2000 Subaru Forester from North America - Comments

Recently replaced my 1997 turbo Forester (99,000km) with a 1998 turbo Forester (38,000km). The older vehicle was making rumbling rear-bearing noises, gradually getting louder. Ran for some 10,000km with the bearing noise. Never gave up the Ghost, but it was on my mind. When you're going to be the last owner you can run it into the ground. Older (say 10 years old) Legacy Outback and Grand Wagon are discounted into the ground at the auctions here in Japan. Although Legacies don't seem to have the same rear wheel bearing problems. Even a low "mileage" could easily be under $2,000 to drive out of the auction gates. Foresters can be under $3,000, with an unpopular colour. Then throw in "accident/repair" and you are talking cheap. These are completely different parameters to US and UK. In Japan you assume you will be last owner, and will run the vehicle to 100,000km when the expensive servicing is due (cambelt). The cambelt will probably last for another 30,000km, but when that lets go it's "Game Over". So if it's a runner, you scrap it by sending it to UK or passing it on to your nere-do-well brother-in-law. Subaru really need to get their act together very soon, because the word is out there.

I purchased my 2000 Subaru Forester brand new and has been driven it for more than 130K miles. This is my first and will be my last Subaru. No mas!

Replaced clutch at 75K miles, $1000

Replaced both rear wheel bearings in 2006, twice within four months, $1200

Repaired AC in 2006, $150

Replace both front CV boots this year, $1,100

Replaced engine head gasket this year, $3,000. (Subaru knew about the gasket problem because I got a notice in 2000 or 2001 saying that I need to bring my car to a dealership so they can put a "conditioner" in the coolant to prolong the life of the head gasket. I did that, and also put in the conditioner every time I change the coolant.)

Now the "Check Engine" light is on, the dealership wants another $1200 to replace the catalytic converter. I guess I have to bite the bullet, spend the money to fix it so I can sell the damn car.

Just a quick question, I have recently bought a 2000 forester with 160K and it was running fime when I brought it home. In trying to start it it seems to have jumped its timing and I want to know if they are an interference engine where the valves will bend if the belt lets go? Also is it common for them to jump the timing that easily.