Forester?

[kimokalihi]

I just sold my truck for 1400 bucks because I'm broke right now and unemployed. I also have 2 subaru legacy 90 wagons. One is my daily driver. One will be going up for sale real soon.

 

I will be getting a job at a nearby casino once I finish up my dealing class there(5 more weeks, halfway done!). The guy teaching the class says with the toke rate at what it's at now, we'll be making at least 16 bucks an hour. Which I figure is good enough money to support myself and pay loan payments.

 

I've had 3 vehicles and all of them have had pretty major problems with them that I've always had to waste money on parts and time on fixing them. I want a vehicle that will go for a long time without major problems. So I'm thinking that once I get this job for a while, I'll take out a loan and maybe get my mom to co-sign it and buy a Forester!

 

I like the looks of them a lot and I love having AWD. Subarus are very good cars and I'll stick with them.

 

But just so I know what to look for when the time comes...

 

-What years are the best?

-What price am I looking at for these years?(general idea, of course)

-I hear wheel bearings go out on these cars? Anything else?

-Anymore info I should know before buying them?

 

I want to build a very nice SQ(sound quality)sound system in it. I snowboard a lot too so I think this would be perfect to get me up to the pass in the snow.

 

Thanks!

[The Dude]

I would say, all things being equal, the newer, the better. I would avoid the 98 Forester. It had the 2.5L DOHC Phase I engine, a history of bearing failures, and clutch problems. I believe if you get a 2002 or newer, the possibility of an external head gasket failure is greatly reduced. I got excellent service out of my 1999 Forester. My 2006 Forester has a number of nice improvements over the 1999. If you don't need to carry passengers in the back seat on a regular basis, the Forester is a pretty sweet ride.