Does this Forester look sound underneath?

[Peroni]

Thinking of buying a 2008 Forester. Have had pics of underside sent by vendor. I'm worries about corrosion having had to scrap a 2006 model for bad rust. Does this look sound to you, more experienced, owners?  Some questions raised in my mind looking at these pics: 1) Has it been sprayed to cover rust? 2) Does the long chassis member on the right of the picture look like it has been welded or damaged in some off-road activity? It looks different to the other one. 3) Any bits missing? ( heats shields, exhaust mounts?)  PS: Exhaust has been repaired, hence dazzling silver paint finish, it was the exhaust repair centre who took these pics. Some responses today would be very helpful as I need to make a decision soon. 

[Mr B]

pictures never tell the whole story but from those I say it don't look scabby with corrosion, does look like scuff indent marks on that chassis rib possibly ground on rock or poor lifting perhaps .
What exactly done to exhaust ?
I always advise people go on instincts and if not 100% happy with any details walk away .

Pretty much all dealers good at hiding/blagging or resolving issues cheap as possible and can have huge margins on price so be diligent on checks and be sure knock a good chunk off price and do expect to possibly need inject 300 to £600 into a vehicle to get it up to scratch if not 100% lucky .

[Peroni]

Thanks,

Chimes in with my own thoughts; scuff marks. Exhaust was re-welded at some of the joints where pipes join boxes. 78k miles.  FSH -ish , £5900 asked.

I always budget around £500 on any new car to tidy it up.

[Mr B]

Would imagine exhaust going need further work fairly soon then

Just inspect everything2 or 3 times and have at least 2 decent test drives .

Your main restriction is limited amount for sale of model you want and as very versatile awd vehicles many get used to these capabilities ...

[Peroni]

Dealer does have a good (honest) reputation locally.  Yes, I wondered about a repaired exhaust rather than a replacement. It's not going to last as long as a new one is it? How much would an after-market stainless system cost ( might be a good bargaining chip) ?

How many catalytic converters do these cars have as standard?   I thought it was two.

Any view on how thorough/useful an RAC inspection is?

[Peroni]

 

Some more pictures.

[Mr B]

RAC or other inspections generally a waste of money unless you completely unable do basic checks .

Looks like they cut the flange joints out the back boxes to rear y pipe .
Patching it up was the cheap option for dealer, going be a job down road for new owner.

Stainless rear boxes and y pipe/centre pipe likely be 400 to 500 I expect due to bit extra complexity/parts .

[Peroni]

Thanks for your help Mr B. ( Why so few responses on this BB? Is it a very quiet forum usually?) Your comments were helpful in making my mind up.

I paid for a report from ClickMechanic because I could not get down to look at the car myself. The report shows exhaust has been repaired in 4 places and will probably fail again fairly soon, 6 faults in immobiliser system and general heavy wear inside car. Decided against purchase as the car is just too worn and unloved looking for the price in my book.  

Interestingly the inspection guy had owned a few older Subarus in his time ( STi's) and reckoned the build quality has dropped since his early 2000's models.

The search continues but there are so few of these ( 2litre, manual, petrol) for sale and many are rusty and hard pushed. These cars are not rich people's posing machines so its hard to find one that's had an easy life.

[Mr B]

Yes in my opinion early ones best, up to 2009 still not too bad but it just the modern way, all engineering skill gone into making parts as cheap as possible and no interest in making them last or easy repair, no big money in that lol .
Same across all makes not just subaru, new cars are a 5 to 8 year wonder then lot of expensive faults that in most cases beyond economical repair or pushing limits of worthwhile repair thus helping sell another new bit of junk .

Keep looking and you will find one .

[Peroni]

Thanks Mr B.

When you say "up to 2009" are you including the "new" ( more SUV styled ) Forester that came out around 2008?  ( sorry I don't know it's model designation)

The reason I ask is that I am keen to have the 2,000kg towing limit of the later model.

As an aside; what year did the Forester get a cam-chain (rather than belt) ?

[Mr B]

That the SH, i'm 50/50 on those, some things better some thing things worse .

Out of choice I prefer pre 2002 (SF) foresters, find ones with minimal corrosion and waxoyl them and they last as parts/materials all proper decent .

Your main issue is not many petrol SH foresters about which makes it hard going, 2013/2014 big change over to chain..

I can't remember off hand if you the chap who's wife don't like diesel, in real word really not much wrong with good old diesel (don't see construction workers or diesel fitters dying in large numbers)l in good order and pre euro 4 emission diesels superb when consider mpg to emissions and to be real green the vehicles should be judged on overall pollution from  assembly to scrap and if you look at that the newer euro 4 onward cars they are an eco disaster with short life span and high amount service parts and materials keep them usable plus most of the modern emission rules thus emission equipment ruined potential mpg so you using more fuel just to make a better test result out tail pipe 😕
Point being one of best options of good durable low corrosion issues awd station wagons is the volvo xc90 .
 

[Peroni]

Yes, the diesel fuel is an issue for my wife. Well remembered!  

Agreed that there is a large grey area because the petrol will put out more CO2 ( kills polar bears/ice caps) and the Diesel puts out particulates (kills urban humans) so each one is "bad" in its own way. I had thought about an XC90 but a bit put off by reports ( on "Honest John") of less than sterling reliability? Reliability and low running costs is a biggie for me.  Lovely interiors on the Volvos though, very tempting. 

The Subaru "symetrical" AWD has got me very interested though. The idea of a car with genuine off road ability is intriguing. Currently running a 2.0l petrol Honda CRV and the very high reverse gear ratio is not good for its clutch when reversing heavy trailers. The Hi-Lo Subaru would be good for that. The CRV is not really an off roader at all I am discovering, prefers to go sideways on mud.

[Mr B]

Yes, I don't see many humans dying from particulates even from those in high exhaust exposure such as mechanics/fitters/heavy construction crews and to be frank I think we got the numbers to loose while ice caps and polar bears have not plus with ice caps gone we pretty much goosed anyway .
Other aspect is the diesel car is an incredibly small factor of global particulate output .
I think Volvo's are pretty good, electrical faults tend be biggest issues along with parts bit pricey and not many good specialists. I do own one (XC90 2.4 diesel, wife uses it). I like them, solid build, too many computer modules and I not biggest fan of the haldex awd setup but it been good in snow and farm tracks and fields and overall reliable to date .
Hi/Lo on the Subaru is indeed useful and indeed if you choose wisely they damn cheep to run and no hassle. That why I own 3 Foresters and 2 outbacks as I simply don't want be messing around with my own cars or close relatives after dealing with it all day as a business, plus I not a fan of throwing good money away on junk engineering .

Keep looking you'll find a nice SH petrol Forester if can wait, may be worth keeping eye on the SG Forester as well as may spot one so good you could live with the lower towing capacity .

Good luck ...