A while back I was considering a few wagons, the saab 9-3 or 9-5, a Volvo wagon, or Subaru something-or-other. You guys gave me good info and I made a purchase. I decided on a 98 Forester.
I heard too many horror stories about the volvo v-70, and to get to a pre-ford volvo meant going a little older than I wanted. The Saabs I drove were in rough shape and I realized I didn't want to own a Saab that I can afford. So, I went with what I thought was the more boring of the set and love it. The little DOHC 2.5 has enough zip, the AWD system is very good and it's comfy.
Just thought I'd update the thread. I read the "what car" threads and always wonder what people got.
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Nov. 12, 2009 11:28 a.m. DrBoost HalfDork
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Nov. 12, 2009 6:47 p.m. ddavidv UltraDork
Welcome to the boxer fold.
The Subaru Forester forum is actually pretty good, very few kidlets asking about cold air intakes and some good tech. Forester forum
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Nov. 12, 2009 7:18 p.m. minimac Dork
I'm in the process of swapping motors in my '98 Forester. 156k and I had a rod bearing or two let go. My choices were get rid of it as it is, swap in a 2.2 shortblock, change to a high miles motor out of a junkyard and trade it, or get a decent replacement motor, and keep it. I've had it over two years and 45k miles,but it still looks/ride good.I found a low mile(83k) 2.5 that just had the head gaskets, timing belt, and all the seals replaced, out of a wrecked one, for reasonable money. All wheel drive, decent gas mileage, and utility won out over getting something newer. I'll be curious to see why and what exactly happened to my engine, because it is supposed to be fairly bullet-proof. Boost- you'll come to love it when the snow flies!
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Nov. 12, 2009 8:09 p.m. fornetti14 Reader
I just put a 2.5L RS motor in my '99 Impreza Outback Sport this summer.
I still still think my Forester was more fun to drive. -
Nov. 12, 2009 8:17 p.m. DrBoost HalfDork
I am shocked at how fun it is to drive, and I got the auto!! I have to admit, that is a nice automatic. Nice firm upshifts, quick down shifts and will hold a gear till redline. Very surprised. I really like the car, my wife loves it and the kids (3, 5, and 7) think it's cool! It's way more fun than a wagon-suv-thing has any right to.
My 7 year old asked me about the car, what kind of car and I told him I got a Subaru. He mis-heard me and called it a zoomaru. That's now the cars name. "Dad, when you take me to school, can we take the zoomaru?"
Cool, very cool. -
Nov. 12, 2009 8:55 p.m. 2002maniac Reader
I've become a huge fan of subies since I bought my wife an '03 OBS 5-speed. it is the perfect DD vehicle! Fun, sporty, quick enough, and hauls around tons of stuff easily.
