Used 2004 Subaru Forester Wagon Consumer Reviews
Used Forester for sale
True Performer
Peter V, 06/12/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Don't let its looks deceive you - this car has incredible acceleration and top end. AWD is awesome-I've owned Subarus before but this one takes the prize. Decided on turbo after friend who has WRX told me that he has 100k on his with no problems. If you need some horses, no other SUV except the Porsche ($60K) comes close! Great price for what you get!
Forester XT
Tate, 04/13/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Forester XT is a fantastically fun vehicle. It shares many components with the 300 hp WRX STI, and it shows. With the 2.5 turbo, the turbo lag is minimal- -a fantastic engine and suspension. Some components feel a bit cheap, like the seats and the doors, but they evidently are better than they feel given the crash test ratings. Up at the higher elevations in Colorado, power is still plentiful, and the auto transmission is well matched, allowing for easy kickdowns and running the engine to redline when needed. Overall, it's great fun to drive with good reliability so far--a real sleeper in station wagon guise.
The Logical Choice
1969Skeptic, 01/28/2009
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car after extensive research in 2003. It was down to the Honda Element vs. the Forester XT and the power won out. This is the first car I've had that I can honestly say I've used most of it's capabilities regularly. I'm no street racer but I do enjoy the acceleration and handling of this little SUV. I usually travel by myself or with my young son and it's just the right size. I've had it off road on the beach and on dirt trails - no complaints and it's easy to maneuver. It towed my 17ft Boston Whaler nicely as well. However, for family road trips we take my wife's Pilot - more room.
Q Ship
REDNEB, 01/28/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
this is without a doubt the most amazing sleeper i have ever owned. handling is above average for a crossover and acceration im pressive particularly over 3500 rpm. the interior seems well concieved and of high quality. shift & clutch are smooth, making double clutching easy. overall a remarkable and practical vehicle.
Fun to drive Forester
Carmen DeFranks, 02/05/2006
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have owned several Subarus and I have found the Forester to be the most fun car to drive. I was not satisfied with the "pickup" till I bought the 2004 Turbo Forester. I had loved the previous one, but needed more power in getting in and out of rush hour traffic. The turbo had that. But above all - I find the Forester to be extremely fun, something that is difficult to put into words. You have to drive one to know what I mean. Give it a try. I am interested in test driving the Baja next since I have not driven one yet. But will probably stick with the Forester. Oh yeah - you can put ANYTHING in this car - great for hauling!
XT--lots of fun and value
Chuck, 07/30/2005
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I previously owned an 02 WRX wagon but needed something a little larger and more practical due to a growing family. I still get a silly grin on my face every time I stomp on it. It's not as fast as the WRX or as nimble but much more practical. It has a silky smooth transmission and an interior that is easy on the eyes. There is not as much lag with the turbo compared to the WRX, I went with the automatic; even with the A/C blasting it goes when you you hit it. Handling is average, it's a little wobbly at high speeds but overall handles well when pushed. The 5 star crash test is a nice perk, the safest small SUV on the market gives me piece of mind.
Please with Forester
Jim - NJ, 04/07/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Package (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Rides and handles very well, more like a good Sedan than other small SUVs. Over 15,000 miles so far. No problems at all. Comfortable seats. Good acceleration for most drivers. We prefered it's large H4 to some competitors small 6s. AWD / trans very smooth. Plenty of Cargo Room. Back Door is _not_ impeded with spare tire as is case with most direct competitors-- a plus. Mid heigth between typical SUVs and Cars makes for easy access and good view. If you are really hung up on "command view", buy something else. Gas milage slighly better than advertised near 30 mpg on the highway. LOVE the big moon roof, view, overall performance.
Forester XT- better than WRX wagon
spyderman4774, 01/06/2006
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I've had my XT automatic (wife doesn't know how to drive a manual) for about a month now and must say this crossover is awesome! Compared to a WRX automatic that I also drove, the XT's extra displacement means more torque and better acceleration off the line. For American driving styles this better enables one to keep up in traffic and equals more smiles/mile. The seats are very comfortable and the interior user-friendly, also headroom will not be a concern for 6'-plus drivers. The handling is one area where the WRX wagon might have the advantage, the XT has a bit too much body roll in corners (even compared to my trade-in vehicle, an '01 Pathfinder). XT= practicality & fun!
Fabulous motor. It could be a V8.
BigBen, 09/04/2003
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Right sized, decent milage for an AWD, reputation for reliability, nice stereo/features - all have been said before about this car and are true. What's new is the this turbo-motor in this car - and it RULES. Tons of torque at low rpm - smooth, quiet, effortless acceleration with no fanfare. Amazing. Press harder on the accelerater and it accelerates very quickly and smoothly ,no waiting or spooling up of the turbo - a torque curve like an electric motor. Amazing. It will eat a Z-28 0-60mph, no problem. Amazing.
Replaced Audi A6 2.7T Quatro
Joe Greenwood, 01/18/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Was looking for AWD to use in snow country, replacing Audi. The Forrester was head and shoulders above any other AWD/Compact SUV we researched. Exceptional value, scary acceleration, quality interior and most attractive exterior on the market. No spare on the back is a big plus. We had never considered Subaru and kinda put them in the Saab/Volvo category; quirky but functional. We've had Audi/Mustang GT/Taurus SHO/Triumph Spitfire/67 Vette, and the Forrester is more fun than them all. Only one negative - gas tank too small - or maybe I gotta quit playing street-racer. One other drawback, now I'm lusting for a WRX-STi.