I am the proud owner of a 1998 Forester L which I puchased as an off lease vehicle with 7400 miles on the odometer. It now shows 219,500, and runs almost like new. The first 120,000 were trouble free, but since then, I have replaced two wheel bearings, two water pumps (done during timing belt changes), head gaskets, radiator, and a/c condenser.

 

I would like to keep the car going another couple of years (60,000 +\- miles), ans will enjoy sharing my experiences with all of you, in exchange for any tips I might receive in return.

 

Cheers,

George Adams

Welcome to the board. Just stay up with the maintenance.

just curious, how many times have you had the head gaskets done?

I am the proud owner of a 1998 Forester L which I puchased as an off lease vehicle with 7400 miles on the odometer. It now shows 219,500, and runs almost like new. The first 120,000 were trouble free, but since then, I have replaced two wheel bearings, two water pumps (done during timing belt changes), head gaskets, radiator, and a/c condenser.

 

I would like to keep the car going another couple of years (60,000 +\- miles), ans will enjoy sharing my experiences with all of you, in exchange for any tips I might receive in return.

 

Cheers,

George Adams

Hey Fly Fishing friend:

I own 2 OBWs of that vintage... before you go into the "oh my God, the headgaskets are gawna blow, the headgaskets are goin' ta blow" mindset... just be careful when you have the antifreeze changed (or after your waterpumps have been changed) the weak design of the cooling system SEEMS to be the culprit...

ANYWAY what & where do you fish?

Later,

Peter