Bought a Forester today

"Wacko" (wacko--)
03/31/2019 at 00:19 • Filed to: None

It’s a base model automatic 2017 with 53000kms. So what do I need to know?

We are finally replacing the Elantra, the P athfinder is now headed to full time family hauler and the Forester is now my car to get my fat ass to work and back.

I just checked my VIN on Subaru’s web site and my CVT has the warranty enhancement (10 years/ 160000k) just like my pathfinder got only was 7 years/140000)

I’ve got about I’ve got 7000km left on the full 3year warranty and 47000 on the 5 year engine.

I’m taking delivery sometime next week, first thing to do is to remove dealer stickers and finally stick my oppo sticker(s) Will try to post it sometime soon after.

I’m gonna instal a Remote starter, buy winter tires and wheels sometime this summer. I’m also already thinking a LED light bar since it’s always still dark out when I leave for work, and in winter, it’s dark on the drive home too.

DISCUSSION (22)

pip bip - choose Corrour > Wacko
03/31/2019 at 00:33

no manuals available?

wafflesnfalafel > Wacko
03/31/2019 at 00:49

congrats - super functional vehicle

SmugAardvark > Wacko
03/31/2019 at 00:53

Do this:

Kinja'd!!!

Yell this:

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Wacko > pip bip - choose Corrour
03/31/2019 at 00:53

Yes but was 5000$ more and that was over what I wanted to spend on a WRX, but on that road I wouldn’t be able to do much with the wrx does. We have long cold winters, and work is 100kms away.

I’ve driven manuals from 95 till 2016 when I sold my last manual. I so wanted the base manual WRX but Gas prices, shitty road, shitty weather made me chose the reasonable route, and the fact my wife doesn’t drive manual.

Wacko > SmugAardvark
03/31/2019 at 00:55

Some of our roads here do that in spring.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Wacko
03/31/2019 at 01:05

Base SJ owner here. At that mileage it should have just had the brake fluid changed - Subaru calls for changes more often than most at every 30k miles - I’m guessing 45k or 50k km. If there is no proof it was done, I would do it as soon as you can . Stock up on 0W20 because it probably will burn some between changes and don’t go the full interval - more like 8,000 km. The ‘16 and up were supposed to fix this but I’m not convinced they have fully. Oil changes are super easy if you want to do them yourself you don’t even need a jack or ramps - just crawl under and open the drain and the filer is on top. Drain plug needs a crush washer at every change. I bought a bunch at the dealer for like $2 each. Base model hard rubber steering wheel sucks (I’m assuming Canada got the same crap one we did in the US) . Try to find a leather one off of a low mileage wrecked Legacy/Outback - they switched to the style in the ‘16+ Forester in ‘15 so there should be more selection. Installs in minutes and made a huge difference to mine. Honestly I’d put winter tires on those base steel wheels and get better wheels and tires for the summer. The base tires are pretty meh. Again, the wheels interchange with a lot of Subaru’s. You can look for any of the 17” or 18” wheels off of Outbacks, Legacies and Imprezas from the previous generation - they are all 5x100 and the same width. The current ones switched to a 5x1143 bolt pattern. I’m running 18” wheels from a ‘15 Forester XT that I bought from a guy that went down to 16” with off road tires. I’m thinking about a small light bar myself - the stock headlights aren’t that great. I’m probably going to go with one of the little ones that mounts in the front license plate holes. There are blank switches to the left of the steering wheel that would make a great spot to mount the switch. Anyway, they are good little cars - I’ve had mine for 3.5 years, 72,000 miles and one warranty engine replacement and I’m hoping to keep it a while still.

Kinja'd!!!

Tapas > Wacko
03/31/2019 at 01:33

Im sure y ouve noticed, but the car is very white.

Why do you need to know this? I don’t know.

Im drunk, enjoy the car

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Wacko
03/31/2019 at 06:56

The only mod I ever did to my Subaru’s was to remove the shitty stock steering wheel and replace it with a leather one.

You’ll love it, and the warranty will give you piece of mind. Keep an eye on the oil until you know how quickly it eats it. I don’t like the idea of 0w-20 (too thin), but use it so long as you’re in warranty and then make up your mind.

Research Cvt Fluid change intervals. I’ve only owned the 4 & 5EAT, but I drain & filled the trans fluid religiously at 30k mile intervals.

Subaru brakes will last forever, but you probably should do the fluid (I usually put that off, tbh). You mentioned cold winters - perhaps get a plug in engine block heater. I always had a little hesitation starting when the temp got below 0F.

Sighlnt25 > Wacko
03/31/2019 at 10:46

I’ve had mine for a about a year. Engines decently loud but doesn’t sound bad. It may rattle against the metal underneath. Can tighten with a screw. Nothing to worry about. Also c heck your oil after a few thousand or so. May be my new engine but gets hot enough to burn it . I’m more of a music freak. So I just installed a 1000 watt boss audio sub. It doesn’t shake too much. Sounds really good. Almost like it was built for it. Good luck!

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Wacko
03/31/2019 at 10:49

What you need to know is I like it.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
03/31/2019 at 11:00

The CVT interval doesn’t exist. I looked into this for my 2012 Outback and they say it’s for the lifetime of the vehicle. I don’t like that. The stuff they use is also stupid expensive.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wacko
03/31/2019 at 11:13

Watch oil consumption, this car is in the range of either the engine is good or bad. My Outback started burning oil hard around 25,000 miles, engine was changed out at 30,000 miles. We’ve put another 30k on it and it burns about 1 qt/4,000 miles right now. Otherwise it should be a good daily.

boxrocket > Wacko
03/31/2019 at 11:42

No CX-5 Manual?

Meccamag > Wacko
03/31/2019 at 11:47

Watch out for the head gasket leak problem in Subarus. Had to have my Forester's replaced at 100,000 because of the manufacturer problem. Went to look at an older Outback I was thinking about buying at a car lot and I found it was leaking too. Now I know why it was listed so cheap. Google it!

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
03/31/2019 at 12:30

Wow really? Even honda’s CVT requires a fluid change around 60k.