Innes Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I am changing the Mondeo Estate for a Forester in the New Year. Looking at various options around the 5k mark or thereabouts. I am keen to hear the running cost differences between 2.0 and 2.5 turbo. Equally I have been offered a slightly older import with 2.5 and wondered what you thought about them? I am not shy of import, I have a Mazda Bongo from the same company, been fine and work done no quibble under warranty. The only VERY slight pain on the Bongo was changing the Stereo as the aerials had been messed about. Anyway it will be my daily driver, but only 5 miles per day some days. I am not worried manual or auto but I would be keen to hear from you guys especially anyone that has had both or had a few imports. Cheers, and a Happy New Year to you all, Innes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I would be looking at a 2005 2.0XT myself mainly as road tax reasonable on pre 2006, fuel economy acceptable, insurance acceptable & 2.0 litre engine more reliable & desirable over the 2.5 so resale value tends to hold better. Not a huge difference between 2.0 & 2.5 in fuel economy so go with your preference or by what decent example turns up. Generally easy find a clean 2.0XT automatic & at good price, prefer manual myself plus slightly better fuel figures on the manual too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innes Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 Thanks Mr B. That's where I was heading. I'll mull your advice over a littleglas of vino! Cheers! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 What's the import you've been offered like ? Just curious [emoji51] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david1972 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 What's the import you've been offered like ? Just curious [emoji51] Your hoping its an STI [emoji6] Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innes Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 Hi, yes the guy has (or did last I spoke to him) have 4 foresters, as well as Bongos, Nissan Elgrands etc etc. All fresh imports and from what I gathered all STis. I only saw one, had less than 60k on it, white, looked nice enough as a fresh import should. That was about 4k,he had a few as I said from 4k to 8k. I'm still not totally sure but veering towards UK car, 2.0 litre. But, I will scratch my head for a few more weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innes Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 I'm presuming reliability for STIs imports are good? And spares are plentiful? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Yes the imports can be good & reliability still good if you fussy on what you buy. Only thing with imports is verifying the mileage, original mileage from auction sheets is recorded & can be checked online as a lot of importers like knocking off some miles when converting/reseting to Miles. My first choice would probably be the 2.0XT UK spec purely as less hassle with insurance & easier sell on in future plus running costs better of the bunch. I've viewed a few 2.0XT's for customers & had real clean 80k-mile FSSH late 2004 for less than £4k Good time to buy as sales are slow at start of new year & most people past the point of wanting a winter 4x4 so prices can be haggled more. Generally it quite easy find decent Forester 2.0XT as they tend to not get used as hard as the non turbo's & also tend be lower mileage & better price as more select buyer market ;-) being you happy with auto or manual should help too .... another glass of vino sir !? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innes Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 Vino indeed! So, do you source and view cars for people (you mentioned customers)? The reason I ask, I live on the isle of lewis in the Hebrides.,...... It's hard to do it from here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Yes, I have a garage business in Devon specialising in Subaru/Nissan & do source some cars for people. You are at guess 700 miles from us though. Would of thought quite a few dealers in sensible distance from you will have some decent Forester XT's & 2004 models in very clean order can be had from £3k so with your budget you should find plenty & even late 2005 models with low mileage plus FSSH should be within budget. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innes Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 Cheers, Mr B. However, I also have family in Exeter and visit occasionally. Are you anywhere near there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Less than 30 miles from Exeter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAN@ADRIAN FLUX Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Hi, If you need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line. Regards, Dan. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innes Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 Hi, If you need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line. Regards, Dan. Hi Dan. Thanks, do you have a contact I can reach you on directly? I would also like to ask about the Mazda Bongo I have as I am with 2gether at the moment with a VERY strange policy. Not sure if you have come across them. Innes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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