife's Acent, but my FXT was hands down the best vehicle I've ever owned. Throughout my years, I modified the FXT to be a sleeper "F-STi," swapping out the TD04 turbo for the VF39, tiny intercooler for the STi, F-STi springs from Japan, etc., etc. To say this car was bullet proof was an understatement. I never had any mechanical issues with the vehicle, even with all of the extensive mods during my ownership. This vehicle shined on the beaches of Assateague Island, winter storms in the mid Atlantic (even the 36" snow storm in 2010) and was my daily driver. Can you tell I still miss my FXT?

Just bought my first car at 18. 2006 Subaru Forester. I pray it serves me well. I don’t care for luxury or flashy things. I mean it has a moonroof! Taking good care of it & regular maintenance, I hope it lasts me a very very long time.

The 2004 STi had the same banjo bolts with filter screens in the lines going to the turbo and valve control system. Same possible point of failure. Good videos...Thank you.

Love my 03 forester 2.5X. Bought it dirt cheap 2 years ago with a blown engine. Picked up a used engine, freshened it up then installed. I drive this thing daily and love it. Great video as always.

I just got a 2019 and so far I love it. It's a really comfortable daily driver for road trips and such with a nice stiff body but it also crawls over anything I want and the addition of skidplates and rock sliders keep it in good shape when I go off road, which I do regularly

I have 2009 FXT that has been very good to me. My wife drove it gently for first 200k. I don't drive so nice, but at 255k it's still going strong. We've definitely put some money in it over the years, what saved it was finding a really good mechanic who specializes in subs. It burns oil but not too much. Never had to change head gasket. Personally I like the looks way better than any other gen. It has large hood scoop and sport grill. Looks great coming at you!😁

I love my 2005 manual Forrester xs I’m keeping it forever

Fantastic vids mate, really appriciate your time, knowledge and information. Just pruchased a 2014 Forester XT Premium with 180,000 kilometers for $21k AU. This is my 5th Subie, what fantastic machines. We purchased the 2021 Outback Touring for my wife last year (traded in her 2019 Impreza) and I don't think she will be giving that up for many, many years.

I wrecked my first 14' FXT and was devastated because it was such a fun but comfortable car to drive. I waited months to go look at new cars and looked on the website and they had the same exact car almost so I bought it.

I used to do sometimes 2 Subaru head gasket jobs a week but I pulled the motor out and resealed the whole complete engine plus head gaskets really made the customers happy no more oil leaks

I currently have a 14 Forrester touring which I absolutely love! When it’s time to upgrade, I’d like to get an 18 XT touring. This is by far my favorite version!

Another excellent video! I'm a Subaru owner and some of my family are also, but as you pointed out they have many pros and cons depending on the year of manufacture and the specific model. I've just replaced my 4EAT transmission and now running like it should however I'm sure I need to replace the Coolant temperature sensor as the engine is running rich all the time, 02 and MAP sensor replaced also. Excellent vehicles , reliable and very capable of treated well and serviced regularly. Thanks for another excellent informative video 👍😀🇦🇺🇺🇸

Love your videos thanks for the information and clearing up the confusion my mom has a 98 legacy's that she bought brand new that has 146,000 on it she is 88 years old and still drives it. My daughter has a 2012 Forester that she bought from my aunt and now I am looking for a car for my son. I appreciate your easy-to-understand information especially about the head gasket issue

Thanks for making this video!

So much info to absorb for a used Subie. I'm no mechanic but looking for a Crosstrek. For peace of mind I may just go new (if/when I can get one) and let the dealer take care of the servicing. I have worried about issues you mentioned but dispelling the real problems gives me good reason to go ahead and for that, thank you.

Thanks for sharing this helped me out a lot in my purchase

Robert great video your editing skills are second to none lol adding all them pics

I love my JDM 2011 NA Forester with FB20 and 4EAT. Drove it for 3 years in Mongolia with no issues. I do the regular maintenance myself. Personally, I like the design and everything.