I recently got a new 2024 Forester Wilderness and aside from a perceived lack of power (coming from a 2015 FXT will do that to you), it's been great and comfy.

One thing I wanted to ask to current Wilderness owners was regarding the StarTex seats. How well do these seats hold up or should I get seat covers to protect it?

Hello all I have a 15 XT and I want a better sound but don’t want to give my CVT another excuse to blow up. Does anyone have any recommendations for mufflers/ exhausts that would help the sound but not cause my CVT to explode? I’ve heard axle-back exhausts are the way to go but I’m not sure what to look for.

Hey guys fun little series im doing, got a lot going on for the SF!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLcQG54Y5Rs

Hi all, I need some insights from you.

I am financing a 2023 forester limited with around $700/month payment and I am making $3500 per month. The car payment becomes a burden to me and I am going to sell it and look for a cheaper one (looked at the 2025 Hyundai Elentra at around $23K). I love my subie but may be I need to say goodbye to her. I am so sad to do that and need your advice. Thanks in advance.

Hey all, I have a 202 Subaru 2.5 premium, I am looking for options to install a drawer system and fridge slide into the boot. Just wondering if anyone has done it and how they have navigated around the spare tyre being under drawers.

What are your thoughts? Pictures would be awesome!

Hi Everyone ! I’ve got a budget around $20k CAD and am looking for a reliable used car. I recently found a 2017 Subaru Forester Touring ( Second owner ) with 115,000 km for $17,000 CAD in a private sale.

Does this price seem fair for the mileage?

I have always liked the Honda CR-V, but it goes beyond our budget of $20,000. So, I am now strongly leaning toward the Subaru.

If there are any known issues with the 2017 model, please suggest any other model years I should consider.

Any advice or tips for checking this model would be appreciated! Thank you all !

Long story short, my radiator blew out yesterday and I was able to get it in and replaced quickly. It has around 122,000 miles and I’ve had it for about 40,000 of those miles.

They performed a block test and found that it juuuust barely failed with the fumes turning a slight greenish color. He implied that it’s early signs of a head gasket needing replaced and that it could be days or months until that happens. He said no white smoke so far and otherwise it runs just fine. I’ve put a lot of work into it and already had major things replaced like the timing belt and catalytic converter.

I guess I’m just wondering, if this issue was caught early, what should I expect as far as borrowed time? I’m unfortunately down on my luck and not ready for this expense, nor can I afford a newer car. My only hope is being able to save enough for a head gasket replacement before it goes.

My next steps are picking it up tomorrow and taking it to another place for a second opinion, and getting a quote to see how much I need to save and just hope that I have enough time to save or make it.

Any insight on this situation would be appreciated!!!

I have a 2024 Subaru Forester Sport with almost 16k miles on it. Just today I noticed that when I hit two different bumps on the road driving home from work, the upper digital dash display that normally tells me my avg mpg, miles till empty etc flashes to the heater temperature display then goes back to the mpg display I had it set on. Any ideas?

Original owner, Original Engine, CVT and turbo Not in chronological order:

1. Replaced two sets of control arm bushings.
2. Replaced an O-ring for AC compressor + AC recharge.
3. Did the first coolant change very late at 144k miles.
4. Did brake fluid at 60k miles.
5. PCV valve changed at 60k and 144k miles.
6. Replaced front Sway bar links at 144k miles.
7. Replaced RR wheel bearing around 60k. The RR wheel bearing is failing again.
8. Diff front and rear changed at 60k and at 144k miles.
9. Transfer case fluid changed at 144k miles.
10. Oil changed every 5k miles.
11. On the 3rd set of tires now.
12. Changed the spark plugs at 60k and at 144k miles.
13. Obviously, I changed the cabin and engine air filters several times and more.
14. On the third set of rear brake pads, rotors. Still on the 2nd set on front pads (at end their life).
15. Drained and filled transmission fluid at 101k miles.

Have always owned outbacks, just purchased this 2017 2.5i with 116,000. Thoughts, concerns, reliability with this year?

I KNOW that no more than 2” is recommended…due to CV issues, etc. - but has anybody had success with Eibach Pro-Lift springs (1.7” front, 1.1” rear) coupled with a 2” spacer? (LP 2” w/subframe spacers - if brand matters - already installed.)

I know the Ascent is capable of this spacer & spring combo with the difference being the Eibach springs lifting 1.7” in the front and 1.4” in the rear. Is the Ascent THAT different from our foresters that it can’t handle this?

Why does the additional height negatively impact so drastically that nobody has done it?

Basically, I don’t wanna just hear “don’t do it” - I would appreciate factual arguments as to why and what happens

Thinking about purchasing a 2009 forester xt with 110,000 miles, in excellent condition, no wrecks or damages on the online report we paid for, for $8,985. I would like to attempt getting this price OTD, but this is in my price range. Should I purchase this, and if I do, what should I keep in mind, mechanically?

I’m familiar with the timing belt issues with this SH chassis, along with watching out for oil consumption, and oil leakage. Along with head gasket, of course… how concerned should I be about these potential issues as well? Thanks

21Premiun, have always wondered the key difference between "Sports" mode and the SI drive. Have always kept mine on SI and wonder if anyone like Sports mode, does it make a YUge difference in MPG, as I always try to get max. mPg.

After 370k miles, my 4eat finally died. It was a trooper, but now is missing 1st and second. This car is my winter beater, but a manual would make it so much better. Obviously a manual from a 2009-2013 forster will fit, but does anyone know what years impreza or forester 5 speeds would also work.

Well, it happened. I got rear ended by someone's grandma who was too busy looking at her phone to notice traffic had stopped.

The entire back end of my 21 is trashed and the driver's side back door won't open as the frame/body is crammed up against it.

I'm looking at replacements. I do not want the 2025, and don't want a model with the huge ass Imax screen.

What's the latest model before the huge touch screen? I really just want the same features as my 21 Sport. thanks.

Anyone have experience swapping the seats in a foz who can give me instrructions? video? I had my seats upgraded to leather last year (Katzkin) and would like to keep them esp if i can get the same color model.

https://preview.redd.it/1cxz7u2gr5yd1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b09cda3a2b393af648d5573ed0ecddccdc458433

Hey friends, my wife’s car is on its last leg and we are looking around at a replacement. We found a 2020 Forrester with all the features she would want at a reasonable price (17k) but it’s already go 110k miles on it and was hoping to get input on the longevity and what to expect (mainly issues) given the mileage.

Thank you!

Like the title says, I'm looking for the wiring diagram for a 2003 Forester cross sports. Having some kind of issue with broken wires or a faulty ECM.

Thank you

I’m negotiating a 2024 forester wilderness that has an msrp of 39k and I’ve talked them down to 36k (these prices are not including taxes or fees, etc) but I feel like I can get even less than this. What do you guys think is a reasonable price for this forester year and model considering it’s the end of the year and they’ll be getting new wilderness models in soon?

I’m mainly looking at this over anything else suburu makes due to the fact that it has physical buttons and dials.

Garage kept vehicle. Corrosion popping through paint on rear of vehicle.

All-

Recently at 61k miles I had my catalytic converter replaced. Full disclosure, I work at a Chevy store, I know a fair amouny about cars, but IANAMechanic. Anyway, I was quoted $1200 for a DEI cat system, or $3900 for the Subie OEM part/install. This is with my employee reduced labor cost at $40/hr.

So I got the DEI installed, all was well for a few days now the entire car is lighting up everything (due to the check engine light), so all safety systems are disabled.

This morning they told me its throwing an 0420 code (lol), which is cat system pressure loss. Evidently the air flow sensor on one side is reading a pressure that's too low and so its causing these lights to illuminate.

So they are basically telling me I am fucked and have to get the OEM part to resolve this. Problem is, I already bought and had installed the $1200 part, so I am out that money and I don't have another $4k to fix this.

Are there any other options out there? Anyone encountered this issue? Help!

Thanks in advance.

The dealership couldn't even fix the issue.

Turned my 2017 forester on and my dash lit up like a Christmas tree (see picture). Put it in drive and then I couldn’t shift it back into park (could only get it from drive to neutral). I can drive it but the power steering is pretty much gone.

This same thing happened last month but when I brought it to my local garage, they couldn’t find anything. The problem completely went away and the vehicle was working perfectly again (how classic is that). Has this happened to anyone else? Bad alternator? It’s going to be looked at again at garage tomorrow.

Mr Subaru has a new video about replacing the solenoids instead of the whole valve body assembly. He didn't recommend this in the past because none of the name brands made the solenoid. Now Dorman is offering a solenoid for $60

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifMiilUUgP8

Bought the car because I was desperate and it was a decent price.

Felt so anxious driving it 40 minutes to where it currently sits.

Haven’t had time to pop the hood and inspect the belt or components. Plus I have no experience.

What should I look for? What can I expect? How much longer will it last?

Should I get it towed to a mechanic instead of driving it? When I get there should I remove the battery to prevent the mechanic from driving it?

Should I avoid driving above a certain speed limit on my way there?

I’m a hot mess. Please help 😭

Hi, Just wanting to replace the weird cheapo license plate frames from the dealership (these have those gaudy label maker made dealership names on them).

Any suggestions? I looked at the OEM Mounting bracket and Subaru frame (can't find it on the oem part store) and they are pretty pricey.