Hello all, I have an opportunity to buy a 2001 subaru forester for my daughter. It has 127K on it and seems good, but I read in consumer reports that this year forester had "drive train" as "poor". What if anything should I be looking at or does anyone know what they are referring too? It is a nice little car and she will be commuting to college in it. Thanks in advance for any advice.

What transmission does it have? I have a 99 Forester with 5 mt that is doing fine at about the same mileage.

If the car has had all the proper service it should be fine. Have it looked at by a subie expert who is on your side.

What transmission does it have? I have a 99 Forester with 5 mt that is doing fine at about the same mileage.

If the car has had all the proper service it should be fine. Have it looked at by a subie expert who is on your side.

thanks so much, will do.

If it's a 2.5L ask if the head gaskets have been changed... i believe there was still a problem with them in 01' (if i'm wrong.. someone correct me)

if it's an automatic, just make sure the transmission fluid has been changed at least once

you may want to do it if you buy it, just incase.

If you get a chance to drive it, take it to a parking lot, and try to make a tight turn with it (a big circle) if it rolls smoothly, you should be good to go, if it binds down, you may want to let the owner that they arn't going to get as much $$ for the car

i believe thats the external leaking ones with the coolant additive fix. be sure they took care of that when subaru did the recall service notice thing, and tell your daughter if it smells of flying antifreeze to put another bottle of that additive in.

 

otherwise, good car. my family might get one soon as well....

 

edit: thats frying, with an "r"

If it's a 2.5L ask if the head gaskets have been changed... i believe there was still a problem with them in 01' (if i'm wrong.. someone correct me)

if it's an automatic, just make sure the transmission fluid has been changed at least once

you may want to do it if you buy it, just incase.

If you get a chance to drive it, take it to a parking lot, and try to make a tight turn with it (a big circle) if it rolls smoothly, you should be good to go, if it binds down, you may want to let the owner that they arn't going to get as much $$ for the car

 

will do, thanks! It is the "S" model.

thanks so much, will do.

 

Thanks so much, I'll try to look up the recall and ask them about it.