Thinking oF getting a Forester ive had two Legacies 2.5 both with heating probs so 2.5 is OUT

Are they reliable ?

Yes they reliable.

Buy a good example & they super reliable.

Get a manual, 2003 to 2005 SG models are good, newer models not so good.

Generally the 2.0XT is easier find in clean order & you far smarter buying say a 2004 model with low mileage & FSH & impeccable order over newer models at close cost.

Even a late SF model low mileage example could be considered as the SF foresters are absolute solid with all fit & finish being very durable. Regular oil change with a quality full synthetic is a must .

Thanks , yes there is a lot of XTs around , what about Turbo non turbo 2.0?

I have purchased a 05 plate 2.0 xt 4 weeks ago and I am very happy with it, one owner with Subaru service history mainly although a little sketchy towards the end and bodywork that shows evidence of its life in London shopping car parks but nothing serious.

It does everything I want it to, easily accessible boot, comfortable, stacks of grip and although it an auto still quicker than it looks across roundabouts as I can tell by other drivers faces when they think oh I'll just jump in front of this old slow 4 wheel drive thing.

I like autos .

If you really like autos go for auto, generally autos even easier find as cleaner & less abused.

If you want bit of performance then the turbo is a must & you may find 2.5 to non turbo 2.0 a bit lacking .

Trick is using perhaps local dealer examples as bit of learning ground on confirming it what you want & base idea what they should be like then widen search a bit. If not brash & take little bit of time you can get real clean fsh 2.0xt, the non turbo models tend be harder as get more abused one way or the other as such a versatile wagon.

I have come across a 2003 , turbo is gone is this expensive to put right

depends on reason of failure.

Good sign of poor servicing or cheap oil.

common problem is filter built into banjo bolt for oil feed blocks & restricts oil so the oil feed needs checking before bolting new turbo on or new turbo will be dead in few miles.

Used turbo not too expensive & can be quite cheap repair if know a good turbo rebuild specialist.but to play safe put £800 on it, used decent turbo could be £200, good one if you like spanner work yourself, would want everything else A1 on the car though or you off to a bad start :-/

i have driven many auto's over the last 25+ years and both my Forester's a 2003 (200.000km) and a 2006 (200.000 miles) have the best auto box by far.

 

but i do like the 2006 more as the mirrors are bigger and like the smaller fog lights, but that's personal.

 

the 2003 i had in Australia was a 2.5 n/a and do like that engine more then the 2.0 n/a i have in the 2006. the 2.5 n/a had more grunt and a nicer sound at ticking over.

I came across a cheap 2000 model 2.0 turbo s, with 235000 miles on the clock but well looked after.

Their is a lot of them out there so ill take my time