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Finding low mileage used Suburu Foresters

39 messages,  Last post on Apr 14, 2008 at 8:50 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

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

Messages Page 2 of 4

#10 of 39 used foresters by johnv

Feb 08, 2007 (9:19 pm)

I'm looking at a 2004 forester XS (moonroof) with 45k, full service records, couple of dings at around $15.5k (which is close to TMV). Opinions?
 
Also what do you like more about the 2005 model? Isn't that just electronic throttle and the smaller spare?

#11 of 39 Found 06 at 12,000 mi for $17,795--thoughts, & Carfax.. by bzribee

Feb 09, 2007 (12:39 am)

This is at a dealers--Kelly puts excellent condition (which includes maintainence records) at 17,795 and good condition at 16,520. Carfax says there are 4 reports, seems to say 4 reports for every car, so maybe that's the normal buy, return, auction, sell??? Anyone know?
I have the car overnight and know they will pressure me to buy. I haven't bought the Carfax report yet--want to decide if I really want this or not. 2008's are coming out soon.
According to dealer the car was registered at a marine base. That's all I was told when she looked at carfax. hmmm.
I'd sure appreciate comments.

#12 of 39 Re: used foresters [johnv] by ateixeira

Feb 09, 2007 (11:22 am)

Replying to: johnv (Feb 08, 2007 9:19 pm)
That's a lot of miles, but an XS limited was probably $23-24k new, so it seems worth it. Aim for $15k.
 
2005s were good, they actually got better mileage, 23/30, and yeah they had that full-size spare. Ground clearance is about half inch less, but that probably won't ever matter. If you like the look, go for it.
 
-juice

#13 of 39 Re: Found 06 at 12,000 mi for $17,795--thoughts, & Carfax.. [bzribee] by ateixeira

Feb 09, 2007 (11:28 am)

Replying to: bzribee (Feb 09, 2007 12:39 am)
I've seen new X models under $19k, and automatics under $20k.
 
I just think that's too close to new car pricing. It should depreciate 10% the minute you drive off the lot, plus another 10% every year after that. So it should be 15-20% or so less than a new one.
 
I guess the cheaper one falls in that range, but barely.
 
Remember you lose warranty coverage. So even if you have to get a 5 year loan instead of a 4 year loan to buy new, you're covered that extra year for the powertrain.
 
-juice

#14 of 39 Re: Found 06 at 12,000 mi for $17,795--thoughts, & Carfax.. [ateixeira] by kavoom

Feb 11, 2007 (6:43 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 09, 2007 11:28 am)
My girlfriend got her 06 X new in May with AT for 19K after rebates. I saw my dealer list for 19K yesterday but don't know if that was an MT or not.

#15 of 39 Try Dealerships with Prices Online by rochcom

Feb 11, 2007 (8:56 am)

You might want to look at dealerships that posts their inventory online such as VanBortel (largest US dealer). They have some low mileage 05s right now.
 
On the other side of the coin, does anyone have an idea for selling an older high mileage model ('98S 130,000, no rust, a few dings, everything works). Has anyone ever tried those direct-to-the-public auctions?

#16 of 39 Low mileage, late model fleet vehicles worth a look? by discopete

Jul 02, 2007 (12:58 pm)

I found an '05 Forester XT with 10K miles on it for about $20K on a dealer website, and a Baja XT with 13K miles for just a little more. The CarFax check on both of these show them to be former fleet vehicles. They are the same price as non-fleet vehicles with 2 to 3 times the miles.
 
Are late model former fleet vehicles with low miles worth considering or is there a good reason for the discount?

#17 of 39 Re: Low mileage, late model fleet vehicles worth a look? [discopete] by ateixeira

Jul 02, 2007 (1:05 pm)

Replying to: discopete (Jul 02, 2007 12:58 pm)
I'd consider it unless they were rental cars, sure.

#18 of 39 Re: Low mileage, late model fleet vehicles worth a look? [ateixeira] by discopete

Jul 03, 2007 (12:38 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 02, 2007 1:05 pm)
Thanks much for the advice, Juice.
 
But how would I know if a car had been in a rental fleet? The CarFax report doesn't specify what kind of fleet. The dealer bought the car at a regional auction - Would the dealer know the origin? Could I perhaps learn that by examining the vehicle?

#19 of 39 Re: Low mileage, late model fleet vehicles worth a look? [discopete] by paisan

Jul 03, 2007 (4:22 am)

Replying to: discopete (Jul 03, 2007 12:38 am)
I'd stay away from any fleet vehicles unless it was real cheap like $1000-2000
 
Any fleet vehicles are driven by non-owners. Most non-owners treat them like garbage and they take extra abuse. Just my opinion.
 
-mike

Messages Page 2 of 4

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