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Subaru Forester

1436 messages,  Last post on Feb 04, 2012 at 4:32 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon, SUV

Messages Page 105 of 144

#1041 of 1436 Wanted Feedback for '99 Subaru Forester S by jetfish

Apr 16, 2007 (9:04 pm)

Hi all,
I'm looking at buying a 1999 Subaru Forester from a private owner in my town. Carfax report shows there's only one owner. It has 92 K miles, auto transmission, AWD, ABS, all options including 6-disc CD player, THULE roof/bike rack.
 
The owner recently changed new front tires, battery, and timing belt, Head Gaskets at 90K miles.
 
I am seeking the advice and reliability of this '99 S model. MSN Auto shows this model often has transmission engine and engine problem...
 
Thank you guys...

#1042 of 1436 Re: Seat Comfort [crazedcommuter] by samiam_68

Apr 17, 2007 (8:06 am)

Replying to: crazedcommuter (Apr 15, 2007 6:21 pm)
I have an '04 with manual cloth seats, and both driver and passenger seats become very uncomfortable after a couple of hours. I drove from NJ to FLA and halfway through the trip, the seats became a pain in the arse (literally).
 
Can't comment on leather / power seats because they may have different padding and/or adjustments.

#1043 of 1436 Re: Wanted Feedback for '99 Subaru Forester S [jetfish] by xwesx

Apr 17, 2007 (10:14 am)

Replying to: jetfish (Apr 16, 2007 9:04 pm)
Well, the fact that the head gaskets were recently replaced should rule out a major threat of engine problems. I cannot comment on the transmission - I never had any problems with mine (220K on '96 OBW), but there are folks who report "engagement" issues with their transmissions. Basically, they state that the gears (Drive/Reverse) are slow to engage and get worse over time until eventually a replacement is needed. If you drive it and shift gears several times with no lag, then it is not likely a current problem.

#1044 of 1436 Re: Seat Comfort [crazedcommuter] by tifighter

Apr 17, 2007 (11:12 am)

Replying to: crazedcommuter (Apr 15, 2007 6:21 pm)
I hate to say it, but the seats on my 06 X start to get a bit uncomfortable after 2-3 hours. Adjustable lumbar support helps, but most of my discomfort is in the mid-back area.

#1045 of 1436 Re: Wanted Feedback for '99 Subaru Forester S [jetfish] by erics6

Apr 17, 2007 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: jetfish (Apr 16, 2007 9:04 pm)
Hope the tires have matching tread. You should replace all 4 tires with Subaru's awd.

#1046 of 1436 Re: Seat Comfort [samiam_68] by crazedcommuter

Apr 17, 2007 (3:30 pm)

Replying to: samiam_68 (Apr 17, 2007 8:06 am)
Thanks for the seat comfort input. I will test drive the X Premium and work my way through the power seat settings. My big peeve has been the length of the seat cushion. Some makers have really chopped the length down resulting in no thigh support, and that is the area where long distance driving seems to get me. I used to make that drive from the NJ shore to Fla. I think the only car that I was ever really comfortable in for that distance was a friend's 1979 Caddy Coupe de Ville..

#1047 of 1436 Re: Seat Comfort [crazedcommuter] by dirtbag

Apr 17, 2007 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: crazedcommuter (Apr 17, 2007 3:30 pm)
Part of seat comfort comes down to your body shape and how it reacts to certain sitting positions. I had an Acura Integra for years and never ever got uncomfortable on very long trips. A friend of mine had to sell hers because she said it was causing her back problems, just driving around town. Go figure.

#1048 of 1436 Re: Wanted Feedback for '99 Subaru Forester S [jetfish] by ateixeira

Apr 18, 2007 (9:55 am)

Replying to: jetfish (Apr 16, 2007 9:04 pm)
The two concerns are the wheel bearings and the head gaskets for that model year. Transmission problems aren't one quarter as common as wheel bearing failures, so MSN Auto is way off.
 
Take a test drive, turn off the radio, open the windows, and ... listen. Does it ride quietly? If you hear a chunk-chunk-chunk that varies pitch with speed, the bearings are shot, most likely the rear ones.
 
Check out the engine itself, top to bottom. Any oil stains?
 
New head gaskets are good, but you want to check to see if the heads got warped from overheating before the gaskets were changed. If so, you may spot oil stains on the engine block. Check underneath especially.
 
Also check the front and rear of the block at the seals for oil leaks.
 
Those 2 items probably consist of about 90% of the problems we've observed here.

#1049 of 1436 Re: Seat Comfort [dirtbag] by crazedcommuter

Apr 18, 2007 (6:54 pm)

Replying to: dirtbag (Apr 17, 2007 3:50 pm)
I couldn't agree with you more. My everyday driver is a 2005 Scion XB. To me the seats are shaped perfectly. I can drive for hours in the Box with very little discomfort. My wife on the other hand is only comfortable for about an hour and a half. It leads to a lot of pit stops when we go long distance in the XB. I drive it regularly from Eastern WV to NJ and it fits my frame fine. It's a bit "tinny" and underpowered for the long distance drive but I can tolerate it. I'm waiting for the new XB redesign to hit the showrooms next month before I decide between the Forester and the '08 XB.

#1050 of 1436 Re: Seat Comfort [crazedcommuter] by ateixeira

Apr 19, 2007 (8:46 am)

Replying to: crazedcommuter (Apr 18, 2007 6:54 pm)
The new one will get the 2.4l engine. I like it better, but I'm concerned about the blind spots, since the new pillar is so wide.
 
Forester will easily win in terms of visibility. But that's just one aspect. Let us know how you like it.

Messages Page 105 of 144

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