2001 Subaru Forester S review from North America

Hesitates at higher speeds upon transistion from deceleration to acceleration, no CEL as yet, annoying as heck. Spark plugs can misfire after 1000 miles, makes CEL light up, then I reset after plug change. I often smell antifreeze, but seem to have no internal or external head leak. Although considered a truck, 4 passengers and their hiking gear reduces the ground clearance quite a bit.A real load can bottom out the rear bumpers...kinda sad. Road noise and the road-to-steering wheel vibration is quite high.

Purchased to do archaeological work in Baja. This car is a dream for stutter bumps and high speed driving in remote Baja. Handles arroyo crossings and rocky sections very well. It is quite powerful compared to my ranger pickup. Engine torque is amazing and in turn, the tranny keeps it at low RPM much of the time, giving rise to good mileage...23 loaded to the gills, 28 or more lightly loaded. Drivers seat very comfy, passenger not so much, rear seat pretty awful for a 6 footer. All seat really firm bottoms, drivers seat has super lower back support.NOTE: I do not use dealers or mechanics for repairs. I do all the work myself so if something goes wrong, I save the labor costs. ANOTHER NOTE: Their seems few parts for this rig on eBay and all serious off-road equipment seems located in Australia ie lift kits, skid pans and bruch gards SO... I am still driving it 100% stock. I first plan to get good KYB dampers and a suspension lift kit somehow.