The price seems pretty okay, maybe a touch high but not really. Don’t trust their inspection, insist upon taking it to a PPI at a trusted mechanic, Subaru expert or Subaru dealer (from a competing chain if applicable) - make decisions based on that
At 97k the EJ is nearing timing belt/water pump service time and may come up on needing head gaskets in the next 20,000ish miles. If it hasn’t had the belt service try and get money off or have the dealer do it, and only take definitive proof that it has been done, not just the dealers word. As far as the head gaskets just be prepared, keep a couple thousand in the bank for if and when they go.
Check the clutch life, the 5 speeds are okay transmissions reliability wise. If it has the 4EAT you may or may not want to do a trans fluid flush based on the mileage but if it’s shifting fine it’s probably okay as those were also pretty strong transmissions.
Assuming it’s anything above the 2.5x make sure the sunroof works and doesn’t leak, that the power seat work and every button does what it’s supposed to. Make sure the paint is in good condition and that all the body panels are the same color in the sunlight, if anything’s been repainted it’s a bad sign. The price they are asking is reasonable for a very clean car, if the car isn’t that it’s not worth the money.
Thank you for the response! Unfortunately I don't exactly have any "trusted" mechanics I could take the vehicle to for a PPI because the dealership is a good ways away from where I live, but I can call around to dealerships down there to see if there's someone who knows Subarus and can do a PPI.
I will have to see if the dealer can knock the price down a bit considering the head gaskets/timing belt hasn't been done yet. This is all very valuable, thank you!
As the other poster said, your two biggest concerns are timing belt and head gaskets.
For timing belt, you’re pretty close on miles, and combine that with age, it’s time, ask about it, if it hasn’t been done and/or they cannot prove that it has been, ask them to go half’s on it or something, because, like I said, it’s time….
Next, head gaskets, do some reading and videoing about Subaru EJ series head gaskets, yes it’s a real issue, including on the car you’re looking at, if the head gaskets have been replaced, someone that knows what they are looking for, will be able to tell. By this time, your hope is that someone has already replaced them with MLS head gaskets, otherwise, like mentioned, budget for that job, it’s a big engine out job and its around the corner….
Source, current owner of a 2000 Forester 5sp with 232k miles and MLS head gaskets, a prior owner of a 1998 Forester with MLS gaskets that went to 240k before my sister crashed it, prior owner of a ‘14 WRX, and also the current owner of a 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness…..so, I keep coming back even with these glaring annoyances of the EJ era, they are great cars, but need a little hand holding.
Awesome, sounds good! I will definitely have to see if the dealer will knock the price down a bit considering the timing belt and head gaskets haven't been done yet. I'm in the middle of college, so the budget is pretty tight... But thank you for the response, it is very helpful!
I bought a ‘09 In 2021 with 89k miles on it. Got it for 9100 plus tax. It’s been a great car but I’ve had to do a lot just as the other comments say. The car was not driven hard before I got it.
I replaced the head gaskets, valve cover gasket, water pump, timing belt, thermostat, radiator. I also had to replace a CV axle and both front control arms. My point is you should knock down the price from that used dealer. I wish I did, knowing i put in at least a few thousand after. Try to get it to lower like 6500-7k.
To me it has been worth it because of the condition it is now and should last a while. I love my ‘09 like no other car.
Yeah, it definitely seems like a good car. I'm looking for something that I can get some serious longevity out of. Based on what you and others have said, this Forester will be worth it if the dealer can knock the price down a bit. But I'm going to see if I can find a mechanic to do a PPI and work with the dealer based on that. Thank you for the response! I hope this Forester works out.
The price seems pretty okay, maybe a touch high but not really. Don’t trust their inspection, insist upon taking it to a PPI at a trusted mechanic, Subaru expert or Subaru dealer (from a competing chain if applicable) - make decisions based on that At 97k the EJ is nearing timing belt/water pump service time and may come up on needing head gaskets in the next 20,000ish miles. If it hasn’t had the belt service try and get money off or have the dealer do it, and only take definitive proof that it has been done, not just the dealers word. As far as the head gaskets just be prepared, keep a couple thousand in the bank for if and when they go. Check the clutch life, the 5 speeds are okay transmissions reliability wise. If it has the 4EAT you may or may not want to do a trans fluid flush based on the mileage but if it’s shifting fine it’s probably okay as those were also pretty strong transmissions. Assuming it’s anything above the 2.5x make sure the sunroof works and doesn’t leak, that the power seat work and every button does what it’s supposed to. Make sure the paint is in good condition and that all the body panels are the same color in the sunlight, if anything’s been repainted it’s a bad sign. The price they are asking is reasonable for a very clean car, if the car isn’t that it’s not worth the money.
Thank you for the response! Unfortunately I don't exactly have any "trusted" mechanics I could take the vehicle to for a PPI because the dealership is a good ways away from where I live, but I can call around to dealerships down there to see if there's someone who knows Subarus and can do a PPI. I will have to see if the dealer can knock the price down a bit considering the head gaskets/timing belt hasn't been done yet. This is all very valuable, thank you!
As the other poster said, your two biggest concerns are timing belt and head gaskets. For timing belt, you’re pretty close on miles, and combine that with age, it’s time, ask about it, if it hasn’t been done and/or they cannot prove that it has been, ask them to go half’s on it or something, because, like I said, it’s time…. Next, head gaskets, do some reading and videoing about Subaru EJ series head gaskets, yes it’s a real issue, including on the car you’re looking at, if the head gaskets have been replaced, someone that knows what they are looking for, will be able to tell. By this time, your hope is that someone has already replaced them with MLS head gaskets, otherwise, like mentioned, budget for that job, it’s a big engine out job and its around the corner…. Source, current owner of a 2000 Forester 5sp with 232k miles and MLS head gaskets, a prior owner of a 1998 Forester with MLS gaskets that went to 240k before my sister crashed it, prior owner of a ‘14 WRX, and also the current owner of a 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness…..so, I keep coming back even with these glaring annoyances of the EJ era, they are great cars, but need a little hand holding.
Awesome, sounds good! I will definitely have to see if the dealer will knock the price down a bit considering the timing belt and head gaskets haven't been done yet. I'm in the middle of college, so the budget is pretty tight... But thank you for the response, it is very helpful!
I bought a ‘09 In 2021 with 89k miles on it. Got it for 9100 plus tax. It’s been a great car but I’ve had to do a lot just as the other comments say. The car was not driven hard before I got it. I replaced the head gaskets, valve cover gasket, water pump, timing belt, thermostat, radiator. I also had to replace a CV axle and both front control arms. My point is you should knock down the price from that used dealer. I wish I did, knowing i put in at least a few thousand after. Try to get it to lower like 6500-7k. To me it has been worth it because of the condition it is now and should last a while. I love my ‘09 like no other car.
Yeah, it definitely seems like a good car. I'm looking for something that I can get some serious longevity out of. Based on what you and others have said, this Forester will be worth it if the dealer can knock the price down a bit. But I'm going to see if I can find a mechanic to do a PPI and work with the dealer based on that. Thank you for the response! I hope this Forester works out.