A fantastic SUV
Nothing has gone wrong besides the dog deciding it is a good idea to chew the door panel; the problem is that the car is a tan interior.
The Forester XS is fantastic, stunning to look at, powerful, has that gorgeous boxer rumble, and overall is a reliable car to have as a first car or a family car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 21st November, 2016
Any modern car with head gaskets leaks before 200000 km KM is seriously poorly engineered
Head gasket leaks at 95000 km service. Treated by the service agent as though this is a normal occurrence. Apparently this is a common failing of the 2.5 litre boxer. This is a seriously deficient design for a modern motor, and a brand of vehicle that is touted as reliable and well engineered. Head leaks have been a problem since the 2.5 litre was introduced around 2000. This is a poor response by the manufacturer. Obviously the market has not taken them to task over it and moved away in droves.
This is my last Subaru, despite the fact that they are designing a new engine.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 4th October, 2010
Congrats on the fact that you can replace a head gasket on 5 of your Subaru's. Shame not every one can - and if someone can't, they're up for approx $1,400+ from Subaru in labour alone. Subaru in Australia then charge over $300 for the head gasket replacement. But they don't replace the head gaskets with 'good ones', they still use the same inferior gaskets that sprung the leak in the first place!
The design since 2000 has left much to be desired for these cars. They are poorly manufactured and have multiple issues which have NEVER been addressed. Honestly, the cars are a piece of junk.
The Subaru company had recent quality issues with the 2010+ Impreza for example. CVT failing at higher mileage, manual clutch failing repeatedly at low miles, engines consuming oil. Read the Subaru forums. Despite a solid following, Subaru seems to have quality issues these days.
Performance, space, both on and off road credentials
Nothing major has gone wrong with the car so far.
Spot lights have blown out a few times, but that's it.
Rear brake pads need replacing next service.
Great all around car, and a good choice for the someone that wants understated performance from this versatile car.
The turbo spools up casually, and is nice and progressive, although there is a slight lag.
As it's an AWD 2.5 turbo, it is thirsty, but nothing more than what you expect (around 400kms per tank).
Seats in the XT could be a little more curved to the body, and a long drive can make you a little uncomfortable, but besides that, the driving position and vision are excellent.
Steering is sharp with good feel, and the tiptronic box is good but a little laggy, and more for show than real use.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 29th April, 2009
Couldn't agree more with this review. I have now had my 06 Forester XT for over a year, and it's a wonderful all around car. Interior can feel a little cheap next to its more expensive rivals, but hey, I bought the car knowing that.
The turbo lag can bog you down at times, but once it picks up, it always brings a smile to your face. The tiptronic box is not as effective as the auto box off the blocks, but works well for compression braking and off road driving where you want to lock a gear in.
Seats are a let down, and do not supply the lateral or lumbar support needed; this is my only real gripe with what is an all around great car, lots of fun to drive, surprises many hot sedans on the road at the lights.
Nice car, but annoyed by the dealer!
Rear suspension has sagged 15-20mm.
Front left shocker noise.
Excessive oil consumption.
Drivers seat becoming uncomfortable.
Normally only has a driver in the car; occasionally a family of 5.
Keep getting flashed by other oncoming traffic for high beam headlights, as the rear of the car sits down all of the time.
Had to put in 1.5 litres of oil in last 11000 kms!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 5th August, 2007
8th Apr 2016, 03:13
Lighten up a bit. The H-G issue just isn't all that serious.
I've had Six... 6... Subarus and all except the SVX have needed a head gasket job. Once done... none have ever had the problem reappear. 4 of them are now have over 275,000 miles... each(!).
After one learns how to do a HG job... after the first head gasket job... it soon turns into only a five hour job total time(!). And a grand total of about $325... including machining each head.
My point... The fact that Subarus actually stay fixed... To me anyway... this is the real issue.
Once fixed, they do in fact stay fixed.
Heck: $325 and five hours of time doesn't seem to me all that big a problem to get 100% subsequent reliability. To me it's a fair deal.
So all in all... Subarus do indeed earn their reputation of high reliability. Notwithstanding the head gasket issue. All things considered, it just isn't all that serious.