If I wanted to go from a 7" to a 6.5" would I have any issues ? Same diameter and offset as original wheels.

Can't see any issue with that as 6.5" rim still good for 205 & even 215 tyre width.

Best inform insurance though on any wheel or tyre size from standard.

I'm just perusing the Web at the mo and I've come across a couple of sets with the correct offset probably not going to buy them but just curious. I don't really know about offsets and all that,

There is another set that are the same width 6.5" but a 53mm offset

Standard offset on yours was 48 (i think!) so a 53 will move the tire closer to strut.

Would be best moving away from strut with lets say a 43 offset so then tyre would move away from strut by 5mm.

Yep 48 I'm not really wanting to change anything like that as I know it can affect handling. I know some people have 55's on which rub so I didn't want to go too close. I see a lot of wv wheels with 38 offset wouldn't that play havoc with ride ?

Wheels are one thing I'm not that clued up on. Never actually changed to an aftermarket set on any of my cars.

38 would bring wheels out 10mm, main issue on forrester is drastic changes either way can cause fowling.

I would suspect a 38 on 205 width to be ok though.

Moving the wheel out 5 to 10mm is not drastic & if anything could improve handling as increasing track.. Moving wheel in is not good idea as they already run very close to strut plus reducing track would be a negative handling change, although 5mm is not drastic problem. Seen 53 offsets rims from legacy on SF & was ok but they did use spacers eventually.