manchuscout

Why ask a dealer? Already did that. Can't get a straight answer. Some don't know what it takes to put roof rails in or who can/will do it. Some don't know about windows: "No, they all come with privacy windows." "Yes, you can get tinted windows." Uh, you can get windows that are grey, not green." "There are three kinds of tinted windows." "There are two kinds of tinted windows." You can't get the roof rails." Worse yet, the specs listed on Subaru websites cover everything from curbside weight, to torque, fluid capacities, and horsepower to mpg, color and trim — but nothing about windows other than tint, "privacy,""privacy," "privacy!" What are Subaru drivers doing in their cars that requires privacy? Wait — don't answer that! Jesus! All I want is a window I can see through!

Am trying to buy a base model Forester (2013 or 2014) with just two requirements: roof rails and clear glass windows. No luck so far. I was told base models can come with clear glass. Is that so? However, they do not come with roof rails. If I found a base-model, clear-window Forester, could/would a dealer install roof rails for me on request?

Want to thank all who gave advice. My original question was "Should I replace the radiator." Can't say for certain whether additives to the cooling system are a good idea. I used three different products, settling in the end on stuff called "Nanotechnology - Permanent Head Gasket and Block Repair. It worked well enough to keep my Subi running for 3 months. The other stuff did, indeed, plug up my radiator (already 12 years old) enough to make it useless. The most useful lesson I learned through all this is that there's an ENORMOUS amount of information in the form of videos on Youtube that can enable one to do one's own car repairs and save serious big bucks! I'm not dumb enough to try replacing my head gaskets on my own, but I saved a bundle replacing my radiator, alternator and AC belts, steering fluid and knock sensor myself. Gonna do my brakes next. Thank you, Youtube car-repair ninjas!

Thanks for your reply. Sounds like good advice, but the "Too Big To Fail" swine are coming to take my home. If I can get this car to run for just 2 more months, I won't have to live in a cardboard box under a freeway overpass. Thanks again!

Last September discovered head gasket leak. Tried to plug with "Alumaseal Stopleak." (Stupid idea)! Problem persisted. Three weeks later I flushed cooling system & tried to plug leak with "Bar's Leak Head Gasket Repair." Leak seemed plugged, but 8 months later engine overheated & radiator coolant was discovered to be way too low. Replaced coolant, kept radiator filled on inspection. Ten days ago added Subaru Cooling System Conditioner. Coolant began backing up into coolant reservoir, nearly filling it to the top every 75 miles, with foam floating near the top. Five days ago tried using "BAR'S LEAKS Head Gasket Repair." Looked good! No steam or water exiting tailpipe, and level of water in coolant reservoir remained steady — BUT — was only able to get 4 quarts of fluid into radiator! Engine now overheats in 15 minutes. Removed thermostat — no change. Top radiator hose hot, bottom hose cold. My guess — I plugged radiator with all the gunk I poured in. Can I flush that crap out with some sort of commercial additive, or should I just get a new radiator?

Honorable Subaru Master, I have nearly the same problem. Last September discovered head gasket leak. Tried to plug with "Alumaseal Stopleak." (Stupid idea)! Problem persisted. Three weeks later I flushed cooling system & tried to plug leak with "Bar's Leak Head Gasket Repair." Leak seemed plugged, but 8 months later engine overheated & radiator coolant was discovered to be way too low. Replaced coolant, kept radiator filled on inspection. Ten days ago added Subaru Cooling System Conditioner. Coolant began backing up into coolant reservoir, nearly filling it to the top every 75 miles, with foam floating near the top. Five days ago tried using "BAR'S LEAKS Head Gasket Repair." Looked good! No steam or water exiting tailpipe, and level of water in coolant reservoir remained steady — BUT — was only able to get 4 quarts of fluid into radiator! Engine now overheats in 15 minutes. Removed thermostat — no change. Top radiator hose hot, bottom hose cold. My guess — I plugged radiator with all the gunk I poured in. What's your guess? Can I flush that crap out with some commercial additive, or should I just get a new radiator?