2004 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews

I love it! I love it! I love it!

Written by: ejgauthier on 04/25/2008

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

What can I say,still smitten after 5 years! Peppy, reliable, safe, still looks like new with this black leather with white exterior. Big windows make the big sky bigger. BIG sunroof turns my Subie into a convertible. Comfy inside, pleny of room too. Love the sporty driving appeal with low center of gravity yet high clearance. It's the perfect car for the mountains and highways where Canadian winters go on and on and on! Did I mention I loved my SUV(Subie Utility Vehicle).

Favorite Features

Sun roof, 6CD stero, weather band, big windows, leather comfort and styling. Protected rocker panels with the moulded lower panels and mudflaps. And OMG the Turbo makes me feel like a NASCAR driver too.

Suggested Improvements

I wished the drivers seat was electic, but I guess Subaru have fixed that in subsequent years. Too bad my car will last so long before I get a new one. Meet me here in another 5 years for the ten year review! LOL

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Still in Love 5 years later!

Written by: EJGauthier on 04/18/2008

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Did my research before buying my Subie. Used to drive 4X4 Cherokee 4.0L. Rented one for a few weeks to test it properly, but it wasn't a turbo. Test drove the new 2004 Turbo and bought it on the spot. Has every feature possible and most accessories. I changeover my tires Winter(use Toyo Walnut shell composite)/Summer( still have my factory tires). The AWD, antilock brakes and low center of gravity has proven to be an extremely stable, safe and solid vehicle for me. I would buy the same again in a NY minute. Love the rearview mirror with autodimmer and compass. Love the weatherband radio! Love leather smells awesome everytime I sit down. Love the great big sunroof, increases my big sky country!

Favorite Features

Turbo charged acceleration, interior finish, big windows feels large and minimizes blind spots for 360 degrees. Has the character of a wagon and the feel of a sports car. Autodimmer rearview mirror saves from the bright headlights. Big sunroof, turns subie into a convertible.

Suggested Improvements

I would have liked an electric 8 point drivers seat as I spend a lot of time in there and heaters for my occasional backseat passengers.

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Turbo blown

Written by: Disappointed on 03/28/2008

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Bought this car used as the dealership reved about the longevity of the Subaru engine. At 135000 KMs the Turbo blew up. Car was always well maintained. Of course with the high miles the warranty had expired (for ileage not age) so no dealership would help. First and last Subaru I'll ever own.

Favorite Features

Turbo was super fun (when it worked) and handling in snow with snow tires was great.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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In the 5th Year I'm still lovin' Subie

Written by: Elizabeth on 03/20/2008

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I migrated from a Jeep 6 cyl to the Subaru Forester XT. I was looking for comfort, safety, power, and a great looking ride. I saw my Subie and fell in love. I added the smart mirror and command start, the only two options not already there. The defrosting and seat warmers and that fact my car is smart enough to blow cold air in the winter initially means I never have foggy windows. How much more could I ask for? I'm so glad I made the choice for this head turning vehicle. Each time I fill I am asked about Subie. I draw unusual attention when I cart my 16 foot canoe on top the factory racks.

Favorite Features

AWD, turbo, antilock brakes, defrosting, wiper elements front and back, and mirror defrosters, seat heaters, stereo 6CD changer, weatherband radio and finally the big sunroof. I feel like I have a convertible when that's all the way open! Did I mention the cargo room?

Suggested Improvements

I feel sorry for the people who ride in the back seat, no seat heaters there.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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STi in disguse

Written by: Foos on 11/19/2007

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Overall, this is the best car I have ever had. You have all the utility of a station wagon/SUV, but the guts of a sports car. With a little bit of tuning, this car competes with a stock STi. Without a doubt this is the wolf in the sheep's clothing.

Favorite Features

Turbo motor. Mustangs don't like me.

Suggested Improvements

Better factory tune for gas mileage. With software changes to the ECU, I have picked up 10% in mileage. Subaru could have easily done this.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Sleeper

Written by: fun2drive on 10/06/2007

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Most people think of this vehicle as a soccer mom's grocery getter. If you're looking to impress people at first sight, then this is not the car for you. This car is very practical. Plenty of room for almost everything including 4 adults. Great visibility and very maneuverable in town due to its small turning radius. Excellent comfort. Cabin layout and seats are perfect. Car is very stable, especially for something so high off the ground. 5speed has relatively short throws and the entire shifting process is very smooth. MPG: worst-18 best-26 city-20 hwy-25 mixed-23 Car is geared low for acceleration. At 70mph you're at 3K rpm. Could use a 6-speed for hwy gas mileage

Favorite Features

Extremely pleasant to live with every day. Extremely fun on country roads. This has no LS1 V8, but in stride, between 3K-5K rpm this engine is a beast. Steering is very direct.

Suggested Improvements

Climate control isn't perfect. Not very aerodynamic so high wind noise at high speed. Small turbo engine-power is low with AC on. Some turbo lag, but definitely not as bad as 2L wrx, and taken care of with some extra down-shifting. Power not matched by brakes or suspension, but they are adequate

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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04 Forester XT

Written by: Scott on 09/04/2007

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Excellent car. The build feels solid, I have owned this car for about 2 years now with no problems at all. The all wheel drive combined with the 210 hp turbo engine is great in the hills. This car is awesome in the snow, never any problems at all navigating in snow. It also grips well in dry and wet weather, I feel very safe in this car. Excellent ground clearance, never any issues on mtn roads. The interior seems solid, no creaks or rattles or anything falling apart. I think for the money you can't get a better car.

Favorite Features

AWD. Turbo engine. Ground clearance. Solid feel. Very reliable.

Suggested Improvements

Larger backseat?

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Good car, very pleased

Written by: Dan on 08/28/2007

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

85,000 miles and no failures or repairs. This car has been rock-solid from the very beginning and shows no signs of slowing down. The turbo motor makes for some fun driving but I can also get 24-25 mpg on highway cruises. Visibility is top-notch and the built-in safety features are a huge plus. It's not the prettiest car around but that's not why you buy a Forester. It's a do-everything vehicle that doesn't make many compromises to accomplish that goal. Rear seat room could be a touch bigger and that's the only major gripe I can come up with. If my Forester got totaled tomorrow, would I buy another? Yes, without a second thought. All cars should be this good.

Favorite Features

Turbo power for the XT model. Storage space. Blend-in styling doesn't attract unwanted attention. Dead-on reliability. Go-anywhere AWD system. Among the safest cars on the road today, according to the IIHS and NHTSA.

Suggested Improvements

A slightly longer wheelbase to improve backseat room All other items were addressed in subsequent model years.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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2004 Forester Junk on Wheels

Written by: Mike Foley on 01/20/2007

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This car was rubbish from day one. Brake noise. Faulty converter, hard starting, and the cam shaft and one lifter failed after 12000 miles. For $24K. Do not believe Consumer Reports.

Favorite Features

Trade in value.

Suggested Improvements

Buy a German car.

1 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Nice but needs improvements

Written by: Sean D on 12/05/2006

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Performance great, but 1st gear ratio too low; shift to 2nd is sometimes clumsy with best efforts. Clutch pedal range much too long. Outside styling is weird. Looks good in some lighting and some angles (e.g. rear), in others it looks pathetic. Wheels too small and stupid looking for top-of-the-line Forester. Suspension is too soft for performance. Seats and position are not comfortable for me. Seems the ergonomics are for shorter people. Gas mileage fair; seems to be the same whether driven hard or easy. Premium fuel is not a plus, but its a turbo. I've driven the '07. Much improved appearance, nicer wheels, nicer interior design / features.

Favorite Features

Quickness, reliability, AWD.

Suggested Improvements

See 2007 Forester XT.

4 out 7 people found this review helpful

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