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[orv]

Considering a Subaru wagon as one option for our next car purchase, because they're everywhere out here and seem pretty practical. I'm curious if anyone who reads this journal knows them well and can tell me what trouble areas to look out for on a used one. I know Volkswagens and Volvos well, but Subarus are kinda UFOs to me.

Comments

[turq]

Warp pointed me at your post. I currently drive a Subaru (2000 Impreza Wagon), and I've amassed a bit of knowledge about them, so I figured I'd offer what I know

[orv]

EXCELLENT information. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

[c_eagle]

Friend of mine has one and likes it.... I noticed the heated car seats, but I guess a lotta cars have that now :}

[ionotter]

I own one. My parents have owned them for years now, and mom won't own anything else

[orv]

I think my biggest problem will be finding one with a reasonable number of miles on it. People here seem to hang on to them for a long time, and put a lot of miles on them. Craigslist is full of 200,000+ mile Subarus.

[turq]

The current generation Forester's fortunately -mechanically- not that different. They basically took the Impreza platform the previous one rode on, and stretched it a bit (using mostly Legacy parts to do so, in typical Subaru Lego block fashion); It's still built alongside Imprezas in Gunma. Though, the '11 and up models do indeed get the new-generation 'FB' engine, which is replacing the EJ series; Still a flat four, though now with a timing chain like the big six has, which should make for longer service life. (It goes back to DOHC, too, but Subaru's always bounced back and forth between SOHC and DOHC heads.)