BlueSoob

Ya might as well install a new WP while you are in there. Saves you trouble down the road..

Just last week I went to renew registration for the Brat and the Forester (Both tabs were due on the same exact day... what are the chances of that??) Oddly enough the Forester was 36$ to renew... and somehow the Brat escaped the "30$ License Tab" thing and went for 28$ (and that was AFTER fees). It is on my registration as a truck (and I can see why- no original seats in the back) but on my insurance, it is a *Sport* Truck and it costs about 3$ less per month for liability only than my Forester does for Full coverage. WTF?!! I figure its due to safety features and such.. but come on now....

MAN! Too bad you didn't post 2 weeks ago. I just hauled one out to the junkyard on the Lummi Reservation here in Whatcom Co. You could have had the whole car free

When I first bought the MT 03 Forester, I pulled 30 mph off the first tank. I'm told this is highly unusual. It stayed that way for a long time... then after awhile, it dropped to about 27/28. I changed to synthetic oil at 10,000 and then i jumped back to 31/32. I dont have a turbo or a lead foot. (If that helps) I keep on top of maintenance and I haven't done any custom work.. OH WAIT. If you keep the interior clean and wash the car occasionally, and play 80s and 90s dance hits, the car goes faster too!

congratulations... I knew it was just a matter of time!

HI! If you need parts or something, I have a couple of EA82s sitting just south in Evanston if you need somthing. Welcome to the board btw. Our Wyoming crowd is growing fast. (And for as many people who live there.... thats an accomplishment) (originally from Evanston - Now in NW Washington (Deming- Small Town, WA)

whens it?

oh surrrreee... I live just a few miles down from mt baker and see the kind of luv I get?? NONE I tell ya!! good luck

I'm going to have to side with you here. I would question the price of the dealership too. Check your service manual. When I had my 30k done, I paid 3XX.xx$ for it. It was only about 50.00$ less than the dealership asked. I don't see any reason for 1000.00 worth of work. If there is anything "wrong" with the car, it should be covered under warrenty. Is there another mechanic that you trust in town? Perhaps even having an independent import place take a peek or do a 30k service on it would be advisable. It will not void your warrenty if you go somewhere else to get your required maintenance done. (As long as the required fluids are changed and checked) If there are any leaks or other- then take it to the dealership and have them fix it.

I'm on a serious hunt for my tailgate for final years of Brat. My tailgate was involved in an accident and so its rust has taken over and is out of control along with the dents. Any and all.... please... help help help

You're welcome to come explore the logging roads and gravel pits of highway 542 in Whatcom County.. that goes for y'all too! But if you want a late nighter... erm... I go to work at 3:30 am so I'd have to look for a day off.. I'd be up for a dusty drive...

amen!

erm I took my 2003 Forester off the showroom floor.. literally. The hill hold cable was adequately adjusted. Due to the fun clutch shuddering that took my fine automobile back into the shop, the dealership OVERtightened the stinky hill hold cable so that even when I was on level ground and had not pushed the clutch in all the way, it would stick. (Which was RATHTER annoying.) Next time I took my car in for an oil change (and I can't remember if it was a local shop or if it was the dealership) I mentioned it to them and they fixed it. I can't imagine why there are troubles adjusting the hill hold on the 04 and not the 03??? Its just a simple little nut, is it not?

Right after my bro got his 86 GL wagon (MT), he drove from WA to WY and averaged 35 mpg on crap gas. (I think that car was at it's peak then) My record high in the Forester was on a trip up and down western washington where I got a little over 33 mpg. WHEEEEE You people must have lead feets!

How goes the search anyhow?

At 35,000 miles I panicked and bought the SUBARU (not the off-brand company or dealership) extended warrenty. They had several different plans.. It depends on how many miles you drive or the amount of time that you want it covered for. I bought the 5 year 100,000 mile warrenty. I throw alot of miles on my car and I escaped with that warrenty for 1700$. Of course I still get all the benefits of the 60,000 powertrain and such. But it was, of course, for piece of mind.

And chances are that if you have a head gasket prob, like me, you will have it before the drive train warrenty is up, like me, and you will get it fixed under warrenty, like me. I panicked and bought the extended warrenty.. of course, my 03 Forester was the first year of a new model. I dont' regret buying either the car or the warrenty.

Just remove the bulb from behind the dash.

I need ideas or past experiences of downsizing the tire size. I'm looking to put a little more aggressive tire on my Forester but there isn't much in the 16 inch. So I"m thinking of digging up some 15 inch wheels and putting them on. I know its not always about appearances but would the 15 inchers with bigger tires look stupid? (as opposed to the more "sporty" 16s?) Would it really be worth it? It would only be a small difference in the offset of mileage. Nothing signifcant. I'm not looking to make it a monster off roader but the more universal tire size and cheaper tire would be nice. ???

Cheapest way to do bearings in the Brat? Went to a local shop and got an estimate for 540$. Any ideas?????

mmmmmm Haha Your wife sounds like me. I don't care about the HGs going, or the repeated air bag lights or the ECM... I want another one.. and if only the 05 were different enough from the Forester in the way it drives... then i could justify going for it.

Been on with Allstate on all the cars here. They're really good about responding and dealing with things. We have the 03 Forester, 96 Explorer, 85 GL and just added the 87 Brat. The 85 GL is named as the principle driver. My 03 is the cheapest on the insurance.. most likely because of the safety features. I was shocked an amazed.. yeeow! The Brat costs more than the Explorer.. and thats with liability only compared to the Explorer that has full coverage. *cough* and thats with no tickets, no accidents over 21 insurance - I've paid half of what i bought the car for in insurance.

(or at least out of a VW)

Hmm.. I've learned alot from each one of mine. I always wanted a Legacy. I only bought my 88 GL because I couldn't afford a Legacy at the time. I gave up the GL for the Legacy and after I drove it awhile, I decided I liked my GL better. I bought the Forester because it reminded me of driving my GL - similar size and handling and a bit of the sporty feel. Now that I have my 87 BRAT.. mmmmmm Its a cutie, I look hot in it and its a bright, fun little guy. (even though he needs some new hoses that I haven't found the leak in yet)

Remember there are still a few of us in NW Washington who can help you locate parts or whatever to!