Used 2003 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M) Consumer Reviews
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Just not a great car
karlou, Canastota, NY, 07/12/2013
Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
19 of 21 people found this review helpful
Have had the car for ten years (bought new) and almost 130K miles. Many problems from the start, not the least of which was the flames coming out the tailpipe towards the end of the first year. Has needed much maintenance and repair over the years, and one important fact about subarus - they rust. So surprised in this day and age how rusty this car has gotten, and I'm very good about washing the car (including underneath). Wind noise bad almost from the start, and three trips to dealership never got it better. Very cheap interior materials, now looking to finally get new and better vehicle. Never again a Subaru!
Piston Slap
Duke, 01/29/2009
Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Bought the Subie a month ago with 62K on the OD. The boxer engines are prone to piston slap and mine was no exception. I bought it stipulating that the piston slap would be remedied and it was (valves were adjusted).The car does what it's supposed to do - gets you around with decent gas mileage and sure-footedness in inclement weather. This suv is 6 years old and I am confidant I will still be driving it 6 years from now.
Every Camper Needs One
KC in WA, 07/14/2003
Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought it at invoice May 27th and been lovin' it ever since. We took it camping to Yellowstone with 4 adults (~2900 mi)and it performed well off and on-road (30 mpg average with a cargo box!). The engine seemed a tad winded on very steep grades. Handles great even in tight curves and with a fully loaded cargo box! We took it places where no regular wagon would ever dream of going. The only thing it didn't do was make hot chocolate for us while we watched a wolf pack at 6 am!!
First Suby I have ever owned and just love my car!
T Harding, Spokane, WA, 03/04/2016
updated 03/07/2018
Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
My sister who has a 2012 Forester heard about this car becoming available for me, so she is the one who helped me. She has a lot of experience with Subarus. The car only had 74,000 miles on it when I got it. It had also recently had the head gasket repaired, and the car had a thorough look through an an excellent mechanic before I got it. I have loved this car from the get go. I find it fun to drive, easy to drive, and so far I have only had service to the tune of one alignment and oil changes. The mechanic has told me I should have no problems with the car up until I need the timing belt/chain replaced at about 100,000 miles. But given I don't drive too much that should be years down the road. I love how the car handles too, esp. on the road. Very very comfortable road car. I can't think of a thing I don't like. I love all the extra little storage places on the inside, and also like the fact that it comes with a lot of tools in the trunk if I ever needed them. I enjoyed driving the car in snow this winter, and had no problems even with all season radials. I plan on having the car for some time so it will receive a lot of tlc. Update. Have now owned the car for about 3 years. Have totally fallen in love with the car. No maintenance other than oil changes required now in 3 years. Love it!! Still own this car, and still love this car, even more than when I first got it! I am now at just 85,000 and other than alignment checks and oil changes, have not had any major issues. Love it.
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Be Careful with this one
..., 06/16/2008
Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I thought this car would be a great buy and at first it was. I love the way it handles, acceleration is good, gas mileage is fair. Now after owning it for not even two years, and still paying the sucker off I have not one but two count 'em two bad head gaskets, $1600 to fix, and it is a common problem. Just check msn autos reliability raitings. Bad head gaskets, it's what makes a Subaru a Subaru. Do not buy!
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