Burroo Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 Hi Guys, I am going to look at a 2008 Subaru Forester 2L Diesel on Saturday. The car has been upgraded to the full leather packaage and has tinted rear windows and air deflectors on the door window frames. The car looks minted but has 112,010 miles on it - albeit with FSH. I currently drive a 2007 Lexus IS220d, with full leather package, minted condition FSH but only 72,000 on the clock. Question is, should I spend money (£3.5K) and buy the Subaru? What would your advice be please - why should I buy the Subaru? Thanks in advance.... Burroo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 Hello & welcome, The subaru will be a massive step down in refinement and luxury, although the leather will go some way to cushioning the blow, with that mileage I wouldn't be worried especially with fsh, I'd check when the glow plugs where done and the dpf filter if applicable as the early diesels had some issues with these, but should have been rectified by now, What made you look at changing ? The foz is a very capable and robust , won't get stuck anywhere and even on summer tyres gets me out of muddy fields & snowy conditions with no problems. Just have to ask yourself if it's what you want compared to the lexus, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burroo Posted March 3, 2016 Author Share Posted March 3, 2016 HI Stants, Yeh the Lexus is a comfy big car but it has no boy's toys so to speak of . No SatNav or Bluetooth, so equipment wise the Subaru has everything the Lexus has (heated seats, door mirrors etc). I used to own a Hyundai Santa Fe and I loved the SUV shape and my wife did also with it sitting high off the road giving excellent vision, plus I always said i would go back to a SUV one day but most are now only 2WD. A Subaru Forester passed me on the motorway a fortnight ago and I thought it just looked like a really nice vehicle, I started to research it and it comes out as a being very reliable car, which the Lexus has not benn to be perfectly honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 They are good if you need the 4WD & versatility of SUV & the Forester is super versatile. I would check it over really well then check again & be sure engine sweet as early diesels can be problematic & frustrating plus very very expensive put right. I really like the forester & it solid car but early diesels are hard recommend but can still be be good buy ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burroo Posted March 3, 2016 Author Share Posted March 3, 2016 As I mentioned the Forester has a FSH and the garage will service and MOT it before I get it. It also comes with a full year's warranty covering engine and gear box and the garage i am buying it from is one of only 3 Subaru specialists in Scotland. I spoke to my mechanic (normally a Mercedes/BMW specialist) and he said "go for it". I will not be going 'off road' in it, but living in the West of Scotland where it can get damn icy and snowy a 4WD will be a real bonus if the weather gets bad. I did not even know Subaru did SUV's until I saw that one two weeks ago on the M74, I had been looking for reasonably priced Santa Fe's and Kia's to no aavail. This SUV is in my price range, looks lovely and, by all accounts and appearance, has been very well maintained. I just wanted to hear from other Forester drivers to get a feeling for the vehicle so I really appreciate your input my friend - should I go for it?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david1972 Posted March 3, 2016 Share Posted March 3, 2016 As mentioned earlier, the earlier diesels have known issues...if this had those, it will cost you as much as the car itself to put right. If it were petrol it'd be a no brainer, but just bear this in mind Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 17 hours ago, Burroo said: As I mentioned the Forester has a FSH and the garage will service and MOT it before I get it. It also comes with a full year's warranty covering engine and gear box and the garage i am buying it from is one of only 3 Subaru specialists in Scotland. I spoke to my mechanic (normally a Mercedes/BMW specialist) and he said "go for it". I will not be going 'off road' in it, but living in the West of Scotland where it can get damn icy and snowy a 4WD will be a real bonus if the weather gets bad. I did not even know Subaru did SUV's until I saw that one two weeks ago on the M74, I had been looking for reasonably priced Santa Fe's and Kia's to no aavail. This SUV is in my price range, looks lovely and, by all accounts and appearance, has been very well maintained. I just wanted to hear from other Forester drivers to get a feeling for the vehicle so I really appreciate your input my friend - should I go for it?? The 4WD & extra ground clearance would be great for your location then with some snow/bad weather, They are superb in snow etc especially with quality winter tyres. Early diesel issues are real such as dpf, glowplugs, injectors & crankshaft failures.. Not really trying scare you more a case be aware you may see at least one or 2 problems that require decent money put right, fact car got good history is great & in some ways I would prefer by the early diesel with decent mileage on it as then likely be a good one or had odd glitches dealt with it before. Just give it good look over & good test drive under various conditions of B road & bit of dual carriage way, observe clutch feel/bite, dual mass flywheels on these can play up & have nasty judder, also new clutch inc flywheel is expensive in parts & diesel torque output is real hard on these parts & they don't have lifespan of the petrols. Price sounds reasonable, I would look at small print on any warranty as they normally have a huge amount of non covered clauses so it can be better doing a better price deal with no warranty or just a basic warranty. Best of luck for your possible purchase ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burroo Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 Many thanks for the advice guys. I have printed out your responses and will be sure to put these points to the Garage tomorrow. I'll post again after I drive the Forester and let you know the outcome... If you want a wee look at the Forester you'll find it at http://www.eagleshamgarage-subaru.co.uk/used-cars/5592568-subaru-forester-d-xc/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Looks nice, hope the test drive goes the way you want ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burroo Posted March 6, 2016 Author Share Posted March 6, 2016 Stants, Hope you don't mind me bothering you again mate. Drove the Forester yesterday and was most impressed - very smooth, nice comfortable ride, suspension seems more than capable and it can certainly shift when required. Downside was the gear change, but got better the more I drove it. I have read on some sites that Subarus can do over 350,000k and that is certainly impressive. This one has 112010 on it and I will need it to last me a good few years although I only do around 8000 miles a year. I understand that it is a timing chain rather than a belt and the guy at the garage said that as the car has been carefully maintained throughout I should not encounter any of the problems raised throughout this post, though obviously nobody knows for sure. I really liked it and think it looks great. He's gonna pay for the transfer of my private plate and install rear parking sensors as part of the deal. He is also giving me £4000 for my Lexus when the auto trader recommended value is £3570, so it appears a good deal. I look after my cars and have a brilliant mechanic, the year's warranty covers engine and gearbox box - would you buy it?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 At the end of the Day it's a fsh and documented mileage so I couldn't see ut being a problem, the dealer seems fairly honest are they including any form of limited warranty ? 112k is nothing many of us are way past that in cars that are twice the age and still going strong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burroo Posted March 6, 2016 Author Share Posted March 6, 2016 Hi Stants, Not broached the subject of limited warranty as yet. I'm hoping he gives a 30-day warranty so I can get it looked at by my mechanic and have any problems solved. The supplied one year warranty seems to be thru a warranty company as I can take it to any VAT registered garage, but he suggested I take it to them as they know how to "get round" the warranty company having dealt with them before on occasions. The garage is nearly 30 miles from my home and 20 from my work so not really convenient, but they will supply a courtesy car. All in all, it is a very small Subaru and Isuzu dealer - only around 10-12 cars in the forecourt, so they seem to go overboard on customer service, with absolutely no hard sale. I was very impressed by their relaxed approach, as was my wife (who also really liked the car). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burroo Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share Posted March 11, 2016 Well the deed is done and a £500 deposit has been put on the Forester. The garage has assured me that if my mechanic finds any problems after I have taken ownership then they will fix the fault - so I suppose that's as good as a limited warranty. The are very proud of their reputation and very up on customer satisfaction. Just need to wait on DVLA changing my private plate and then I will take ownership - can't wait. Many thanks again to all who contributed..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Great, hope you enjoy the Forester, they are highly versatile & you will be looking forward to a heavy winter to try it out fully. Just be particular on fuel you use & engine oil/changes, also try get some longer mileage in so dpf can clean itself as modern diesels are not great with constant short trips . Dealer does sound friendly & that worth it's weight in gold these days ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burroo Posted March 12, 2016 Author Share Posted March 12, 2016 Hi Mr B, First real trip will be down to Manchester in early April Di it should get a good outing there. Thanks again for replying. These forums are a great source of information if used properly and the Forester site seems well managed. Have read about some owners upgrading their speakers and as a DJ, I listen to loads of music in my car so may well look at this once I've had it for a few weeks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 If the newer models are anything like the old ones the speaker set up is rubbish, does yours have the factory sub ? I'd have a look at upgrading the speaker components 1st then if all else fails the head unit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burroo Posted March 13, 2016 Author Share Posted March 13, 2016 Hi Stants, I just remember the salesman saying it had 7 speakers so I presume that's a main one (6.5") in the front doors with tweeters near the window, 4" speakers in the rear doors and a central speaker in the dash. I would look at replacing the two front speakers first with better ones, though probably not coaxial ones, nd see how that goes. Any suggestions for decent speakers would be greatly appreciated.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 I quite like Polk db series, audio stuff very much a personal thing though & a lot of decent speakers out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brooklands Posted March 15, 2016 Share Posted March 15, 2016 for all things car audio check the https://www.talkstuff.net/ipb/index.php?app=forums if you want an expensive hobby........it's cost me a small fortune so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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