Overview & Reviews

Subaru's mini-SUV/tall wagon gains three new standard features: a cargo area cover, daytime running lights and an intermittent mode for the rear wiper. Other changes include a new color for the Forester S' lower body cladding (from Titanium Pearl to Graystone Metallic) and the option of leather seating for S models equipped with the Premium package and automatic transmission.

• Highest offset crash scores in its class, car-like ride and handling with rugged SUV styling.

• Not made for serious off-roading.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 65.00

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  In a heartbeat - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Tebester - August 16 - 5:53 pm

  This is my first Subaru. From the beginning there have been no significant problems. The check engine light has come on a few times due to the gas cap not being tight. From time to time the gas gauge reading is off, but it pretty quickly resumes a normal reading. It gets 26 mph on the freeway doing 75. There have been no fit and finish problems. I avoid dealers like the plague. Change oil every 3000 miles myself and have replaced the filters when needed. I just love this car and wouldnt hesitate to buy another after the reliability Ive seen so far in almost four years.

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  great car - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By hodge - July 27 - 2:00 am

  sold my 93 jeep grand cherokee with all extras and bought the forester. the suburu is far superior in every respect except for interior size. my next car will be another suburu in about 10 years.

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  Exceptional All-Around Vehicle! - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Ken Tong - April 27 - 10:00 am

  My Forester S+ has been a total joy to own the past year and a half. It excels in performance, utility, reliability, and recreation. I found it to be the best deal overall, confirming Consumer Reports yearly top ratings. Ive taken it thru heavy rain, 100+ deg. desert heat to Vegas, and snowy mtn. climbs, and it blows past other over-sized SUVs (several ran off embankments and got stuck or flipped over) and under- powered mini-SUVs. It has performed magnificently and instills confidence & security with its full-time all- wheel-drive. Reliability has been perfect with zero problems after 25,000 miles. Great for transporting family and friends and all your gear.

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  Subaru? Never before, never again - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By Richard - March 18 - 1:26 am

  I used to hear that Subarus were some of the most well built and reliable cars on the road. I believed that hype and bought this car three months ago because I wanted a wagon and the reliability that were both so easy to find with Subarus. I saw this S model being advertised for a great price and test drove it. It felt solid, but had a few issues that I figured were not deal breakers and would be easy, cheap fixes. The things I noticed and what I thought: A loud hum coming from the rear - wheel bearing, which I could get done for around $250 Central locking did not work - blown fuse Clock did not work - blown fuse Cruise control did not work - blown fuse, disconnected vacuum hose With that in mind, I paid what would be a slightly discounted price and I drove it home. I started to check fuses left, right and centre and found all to be in tact. After a day or so, I fixed the clock, which turned out to be a bad solder on the clocks circuit board. The central locking turned out to be an issue with the module located under the dashboard and could not be repaired. I ended up fixing it eventually by installing an aftermarket module and wiring it in with the factory actuators. Ive thus far been unable to get the lock switches on the doors to function with the aftermarket system. The cruise control still does not work. It either has a bad module or a bad vacuum system, both of which would cost more than the car is worth to replace. After a few days of ownership I tackled the wheel bearing and it did come in under $250, which was pleasing, but it took two days to do because of stubborn bolts. But my pleasure ended moments after driving the car a few miles. I realised I had a blown exhaust system, the sound of which was hidden by the noisy wheel bearing. After fixing the blown exhaust I noticed yet another sound, a thumping at speeds above 25mph. This turned out to be bad front axles. I went ahead and changed the axles and the front wheel bearings. After replacing the axles I noticed a strange vibration at idle. Research told me that this was typical of Subarus if aftermarket axles were used instead of original Subaru parts. I was warned that they would be toast in a few weeks and I would have to replace them yet again. Here I am, about a month later and Im again starting to hear the thumping I heard before. Im also hearing a whine as I accelerate and I simply have no clue where that is coming from. Ive since learnt that ALL the problems I have been seeing are inherent. I have totally had it with this vehicle and Subaru will never, ever get me as another customer. I hate to even see the name Subaru now and I feel so sorry for the hundreds of thousands of poor saps that are being duped into buying these garbage cars. It is absolutely the worst car I have ever owned. The online Subaru community is inept and ignorant. The owners and workshop manuals are incomplete and recondite. The latter has gross errors in it, such as wiring diagrams that do not have the same colour wires as exist in the car. The online parts portal at Subarus website is also lacking, often not showing some very basic parts. Sickening, is how I would describe this experience. Ive spent more on repairs in three months than what I paid for the car. Ill be working tirelessly to get rid of this thing once and for all, and when I do I will never return to this brand.

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  Great Vacation - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By musketball - February 24 - 10:00 am

  My 01 Forester L is all I expected,I had a 92 Legacy LS before so I knew I was getting a great vehical,I did all the research and read all the reports I could before I purchased it,its a pleasure to drive,my dog and I drove from central Florida to visit my son in Colorado,it was a real pleasure to drive on the road,we drove it up Pikes Peak to check it out at 14110 ft. elevation, it didnt know it was at elevation, it ran like it was at sea level.

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  My favorite car. - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By hoofer - October 22 - 10:03 am

  By far the best car Ive ever owned. I looked at a new Forester and found this S Premium on the used lot. It was a great deal. It was sporty but not a giant SUV. The ride is exceptional and the leather trim is excellent. I cant wait to try it out this winter in the Chicago snow. When my wife first saw it she called it the Pope-Mobile as it sits high. No problems to speak of so far; must have been owned by a family prior. Premium package comes with leather, heated seats and mirrors, front wiper deicers in the windshield and giant sunroof. The gas mileage is excellent on the highway and good in the city. Previous cars were Honda Civics and CRX. A step up in comfort, thats for sure.

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  Great all-round vehicle - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By wx_geek - September 26 - 5:26 am

  2002 Subaru Forester S A/T We purchased our Forester used from the original owners who needed a mini van. It now has 85k miles. We bought it while living in Wisconsin. It is the perfect all-weather vehicle. I have driven it in the worst of snow storms with several un-plowed inches of snow on the road and it has never once gotten stuck. I will caution that the Geolanders it comes with should be replaced if they have more than 40k miles on them as their snow traction is gone, even though they technically have tread left. We replaced ours after they caused us to lose traction during a storm and spun us around. We replaced them with Continental Conti-Extreme Contacts and they are great.

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  176 plus, and still no sign of stopping - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By stephen - September 20 - 10:10 am

  I bought my first Subie on May 5th in 01. It had only six miles. Since then, Ive racked up just over 176,000 with no problems whatsoever. I kid you not. It still has the original clutch and I put new brakes on about a year ago for the very first time. I average about 28 mix and 31 highway. Its a five speed manual and that accounts for the great gas mileage. The only thing Ive done to is change the oil religiously and had a new water pump and timing belt but in at 120k. This car just keeps going and going. I live in Denver and frequent the slopes in the winter and work in Blackhawk. So the car has seen more than its fair share of snow, rain, and hot summers.

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  The 2003 is awesome! - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By redhooked - August 7 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I just bought one of the first 2003 Forester 2.5XS models and it is better than I expected. I orginally wanted a 2002 but the dealer could not get one from another dealer. He made me an offer on the showrooms 2003 and I am glad I went for it. The interior is amazing with the in dash 6 disc w/ tape deck and very comfortable leather seats. I also considered the Honda CRV but I didnt fit in it to well being 63". I will highly recommend this car to anyone.

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  MY Subaru - 2002 Subaru Forester
  By hayeser - June 25 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Subaru after having two Saabs and a Jeep. I was pleased with this vehicle from day one. About 13000 miles (after the second tire rotation) I notice the rear tires were showing an abnormal wear patteren which caused me to have the wheels aligned at my cost of 69 dollars at the Subaru dealer. I now have 32000 miles on this vehicle with no problems. I am very satisfied.