pBIIKS

Just looking for info and thoughts on 2005 XT wagon. It's a possiblility and certainly fun to drive. Any comments on the turbo engine? TIA

Does anyone know which 2.5 engines (what years) have the valve/head gasket problems so ths I can try to avoid those in my use car search? TIA

Thanks for the replies. We currently have an Explorer (which we will keep) to tow the horse trailer. The kids are gone (hopefully) so the back seat shouldn't be too much of an issue. We do have two bigs dogs to fit (one could use a little more head room). We liked the seating and visibilty better than the OBW's. My major concerns are with repairs. The owner did mention the faster brake pad wear on the disks ~ 30K before replacing. Also someone on this thread mentioned the cabin temperature which may be an issue - We'll have to do a longer test drive.

I'm considering buying a 2003 Forester 2.5 xs with low miles. Does anyone have any info on problems with these or comments on quality? TIA

Haven't read CR but I have seen the X Ice and I really want a more agressive tire. I went with the Blizzak's for my son in MT. I had arranged for Firestone Winterforce (the price was right and the tread looked good) but after 2 wks of phone callls they didn't have them and the guy sold me the Blizzaks for the same price. The boy has been happy so far, and they have lots of snow around Bozeman. In VT we are driving Goodyear Slaloms and they have been great.

Costco. You can't beat the price. I think my son transferred his to the 97 Legacy wagon. Super heavy duty mats.

Drove from VT to MT this summer with my son's (new to him) 97 Legacy Wagon. I don't remember it down shifting alot but I second the long inclines thought. Also watch out for the snow Bozeman has been getting alot and some of those roads are tough.

I'm pretty sure you just pull the fuse and break the AWD connection. That leaves the car in FWD only.

I just talked to my mechanic and he said it's not unusually to feel this with AWD vehicles and to not do anything except maybe to flush the transmission. Apparently, its the hub for the AWD in the tranamission and even if it's replaced it will start to do it again. One test would be to pull the fuse on the AWD connection and run the car in FWD to see if it stops.

Sorry but I'm not sure of the engine, it has ~16,000 miles on it, the car was a salvage, but was checked by our mechanic prior to purchase. It is an automatic transmission. We drove it to MT in August and it was great.

My son has a 1997 subaru legacy wagon. He is feeling, but not hearing, a skip in the passenger rear at 10 mph or in reverse. Am I looking at a new differential?? The car is 2500 miles away so this is the best info I have. Thanks.