Skip to main content

Used 1998 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars
67 reviews

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Price history graph example

Trending topics in reviews

Pros
Cons
4.75 out of 5 stars

Great Vehicle

Susan, 05/19/2008
1998 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have 98,000 on my Forester-11 years old. I have a 5 speed manual and had my clutch adjusted once. I had a couple other problems early on but nothing since. I think the problems were from it being the first year this vehicle was made. At first I was not enchanted as I did have problems but since then it has been great and very dependable. For whatever reason my tires do not wear out. It is important I think to take it to a Subaru Dealer to do all maintainance and do the suggested maintainance that is suggested for Subaru Foresters. It is very important. I love my vehicle and when I think about getting a new vehicle I just can't do it. I love my automobile, very dependable and great in snow

Report Abuse

3.5 out of 5 stars

Biased on subarus, but lessons learned

Cautious fan, 05/17/2009
1998 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I learned to drive on a Subaru and am somewhat biased. What I have learned is that Suabarus in general can be reliable cars most of the time. I bought my '98 Forester w/ 125k miles and had minor mechanical issues, 2 CV joint replacements and a new thermostat. However, a year ago many major issues popped up, including major repair on the front end and rear rotors. Now the automatic transmission is shifting hard into and out of 1st gear plus a bent rod makes a lot of noise during start-ups. The handling is sound and AWD works beautifully, many chances to hydroplane but the wheels caught the road instantly. Low profile feels like you're driving a car but with twice the cargo room.

Report Abuse
1998 Subaru Forester for sale near you
Showing 2 of 2 listings
See all 2 listings

4.75 out of 5 stars

Nice SUV

MSSSSW, 05/01/2002
1998 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Like everything about this car except the rear wiper

Report Abuse

4.88 out of 5 stars

Subaru

Beth, 02/04/2005
1998 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I'm a 17 year old girl [what do I know about cars, right?] and I drive a 1998 Subaru Forester. The car is easy to drive for a new driver, gets pretty good gas mileage, and is the right size so that it's not too big and awkward but also not stiflingly small. However, I live in New England and the absolute best thing about this car is its handling in the snow. I'm not a good driver and the bad weather in Mass. makes me nervous, but I've never had trouble getting up a hill or driving on slippery roads. My driveway is very steep and both my parents have trouble getting up it in their midsize sedans. Also, this car has almost 150,000 on it and is still running great and has never broken down.

Report Abuse

4.25 out of 5 stars

Very good car!

Andeas, 03/18/2002
1998 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

My experience has been very good. We used the car for a cross-country trip and had no problems.

Report Abuse
Items per page:
5