1997 Subaru Forester Turbo from Japan - Comments

Nothing.

Bought this one at auction for use in Japan, as a 1997, one owner, full service history vehicle. Japanese auctions are very hi-tech, with several cars being sold simultaneously, so you have to stay sharp. Press-button bidding and drive away. Japanese "MOT" system means all cars are insured for any driver, any time, but to register you often need to get a new set of number plates.

All Subarus with the 1994cc 4-cam turbo engine look the same under the bonnet, so you can carry accumulated maintenance experience from one to the next. And owning in Japan means the spares are relatively cheap and unlike UK, dealers do not respond to requests for servicing by asking what part of piss off you didn’t understand. Single-turbo, so presumably around 240-250bhp. Handling not quite as sharp as Impreza or Legacy. Goes OK in a straight line, wouldn’t recommend handbrake turns or throwing the front, especially as an automatic. Essentially a soft-roader with 215/16 tyres and that braking feel you get in say a Discovery. ABS was reassuring driving for the first time in a thunderstorm round Tokyo’s elevated highway system, and the air-con deals with condensation. Fuel gauge remains at “Full” for a long time, then drops rapidly. Green regular seems adequate, but fuel tank seems less than 50 litres. According to Mr. Clarkson of Top Gear fame, the turbo/auto combination is not available in UK., which means Subaru are missing a trick. One thing about autos, at least No.1 wife can't over-rev it. Headlights are adequate for suburbia. Bumper-mounted fogs function somewhat as actual cornering lights in contrast to the normal face-ahead fogs which are not much more than decoration. Hefty bumpers mean that unlike say an Impreza, it will not get beaten up in a French parking lot. No external radio antenna so one less thing to remember at the car wash. Heating/air-con louvers were stuck, but nothing a blast of WD40 can't take care of. With the optional alloys you can see brake pad wear condition front and rear without taking off the wheels. Plenty of places to put all your vital spares/tools (aka clutter). Lot more space inside than an Impreza. Auxiliary fuse box in front of driver’s right knee takes a bit of locating, but hopefully you’ll never need to. This model not fitted with 2-wheel drive fuse (cries of shame) so if the FWD solenoid gives up you are screwed. You’d be well advised to carry a better jack than the one provided, or a couple of puncture repair aerosols.

Front driver's seat shows a bit of wear, but judging from belt adjustment, former owner was a lot fatter than me.

Jason Dave's (Sunday Times) report on a used Forester states that a grey import will not have self-levelling suspension, or rear disc brakes as standard until after April 2000. Well I bought my 1997 turbo at the Noda auction north of Tokyo, and it has rear discs no question. And recently with five adults and the back full of No. 1 wife's cash-and-carry shopping mountain, no way was it nose light even with a soft rear tyre. If these candy assed reporters got their overalls on a bit more often perhaps they wouldn't pass on anecdotal hearsay.

Follow up: Moved to Japan Alps so appreciate the good ground clearance. Also, car will handbrake turn to get you round the hairpin bends in this area, auto transmission and 4WD notwithstanding. Carries weight well.

When buying, start engine from cold and listen for piston slap. Went to the Subaru order centre cum showroom in Ebisu and was so advised. Put some 30,000 km on vehicle, and it's not a problem, but if you were buying to sell on, can't imagine the forecourt punter would exactly buy this excuse. But at auction the trade will not touch a Subaru with piston slap so you could get a something of a bargain, but make sure you plan to be the last owner.

Slight weep of oil from camshaft covers. Not a problem as half a litre of oil every two months replaces what comes out, and replacement of seals is a job that can be left unless you're looking for work.

In a snow area in Japan, snow tyres are pretty much essential. Check out e-bay for a set of wheels and tyres. Snow tyres can be expensive compared with regular tyres, but fortunately there are places near Saku (Nagano) that do s/h tyres that are almost indistinguishable from new for half the price of new. The low profile increases the cost of tyres enormously (the car comes with 60% profile) and 70% profile are something of a tight fit at the rear. OK on regular petrol.