So, I might be about to do something...

"m-b-w loves his SUBAROO" (m-b-w)
07/24/2016 at 23:02 • Filed to: None

Found this 2003 Forester for sale. Very minimal rust for what was originally a New Hampshire car, 5 speed manual, but it has 205k miles. I have the seller down to $2,200, however I think I can get it for $1,900. Physically its in great shape, tires weren’t matching, but were all the same brand and appeared to be worn evenly. I’m basically looking to get this as a second car to keep miles, dings, and parking lot scrapes off of my 2015 Outback, in addition to learning manual. If it passes my mechanics inspection, does this seem like a solid buy?

DISCUSSION (33)

My citroen won't start > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:08

NP but all I have my eyes on is that Volvo.

LongbowMkII > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:08

Probably will need new head gaskets/timing belt etc before too awful long, but that seems like a solid recipe.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > My citroen won't start
07/24/2016 at 23:09

It wasn’t there when I went to look, however in its place was a donked 90's Lexus LS.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > LongbowMkII
07/24/2016 at 23:10

Yeah, the HG’s are my biggest concern. I found most of the service history on the mycarfax app, so I may call some of the shops its been to to see if they can tell me anything.

djgreenlava > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:10

Is the LS for sale? I will save it or embrace the culture.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > djgreenlava
07/24/2016 at 23:11

Lol, I have no idea. I’m guessing it is. It was hideous. The grille was spray painted bright red.

djgreenlava > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:13

Lipstick on a pig haha

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > djgreenlava
07/24/2016 at 23:13

Seriously, it was horrible!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:14

I always have liked the Foresters. I want to lower my 4Runner so it looks a little more like one.

schwartz > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:14

The major issue with those are the head gaskets. At 205k it should have been done at least once by now.

Timing belts are due every 80k miles. If they don’t know the last time pop open one of the end covers and take a look. Its a interference motor so better safe then bent valves. When you do t belt make sure to do water pump and the pulley with tensioner as I have had 2 fail.

They are easy to work on. Once you get it change all the fluids. Make sure to get rear and center diff’s.

Heat shields rattle. Head units are easy to upgrade, replace all the speakers.

About all I can think of now. My parents have 4 Subarus all with over 200k on them. A 1999, 2001, 2005 and 2009. They are fairly reliable with that mileage.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > schwartz
07/24/2016 at 23:16

Thanks for the list! I’m hoping that the timing belt has been done already, if not, I’m probably not super interested.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
07/24/2016 at 23:16

just buy a forester. haha

schwartz > schwartz
07/24/2016 at 23:17

Oh and make sure the tires are all the same model and same size. Subaru AWD does NOT like different size tires or even full vs most worn tires.

schwartz > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:18

Easy to do timing belt, water pump and tensioner in the driveway. Headgasket is the PITA. Most places want to take out the motor to do it and it costs over a grand.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > schwartz
07/24/2016 at 23:20

I guess it could be a fun project! Any way to tell if the HG’s have been done without paperwork?

schwartz > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:27

Hard to check if they have been replaced. I would crawl under the car. The valve covers leak oil and they are a pretty common/easier fix. Look for coolant leaks externally. Then check coolant and oil for contamination.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > schwartz
07/24/2016 at 23:28

Sweet! I guess most mechanics would be able to tell, especially if they put it up on a lift!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:29

But then I’d own a Subaru.

I just don’t like the flat 4 sound.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
07/24/2016 at 23:30

Join us! It’s a pleasant little rumble!

schwartz > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:32

Ya at 205k they should already been done awhile ago. He should also be able to check out the timing belt. Earlier I said pulley, it is specifically the idler pulleys that fail.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > schwartz
07/24/2016 at 23:35

Thanks man so much for the advise. If all checks out, I’ll have a nice little car. This won’t be my first beater, but it’ll be the first that wasn’t free.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:37

Subarus sound great at WOT. That is just not debatable. However, I just feel that something is wrong when I hear the subie rumble.

schwartz > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:38

Sure thing! I think my next car will be a Corvette so I will need to get a winter beater and my first choice will be another Subaru as well.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
07/24/2016 at 23:39

you’re entitled to your own opinion dude!

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > schwartz
07/24/2016 at 23:39

Sweet! Do you have a Subaru right now?

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:45

They’re fantastic. I’ve never ridden in a car that had such brutal acceleration and seemingly endless grip as the new WRX. And it still gets around 30 with an owner who is generous on the throttle. I would absolutely love one. And then I’d be the only Subie owner who got rid of the rumble.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
07/24/2016 at 23:48

I’ve ridden in a 2015 WRX once and was absolutely amazed! They are truly awesome cars!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/24/2016 at 23:51

Honestly those can’t depreciate fast enough. same with the new Volvos.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
07/24/2016 at 23:53

The new volvos will depreciate! Subarus on the other hand seem to hold their value forever, and then suddenly they drop when theyre 13 years old with a shitton of miles.

Boxer_4 > schwartz
07/25/2016 at 00:09

You’ve pretty much covered everything I would have said, though, I seem to recall the timing belt interval is 105,000 miles (or 105 months) on the 2003 (same as the newer ones that ran belts). It never hurts to change them earlier, however.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/25/2016 at 00:19

Yeah. Weird depreciation curves are a thing.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
07/25/2016 at 08:02

I learned to drive stick on one of those. Great cars.

schwartz > Boxer_4
07/25/2016 at 09:29

I wasn’t sure when the interval was as my 05 was 105k but my older one was 80k. Always error on the side of early with timing belts.