Used 2004 Subaru Forester Wagon Consumer Reviews
Used Forester for sale
Reliable, zippy, and fun
Shil, 07/24/2022
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought used and still going strong with 155,000+ miles. Mine is turbocharged. Very quick! Dependable. Handles well. The only "major" issues have been replacement of a front drive axle on account of a noisy CV joint, air conditioning compressor failure, and a power window motor. After 18 years, body rust is starting to take hold. Attempts were made to mitigate, but what is said is true: once it starts it continues.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
The Total Package
Chris & Lisa, 09/13/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This past June, my wife and I recently had a baby and we needed a vehicle with space, safety, and reliability being the primary features. Not wanting to relinquish my youthful sports car days I naturally suggested the WRX wagon. She had her eye on the Forester which at the time didnt have the turbo feature. I loved the WRX for being, well a WRX but we could just not compromise the space the Forester had to offer. Enter the Forester XT. This car was actually FASTER (yes faster) then the WRX and had all the space and comfort we needed to go with an all world safety pedigree. The Subaru Forester XT is the complete total package. Congrats Subaru, well done!!
Impressive engine
Leonardo, 07/30/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought very recently, so no comment about reliability valid at this time. Test drove both the XT turbo and non- turbo XS. Liked both actually, but shocked by the goodess and tractability of the turbo 2.5 engine. Tons of torque. No turbo wind-up. None. Motor goes about business effortlessly in day to day driving - much less frenetic than most autos, can get the job done at low rpm easily so it ends up being smooth and quiet. This car has two personalities - the very competent and comfortable daily driver being the main and most useful one. Push the accelerator past half tho'and it just flat flies. No noise or fanfare, just takes off.
The Enthusiasts' Family Vehicle
kameojoon, 01/23/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Amazing power. Subaru must under rate the power/torque on these cars. I've seen dyno results of stock XT's that would support this. The responsiveness is nothing short of amazing for a sub $30k vehicle with ample seating for 4 adults. Great handling and all wheel drive versatility. This is a great performer that will give lots of higher end performance cars a run for their money. Exceptional sleeper.
Very reliable car
subaru enthusiast, 09/23/2009
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Great car. Currently at 120,000 miles. The only major problem was leaky head gaskets which I think is an inherent defect in the engine. But easily fixed for less than $1000. Otherwise the best car I have ever owned. On my way to 200,000 miles and beyond.
Don't Buy a Forester
mike, 04/30/2009
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have had my 04 XS for 5 years now, generally speaking, it's a good car. It is reliable and gets 28-30 mpg highway, front seats are comfortable, back seats are tight, car is sporty and stylish, great traction in bad weather, massive sunroof, BUT...this car has problems. From day 1, car bucks after filling with gas (dealer can't explain), wind noise on highway is horrendous, check engine light goes on and off at will, moving drivers seat causes airbag light to go on, sunroof track broken-they want $1500 bucks to replace, vibration from engine Y-pipe drives us crazy (dealer again can't fix), now the rear end has a very loud humming noise as if its about to go. Car only has 62k miles.
right on the mark
REEBUS, 06/05/2003
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Subaru really hit a bullseye with this 2003 Forester model.I have a silver 2.5x model that came packaged with the optional security alarm, armrest extender, mudguards,chrome tailpipe and hood deflector. This crossover suv is sized right and looks sharp, with very good room, comfort and performance.With its venerable boxer engine, all wheel drive and ABS standard, along with a host of other amenities, it truly is a great value for the price!
Front end impact
Crunch, 11/23/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
At a red light, my foot slipped from the brake to the gas causing a bump with the 1987 Chevy mini-SUV in front of me. No noticed damage to the Chevy, it had some wear and tear on it. The driver was content to leave well enough alone - especiially when he saw the mess I had on my hands. Nearly $6k damage to the Subaru Forrester. It crumpled like an aluminum can under a foot. It could not leave the scene under its own power. The radiator burst. The entire front end, the hood, and much of the front parts of the engine had to be replaced. The vehicle had 400 miles on it.
Early Maintenance
Bill, 12/16/2009
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
This car is great except for fuel and maintenance costs. Plugs only last 50000 and cost 300-400 to replace due to complexity of the flat design and the turbo plumbing. Most recently I had a raw gas odor requiring replacement of fuel hoses which required removing the intake manifold for repairs. Also found an air turbo intake hose with a hole in it ($100).
Not as good as they use to be.
lemonade, 08/04/2005
2004 Subaru Forester X AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this car thinking it would be as reliable and trouble free as my '95 Legacy. I was wrong! Numerous rattles, squeaks and creaks developed in the dash, console, and front passenger door. The auto transmissionwas rough and jerky shifting. The front end would grind and rattle when pulling into a parking space. Two dealers were unable to fix even a single problem. The dealer also always overfilled the engine by half a quart of oil during oil changes. Lousy service, warranty, and car. NEVER WILL BUY ONE AGAIN!