Ask the Car People.SM


Buying 04 Forester XT;performance Question;

14 messages,  Last post on Jan 17, 2011 at 11:16 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

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

Messages Page 2 of 2

#5 of 14 Re: Buying 04 Forester XT;performance Question; [ateixeira] by p0926

Jul 13, 2007 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 10, 2007 10:55 am)
If the current owner never drove "spiritedly" then that could explain why the adaptive logic might have retarded down-shifting and acceleration. Doesn't disconnecting the battery reset the adaptive logic to the factory defaults?
 
-Frank

#6 of 14 Re: Buying 04 Forester XT;performance Question; [p0926] by ateixeira

Jul 13, 2007 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: p0926 (Jul 13, 2007 1:11 pm)
Yep. Gas mileage will be lousy for the first tank but that's the only other side effect I know of.

#7 of 14 Re: Buying 04 Forester XT;performance Question; [ateixeira] by brianalex

Jul 16, 2007 (7:51 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 13, 2007 1:11 pm)
Great.That's the info I needed.I imagine he'll lose his pre-sets etc.too but if he really wants to sell, it shouldn't be a biggie.Much Thanks-Brian

#8 of 14 Re: Buying 04 Forester XT;performance Question; [brianalex] by kavoom

Jul 17, 2007 (4:01 am)

Replying to: brianalex (Jul 16, 2007 7:51 am)
As noted, something isn't right. A lot of people say the 04 is the best of the lot as it has an STi engine vs WRX after that. So, at the core it is OK, but that "no power" thing isn't good. I hope that person didn't run it on regular gas as that isn't good for the engine. Perhaps there is a turbo problem?

#9 of 14 Re: Buying 04 Forester XT;performance Question; [kavoom] by brianalex

Jul 17, 2007 (8:45 pm)

Replying to: kavoom (Jul 17, 2007 4:01 am)
He did mention that he has run it on mid-grade (89 oct around here)but that the mileage suffers so there is no gain in doing so. I'll try it again and see if it performs OK when the transmission is manually selected in the lower ranges.The turbo DOES kick in nicely when you finally hit about 40-45 but by then I had to shut down on the little road we were on.Thx.Brianalex
 p.s.Interesting about the STi motor,I didn't know that.

#10 of 14 Re: Buying 04 Forester XT;performance Question; [brianalex] by jef123

Jan 09, 2010 (11:29 am)

Replying to: brianalex (Jul 09, 2007 4:49 pm)
Dont do it period! I have owned one since o5, and been through two turbos and engine rebuild. Find a regular 2.5 eng. model. Around town car drives great, it should have great performance at any speed, normally. I love the way it drives, but it is not reliable on trips. Four strikes and I am out. But if you still want one, come get it, I will give you a great deal!!!!
jeff

#11 of 14 Re: Buying 04 Forester XT;performance Question; [jef123] by p0926

Jan 10, 2010 (9:03 am)

Replying to: jef123 (Jan 09, 2010 11:29 am)
Your advice is about 30 months too late
 
Or were you just generally warning potential owners away from getting a used XT? In which case there needs to be some perspective. My 04 XT just turned 6 years old and I haven't had to fix a thing.
 
-Frank

#12 of 14 brianalex by brianalex

Jan 10, 2010 (10:01 am)

I decided against buying it anyway.
 I looked hard and long at buying different Subarus but in the end, I wasn't convinced that the reliability,at least in the used examples I was interested in,was up to par with some other Japanese brands.This and the performance level of the naturally aspirated models ultimately turned me away. Plus I don't need AWD in Los Angeles and I don't travel to snowy areas and was concerned about the liability of this complex system and the MPG effect as well.\ thx for all the replies. BrianAlex

#13 of 14 Re: brianalex [brianalex] by ateixeira

Jan 11, 2010 (11:03 am)

Replying to: brianalex (Jan 10, 2010 10:01 am)
Thanks for reporting back. Good luck with whatever you end up purchasing.

#14 of 14 Re: brianalex [brianalex] by subbewannabe

Jan 17, 2011 (11:16 am)

Replying to: brianalex (Jan 10, 2010 10:01 am)
FWIW,
   Our 04 XT auto is approaching 100K miles. I do the oil, filters, fluids, tires , battery (5 years!) and bulbs; the dealer does the major service intervals. ZERO repairs required.
 
It still runs like a cheetah when you hit the gas. Biggest problem: my wife loves the car! The visibility, the pick-up in town and in the mountains, the cargo room, the giant sunroof. Its been her primary driver since it was 6 months old .

Messages Page 2 of 2

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement