Potential Buy: 2013 Subaru Forester

"Sprinty" (1985sprinty)
02/11/2020 at 13:34 • Filed to: None

Well, our trusty CRV has, well, become not-so-trusty. We’ve got about $15 K to spend on a car and I came across this puppy. Anyone know the goods/bads/run-for-the-hills of this car?

Also, if you’ve got other suggestions, that’d be appreciated. It just needs to be 4wd/awd, and reliable.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (19)

dogisbadob > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 13:54

Why do you need AWD in California? :p

You say you want reliable, but I don’t know how good Subarus are. They say the new engines don’t have the head gasket problems that make a Subaru a Subaru, but they haven’t been out long enough to prove it.It’s a shame because the big sunroof is awesome.

There is an AWD version of the Matrix, which was made until 2014.

The Suzuki SX4 also has AWD

Notchback88 > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 13:57

Doesn’t RCR drive one?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 13:58

This car is under the excessive oil consumption class action law suit. If the price was sub $10,000 I would be tempted but it was a $ 2 4k car new... and being carmax they want top dollar. This problem is actually quite common many OPPOs including myself have had their short blocks replaced under warranty.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Subaru issued TSB 02-157-14R , titled Surface Treatment Change To Oil Control Piston Rings , in which they indicate a course of action for correcting the oil consumption issue in the following models:

2013-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback Models with 2.5L FB Engine

2011-2014 Subaru Forester Models with 2.5L FB Engines

2012-2013 Subaru Impreza and 2013MY XV Crosstrek Models with 2.0L FB Engine

Before that, Subaru’s fix was to change the surface treatment of the oil control piston rings:

On affected vehicles, Subaru will replace the piston rings at no charge under the provisions of the cars’ warranty. On vehicles out of warranty, customers will have to pay for their vehicle’s repairs—a major out-of-pocket expense, since the engine has to be disassembled, piston rings installed and the engine reassembled, plus any other parts that were damaged as a result of oil loss, gaskets and fluids. 2

So it may be that the original blocks weren’t honed for the new rings. In a lot of cases, the rings were wearing prematurely, so maybe they were wearing the cylinder walls as well?

Recently an Audi TSB advised owners to “always have a spare quart of engine oil in case the engine oil needs topping off while on the road.”

From Opposite Lock’s article on Excessive Oil Consumption

Boxer_4 > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 13:58

Overall this generation Forester is quite nice (SH, 2009-2013).

This one has an early FB25 engine (new in this generation in 2011, 2009-2010 still had the EJ253) , so look out for oil consumption. A fair number of these needed short block replacements to remedy the issue, and it wasn’t fully remedied in all cases.

Front lo wer control arm bushings can be worn at this mileage, so look to see their condition.

Brake fluid looks a bit dirty, but I’m being picky.

As an aside, I can’t say I’ve seen a facelift model with the accessory front bumper skirt - usually you see these on ‘09s.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 13:59

If you want reliable I wouldn’t get a Subaru, I’ve heard plenty of horror stories

Sprinty > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/11/2020 at 14:01

Much thanks!

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 14:01

How about a 4Runner?

Sprinty > Boxer_4
02/11/2020 at 14:02

Yeah, I noticed the front bumper as well.

412GTI > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 14:02

Manual is cool but I’d probably have more faith in a V6 Rav4 of the same era. These seem to nickel & dime you.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 14:03

I bought a Mazda 3 from Carmax in Roseville CA in 2009. I’m still driving it today. Best car I’ve ever had.

Wacko > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 14:03

I believe the head gasket problems on the 2.5 was on pre 2014ish. So check if it was done if it’s due.

I bought my 2017 last April at 21000.00 cnd before taxes. It had 50000kms

Easiest oil changes ever, made even easier with an ez oil valve.

Kinja'd!!!

Mileage is decent and I even get better than it’s published mpg

Mine is a CVT and the CVT are now 10 year warranty here in Canada. Seating position is great for my hurting getting older knees.

wafflesnfalafel > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 14:09

M y wife’s Aunt had a blue one for a number of years with no issues - traded it in on a crosstrek last year. Though this is in the larger group that had head gasket issues is my understanding. Worth a check at least.

Wacko > dogisbadob
02/11/2020 at 14:10

SX4 ended in 2012 in the states and 2013 in Canada.

2006-2019 2.0 143hp five speed manual and regular automatic

2010-20xx new 2.0 150hp 6 speed manual(like mine was, and was awd) and CVT automatic

Boxer_4 > Wacko
02/11/2020 at 14:26

Just as a note: Head gasket issues were on the non-turbo EJ25 engines - EJ25D, EJ251, EJ253.

Those were phased out 2011 for the Forester, 2012 for the Impreza, and 2013 for the Legacy/Outback.

dogisbadob > Wacko
02/11/2020 at 14:26

The SX4 stopped in 2012 like you say, but the OP is looking at a 2013, so maybe it’s acceptable :p

Boxer_4 > wafflesnfalafel
02/11/2020 at 14:26

Only if it’s an EJ25 engine.

My citroen won't start > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 14:35

Maybe try to find a Tribeca or Outback with the 3.6 for around that?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/799920978/overview/

Under_Score > Sprinty
02/11/2020 at 14:51

Better choices below:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/789107989/overview?aff=share_other

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/798706155/overview?aff=share_other

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/802323741/overview?aff=share_other

Sprinty > Under_Score
02/11/2020 at 15:16

Thanks for the recommendations!