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SUBARU FORESTER Used Car Review

Subaru joined the 'soft-roader' SUV club in 1997 when it used the platform of its famous Impreza small car as the basis for the Forester. The model has become the Japanese brand's most popular model in Australia, as well as being one of the country's favourite SUVs. Currently into its fourth generation, an all-new Forester has been unveiled and is due in late 2018.

Pros

Cons

  • Fantastic all-round visibility
  • Clever Eyesight safety tech on more recent models
  • Ride comfort consistently good across generations
  • Permanent all-wheel drive (most rivals use a part-time AWD system)
  • Servicing costs higher than average and limited capped-price program
  • Full-size spare reduces boot space
  • Cabin design lacks flair and premium feel
  • For light-duty off-roading only
This is general information and should not be relied on as purchasing advice.
SubaruForesterXTPrivate sellerClear all

2008 SUBARU FORESTER XT 5 SP MANUAL 4D WAGON

  • 250000 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

Selling our much-loved Subaru Forester XT MY09. Original owners. Engine still runs like new, cosmetically a bit aged. Would welcome a new suspension.

$8,500Negotiable
Greenslopes, QLD

Yesterday

2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT 5 SP MANUAL 4D WAGON

  • 346000 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

2004 Subaru forester xt , turbo 5 speed manual Adjustable suspension -lowered . *3 inch exhaust turbo back into canon +B.O.V (recently done $1200 * 4x good tyres (front.� back �% *346km ( still drives well for that many km’s * new back window ($540 new * *leather seats / moon roof all electricle works great *original inside / radio works + air con works well *rego till 19/5/24 $5000 ono

$5,000Negotiable
Unanderra, NSW

27/04/2024

2009 SUBARU FORESTER XT AWD - MANUAL / REGO / RWC / SERVICED

  • 155000 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

2009 SUBARU FORESTER XT AWD - MANUAL / REGO / RWC / SERVICED This fantastic car is in excellent condition and faultless in performance. This Subaru Forester has 4 airbags and an ANCAP safety rating of 5. This Forester has a powerful 2.5 litre engine turbo, manual. It has ABS brakes and electronic brake force distribution (EBD). In addition to all the foregoing it has electronic stability control (ESC). Has the luxury of 2 zone climate control, cruise control, front & rear power windows, pow

$13,999
Tweed Heads, NSW

26/04/2024

2008 SUBARU FORESTER XT 5 SP MANUAL 4D WAGON

$19,500Negotiable
Hornsby, NSW

25/04/2024

2010 Subaru Forester XT 4 SP AUTO ELEC SPORTSHIFT 4D WAGON

Negotiable
South Perth, WA

25/04/2024

2007 SUBARU FORESTER XT 5 SP MANUAL 4D WAGON, 5 seats MY07

$4,800
Rathmines, NSW

23/04/2024

2008 SUBARU FORESTER XT 4 SP AUTO ELEC SPORTSHIFT 4D WAGON

  • 254000 km
  • SUV
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

Forester XT petrol turbo with 253xxx km - New allterrain tyres one size larger. - 2” Subaru lift ozsuspension kit - Nudge bar light bars - 3” Stainless cat back exhaust system. Come with Tasmania Rego until mid-june. No issues. Available mid april but can be discuted. 9500 dollars negociable. Cheers.

$9,500Negotiable
Devonport, TAS

23/04/2024

2005 SUBARU FORESTER XT 5 SP MANUAL 4D WAGON

$15,000Negotiable
Hobart CBD, TAS

22/04/2024

2010 Subaru Forester XT 5 SP MANUAL AWD WAGON

  • 211200 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

Ideal long distance touring SUV. Powerful 2.5 litre XA series 180kW 380Nm output motor. Well maintained with adjustable uprated gas suspension, new timing belt & plugs,. Tow bar with electric brake controller. 11 month rego/CTP. HID main & high beam. LED fog & taillights. Full size spare.

$11,800
Chatswood, NSW

22/04/2024

2003 SUBARU FORESTER XT 4 SP AUTOMATIC 4D WAGON, 5 seats MY04

  • 154000 km
  • SUV
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

Looking to sell my unique Subaru Forester Cross Sports. Imported from Japan last year, I have also owned the car in Japan since 2020. The cross sports has a sports shift auto with steering wheel buttons and the EJ20 2.0l turbo motor, not like the Aussie delivered ones. It has unique aero also, different bumpers, side door trims, skirts and spoiler to the local XT, closer to that on the STI Foresters . It's been a great daily and only selling because I got another car coming shortly. Haven't h

$10,500Negotiable
Robina, QLD

22/04/2024

2011 SUBARU FORESTER XT 4 SP AUTO ELEC SPORTSHIFT 4D WAGON

  • 210000 km
  • SUV
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

2011 XT Subaru Forrester auto sport shift. In great condition - interior pics to come. Only selling as bought a 4WD to tow. Great car, fun to drive & really solid & reliable. 4 months rego, recently serviced, 4 brand new tyres.

$11,500Negotiable
Coombs, ACT

22/04/2024

2008 SUBARU FORESTER XT 5 SP MANUAL 4D WAGON

  • 255345 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

2008 SH FORESTER 3 months ACT rego from 04/05/2024 Whiteline front and rear sway bars axel beams and link pins Front strut brace Cusco struts all round 3 months old HID headlights WRX leather seats in front Aftermarket head deck with Bluetooth and wifi connections DBA T2 slotted rotors front and rear with bendix pads. 3 months old All drive ver 5 sti gear box Timing belt water pump all done Recent radiator 2 years I would guess OBD 2 reader cause who doesn’t want to know the operating tempera

$6,500
Kambah, ACT

21/04/2024

2005 Subaru Forester XT Manual SUV

  • 120000 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

For sale is my 2005 Subaru Forester STI. JDM import. I have had the car for around 5 months. I have a few other cars so this one has to go. Service and timing belt done at 117000km. Also changed water pump and all pulleys. Car has no issues, runs well.

$35,000
Whyalla Jenkins, SA

16/04/2024

2009 SUBARU FORESTER XT 4 SP AUTO ELEC SPORTSHIFT 4D WAGON, 5 seats MY

  • 216000 km
  • SUV
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

2009 forester xt turbo good condition rego till 8/10/24 2 keys books new battery new radiator hd towbar good tyres can come with a roadworthy selling due to upgrade

$10,500Negotiable
Traralgon, VIC

15/04/2024

2005 SUBARU FORESTER XT 5 SP MANUAL 4D WAGON

  • 296500 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

Selling or swapping Car has a major service at 244k on the clock at Haig park which included all new belts, head gaskets, radiator, turbo (upgraded) and a few other bits. It has service history up till 200k then the PO did his own services apart for big things which was Haig park and two services at techworkz. Interior was stripped and deep cleaned as the car was pretty dirty there is rubber floor mats and a double din Sony head unit. Car has a few hail dents better to come see in person but t

$5,000
Fraser, ACT

15/04/2024

2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT 5 SP MANUAL 4D WAGON

  • 307000 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

OPEN TO SWAPS 04 forester XT 2month rego Pros Aftermarket exhaust Blow off valve STI top mount Aftermarket fuel pump Boost gauge APPLE/ ANDROID touch screen New Turbo APS intake Tinted Windows Sunroof (intermittently working) Leather interior Cold Ac Motor has been swapped 180000kms Cons Cracked windscreen (see photos) Small dent passenger door/front quater/cracked paint Sunroof cracked (no water leaks) $6500 Negotiable open to swaps Chester hill

$6,500Negotiable
Chester Hill, NSW

12/04/2024

2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT 5 SP MANUAL 4D WAGON

  • 284213 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

2004 Forester XT Selling unregistered. This has been my project car for a few years now and has been replaced with another car. I need the garage space for my next project. Car is garaged and is in really good condition for its age. I've owned it for about 11 years and it's been a reliable vehicle. The engine is original and is still strong. Don't ask Dyno numbers no idea... it is pretty quick. Mods:- Genuine VF32 Turbo Turbosmart Boost Controller Walbro Fuel Pump 1000cc Injectors 3" Turbo

$6,000Negotiable
Dalby, QLD

07/04/2024

2005 Subaru Forester XT 4 SP AUTOMATIC 4D WAGON

  • 309500 km
  • SUV
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

Time to say goodbye to my beloved (AKA the beast ) Subaru Forester XT. I have it since 3 years. From beginning of my ownership l replace the timing belt of the car and after put a new radiator and the battery. All tyres are pretty much in good condition replaced them less than a year ago. I serviced the car regularly and took good care of it. It’s mechanically in perfect condition, runs really smooth. Overall it is good, reliable and powerful car. Perfect car for camping trips and long road tri

$4,500,000Negotiable
Brooklyn Park, SA

06/04/2024

2009 SUBARU FORESTER XT 4 SP AUTO ELEC SPORTSHIFT 4D WAGON

  • 300000 km
  • SUV
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

Rego till 9 month. Overheated once, suspected water pump

$5,000
Burnie, TAS

04/04/2024

2005 SUBARU FORESTER XT 4 SP AUTOMATIC 4D WAGON

  • 343936 km
  • SUV
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

2005 Subaru Forester XTi Turbo Automatic. Car has Genuine Forester STi Side skirts and a Genuine WRX STi front lower lip on custom STi look Front bumper. Has a genuine STi Larger Top mount intercooler with a Turbosmart Kompact bov fitted. Canon exhaust for that great Subaru sound. Features Big Vertini Drift mags with good tyres 225/35/19 on front and 245/35/19 on rear. (Rims and tyres alone are worth over $2500) Custom centre console pod with oil pressure and boost gauge fitted. Full leathe

$6,000
Mannum, SA

04/04/2024

2009 SUBARU FORESTER XT 5 SP MANUAL 4D WAGON

  • 150000 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

2009 Subaru forester turbo manual Selling my forester as I work away and just don’t get to enjoy it as much as I like. I’ve owned it for about 4 years and am the second owner. I’ve fitted a few tasteful performance and handling mods as follows. Front and rear adjustable sway bars and sway bar links. BC racing gold adjustable coilovers. RE003 Bridgestone tyres with very little wear. Drilled and slotted rotors. 3 inch turbo back exhaust. Process west intake. Tuned to 220hp at diversion garage o

$15,000Negotiable
Gympie, QLD

24/03/2024

2005 Subaru forester STI

  • 147000 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

2005 Subaru forester STI, 2.5 turbo 6 speed boxer Motor. Sitting on 19’s with new tyres, just serviced and 3 months rego.. Has coil overs and sway bays throughout and besides the exhaust system , engine is un touched. Absolutely awesome car to drive and I amazing condition for age, both inside and out. Selling due to having work car and not enough time to enjoy. Ps will not let me choose STI variant

$20,000Negotiable
Paralowie, SA

23/03/2024

2012 Subaru Forester XT 4 SP AUTO ELEC SPORTSHIFT 4D WAGON

  • 181000 km
  • SUV
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

Full log book services History... Great car.. just upgraded to a ute... Just at rotors, bushes and breaks done.. great condition ready to go

$12,000
Brisbane City, QLD

21/03/2024

2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT 5 SP MANUAL 4D WAGON

  • 429410 km
  • SUV
  • Manual
  • 4 cyl 2.5L

2004 Subaru Forester XT luxury manual 5 speed. 429000kms on engine. Been my daily commute for 5 years. Unregistered. Has oil leak from passenger rocker cover gasket and from oil cooler seal (have seals to replace). Timing belt and tensioner changed at 400,000km. CV seals changed and new gear shift bushes at same time. Has a full 3 inch 316 stainless steel exhaust with high-flow cat and 3.5 inch size turbo dump housing reducing to 3 inch. Tyres in good condition and comes with additional new spa

$3,500
Port Macquarie, NSW

16/03/2024

Overview of the Subaru Forester

Overview of the Subaru Forester

Subaru joined the 'soft-roader' SUV club in 1997 when it used the platform of its famous Impreza small car as the basis for the Forester.

The model has become the Japanese brand's most popular model in Australia, as well as being one of the country's favourite SUVs.

Currently into its fourth generation, an all-new Forester has been unveiled and is due in late 2018.

SUBARU FORESTER GENERATIONS (SINCE 2002)

2002-2008

2009-2013

2013-2018

2018 (September) onwards

RUNNING COSTS

Fuel Consumption

2.0L 4-cylinder turbo diesel: 5.9 to 6.4 litres per 100km

2.0L 4-cylinder petrol: 7.2 litres per 100km

2.5L 4-cylinder petrol: 8.1 litres per 100km

2.0L 4-cylinder turbo petrol: 8.5 to 9.3 litres per 100km

= Highly economical.

= Good economy.

= Average fuel use.

= Heavy consumption.

Servicing

SIMILAR MODELS TO SUBARU FORESTER

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: SUBARU FORESTER (2013 ONWARDS)

The first check with any second-hand Subaru is of the service record. These engines are generally tough but use small oil pathways, and when these block with dirty oil, terminal damage isn't far away.

Like a lot of modern engine designs, the 2.0-litre non-turbo petrol engine can also consume a little oil between services. Subaru is not on its own here, and it's a fact that the latest engines with their low-friction designs aimed at saving fuel can use some oil.

Similarly, with modern engine designs, a lack of proper servicing can lead to a build-up of sludge and even higher oil consumption. Check the service record for gaps and check the dipstick for thick, black oil that suggests missed oil changes.

Some owners also report that the CVT transmission can be slow to select gears - particularly reverse - from park. Subaru dealers have been re-flashing the on-board computer to fix this, but in some cases the delay gradually gets worse again as time and kilometres pass.

While the Forester is all-wheel drive it's not a heavy-duty off-roader, so make sure it hasn't been used as one.