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Used 2004 Subaru Forester Wagon Consumer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
257 reviews

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4.88 out of 5 stars

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.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

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!

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4.88 out of 5 stars

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.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

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.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

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!

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4.5 out of 5 stars

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.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

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.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Family man's WRX

BBeckRN, 01/12/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Forester XT was really my second choice; I thought I wanted the WRX. Having a family, the Forester made more sense, more room, better seating and the ride wasn’t so rough. After driving both, I quickly changed my mind. It has been an absolute joy to drive. The acceleration is better than expected, it handles pretty well and the AWD provides such good stability I haven't lost traction once this winter, despite numerous attempts. A perfect blend of roomy station wagon/family car and fun to drive performance car.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Great allround vehicle

sneaux, 04/28/2009
2004 Subaru Forester XS AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bought this in October of 2008. Pretty fun to drive. Handles great on the road. Plenty of cargo space. Works great with rack on top. Leather feels good. Solid car inside with no squeaks despite all the compartments. I've heard some people complain about the back seat. I don't think it's that bad considering it's a car. Have yet to really test the all wheel drive at my lake house. Can't wait.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Wolf in Sheeps Clothing

Provocyclist, 01/06/2004
2004 Subaru Forester XT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This is an amazing car! Its a sports car in baby wagon guise. Subaru actually under-quoted the horsepower rating by 30hp. 3 weeks after we got it, my dad and I drove from Utah to Ohio and back, and Roo performed flawlessly. The view from the drivers seat is great, and all-around visibility is super. The only thing i can say bad about this car is how small the back seat is. Im pretty short, so i fit fine, but if youre normal size, its tight.

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