Used 2004 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews
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Great Car
ksr, 03/19/2004
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After riding in a Forester with my partner for the last four years, I decided to buy my own. I love it for its comfort and driving nature, but also for its fuel efficiency. I actually got 32mpg on my last tank. This is really a smartly designed car!
Happy Buyer
pleased buyer, 08/28/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am very pleased with the car. It has excellent pick-up and is a friendly car to drive.
Tow Beast
Kavoom, 02/24/2006
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had it a year now and gone 24K miles with about 7k of those on camping trips with a small pop up camper running around 1800 lbs loaded. I have a manual transmission. I have been in mountains plains and it drives like a dream, 22 mpg pulling as fast as 75 mph across Nebraska (29 to 31 mpg w/o trailer). I am on my third Subaru and the Forester is the best so far and that's saying something. Best small tow vehicle in U.S.
Nice Car!
jlawson, 02/20/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My wife and I were searching for a safe and roomy second car that had enough room to haul around two small children and the gear that goes along with it. The Forester proved more than adequate. There is plenty of room in the back for the two car seats, and the kids enjoy looking at the stars through the oversized moon roof. This is an extremely comfortable and fun car to drive. The premier leather package contains lots of extra features for a modest price. The Forester is a great family car at a reasonable price.
I Would Consider Another Forester
MaryAnn Smith, 02/22/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I really like my Forester. However, I never thought when buying my car that I should sit in the back. Just to see how I liked the room,etc. Well, my Forester is wonderful except for the back seat.There is no leg room whatsoever. Not even for a small child let alone an adult. My Forester does great with snow, icy conditions, etc. Handles very well on hills. I would buy another Forester again without any hesitation.
clunky
dddmuse, 11/12/2003
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
It's performance is very good. They were cheap with the materials in the interior, i.e. the rugs and seats and the styling is boring to say the least.
Forester XT
kbunting, 02/24/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
unbelievably fun to drive family car...not so big that it hogs up the road like some of its competitors.
Not Reliable
An, 03/19/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Even before our first oil change (1200 miles) it left us sit. It would crank but would not start. Towed to dealership which proceeded to take 2 full weeks to repair it. Just got it back today. Dealer says the problem was that there was a fault in the engine wiring harness that caused a short circuit in the electrical supply to the fuel pump. Blew a 30 amp fuse that prevented the fuel pump from working. Luckily it did not happen while driving or impact could have been much worse.
Unbeatable value for the money
Ralf A., 06/05/2006
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Forester is a well rounded small SUV, performing well in all disciplines. This small SUV is more fun to drive than many cars or wagons. It literally sticks to the road like glue. This is my first permanent AWD vehicle and after getting used to the different feel of driving - I really came to like it. It could use some more hp but I guess you'd have to buy the XT for that. The reliability is outstanding. Some of the interior materials and finishing seem a little cheap. The backseat is cramped even with two small children and very small compared e.g. to the Honda CRV. Dealership and service are very good.
0 for 2 With My Subaru
Dougie Henson, 11/01/2008
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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!!!
A Great Car for a Small Family
kcdeven, 09/05/2003
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought a white, 5-speed 2004 "X" model in August. So far, it has been a great car. We took it on a 400 mi road trip over Labor Day weekend, and it was great - comfortable, fun to drive, plenty of room for our family of 3 and all our gear. We're very, very happy with our purchase. The X came with every option we would ever need or use. The only problem so far is getting the hill-holder clutch to disengage when backing out of my driveway (which is on a hill). Otherwise, it's been smooth-driving!
Fast and Practical
samiam_68, 11/18/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is an overall excellent vehicle. It is very roomy and practical, well designed, has been reliable so far. The engine is awesome - it responds instantaneously and never lacks power. The clutch is smooth and the transmission is very precise. Brakes have a good feel and steering is nice and responsive. The gas mileage is average - overall 21 MPG in mixed driving after over 3,000 miles. This car has the worst seatbelts I have ever seen - they are ridiculously tight, lock up constantly, and cause pain across the chest and abdomen. Had them replaced twice already, but no improvement. Will be talking directly to a Subaru rep in the near future.
Car of a lifetime
Lovemysubaru, 09/06/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Package (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is just a wonderful car in every way.
Hitting the sweet spot
dcdouglas, 11/25/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My wife and I replaced a 92 Legacy wagon with an XT w/PP. It is the ultimate automobile sweet spot. This car is the PERFECT blend of safety, performance, price, and sheer drivability. If you're looking for a small SUV/tall wagon, I must go out and test drive one to see for yourself. It blows away all competitors (CRV, RAV, Vue, Matrix) while still being economical. Be prepared to have the street cred of a bad boy racer while also enjoying the envy of soccer moms everywhere. If you and your partner must compromise on a new vehicle purchase (between performance and functionality), don't compromise, buy an XT!
WOULD BUY ANOTHER SUBARU FORESTER W/O ?
WALT, 11/27/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
EXTREMELY SATISFIED---------HAS MET ALL OF MY EXPECTATIONS AND THEN SOME-----
Very Happy
Flippy, 09/07/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I got a 2004 XT after desiring a small sports car yet wanting to hold on to something I could grow into were I to start a family. I was torn between the VW GTI and the 03 XS and then I drove the XT. It is a new feeling being in a car and knowing I can go 0- 60 faster that the 350z, the S200, the Porsche Boxter, and most Ferraris yet still have a lot of safety features, interior space, and know that my car will likely spen a lot less time in the shop then the other. The leather is extremely comfortable, the AC very effective and the handling compliant. I got it for less than 2% over invoice with some excellent financing.
My fun Subaru
Anna'sXT, 11/29/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I never thought I'd own an SUV.....I just never liked them. I was more of a sports car fan.....I owned a GT Mustang and then a Camaro SS. But then my husband (who owned a Subaru WRX) talked me into the forester and now I love it. It doesn't have the power and performance of the SS, but its right up there and its fun to drive. And of course with the all wheel drive I know I won't have any problems with the snow and ice this winter. I also like the feeling of sitting up higher. Overall, I have to admit it took me by surprise and I really love it now :o)
My Forester Analysis
mmanton, 11/29/2003
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Excellent car! Only thing I don't like are picky things - the cup holders are too far back between the two front seats & the cruise control on switch is not on the steering column where I wish it was located.
xt premium does what it suppose to do...
njswamplands, 09/09/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
excellent awd sedan/wagon type driving with great crash test scores. no one competes in this price/performance with easy entry ( no stepping up ) and awd. fun to drive wagon but be prepared for horrible gas mileage for its size. sun roof is HUGE, kids in 2nd row really enjoy it.
A Great Car
hadley, 11/29/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love this car. It's my first Subaru and I can't say enough good things about it. It is so comfortable to sit in and drives so nicely. I love the heated seats and and automatic temp. control. The sun roof is awesome, HUGE.The back is big enough for several hockey bags. I just love driving it. I would highly recommend this car.
Regular kitchen appliance
DL, 02/10/2010
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a great little car for people who think that driving is as exciting as homework. It is not that expensive, reliability on major parts are good, can take a beating reasonably well. It is a completely forgettable car that takes you from point A to point B with no complaints.
Dream SUV
Donna J, 11/27/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a awesome suv. I love everything about it.
Like it more as time goes on
HJW, 04/19/2005
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A practical car that made sense to buy, but wait! It's been a blast to drive, even more so on logging roads and when roads get curvy. Not a single problem so far.
Finally, the SUV for this century!
michaeldavis1969, 08/22/2003
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I dont pay a lot of money for a car unless I am convinced it will be worth my investment. The newer 04 Forester has huge improvements on the glitches of the older models, especially the 01 model complaints in Edmunds consumer opinions. It is the only SUV in the small class category to rank good in the overall crash tests. Nice standard features like fog lights and power locks and windows. Go for the winter upgrade package if you have a lot of winter driving.
My third Subaru
psychnurse, 11/12/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Package (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am able to go up inclines and through three feet of snow without a problem. Living in the mountains of Colorado made me a customer for life. When I moved to Oregon and experienced black ice, I really became a lifetime Subaru owner. Now in Las Vegas where any rain is a problem for the locals, I am very glad I have my Subaru.
Great Buy!!!
Phillips, 09/17/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a great all around car. We took it off-road last week and it has great clearance and stability. Follows in the great tradition of Subaru.
Fun Forester
Scotts, 11/29/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a "fun" vehicle to drive. Handling is great! We changed from an Outback Limited 5-speed with all the goodies to get the additional room inside a Forester. Love Subaru's reliability and handling, and this was a good move for us to get additional interior space. The added plus was the turbo and the braking system. The Forester doesn't know it's a little car!
great car
hoosier, 11/26/2003
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Have had my subaru for two months--also have a subaru Legacy . I love my forester , like the way it handles and rides.Ride little more choppy then Outback but more fun to drive and easy to get in and out of traffic--get about 26mph in mixed driving. I live off road and great winter car---
Great vehicle
H. Hudson, 03/23/2010
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We have had zero problems with this vehicle. Has a lot of punch and great to drive. Fair gas mileage. Passenger seat too hard for me.
Awesome To Drive and Own
earthwoman, 07/17/2003
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After 5000 miles and 4 months of highway, city and off road driving not a single problem. Haven't been back to the dealer except to buy accessories! I do a lot of mountain road driving and even with a roof top cargo carrier and camping gear inside it handles great. The safety ratings on this vehicle are excellent also.
Safety First
Verna Spier, 11/29/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My 2004 Forester is a replacement for a 2003 which was totaled in a terrible accident. I truely believe that had I been in another SUV I would have been killed. The vehicle was on two wheels and should have flipped over into a deep ditch. Due to the higher placement of the engine and AWD it hugged the road and was able to right itself, returning all wheels to the road. I swerved into a large tree which again, if not for the great bumper system I would have beem killed. I walked away with a burn on my elbow from pushing up against the door. I know that the 2004 will perform as well, if not better. And I love the new features.
Great Car
hybrid, 11/21/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a great vehicle. I traded in my 2002 A4 for this car. I wanted a fun AWD small SUV/wagon. I was hesitant on the eterior styling at first...Once I drove the XT, I was hooked. The turbo 2.5 liter motor is addicting. The 5 speed manual is a little sportier, but this was the compromise between my wife and I. Plus the sunroof in the Premium is to die for. You can't go wrong with this vehicle
Subaru Forester XT after 9 months
BCJ, 02/08/2006
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Best car I have ever driven. Goes down hills like a spider climbing down a wall. Takes off like a rocket, have to watch myself on the acceleration. You think you are light on the pedal and next thing you know the rest of the traffic is a block behind you after the light changes.
Love it!
betsy1111111`1111`11, 11/12/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
great! I did much research and found this car to be the best for our needs. Safety and good gas mileage is important.
Exactly what I needed !!!
MSavard, 07/22/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My Forester XT have everything I wanted in a car actually: -Great power -Good look -Great handling -Lots of space for a family car and work -Expandability
So Far,So Great
HER, 12/03/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Researched small suv's - crv,rav4 vs. forester.no comparison. Only driven 1200 miles but love everything about it. smooth,quiet,responsive,safe.Visibility best ever,moonroof biggest ever.Bought for wife for safety reasons,but she loves it for the fun of it. If it holds up mechanically, I will give it a perfect 10.
Best little SUV!
rainman098, 12/03/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had this car only a week now, and it has been great! I'm going from a Honda Civic to a Subaru Forester. A big change for me. A lot more space! I don't see people tailgating me as much as when I was driving my Civic (a good thing! I hate tailgaters!). The Forester rides really nice, and quiet. Steering is Ok. The acceleration will blow you away! No noticeable turbo lag. MPG is not that good, but you have to expect that for a turbo engine. Auto tranny is smooth like a caddy. Moonroof is huge! Leather is nice. Heated seats are really comfy.
SECOND FORRESTER
SWAT 1, 09/01/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Package (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
HAD A 1999 FORRESTER, A GOOD SUV, BUT DID NOT HAVE A SUNROOF. THIS 2004 IS ALMOST LIKE MY 1999, BUT WITH A SUNROOF AND A LOT MORE ACCESSORIES. BOTH ARE A PLEASURE TO DRIVE AND I COULD DRIVE ALL DAY AND NOT FEEL TIRED. HANDLES GREAT IN WINDING MOUNTAIN ROADS. LOOKING FORWARD TO DIVE THIS FORRESTER IN THE SNOW AND OTHER BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS.
XT Review
DANALI, 12/03/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Very fast and comfortable. Quite a bit of power for a vehicle such as this. A little top heavy when driven hard. Gearing is to low for this turbo setup
Forester XT Manual Transmission
SLR, 08/13/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
An excellent family performance wagon with far above average for class engine performance. It has great utility and value yet is far from being a mommy car. It is true to being a small ute from ride/handling perspective. I thought it would only be a tall wagon.
3 Months in
archer, 11/20/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Package (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my first Subaru, and so far, at 4K miles, I am very pleased. The Forester XS with Prem. package has lots of nice features which match my needs. Mostly around town driving with some light offroad...gravel and dirt roads. Very comfortable seats for long trips. I'm 6'3" and have plenty of room. A solid, responsive, well conceived vehicle. My passengers are really impressed. So far no early defects, so I'm a pretty happy camper.
My Review
Lou13, 03/06/2004
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is a lot of fun to drive. It's a lot quicker than I thought it would be and it handles snow and ice very well. I'm starting to see a lot more of them around, so word is getting out about what a great car this is.
My Subaru
Marsha, 07/24/2006
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love this car. I bought it in Nashville, TN prior to a move to Tucson, AZ. Comfort, style, handling...it has it all. I love the way it looks, and people stop me all the time to ask about it. Great ground clearance and headroom. Expansive cargo space and incredible comfort inside. I'll never own anything else.
The swiss army knife of cars!
problemcat13, 11/19/2008
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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!
Problems
Forester '04, 04/05/2009
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My '04 Sabaru is noisy, had to replace rear tire ball bearings, had accident because of a sticky throttle 4 days after a mechanic check, lacked sufficient room for passengers.
Upgraded from Impeza to Forrester
DavidColorado, 11/22/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I traded in my 2000 Impreza Outback Sport for a 2004 Forrester. I am getting 27 mpg, which is better than I expected. I love the interior design and feature set. The car regularly takes 3 kids to school, hauls empty cardboard to the recycling center, and carries me safely and comfortably to my 40 mile away workplace.
This is an awesome vehicle
email4sure, 12/06/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car has everything I could imagine. It is the perfect size for my family of four. It also can kick butt.
XT Roxors!
STUbaru, 12/06/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I looked at the Pilot, the Murano, the Passat, the Element and even drove a 5 series BMW wagon. None of them impressed me the way the Subaru did, and the Forester was at least 8k cheaper than any of them.
first subaru ihave ever bought
new subaru owner, 09/17/2003
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The subaru X is a nice basic car. Feels solid, priced nicely. great low end torque.
Not American Junk
G-$, 12/09/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Package (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Rides and handles great.