Q: Subaru Forester Auto AWD ??

[Minimad5]

Evening gents,

Just wondering what Automatic AWD Subaru Foresters are like ?

I only want it as a winter run around, whilst i take the V70 off the road to carry out some serious maintenance.

I'm looking at a 2.0 litre N/A (so not turbo), it's from the vintage of year 2000 which to me seem modern enough for mass sensor shit-storm, but fix-able if it did go all wrong.


So what are they like to use daily ?
Do the Auto gearboxes 'do a geartronic volvo'   and self destruct ?
Anything to look out for ?
etc etc


Any help appreciated.
Thanks

[billyboy406v6]

Sold mine recently, found it very keen to kick down without really booting it, it was quite elderly so perhaps fair wear and tear or just sporty its Subaru character ? They do have a winter mode as well IIRC.

[Guest Lord Sward]

I've never heard a single tale of woe about them.  The last of the engineering-led car marques. 

[gordonbennet]

Full time 4WD, proper torque converter auto box, simple as you'll find in anything.

 

So long as it's been fairly well looked after, and you should find three dipsticks under the bonnet engine gearbox and front diff so you can judge its servicing for yourself at inspection, then it should be ok.

 

They have cambelts, not sure on the intervals, oh and have a look down the back of the engine from above you should be able to see the inner CV joints, these can perish the boots due to heat from the exhaust eventually splitting, my Outback had that problem, about and hour a side and a doddle of a job if you have a hub puller, driveshafts fully dismantle via circlips so you do a full repack easy peasy if they boots need doing.

 

If it needs plugs they are a bastard cos you'll be lying on your back with very little room either side between head and chassis, but other than that and obvious head work (they do have form for OMGCHG mainly in turbos apparently) they are nice to work on.

[Minimad5]

Rightio !
Thanks for the input, i shall try get a look at it tomorrow

[Forty-two]

Mate had one and loved it. 2003 model I think. 2.0 N/A Auto.

 

Got involved in a three car shunt and that was the end of it. He isn't sentimental about cars but he still misses that one.

[Minimad5]

Still have not looked at it yet (i know i'm shite)

Previous suggestions mention a Winter button, does this means half decent SNOW KHAOS capabilities ?

 

Thanks again all !

[skattrd]

Winter button on auto usually means setting off in 2nd to try and stop wheelspin.

[Lacquer Peel]

You'd be better off with a more frugal car and winter tyres.

Buying a 4x4 for winter makes no sense.

[gordonbennet]

Be warned, Scoobies are addictive, my Mrs bloody loves hers and wants another if and when this one dies, doesn't matter what the road conditions are liked she just floors the throttle to get out of junctions at any angle any turn any surface and the car just does its thing, bloody frightening how well they stick to wet roads too.

My lad had a seriously fast RA superlight Imprezza thingy running summat like 300hp, i only went in the thing couple a times and came out feeling ill both times, never been in a car before that you could enter a roundabout at 50 and leave it at 80, sod that.

[Minimad5]

You'd be better off with a more frugal car and winter tyres.

Buying a 4x4 for winter makes no sense.

Not just for winter, it's so i can take the daily off the road for a while.

And i know i don't strictly need a 4x4, as i used my Lada Riva for winter a few years ago, which was fun !

[Dave_Q]

You'd be better off with a more frugal car and winter tyres.

Buying a 4x4 for winter makes no sense.

 

It may not make sense, but it features highly in man-reasons for getting a new car.

 

That's why I've now got an Impreza turbo, because I'm that dedicated to making sure I can get to the shops in 1 inch of slush to provide for my family.

 

 

i only went in the thing couple a times and came out feeling ill both times,

 

My wife says this about mine so I am now banned from "spirited acceleration" when she's in the car.

[Asimo]

I wouldn't be without our Subaru.

 

Proper 4wd is brilliant on road cars and Subaru do do it properly. It isn't just about being smug in the snow ( but that can be fun), it is about no slither turning out of muddy side roads, no worries pulling onto the verge to squeeze past, no panic joining greasy roundabouts etc etc

 

Be wary of over-confidence however, 'cause if you do run out of grip you will be going a lot faster.............

[dollywobbler]

OM NOM time for fuel I imagine, as my 2-litre Legacy would struggle to top 27mpg. I presume they must rot or something, as I don't see early ones very often anymore. Still quite a few later ones in use around here. They're very popular.

[gordonbennet]

Dolly i think its a combination of subframe rot (rears can be sods) and OMGCHG on the 4 pots that scraps early Leggies, plus they aint fashionable which doesn't make a scrap of difference to us here but it does to normal people, there's no bloody room to work on the heads in situ, its a bastard to change the spark plugs for gawds sake so unless someones a serious home mechanic i can't see the average Joe hoiking that lump out and dismantling the bugger in the street.

 

I spent hours on our Leggies rear subframe, well whole underbody actually and i've put summat like £150 worth of Bilt Hambers finest under the thing so here's hoping, so far so good as they say.

The 6 pot is a dream, but its a thirsty sod, circa 22 ish, ours is on LPG we had fitted, and averaging about 21 general running about, better on a run but not by much.

[Guest Lord Sward]

The current, and just about to be replaced edition of Car Mechanics (December) features a good little story on Subaru.

[Alan_Green]

Yup, Subarus are addictive. Panic purchased a 1.6DL upon arriving at Gatwick airport one year. Sold it to a mate and bought an Impreza. He also bought an Impreza next . Confused as to why I don't have a Subaru now TBH. 

 

Foresters are officially thirsty but drive and sound great, so that's OK.

[billyboy406v6]

Still have not looked at it yet (i know i'm shite)

Previous suggestions mention a Winter button, does this means half decent SNOW KHAOS capabilities ?

 

Thanks again all !

It don't snow here so never switched it on, think it starts off in 2nd gear ?