Used 2000 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews
Used Forester for sale
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.
Love this car
subi!, 11/11/2009
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
20 of 20 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for several years and I love it. It is the best car on snow, can tow a small trailer, and I get almost 30mpg! Sure it looks a little square, but I like the way it looks. It has been the perfect car for me and my dog to get to the mountains.
Love it!
Garcia subaru, 10/17/2007
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
I love this vehicle! Fun to drive, pulls 2000 lbs, very reliable, was not too expensive, great in snow. Nearly 180000 on it with no major problems. Have done routine maintainance, replaced the brakes, starter and clutch once. Had one part needing replacement with the catalytic converter (cost 3-400 dollars), needed to replace the tape player (replaced it with a CD/tape player) and that was it. Still running great and I hope to keep it for another 100,000 miles. Get 20-30 mpg on freeway (at 60-70 mph) and 27-27 in town. I am planning to buy another in the future and am hoping they can improve the gas mileage by then. (They keep increasing the engine horsepower which I do not feel it needs.)
Overall Good car with recent issues
faithin14eva, 05/02/2011
2000 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
20 of 22 people found this review helpful
My husband and I bought this car in 2009 and it had 108,000 miles on it. Last year we hit a slight hiccup when our O2 sensor went. The garages near us had a hard time figuring out what the issue was and we eventually went down to the actual dealership and as soon as we described the problem they knew the answer. It is now a year later and my husband went to replace the rotors and brakes and discovered that the calipers, and inner and outer tire rods were bad as well in the front and the caliper on the rear driver side was bad as well. Now we have fixed all of this for around 400 and yet the brake system is still not working properly. More attempts to come to fix it.
Does what it is supposed to
DakarTimm, 11/22/2017
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
Second Subaru . My first was a 2005 Legacy that was T Boned by someone doing 60 mph. I was able to crawl out the passenger side and still go to work . It made me feel very safe. I wanted higher ground clearance for deeper snow and more cargo capability . I purchased it used with 80 k .The check engine light came on almost immediately after getting it home . I replaced the 02 sensor with a genuine factory part . The check engine light has now been on continuously for 7 years . The car runs just fine .We are approaching 220,000 miles . I had the drivers rear wheel bearing replaced at 170,000 miles . Mileage is almost all highway with the average mpg around 25 . For what it was designed to do which is carrying people and gear through less than ideal conditions ,it excels . Long trips are tolerable .We've spent upwards of 30 hours on continuous driving without being too uncomfortable . What more could one reasonably expect ?
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
A robust little wagon
Chris in IL, 12/10/2002
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Bought the car as a dealer demo back in April of '00. Overall ownership experience has been great. Torquey motor with enough punch for around town driving, decent mileage and super reliability. AWD is great in inclement weather (once the sucky stock Bridgestones were replaced with Pirrelli Scorpions). Plain-Jane wrapper, but at least it doesn't look like an atheletic shoe (think RAV4).
One Great Car
foogazy, 05/14/2002
2000 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The Forester is a great small SUV with lots of great features. It has decent pickup for a 4 cylinder and handles very well. It is a comfortable ride, although the back seat is a bit cramped. The cargo area is laid out nicely and has plenty of room. Overall, I am very very happy with this purchase and would definately recommend it to others
Great Car!!
Chuck's Forester, 02/28/2003
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. The AWD gives great handling no matter what the weather. This car goes better in snow and ice than 4x4s I have owned in the past. The engine has surprising power for a 4 cyl--I use my Subaru to pull my boat to the lake. I am sold on Subaru thanks to this car!
Perfect Winter car
Dustinson, 02/19/2010
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
13 of 19 people found this review helpful
I bought a high powered rear-wheel drive car and needed something for winter. I hated the look of this car, but am glad I bought it. I drive through snow half way up the door panels with ease. I can't imagine going back to just a front-wheel drive car for winter.
Go Everywhere and anywhere car
Seeingsienna, 06/21/2003
2000 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car doe sit all. It is my commuter car, my sporty ride car, my soccer/baseball car and my landscaping car, and now even my camping car. Other than 3 repairs to the rear wheel bearings {see other owners reporting same problem and local serviceman saying it is common for the car}, it has been trouble free. Mileage drops to 21-22 in winter - I suspect bad oxygen/gas mixture b/c tires are kept well inflated. In warm weather I get 25- 27 overall.
Older can be better
Suber owner, 12/05/2023
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've had the best usage from my 2000 subaru forester. I bought it new & kept all the servicing suggested. It's only been recently a problem dealership couldn't fix...may be dealership...I took it back after a servicing to address the problem & they did another servicing!! had just been done.Ran out of funds after this - so there it sits -sad.Ran out of money & dealership service was poor. (Prior good) I miss it!!..when we've had snow or storms...I'm on the road helping everyone else.
So far, so good
AustinFromBoston, 07/28/2003
2000 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Bought this car about 6 months ago for my wife... it was by far the best driving small SUV we drove. Ours had 24,000 when we got it and it has about 30,000 now... no real problems to speak of, except some annoying rattles with interior body parts. I had a 18 year- old BMW that never had any rattles!
repeated oxygen sensor issues
nbrown, 12/30/2003
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have a love/hate relationship with my Forester. I love the design and the AWD. I hate that I have had the oxygen sensor replaced FOUR times. I love that I can haul just about anything in it. I hate that my baby's car seat doesn't fit in the back seat. When my lease is up this year I will be trading it in for something more family friendly with more interior room and less engine problems.
Many problems, sold mine
rhk0328, 09/08/2004
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
It's really been a nightmare on problems coming up. I owned the car until 72,000 miles. I had to replace 5 wheel bearings with no sign of a fix. I had to replace the clutch/flywheel/pressure plate around 50k milesfo $1500. Both of these problems are well documented. Good news is that the cluch problem is supposed to be fixed now. That chattering sound is not normal. Mine went bad. I got bad support from subaru for the problems. It's really been a thorn in my side. My gas mileage was around 21 mpg. The stock tires (bridgestones duelers) wear really poorly. The cheaper brands work better. The windshield is also fragile, chipping easily.
My 2000 S
declansdad, 03/12/2002
2000 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
3 of 7 people found this review helpful
Great vehicle for small/new families.
This car is a continuous Headache
starsmyles, 02/23/2007
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
4 of 10 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Subaru Forester in the summer of 2003. I live in Maine and was looking for something safe and reliable since I need my car for my work. I was in love with the car when the dealership let me take the car home overnight for a test drive. It drove wonderfully! I don't believe I had any major issues with the car in the first year that I had it. I had oil changes done as recommended and took care of it. Also my bug deflector panel thing that came with the car flew off one day while I was going 55 mph. In the summer of 2005 though I started to have issues. The car would not go anywheres until I put it into reverse first and then into drive. Once in drive I had no issues.
Satisfaction
S110123, 05/09/2002
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
What more can I say? We reviewed other makes and models and found them wanting.Having owned Subaru's in the past.We were convinced.
forester great all round
DrDr, 08/06/2003
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Forester was the best mid-small SUV wagon from 98 to 2002, except its looks. It's forte is gravel bumpy roads, but does many things well. Quirks you need to know: 1..the manual transmission gives much better than rated mpg, I've got 25 to 27.5 mpg with all of the 200 tanks I've calculated. It's also much quicker than the AT. 2..The clutch chatters when wet. Subaru now acknowleges this for Foresters and WRX but there's no fix. 3..It can take a long time to get repair parts.
Solid SUV
ciosavlo, 01/19/2006
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Not really had any issues with this car. Its got nice pickup and is a blast to drive. Can routinely out drive the bigger v-6's. This Sube is like all the others, solid engine, drivetrain, and external parts. Some rust a bit quick than others, but you can tell some real design went into this car. Drawbacks are the interior. Rear seat is cramped, but hardly every use the rear seat so its worth the trade off. Also, choice of materials inside was weak and has lasted as long as it should.
best car I ever bought
pbohn, 03/12/2004
2000 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Plenty of power with 2.5L dohc 4cyl. good auto trans performance.
Few problems...So far
lgdawley, 03/05/2005
2000 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Like - plenty of room for my golden retriever and his friends and for carrying furniture, supplies, etc; virtually no blind spots; original brakes lasted to 87,000 miles. Dislike - cup holder location; cheap interior fabric; weak front windshield - had to replace mine the first year; paint that chips easily; had 1 wheel-bearing go - hopefully others won't follow soon. Too noisy driving on the freeway. Other - wish they could be a little more "stylish".
Another love-hate relationship
Stacey, 05/16/2006
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I am in love with my little Forester. It's a fun drive, great on gas, can carry all my stuff with room to spare, and gives me lots of headroom (and I'm pretty tall, too). However, I hate that I have to keep putting money in for repairs. I just did the math and found I've had about $2,300 in major repairs over the last year and a half, including: head gasket, alternator, combination switch, rear wheel bearing, and most recently the catalytic converter. If this keeps up I will have to get another car, which will make me quite sad indeed.
2000 Forester what a drama
Lori Welch, 03/19/2003
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 00Forester and loved it, even though it was constantly in the shop. Problem is with the rear wheel bearings they constantly go.
great car
Steve Heiser, 12/19/2018
2000 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Very relible car i love the all wheel drive
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
my little suv
almasgarden, 01/10/2003
2000 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
A great car and fun to drive. Only wish I got better mileage. I highly recommend. Also bought an extended warranty,so I plan on keeping it.
2000 Subaru Forester S
M. Blanchard, 02/28/2003
2000 Subaru Forester S 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Positive: Handles most road conditions very well. Will drive across a 12 inch snow drift with ease. Seems to grip the road except, of course, in icy conditions. Stops very efficiently. Very good visibility all around. Negative: Apparently a design flaw, it seems to suck road dirt onto its rear surface.
After seven years of ownership
bargain hunter, 10/16/2006
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
4 of 21 people found this review helpful
I bought this vehicle new in January 2000. For seven years I never had any major problems with this vehicle other than a radiator replacement. In the seventh year everything went on it at once. CV boots, wheel alignment, worn out wheel bearing, engine cylinder gaskets, fuel filter. The vehicle only had 81,000 miles on it when this all happen.
The car that won't die
Duster, 02/27/2024
2000 Subaru Forester L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've owned this car since it was new in 2000. The only repairs have been a head gasket replacement and a rear wheel bearing. Probably about $1500 in 24 years. Still runs well, although the gas mileage has dropped from 27 mpg to 23. I towed snowmobiles and atv's with it for 20 of those years. Other than gas, oil changes and tires, this car has cost less than $75 a year to maintain. I'm looking at new cars now, but until this one dies I probably won't pull the trigger.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value