Looking at purchasing a used subaru

[NRGie]

Hey

I'm looking at a 02 Forester and was wondering if there is any common issues or such I should know about.

The one I was interested in had its headgasket and timing belt replaced recently and is currently at 180000.

This would be my first subie so not sure really what else to look for, from what I read online the headgasket seems to be the biggest problem with these.

Also for the people that own one how is the gas mileage? How many km do you get to a tank approx.

Thanks

[zieg]

I have an 02. Had to replace two pistons because of piston slap. Otherwise it's been great and has over 230k on it now. Gas mileage has been pretty much spot on with its epa rating.

[NRGie]

Overall how do you like the car?

[sr20s14zenki]

I had a 2000. Good little car. The mileage was about 20 mpg, but i mostly drive hiway. The ej25 is a bit of a hungry bugger.

Make sure you keep up your records for timing belts, etc. It IS an interference engine, which means that if your timing belt snaps, you will have a hefty bill on your hands.

Only other problem i can think of is head gaskets. Every ej25 has the problem one way or another. Series one engines tended to have the head gasket go in such a way that the engine would burn the coolant. Series 2 SOHC which is what that has, tended to get an EXTERNAL leak with the head gaskets. From what i understand, if you run the additive that subaru gives you, its much better.

Mine was unstoppable in the winter. NEVER got stuck.

[Canmorite]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki

Mine was unstoppable in the winter. NEVER got stuck.

+1 for that. I had a 92 and 97 Legacy wagon and never got stuck. Only got stuck in my STi after I lowered it, on my uncle's unplowed ranch.

I've found that my 92 Legacy was the most reliable, while the 97 Legacy and '07 STi saw increasing amounts of maintenance and cost (although still reliable, have never broken down or left me stranded).

If you can find an '02 with the service records, that's a good start. As mentioned check for head gaskets, timing belt and when the last time the CV joints were replaced.

[zieg]

Originally posted by NRGie
Overall how do you like the car?

Absolutely love it. Not a ton of straightline power but that's not why you buy it. It can carry a lot of stuff, handle some pretty rough roads, the AWD works great and it's just generally easy to drive. Good visibility, small turning circle etc.

I forgot, I have replaced both front driveshafts but only because the boots ripped, one around 180k and the other at like 200k. They were very easy to change. Did the balljoints at the same time. Also did rear shocks around 160k, took me an afternoon.

10/10, without rice.

[max_boost]

Our 03 is somewhere in the 450,000kms I lost count lol It just won't die!

[iron_man888]

Originally posted by max_boost
Our 03 is somewhere in the 450,000kms


:eek: wow!
do you guys have any issues with excessive oil consumption?

[HiSpec]

Originally posted by iron_man888



:eek: wow!
do you guys have any issues with excessive oil consumption?

Mine takes about 1 qt. every 2000km... supposedly that's kinda normal with 270000km :dunno:

[zieg]

Mine doesn't use a drop between 5000km changes..

[redblack]

I've got 200K on my 2005 2.5RS (same motor/drivetrain as the forester) and it has been fairly reliable. Beside oil changes and brakes it needed the head gaskets done at 160k.
A set of MLS sti gaskets and 10 hours of my time and she was like new again. Timing belts are due around 168K but make sure they replaced all the timing belt pullies at the same time. Mine uses about half a litre between oil changes and gets about 9L/100k on mixed city/highway driving.

[g-m]

Can you do the HGs with the engine in the car fairly easily? Looks near impossible

[HiSpec]

Originally posted by ZiG-87
Mine doesn't use a drop between 5000km changes..

forgot to mention I need a spark plug gasket replacement. There was a little bit of oil in the spark plug chamber. :cry:

[max_boost]

A lot of maintenance and replacement parts but sentimental value so at over 450k my mom still wants to drive it.

[sr20s14zenki]

Originally posted by g-m
Can you do the HGs with the engine in the car fairly easily? Looks near impossible possible but will actually take longer. I can have a subie engine out in an hr flat =)

[cloud7]

Our 10 year old Impreza have been almost trouble-free. The Idle Air Control Valve needed replacing/cleaning last year as the engine kept stalling when coming to a stop. It also has a leaking shock in the front for a while. Paint is also not a Subaru strong point... paint on the bumper started peeling when it was only a couple years old and now the paint around a wheel well is peeling.

[NRGie]

Thanks for all the replies

The one I was interested in is no longer for sale I assume (owner never responded to me). I ended up getting a 4Runner instead.