jon38iowa

Hello, I recomend you first have a carpet cleaner look at, moreover, a professional will not charge you to test clean it, and you can decline service if you don't like the results. I was in the business and you would be amazed what can be cleaned! I don't know about the '06, but I am getting ready to replace the torn carpet on my '99 Forester; The price for mine is $ 295.00 plus for $40.00 Shipping. Good Luck! John

Hello: I have had to buy quite a bit for my '99 Forester; I very much enjoy shopping on-line, but be certain you always order the correct parts for you car. Most places charge a 15 percent restocking fee for returns. Below are a few online retailers I've used, moreover I have ordered OEM from each. Good Luck, John Subaru Parts People.Com Brandsport.com Subaru Parts For You.com

Hi: I also have a '99 Forester, and at 120,000k my CEL came on full time; I took it to my mechanic (simillar to meinike) and they reset the CEL, and like you it came back within a short period of time; They replaced one of the O2 sensors($150.00) and that cured my problem! I'd give that a shot first, moreover I recomend avoiding the dealership, a converter replacement is fairly routine job. John

Hello: My 2.5 SOHC is on the way out(131,000K), thus I have been doing a internet search, and So far the powers that be are telling me around 400lbs; this includes everything but:the manifold, AC Compressor, alternater, and power stearing pump. John

Hey, My forester has never had this issue, however I recently asked my Mechanic about it,moreover he stated that car manufactures have to warranty the Coverter (mine has two) for 100,000K. Good Luck with it. John

Hello, This is a ways from you, but I found a cool salvage yard with late model Suabru Parts; the web site is PAMS Auto Parts (Minesota). Good Luck. John

You might look into Brandsport.Com I noticed they have a decent Subaru selection; I was very satisfied with my online purchase. Good luck Hunting. John

I just had the Front inside (Fresh crack) and outside ( No cracks but old ) replaced on my Forester; it costs about $200.00 total, money well spent I Think. Good Luck with it! John

I had all 4 of mine replaced ('99 Forester) last year; I Opted for the KYB, and have been very pleased with this brand. Light years ahead of Monroe, at least in my opinion. Good luck with it. John

Hello: I have a '99 Forester- same car as yours, 2002 was last year of this form of Forester; I had the same misgivings about the oil level on dipstick, and I have come to not worry about it, moreover I think the readings on the stick are supposed to be a, " range." As long as your shop follows the manufactures guidlines for oil fill, and your engine doesn't use a great deal, you should be fine in between changes. My brakes (with 120000K) were performing like yours; it required two new Rotors and pads; the shop installed high quality pads ( They're Painted on the outside) and must say the breaking performance is awsome! Moreover I don't have any brake dust to deal with. My car came with new cooper tires; I must say I won't get them again, the side walls have long cracks on all four, they ride hard, one has a fantom leak that no one can figure out,( Note I take meticulous care of this car- allignments, rotations, etc,) this with only two years and 25000 miles! Next time I am going with Goodyear, or Michellin tires. When the times comes for parts, I recomend on line parts suppliers; they are compettitive in price, and it is very convenent! I have had fun learning how to do some of this myself, though I by no means a mechanic. Best of luck. John

Hello Again, I wanted to follow up with a few things I have learned over the past two years with my forester (2.5 sohc). I am told ( after going to 4 different shops for daignosis {and $700.00} that this engine is prone to knock noise; moreover, there are two different forms: one is the cold start up type- it sounds bad (mettalic tapping ) for a few minutes until the engine warms, then it disappears entirely and is indeed harmless. The other (which my car is afflicted with{ do to lack of care from preveous owner}) is a deeper mettalic sound, almost a thud\thump, and I am told is" rod noise," and mine on the way out; none the less it still runs, uses no fluids, and doesn't really owe me much at 132000 K(my last american made car,bought new, with meticulous care, barely made it to 120000K). When it does go I will replace it with a rebuild. I was quated a price of $2000 for a head job( a reputable AAA shop), though my car doesn't need it at this point.Not to disparage your neighbor at all, I must say I have been unimpressed with the Subaru Dealership ( we have here one dealer for an area of Half a Million People) and after two trips there, it is clear to me they don't want to work on my car ( I won't go back); I have found some really good prices on parts through online outlets. Lastly if your car needs new struts, I recomend KYB; they are almost as good as OEM, but much cheaper, and vastly immproved over Monroe, at least in my oppinion (I had them installed on mine).And I must agree with someone else here,having tried it both ways, I have never gotten a volume discount for work performed. Good luck with it! John

Hello, I have '99 Forester with the non turbo 2.5 sohc; obviously it is a heavier vehicle, however, it manages at least three hundres miles per tank in mixed driving. I noticed right away with this car that the mileage is adversly affected by: how fast I accelerate, use of airconditioning, and even brands of fuel.Overall I think I average about 25, and that is pretty good I think,for a car this heavy. John

I recomend determining first if you like this car; if so then I would take it to another mechanic for a second opinion,moreover, perhaps some of these repairs can done over time and thus put less of a blow on your budget. I have had to put three thousand dollars in my '99 forester over the past two years, but thats ok with me because it is high mileage. These cars are well made and even though yours needs this much work, it is likely it would last another 100K with little other problems (with quality maintenance of course) . Good Luck, John

I just replaced mine; I will add, it is a good idea to put down a sheet as the tiny spring may fly out like mine did, moreover, it is tricky to get the new one installed as the tiny spring is supposed to go in to a rather a small hole in the shift mechanisism.It took me a couple of tries,and unless you get it together perfectly, the shift knob will not work. Good luck. John

Hey Thanks; I will follow these guidlines. John

I am considering replacing the carpet on my '99 Forester (Now available from Subaru) ;does anyone have any suggestions for installation? Obviously the seats have to come out, but what else? Do I have to remove the gear shift? I hope not because it was a teddious job just to replace the knob (Automatic Transmission). Thanks for tips. John