2001 Forester? Opinions please...

[Seahag1978]

My daughter is choking on the fuel costs of running her V8 Durango. She found a 2001 Forester in excellent condition for $10,000. from her small town Subaru dealer that's been in business in the same location for 30 years. He's giving her full book for her Durango.

 

She read all the relevant posts on here and feels pretty confident in the car and that she's getting a good deal.

 

Any input? Positive and negative please.

[Adnan]

Hi,

 

If fuel consumption is a primary concern, I'm not sure whether a Subaru ought to be your first choice, unless of course, it comes down to a space/utility/gas compromise. I'm speaking strictly from Legacy experience, though.

 

There are more thrifty wagons out there if you don't need AWD.

 

Regards,

Adnan

[Buddythedog]

Well, I just sold my Eddie Bauer Expedition 4x4. I loved that truck, it has taken me on many camping trips, and kept my family safe and comfy. That said, I just bought an 03 Forester XS. I must say I love this car. It is safe (6 airbags, see crash tests) reliable, and comfy, albeit smaller than her Durango is. She can make do, as I did. I found the FOrester is more stable in the heavy snow of Northern New Mexico, and a much nicer all around ride. Have someone competent (dealer mechanic) check the car out very well. Have them include a compression test, and see if they will do a major fluid service on it (trans, differentials, oil, atf, everythig). It costs them around 200 bucks, you and me around 450, but it will give you piece of mind that the car was just serviced. Good luck, there are other nice cars out there, but you will really like the Subaru's.

[friendly_jacek]

Hi,

 

If fuel consumption is a primary concern, I'm not sure whether a Subaru ought to be your first choice, unless of course, it comes down to a space/utility/gas compromise. I'm speaking strictly from Legacy experience, though.

 

There are more thrifty wagons out there if you don't need AWD.

 

Regards,

Adnan

 

I agree, I have 2000 legacy and it runs 16-20/22-25MPG city/hwy. Foresters tend to have similar MPG compared to legacies. I know there are some people on this board getting 30MPG but that is unusual. Subarus and not very fuel efficient.

After saying that, it would be still an improvement from the Durango.

[Seahag1978]

Right now she's getting about 9 mpg and $75 to fill up. She lives on the top of "hill" (by PNW standards), smack in the middle of the "snow belt" of Massachusetts. She also has two small boys so AWD/4WD is a must.

 

I agree that she'll be much better off with the Forester. They camp and canoe, she'll lose some room, but she also managed to do the same activities with an Acura Integra?!

[Sweet82]

Hah!

 

I know some Durango owners that are also getting 8-9 mpg!!!

I couldn't afford that either.

 

My 01 Forester has gotten as low as 21 on a trip and as high as 35 (last week).

 

I was disappointed with the 21 and there was a solid head wind but that still beats 9 mpg. Thats just wasteful.

 

The only negative things I've found on my 01 Forester is I didn't realize just how small they are inside...cramped when hauling people and gear.

 

And the lack of a low range transmission has hurt my driving routine.

 

Short of that I love the thing, It's zippy! I think it's a blast to drive.

For the record, I paid $11,900 in the spring of 2003 with proper miles.

 

Good Luck,

Glenn

82 SubaruHummer

84 GL Mad Max

01 Forester

[dpoppeli]

Have to wonder if this sort of thing is going to drive up value of Subarus? They are good alternative to truck based SUV's with recent gas prices. Wish I had a more recent model to gain the additional ground clearance though.

[Seahag1978]

Have to wonder if this sort of thing is going to drive up value of Subarus? They are good alternative to truck based SUV's with recent gas prices. Wish I had a more recent model to gain the additional ground clearance though.

 

I have an '05 Baja 5 sp. and now that the Brat's fixed and running great, it's my daily driver to work and back... $2.87 for premium is a bit much. The Brat runs on anything you feed it, plus it's a blast to drive... but so is the Baja ...

[bjwirth]

Have to wonder if this sort of thing is going to drive up value of Subarus? They are good alternative to truck based SUV's with recent gas prices.

Nah... while gas prices are high, people are just moaning. THe great majority of people find ways to suck it up and pay the higher fuel costs. Only a small percentage will take gas mileage into consideration when it comes time to replace one of their cars, and fewer still will actually go out and trade cars just for mileage.

 

Most people who buy big SUV's either really like them and will pay the gas no matter what it costs, or need the extra space they provide. in the past month or so, the big 3 have been selling SUV's like hotcakes (yes I know, employee discount, but the discount was available on smaller cars too). I'd say there's no let down in big SUV demand right now.

 

Anyway, back to the forester, I like ours- it provides a good balance for us- drives and handles like a car, but has the utility of an SUV. When we go on trips with our 2 boys, the car starts feeling really small. But for day to day driving, it's perfect. I think gas mileage should be better (comparing to CRV)- I only get low 20's for mixed driving.

[cookie]

That replaced a Jeep. Fuel mileage averages around 25 with both city and freeway driving.

This is the car I use for Home Depot, hauling, chores, trips, and this weekend to pick up a back window for my 65 GTO.

I think your daughter will be happy with it as they are easy to drive and park. I had a Durango as a rental for a while and it was more tippy, I had it up on two wheels in a panic stop, and never made better than about 9mpg.