2nd Gen Subaru Forester?

"I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner" (forvolvo)
03/21/2014 at 00:15 • Filed to: None

Hello Oppo,

I'm 19 and I've been trying to decide what I want as my first car. My opinion changes everyday (currently I'm thinking Jetta TDI), Volvo 740 estate, Miata, and most recently, the 2nd gen Subaru Forester X. What does Oppo think about it? I have a budget of $5k and I find I can buy one with a manual with around 120,000 miles. Are they fun to drive though? I won't be getting the turbo version because I can't afford it, but the X seems nice. Also, what's your opinions on the other cars?

DISCUSSION (17)

hethoughtofcars > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/21/2014 at 00:25

My advice to you: Test drive. Those are some seriously different cars, from a roadster to a Volvo 740 estate. It sounds basic but you need to actually try driving them before deciding. With my first car (a '69 Beetle) I don't even remember driving it before I bought it. Now, years later, I make sure I thoroughly drive everything I am looking at and (especially at dealerships) have no problem walking away.

Big Bubba Ray > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/21/2014 at 00:31

They're not quick cars by any means, but if you get it with a stick (which of course you're going to do!) you can make the most of every gear and still enjoy yourself. My sister's got a Fozzie and she adores it. It's been a great car. An abundance of cargo space, all wheel drive kills it in the winter, and it gets good enough gas mileage. As Jeff Simmons said: test drive. Test drive anything and everything before you make up your mind. Test drive multiple times and don't feel bad about turning down a car.

Good luck to you!

feather-throttle-not-hair > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/21/2014 at 00:43

I like em. Hard to not recommend the Miata though if that's on your list and you're into cars and driving. As a 31 year old who's never owned a car with rear doors and hasn't had something with a rear seat for almost 8 years, I can tell you the practicality thing really isn't as bad as it seems. It sucks every now and then, but 99 percent of the time its no big deal. Plus you're young, you probably dont have kids, if you put off owning a sports car, there's a good chance it never happens.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/21/2014 at 00:50

I've got an SG9 forester (2006, same as that one just facelifted). It's a hard car to like if you don't know exactly what you're after. Handles like a boat, not particularly quick (even mine, which is the XT), gears are incredibly short, but I love mine none the less.

SPNKiX > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/21/2014 at 01:35

You will love the scoob. I'll leave it at that since you'll change your mind anyway :) I have an 08, myself.

Arben72 > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/21/2014 at 01:54

Make sure headgaskets were changed.

JACU - I've got bonifides. > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/21/2014 at 07:21

I really love my '04 xt. I don't however expect it to be something it's not. Stock, I feel it handles quite good for what it is, and is quite quick for what it is. Lightly modded (shocks, sway bars) it becomes simply a tall WRX with lots of cargo space, which is not a bad thing at all.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > Arben72
03/21/2014 at 09:35

Isn't that only a problem for the first generation?

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > feather-throttle-not-hair
03/21/2014 at 09:41

Yeah, I absolutely love the rich aftermarket, the abundant parts, and their reliability. It's just as a college student, I feel like I would like the practicality of a wagon in case I have to say: move furniture to an apartment. But it's not like I need to move furniture everyday, and my dad owns an F-150 that I can use to haul stuff too. It also seems like a Miata would be the kind of car I could keep for the rest of my life. I could maintain it and it even while having a family, I could use it as a nice Sunday car, or DD. Do you own a Miata?

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > Big Bubba Ray
03/21/2014 at 09:42

Awesome! Isn't it essentially an Impreza on stilts? Does it affect the handling that much? It really seems like a great little car!

Big Bubba Ray > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/21/2014 at 09:46

Ya you could basically say it's an Impreza on stilts. I've only driven my sister's car a handful of times, but it seemed to handle pretty well for what it is. Her's is an 07 N/A but I've also driven an 05 XT and that thing hauled butts and handled about the same. Test drive one and put it through it's paces a bit and you'll see what it can handle!

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > hethoughtofcars
03/21/2014 at 10:01

So should I just keep an eye out on craigslist for the cars that I'm looking for and act like a suspecting buyer in order to test drive? I won't be able to buy my car until the end of the year.

Arben72 > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/21/2014 at 10:59

They fixed it around 04/05 if I'm not mistaken. Just find one that has had it done even if it has 140k miles and you shouldn't have an issue.

feather-throttle-not-hair > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/21/2014 at 12:19

No, I own a 350Z, my previous (first) car was an '88 Celica all-trac (GT4 if you're not in the U.S.)

A wagon, or a Forester, or something big definitely has it's upsides, but to be perfectly honest, even if i had something like that i'd still need a truck when it comes time to move since my mattress isn't tiny and I own a small couch.

If your instinct is that you'd probably be happier with a Forester, than by all means I think you should go that direction. I think they're great cars, a very good friend of mine owned a 1st gen with a M/T and the 2.5L. I drove it many times and it was nice.

But owning a sports car is very cool, if you feel like you could swing it without constantly feeling like you're being held back, I say go for it. You will never be able to play with a Forester like you would a Miata and if messing around with the limits of grip and learning handling dynamics is your thing, there's basically no better car.

Granted, that's not necessarily why everyone loves cars. Some just like to work on them, some like to look at them, there are a myriad of possible reasons to love cars. But if you love driving I can't think of a better place to start than a good ol MX-5.

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > feather-throttle-not-hair
03/21/2014 at 12:37

Well I gotta say you've changed my mind! And the good thing about Miatas is is that they are always available on Craigslist. It won't be hard to find one! Thanks for the help!

feather-throttle-not-hair > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/21/2014 at 13:09

Ha! No problem. Now go forth and be awesome!

hethoughtofcars > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
03/22/2014 at 19:08

Well, you don't have to "act" because you are a buyer. You don't have to say when you are planning to buy. But especially at dealerships, you can test drive a car without actually having the cash in your pocket.