j_walton_uk Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 I am looking to get a '99 - '03 forester. WhatCar and Top Gear review them well, but go for the GLS over the S-Turbo which they say is to be avided. also does anyone have any info on the XT and Also the efficiency of all models. My budget is £3000 - £3500. All comments useful and welcome Thanks!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 What are you going to use the car for? They only say go for othe GLS because it's cheaper to run, and in their 'experience' most people want that and not the power. Us on TSN say............go for the turbo! Or at least drive them both and see what you think. Ignore the journos and reviews. Ignore the figures too. Ask bods on here for real life figures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_walton_uk Posted July 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 The car is going to be an 'everyday in-out of work car' but also one in which i can put 2 kayaks/surfboards on the roof and /or have 2 mtbs in or on the back with all the kit aswell come the weekends or odd evening after work. I Work within 5 mins driving of dartmoor and i dont want a car that is only good until you park it of the road on the common gravel car parking areas you find on dartmoor. i want a car that will power along the country roads, mountain biking kit in-tow, and will then happily find its way a mile or two along morrland tracks, or woodland to access the parts which not too many people wander too!! ofcourse the turbo is alot more appealing;) what is the reliability like for these cars and also is my budget of £3000 - £3500 reasonable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted July 22, 2009 Report Share Posted July 22, 2009 Cracking car by all accounts, I do like these.... I think avant_b6_130 has got one and loves it, if he's not too busy breast feeding, I'm sure he'll have some pointers. Only 2 3-point seatbelts in the back IIRC ? Buy with history and you won't go far wrong. Oh, and to agree with Cruiser, go with the most powerful one you can afford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 (edited) They are super reliable and the dealer tend to be good and the XT is the one to go for if you can handle the running costs - its in high car tax bracket and will only do 250 miles/tank of super unleaded when pushed. However, if you plan on doing some off-roading then i'd go for a non-turbo as these had a proper low-range gearbox. In 2002 the range got a facelift, if so then try and get one of those but I think they are out of your budget range. But beware of Jap imports that may have been modified and cars with no history. Another good review for you: Subaru Forester (2002-) | Car Review | Road Test | 4car | Channel 4 Edited July 23, 2009 by Andy_Bangle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Welcome to Tyresmoke, j_walton_uk The Forester is mega reliable, so I wouldn't worry about that side of it. Make sure it's got a full history - if a farmer or one of the horsey brigade has had it before you, it might have missed or been late for a service or two. Also check for underside damage. I'd go for the turbo :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 As everyone has said, reliability is bombproof (with a full service history). And yes, you NEED the turbo, so either a late S-Turbo or (preferably) and early XT. £3500 should get you a reasonable one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_walton_uk Posted July 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2009 I have decided that if i cant afford a decent xt, then im gonna go for a gls at the mo, like has been said to me before it has a proper low range gearbox for offroad driving, and i hope is good for towing as i have a sportsbike i wish to take to trackdays on the future. has anyone driven a gls offroad, and if so how do they perform? is there any worthwhile engine upgrades to get a bit more power? how are they at towing? and finally how are they on fuel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soapsuds Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Missed this one (P**ss off Duisberg or i will come and feed off your breasticles ) - might be too late, but just stomach the running costs of the S-Turbo/XT. You wont stretch to an XT on that budget unless you look for one with 150k miles (which they handle EASILLY). You will hate the GLS. The GLS is soooooo slllllooooowwww it is untrue. These are a big heavy car! S-Turbo is a great drive - my father in law has one and they are pretty quick (177 bhp)! I have an XT with a couple of minor tweaks and it is stunning. It is a 2006 model, high output though (240ps). GLS offroad is supposed to be good due to low-range box. Apart from the low-range they are identical. Oh, and dont worry about reliability. Bulletproof, but do make sure canmbelts are done and it has at least some history!!! PS, tax is £210 per annum on mine and i get 28mpg on a long run (330 miles per £55 tank) and about 200 miles on a full tank if giving it beans. Like this morning when i decided to upset an M5 driver just for fun.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 low-range box - s-turbo - high output? It's all just bloody noise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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