2004 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews

Great little wagon

Written by: homer on 11/23/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

I bought this car new in 2003 and have loved it ever since. I just payed it off and plan on keeping it until it dies. It handles great in the rain and snow. The only warranty work I had done was to replace the CD changer and rear view mirror. My only complaint is the very loud road noise. It's a great car that can definitely move when you want it to.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Forester 04 XS Premium

Written by: mcbit on 11/19/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

Love the versatility of the vehicle. Like handling, but lacking power IMO. Passing other vehicles is often a challenge, which is my major concern. And, turbo is much more expensive to drive. Maintenance is on the expensive side. Sunroof doesn't open/close properly. Dealership was unable to determine exact cause after 1 hr inspection. Another mechanic found trickling current in the power circuit suspecting a failing diode in the alternator. Dealership tested and said that it is okay. Suspicious. Don't take vehicle to the dealership anymore. Central console plastic is easy to scratch. Rattles inside are annoying. Overall, good vehicle.

Favorite Features

Safety, steering, handling, driver seating position, heated seat, visibility, cargo room, AWD

Suggested Improvements

Need at least 180HP engine and at lest 5-speed automatic transmission. Fuel consumption is worse than expected. Interior build quality (type of materials used, tolerances, padding). Wind noise. Exterior paint is not great. Cruise control is awkward. No trip computer.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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The swiss army knife of cars!

Written by: problemcat13 on 11/18/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

Want a wagon to haul stuff? Want to do some light off-roading? Want to smoke that 350Z sitting at the light next to you? The Forester can do it all! I am on my second Forester and am now a die-hard Subaru fan. My 04 XT is a nicely put together vehicle with nice materials, but most importantly, smoking performance. I smile just thinking about pushing my Foz through the corners and speeding away from lights. I like it, my kids like it, and even the wife likes to take it out for a spin! Reliability, style, utility, performance... you can't go wrong!

Favorite Features

0-60 of 5.3 seconds! It's just crazy fast. Good materials, sound system, INCREDIBLE safety, reliability.

Suggested Improvements

Note that the 04-05 XT 5-speed have a 4.44 final drive ratio so they turn high RPMs at high speed (80mph = 3500RPM). Makes for quick acceleration but not the best gas mileage. But in perspective, it's still much better than most sports cars.

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0 for 2 With My Subaru

Written by: Dougie Henson on 11/01/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

This was my 2nd Subaru and it will surely be my last. I should have known better after our '93 Legacy wagon broke 2 timing belts, blew a head gasket, and needed both front wheel drive axles replaced-all before 36,000 miles. Nevertheless, I traded it on a new '04 Forester 2.5X because it was the best deal we could get. Never again! The right front wheel well liner came loose and fell out before 10,000 miles. The transmission began to give us trouble at 15,000 miles. The whole car vibrated while turning even though we faithfully had it serviced & the tires rebalanced and rotated every 3,000 miles at the dealers. The windows leaked and whistled in the wind whenever you exceeded 35 MPH. Junk!!!

Favorite Features

There are two things for which I am grateful! One, that despite all of its failures, the Forester lasted long enough until we could save enough $$$ to get rid of it. And two, when we finally unloaded it for a new Ford Escape, we got a relatively good price as a trade.

Suggested Improvements

We returned the Subaru every 3,000 miles to the dealer to have the oil changed, routine maintenance performed, tires rotated, etc. Every time we took it in, they found something that needed to be replaced! It ended up costing us roughly $350 every 3,000 miles just for upkeep. That shouldn't happen!!!

0 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Paint problems

Written by: John S on 10/21/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

A great car in most aspects except paint. Have commuted 110 miles round trip for years with Hondas. The Subaru paint on the front plastic components has become heavily pitted from bugs in spite of frequent washings. Looks trashy on the front. Now I am getting a milky residue on the entire exterior. No known exposure to air borne pollutants. Waxed regularly. Washed predominantly by hand with proper washing materials. The black pearl paint looks great except it shows both of these blemishes rather dramatically. Subaru only offered to pay 1/2 cost of bumper repainting. A real disappointment.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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The 2004 Subaru Forester was a Life-Saver

Written by: pktsizecub on 08/16/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

I bought a silver Forester because of the snow and ice we get in Eastern Oregon. This car exceeded expectations. I never got below 25 MPG on the hwy, and around 22 in town. When "Chains Required" signs are posted on the interstate, this car buzzed past all the cars chaining up. Subaru is amazing for their safety and high quality. Because my son survived an extreme accident with only bruises I can endorse this car fully. I'm not saying another car wouldn't have performed as well. But this Subaru when put to the test, passed with flying colors.

Favorite Features

Alas, this car gave up its life and saved my son in the process. He was driving on I-84 from Portland near Cascade Locks, OR in torrential rain & icy conditions. He attempted to pass a tractor-trailer. The truck changed lanes and ran over the passenger side of the car. He walked away with bruises

Suggested Improvements

5 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Excellent Car!

Written by: Charles on 05/12/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

This car is a 10 all round. It may seem strange that I gave all 10's but this is purely in consideration of the type of car it is. For performance for example, some may say that it is slow, especially for 165 hp. However, in any conditions with poor traction, it is absolutely essential for good performance (ie not sliding off the road) that power delivery isn't snappy and immediate. Handling is surprisingly good for the type of car it is and this must in part be due to the low center of gravity of the boxer engine.

Favorite Features

AWD, not too big, economical, handling, styling, boxer engine, tan interior is nice

Suggested Improvements

More rear leg room

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I'll keep going back to Subaru!

Written by: JP on 04/30/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

My second Forester was the 2004 and it was such a good, solid car. I've listened to so many "regular car" drivers complain about snow, ice, etc. I never had those problems with this Forester or the one I traded in to get this one (1998). Just traded it in for a Legacy which I love, but I do miss all the storage cubbies in the Forester! I really love the Subaru line - so many things that are "extra" in other brands are "standard" for Subaru, such as carpeted mats, keyless remote, etc. Between that, the AWD, and a good dealership, I'm a Subaru owner for life!

Favorite Features

Solid feel; gas mileage; storage cubbies; AWD.

Suggested Improvements

The rear hatch bar that's used to close the back door had some rusting/bubbling of paint. Didn't like the styling of the car; my husband called it a "giant roller skate". Also the Forester had a hard, "truck-like" ride.

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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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