1998 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews

Some good but wheel bearings a killer!!!

Written by: s cristaldi on 02/01/2008

Vehicle

1998 Subaru Forester 4 Dr STD 4WD Wagon

Review

The car was purchased new. Has good features like paint/body quality. However have needed to replace wheel bearings almost every year. This is a 350 to 400 expense. Every year! Subaru has refused to take responsibility for this obvious engineering defect. So, be very careful purchasing a Subaru they will not back their products. Will never buy another Subaru. Too afraid of excessive costs.

Favorite Features

Am impressed with exterior quality and paint quality. No rust yet!

Suggested Improvements

When they make an obvious mistake with a defect they should take responsibility! Interior could be improved. Should also monitor dealership better. Bad dealer, bad purchase!

3 out 6 people found this review helpful

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UGGGH

Written by: Bill on 12/16/2007

Vehicle

1998 Subaru Forester 4 Dr STD 4WD Wagon

Review

NOthing but problems with this one. Its to bad because I loved the (260,000 miles) outback I had previously. The forrester has been a nightmare. Wheel bearings, every seal the thing has. Now the head gasket. I will be giving up on this one.

Favorite Features

Driving in the snow.

Suggested Improvements

Dont buy one.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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I wish it didn't break down so often

Written by: vande32 on 07/16/2007

Vehicle

1998 Subaru Forester 4 Dr STD 4WD Wagon

Review

I bought this car used while in graduate school because I couldn't afford to have a car payment. I should have bought a new car instead. I have spent nearly $4000 fixing it in the last two years because at 80,000 and 100,000 miles, every sensor had to be replaced. I have also had to put in a new clutch and a master cylinder. The engine light will go on and when I take it to the dealer or a mechanic, they tell me that the engine has missed but that they can't find a reason. While the car gets 28 mpg for me, drives great in the snow, and is nice for hauling my dogs and groceries, I will never buy a Subaru again after this experience.

Favorite Features

I have a dog cage in mine. That is really nice. It also handles well in snow and ice.

Suggested Improvements

Just make the whole thing more reliable and make it so that people can actually fix it. Old Subarus could run for 300,000 miles. I will be lucky to get 125K out of mine.

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Can't wait to trade this in...

Written by: Kris on 04/20/2007

Vehicle

1998 Subaru Forester 4 Dr L 4WD Wagon

Review

This is the most uncomfortable car I've ever driven. I'm 6'3" and the driving position makes me put one knee on the door on the other on the center console by the radio. If I ever hit anything my legs are broken, period. There are no words in the engine compartment only VERY obtuse pictograms. The car has never broken down but constantly has something broken. The clock randomly died. The rear wheel bearings have needed replacement twice. I snapped a piece of the braking system in half going over railroad tracks at 5mph. Horrible oil leak, killed oil pump, needed to remove water pump to get to oil pump, etc. Boxer engine runs like a champ, everything attached to it, not so much.

Favorite Features

Drives great in snow but that's all. If you don't live in a place where it snows in a serious way (as in feet) more than once or twice a year don't bother. We're in the Philly area. AWD not worth the expense, wasted gas, and increased vehicle complexity.

Suggested Improvements

Improve build quality of powertrain and interior, engine is fine. The cup holder is a joke in both location and practicality. It holds an empty dixie cup, anything with liquid is dicey. When used it blocks the heat/AC controls. Mine broke under the strain of a 20 oz. Coke.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I love my Subaru.

Written by: Soob-Dog on 04/02/2007

Vehicle

1998 Subaru Forester 4 Dr S 4WD Wagon

Review

A great car for short commutes. Our Subaru gets us to work on time through rain, sleet and snow. The cargo space is very good given the size of the vehicle. Plenty of power (won't snap your neck back, but can definitely get out of its own way), and fun to drive (we have a 5 speed). We had a couple serious problems (kept popping out of gear, and some kind of head gasket problem) that were both handled by Subaru out of warranty - no problems with them at all. I'd buy another one in a second if it could fit our family of five - Two adults and three car seats is nearly impossible in this machine.

Favorite Features

AWD system is phenomenal. If you don't bottom out there is no stopping her. Outstanding in the snow. Blows my 2002 Toyo SUV AWD out of the water. Engine is strong.

Suggested Improvements

She ain't pretty, but she gets around. A body only a mother could love. Better (larger/more secure) cup holder that doesn't cover the dashboard controls.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Hope phase II engine is better

Written by: Subaru guy on 02/03/2007

Vehicle

1998 Subaru Forester 4 Dr S 4WD Wagon

Review

I bought the car as a project car with one of the cylinders literally smashed. I've used and worked on Subarus for 4 years. 2.5 liter DOHC Phase I engine is awful. 2.2 engines were much more reliable. After installing an engine with 120000 miles on it it works great. It's a small SUV, really fun to drive. Handles great on snow and rain.

Favorite Features

Small SUV, ground clearance.

Suggested Improvements

I hope new Phase II 2.5 SOHC engine is better. Phase I had a lot of problems with piston slap and head gaskets. (I had to fix 2 of them one on my Legacy Outback, the other on Forester. after blowing the second engine on Outback I installed 2.2 liter and using it happily since then).

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Forester

Written by: Barbara McAleer on 12/06/2006

Vehicle

1998 Subaru Forester 4 Dr S 4WD Wagon

Review

Great car dependable, excellent in the snow. Low maintenance cost.

Favorite Features

Height to get in and out. Great for elderly. Height to load and unload groceries and the many other large items is great!

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage, I am currently looking for a environmental friendly vehicle. I thought the B9 looked great but gas mileage stinks. Hurry up, I want to stick with Subaru and not give up the SUV, Prius's are ugly.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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A Disappointment

Written by: A Disappointment on 08/02/2006

Vehicle

1998 Subaru Forester 4 Dr L 4WD Wagon

Review

I'm a believer of the safety features after hitting a deer with the Forester at 65 mph on the freeway. I also love the way the Forester handles. But there were a few bugs that I wouldn't have expected given that the Legacy chassis had been out a while. First, the wheel bearings went out at 20K on two wheels. Then the oil seals went at 70K and 140K (just like our 95 Legacy). The head gasket went out at 140K When I complained about a manufacturer defect at 70K because of similar problems with our Legacy, Customer Service said it was coincidence and wouldn't negotiate a better rate on repairs, stating the warranty went out at 60K. If you buy a Subie, you better extend the warranty!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Fix the manufacturer defect on the seals and gaskets.

16 out 17 people found this review helpful

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1998 Subaru Forester S AWD

Written by: T-Bob on 03/02/2006

Vehicle

1998 Subaru Forester 4 Dr S 4WD Wagon

Review

This has been the best car we have ever owned. We have taken it everywhere - offroad, on beach, long trips, and everyday commutes, and it has never had a problem.

Favorite Features

AWD - simply amazing - watching other SUV's sink in the sand on Ocracoke Island beach while I plowed on through was great. Also fantastic in the snow. The heated seats are also great.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders are a poor design. Factory stereo not great. A second 12V power source in the front would be appreciated.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Not what I expected from Subaru

Written by: Albertlock on 02/26/2006

Vehicle

1998 Subaru Forester 4 Dr L 4WD Wagon

Review

Apparently, Subaru needed to wait a bit longer before turning out the Forester. This was the first year they made them, and the bugs are still present. No way to fix a failing in the AWD; the wheels intermittently lock at low speeds (this was also a problem on the Legacy wagon) - even Sub experts can't fix it. Many other mechanical failings that disrupted trips. I've heard subsequent years are much improved and really wish I'd known more up front, since I've been very happy with past Subarus I've owned.

Favorite Features

Interior room & features made this one of our favorite vehicles for functional use. We liked the rubber bumper on the L model so scratches were well hidden.

Suggested Improvements

Seats are uncomfortable for long trips, and a rubberized back of the rear seats for cargo hauling would be helpful. Mechancial issues were the main reason why we canned the car -- spent on average $500/month in maintenance over the final year of owning the car.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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