1999 Forester looks ok, yea or nea

[burbguy82]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...place_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks

I have always liked the look of these cars, but never pulled the trigger. This one has reasonable miles and appears to be owned by a responsible party.

Anyone have knowledge of this thing, issues? good? bad? ugly?

 

[97prizm]

This year was known to have head gasket issues along with sunroof leaks. I'd check the oil, and fluids and go from there. I don't have Facebook so I can't see the article.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

That body style is nice if it's an "S" trim, that's even better. This era definitely has head gasket problems, so if it hasn't been done, it will need it.

 

[Ausfahrt]

Three pedals? Go for it!

 

[andrew_j]

My parents 1999 Forester since new now with 210k never blew its head gasket.

My nephew has it and I believe just needed steering rack 200k+ and had some oil leaks require lots of topping.

The main thing it did often was eat wheel bearings all those years. They gave it to nephew two years ago.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

BAD

I have a 98, which is even worse, as it has the DOHC EJ25D (which was only used for 98), while your 99 switched to the only slightly less awful EJ251 which is SOHC. It's easier to work on than the DOHC, but still not good.

At least the SOHC head gasket leaks externally, so you should be OK as long as you keep the coolant topped off. However, you must use Subaru Coolant Conditioner (which is Holts Radweld).

$4750 is massively overpriced!

 

[The_Jeff]

It's been highly detailed which to me seems like an excuse to try and milk as much money from the customer as possible.

 

[97prizm]

It's an almost 30 year old vehicle. Cool and nostalgic sure. Ehh $4750 is high. Unless you rebuild the engine and transmission $2k tops if not less.

 

[D60]

Hmm, 127k is low and that's where he's basing his price. Still, I think $4750 is quite steep.

These will get you well versed in Subaru work. EVAP issues, CV axles, struts, wheel bearings, oil leaks galore, radiators, water pumps and timing belts. It's all pretty easy stuff but it won't be an appliance like a Toyota or Honda.

 

[Nukeman7]

That looks like a well kept, low mileage example if you are seeking that generation of the Forester. Listing says 2 local owners so rust is unlikely in N.C. and a recently replaced clutch. I'd check it over for mechanical condition/maintenance history and offer $4000 if it checks out OK. Be wary of the potential for the common head gasket issue.

For my ergonomic viewpoint, that Forester has the best 360 degrees greenhouse visibility and most naturally comfortable driver's seat of any vehicle from that era.

 

[IndyIan]

If you can replace parts yourself, and you don't need near 100% availability, and are OK with a possible ~$2k head gaskets repair, then its probably a good car. It needs to have a stack of maintenance receipts with recent ones, otherwise you will be replacing a lot of old parts for a while. Old cars that have needed "nothing" for years will need lots of things soon, IME.

For just simple $5k transportation, something newer and simpler makes sense, but for something more interesting and capable than a Matrix, this should be OK.

 

[meep]

I had a 97 legacy and if I recall this forester would be in the same body generation. Extremely rigid chassis and could handle a ton of abuse. The foresters of that generation had neat body dynamics making it fun to drive. Wrench angles into the engine bay back then were very manageable once you learned the vehicle.

I didn’t think the HG issues came until later? I did the timing belt and VC gaskets and valve lash on the 97 in my driveway with basic tools. I long for vehicles that were easier like this was to work on.

Yeah, if it’s in good shape I’d say go for it. Note, I would expect that every seal on the front of the engine either has been replaced or will start leaking. Fortunately, they also aren’t hard to replace.

 

[jennings]

I used to own a 1999 Forester. Bought new. Head gasket went early and was repaired under warranty. Both gaskets replaced. Head gasket went again, somewhere in the 60K range. I traded it. Also had crap brakes. Almost took out a big buck one night as the Subaru would not stop quickly. No sunroof, so I can't attest to that.

 

[burbguy82]

Seems that this vehicle is overpriced, and could or would likely require some pretty high cost maintenance.

Never had a Subaru, but I do like these ones, some people swear by Subarus, some buy once and never buy again......might be on of the highest contested vehicles ever, as to the quality.

Ill pass on this one.

Thanks fellas

 

[zzyzzx]

Grossly overpriced! Used to maintain a 2000 and traded it in at around that mileage and got $750 for it. Drove like crap, and I did replace the axles and O2 sensors. Needed new struts. Didn't want to deal with the other issues.

 

[Patman]

It's been highly detailed which to me seems like an excuse to try and milk as much money from the customer as possible.

I wouldn’t exactly put it like this. What’s wrong with cleaning up the car and making it look it’s best? Would you prefer salt stained carpets and a disgustingly dirty engine bay? Of course having a perfectly clean car adds value. That’s why car dealerships have detailing departments. My son is the lead detailer at a large GM dealership up here and some of the cars that come through his bay are disgusting. No dealership in their right mind would ever put it out on the lot like this. What he does everyday definitely adds value to the vehicles. That’s the way used car sales works. So even if it’s a private sale, I don’t see how having a car fully detailed is a negative thing like you’re implying here

 

[slo town]

I wouldn’t exactly put it like this. What’s wrong with cleaning up the car and making it look it’s best? Would you prefer salt stained carpets and a disgustingly dirty engine bay? Of course having a perfectly clean car adds value. That’s why car dealerships have detailing departments. My son is the lead detailer at a large GM dealership up here and some of the cars that come through his bay are disgusting. No dealership in their right mind would ever put it out on the lot like this. What he does everyday definitely adds value to the vehicles. That’s the way used car sales works. So even if it’s a private sale, I don’t see how having a car fully detailed is a negative thing like you’re implying here

^^^^ 100%. And how do you know it's not always kept in that condition. Some people take good care of their cars.

Scott

 

[Patman]

^^^^ 100%. And how do you know it's not always kept in that condition. Some people take good care of their cars.

Scott

Exactly! My son has had two separate Foresters himself and he kept both of them super clean all the time. When he sold them both he very likely got a few extra hundred bucks because of their condition.