About the Subaru Forester
Darwin S purchased this Subaru Forester new for $31,000 (including all on-road costs). Darwin S would buy this car again because: “I have owned this car since I bought it new in July 2010 and have traveled approximately 460,000km with very few serious mechanical issues. Over 12 years later and most things on the car still work as well as the day I bought it. “
How reliable has your car been? Tell us about any issues.
Obviously there are few cars that get to nearly half a million kilometres without any issues and this car is no exception. However it has outperformed my most optimistic expectations with relatively few major mechanical catastrophes. It has had a few trips on a RAC tow truck thanks to the clutch which has failed twice and an issue after the cam belt snapped shortly after being replaced.
It has had the usual wear and tear items like the radiator, a CV joint, the central locking button on the key failing, suspension components, the catalytic converter in the exhaust failing, and a host of small but irritating dashboard electronic malfunctions.
What do you think of the ownership experience with your car?
As a family vehicle doing the kids school runs, daily city driving to the mountain bike carrying adventure vehicle as well as the occasional family camping trip the vehicle has certainly served its purpose well. The running costs and fuel consumption haven’t been outlandish either.
How has the purchase and aftercare experience been with your car?
Purchased by myself from a Subaru dealership back in 2010, which now feels like a lifetime ago. In that time it has seen my kids go from car booster seats to leaving school so I am not sure how relevant my initial purchasing experience is anymore.
The dealership was as friendly and helpful as any but I did find that servicing the vehicle through the dealership to be costly and unnecessary.
Are you happy with the price and features of your car?
Without question, this unpretentious little go-anywhere, do-anything, carry-everything (within reason) SUV has been great value for money.
It’s a base model bought with the philosophy that the more features and accessories on a car, the more there is to go wrong. This vehicle was purchased to last and it is testimony to the fact that is still possible in today’s use and throw away society.
What do you think of the performance and economy of your car?
The 2.5L naturally-aspirated four-cylinder boxer motor gives enough power to make the car a pleasure to drive daily. It’s certainly not a performance model for those for those with boy-racer aspirations but I have found it engaging to drive with a manual transmission.
Fuel consumption has been another strong point. I have a long term average of around 9.0L/ 100 km and most of those kilometres have been in stop/start rush hour city driving.
What do you think of the technology in your car?
Technology is not the first thing anyone thinks about when buying a base model Subaru Forester but that’s exactly the way I like it. I am sure the modern versions do a lot better than my S3 series model.
In my experience, more technology leads to more problems and disappointments in the longer term so when I bought this vehicle it was very much a case of less-is-more and I got exactly that.
Most of the technology in this car has given a reason to believe that mantra is true.
What do you think of the ride comfort and handling of your car?
Subaru’s all-wheel drive system genuinely delivers great handling, on tar or dirt. Make no mistake, this is no off-road 4×4 vehicle but I have taken it on some fairly technical dirt roads, along the beach, as well as up and down some steep rough roads without issues. On wet tar or loose gravel the car is more stable than most inspiring driver confidence.
Do you have any additional comments about your car?
Subaru have been known to be well built and built to last. This one has lived up to that reputation and surpassed my expectations.