Thoughts on 2012-2014 Subaru Forester?

I had a 2011 Outback  and liked it a lot.  Sold it to my son who will be graduating from university this summer and I bought the 2016 Outback with all the options Jerry has on his Forester except Eye Site (didn't want it).  My wife likes the 2016 much better than the 2011.  Drives much nicer and is quieter.  Got the Outback over the Forester for the extra room.
No problems with the 2011 with over 100K miles with average mpg of 28.  A little disappointed that the 2016 gets 2 mpg less

As for CVTs, Subaru is so cofident in theirs that it is the only transmission offered in the 2016 Outback..

Interesting discussion here. I'm also interested in possibly getting a subaru to commute to work with but kinda hesitant about them too as I hear the valve cover gaskets are prone to failing a lot. But do hear they are a lot of fun. The outback in 2006-2008 would be nice. Are the automatic transmissions in these cars worth the investment?

I went through the valve cover issue with my 2006... Not a cheap one.

We had a 2009 outback with the winter package. Bought it new for my wife and always dealer maintained. Great car in snow and any kind of slippery conditions. Very sure footed and confidence inspiring car to drive.

Absolutely terrible build quality. Two different catalytic converters and o2 sensed replaced under warranty. Computer replaced under warranty and finally blown headgasket at 56,000 miles.

We fixed the headgasket and sold it right away. Bought a new CRV which gets way better mileage and has more room. Not as good in the snow and ice etc.

My mom has 220k on her old legacy and I know others with good luck but our experience was bad. There is no perfect car it's all about trade offs. Personally I'm sick of the SUV craze. Really wish they made accord or Camry wagons still. Wish I could buy a diesel 4Runner too but it's not going to happen any time soon.

Good luck with your search and let us know what you end up with.

-Eliot

Thanks, Eliot.

I agree completely that there is no perfect car. They all have problems...

I have heard a lot of good things about the CRVs, but I'm just not a huge fan of their look. I liked the older ones just fine, but the newer ones just don't do it for me. I could get over it, I guess.

I've got a 2013 Forrester. Bought it about a year ago from handsel in Santa Rosa.

I don't like the CVT transmission. Takes too long to shift. Also, If you gun it to merge into a faster lane it ships into such a low gear that it feels like the clutch is slipping. You don't go anywhere.

I'm really surprised how much power it gets out of the four banger though. I'm happy with everything else about it.
It might be the most nimble car i've owned. Great suspension


I do think it's starting to use oil though.

If you go new with a Subaru, get the extended warranty.  I always do and it runs me about $1,200 for a 7 year, 100,000 mile bumper-to-bumper coverage.  Works out to $20 a month on a 60 month loan.  Only things not covered are stuff like tires, wipers, brake pads, etc.  They've even replaced a battery once under warranty and a busted lug bolt when Walmart repaired a flat.  (I put my spare on, took it to Walmart to have them fix and replace the spare back.)  I got them to give me 6 oil change coupons.  The Subaru uses 0w-20w synthetic oil.  Not cheap stuff!  Matter of fact, using zero weight oil is probably a big reason they have a few that burn oil.  Basically as thin as water, those rings and gaskets are gonna be put to the test not to leak with zero weight stuff. 

Yes, they do need 'stuff', but any new car that has so many computers on board, well.... you or I aren't gonna be able to fix 'em.  Not like the old days anyway. 

Jerry - If I recall, that 7 years/100,000 miles starts counting from when the car was first sold, right? So the return on that investment diminishes rapidly to zero for cars older than 2009. I agree it'd be a good idea for new ones, though.

Interesting discussion here. I'm also interested in possibly getting a subaru to commute to work with but kinda hesitant about them too as I hear the valve cover gaskets are prone to failing a lot. But do hear they are a lot of fun. The outback in 2006-2008 would be nice. Are the automatic transmissions in these cars worth the investment?

2006  - 2008  would be about due for the valve cover job ~$1,200.  I like the newer Forester size but the suspension is sorta soft IMO, perhaps with STI springs it could be fun.

Subaru,  Audi or Toyota are great for the snow, perhaps a High Lander......
or Honda for 2WD/commute use ? New civic looks nice but I would wait 5 or so years before placing a salty, sandy bloody kayak on it

5 (or 6) speed manual, STI suspension Forester.

turbo?

Interesting discussion



2006  - 2008  would be about due for the valve cover job ~$1,200.  I like the newer Forester size but the suspension is sorta soft IMO, perhaps with STI springs it could be fun.

There's nothing soft about the suspension of my 2013 Forrester. I feel every bump in the road. But it corners well

my wife just loves her beater 2000 Honda CRV she's never been so stoked on a car, ever. Thing has 203k and is getting its second 100k tuneup in january. I bought it for 7k cash, put 2k into in the last 10 years. Axle weakness and motor mounts seem to be the problem areas on these cars, IME.
Not quite as robust as some domestic trucks, but driven accordingly they are great vehicles.

I agree, newer CRVs have terrible, high-waisted styling that destroyed one of the best attributes of the older models-excellent driver visibility. Hence, I have a 16 year old one in the driveway

my experience with Subies is that they consume tires if used to commute. Other than that, my friends who drive them, love them. I've driven a few as rental cars and they really do stand out as nice rides.

Yeah, my 2006 Outback had just gotten the valve cover job a few months ago. Is that a pretty predictable repair for Subarus? As in... Could that be a bargaining chip to lower the cost by $1,200?

My GF has a 2005 4Runner, so I'm trying to avoid doubling up on true SUVs. I just want something AWD/4WD that gets decent MPG and fits a kayak or two plus gear.

my experience with Subies is that they consume tires if used to commute.

Replaced the original tires on my 2011 Outback at 45k miles with Michelins.  Car now has 104k on it ant the Michelins probably have another 10k left on em.  Maybe 75% freeway miles

Thanks for all the intel fellas. I already have a nissan pathfinder 4x4 w/ 177x miles on it and it's wat I'm using to commute 32 Miles one way to work everyday
Excluding weekends.  So yea getting another car with awd probably ain't justifiable! ...I'll probably just get another mazda 3 hatchback.