Subaru Forester (1997 - 2003) 2.0 AWD S-Turbo 5d (2001/51) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Different, not your usual impreza or hot hatch. Family car which is fun and fast. Not lost a zest for life

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Father in law is impressed with it, just wishes there was a diesel

Would you buy this car again and why?

No I wouldn't, it only takes super unleaded petrol and drinks it at about 26 MPG. Its a £1.01/litre at the pump at the moment and that isnt going to go down. Plus it is hard to get Super Unleaded abroad

What are you likely to buy next?

Just part exed at a Subaru Garage for a part ex Nissan Ptrol on a 01 plate. 3litre diesal.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£8,495

When did you buy the car?

May 2006

Did you get a good deal and why?

Not a bad deal, fully serviced and replaced the bits that they broke! Turned the engine by hand and bent the push rods. They had to strip and replace all the bits of the engine! Part ex price they gave for our old Saab was disappointingly low though.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Wanted a tough, reliable 4 wheel drive, that handled like a car and was fun to drive.

What was the dealer like?

Mitchell Skoda in Chester as a part ext car. Service and politeness were 2nd to none. The fact that they bent the engine meant a 3-4 week delay on delivery which was annoying. Didn't pressure us and very personable. Would trust them again.

What's it like to drive?

Fast and furious, very quick from the lights, excellent to drive down backroads and in otherwise dangerous conditions. Took to the top of a hill in a snowstorm to feed my father in laws cattle up a dirt track with two bails of hay in the boot. Managed it despite the lack of a low range box and never felt dangerous.

What's it like to park?

easy, but we do drive a Saab 95 which is a lo bigger!

Have you had any problems with the car?

Nothing has gone wrong at all in one year and 12000 miles other than flakey bits of trim breaking as the plastics are a bit brittle if you are brutal with them :)

What's most practical about your car?

Ground clearance, 4 wheel drive (it really CAN go off road rather well!) and general car like drive

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Upgraded the stereo as the standard one is poor!