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 1 through 10 of 65.00-
100K meltdown - 2002 Subaru Forester
By Paul - February 26 - 7:23 amOur Forester was golden for 100,000 miles, but within 1K of passing into 6 digits we started to have problems. Most were annoying little things like the clock stopped working, the compass became wildly inaccurate and the low fuel light failed to go on. There were major problems with the front wheels. The paint job seems to easily scratch.
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Good Ride for the Buck - 2002 Subaru Forester
By Dj - February 8 - 10:00 amI am a first time subbie driver.My last car which lasted 9 yrs. was a Camry. I was less than enthusiastic about the care intially. But it has been a reliable safe vechile which handles excellently in rain.The tires grip the road during a rainstrom and Im happy to be driving my subie. Recently the dealer added a fuel enhancer an my milage has increased upto 28miles/gallon.The seats are comfortable. I bought the S-Premium with the leather option. Its a good all around town vehicle. Recently it hauled all our family "stuff" to my sons recent swim meet and had great gas milage. Its a plain jane among cars but reliable, safe and comfortable.
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Sensible Mini-Ute - 2002 Subaru Forester
By RangerRon7 - June 28 - 9:50 pmAlthough we only have had our Foreseter S+ just 6 months, it is great fun to drive and is a sensible, practical alternative to the typical SUV. The safety ratings coupled with AWD give us a greater comfort level than other vehicles we looked at in this class. We also look forward to Subarus historically high reliability.
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great car - 2002 Subaru Forester
By hodge - July 27 - 2:00 amsold 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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Great all-round vehicle - 2002 Subaru Forester
By wx_geek - September 26 - 5:26 am2002 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 amI 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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MY Subaru - 2002 Subaru Forester
By hayeser - June 25 - 10:00 amThis 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.
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My first Forester - 2002 Subaru Forester
By Casey - May 2 - 10:00 amThis is my first Forester. I have a complaint about the back doors: it would be so much easier to get in and out if the doors would slide from the middle of the side (see mid-80s Stanzas). My older friends have trouble getting in and out. The front seats need to be able to be more upright,not reclining for driving. I have had to add a pillow to keep my back straight. Unfortunately I did not notice this problem in test driving, only when doing my regular driving. The car handles well, but needs to be 2 inches higher for ease of getting out for these old knees. I love the quiet engine, and it handles traffic well.
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A few problems, but a great little daily driver - 2002 Subaru Forester
By Eric - December 23 - 5:05 amI bought this car with 99k on the clock for $6000. Ive bought several used cars over the last 20 years and have had pretty good luck. But this has been the best little car! I have a long drive to work, so I need a no-frills, comfortable, car with basic amenities (power locks/windows/mirrors, etc) that can eat miles no matter what the weather. I also own a sports car and a MINI, so I need cargo space. The little Subaru hauled me, my family, and my crap over 85,000 largely uneventful miles through rain, snow, ice, grass, and mud over the last 6 years. Ive been through deep water and snow up to the bumper. You cant get this car stuck. I have had a few problems, most of which are related to fact that the shady dealership I bought it from turned off the check engine light. Used oil analysis showed that there was coolant and oil in my oil, so I had the head gaskets done along with the timing at a cost of $3000. I also spent a grand on a new catalytic converter, which was fouled by burning coolant. The rest of the maintenance, other than routine brake and suspension upkeep, I did myself, including oil, filters, lights, belts, hoses, plugs/wires, new alternator, etc. One of the best things about this car is that its easy to work on (even for a novice like me), which saved me thousands. Despite the head gasket, this little car was as reliable as a metronome. Every time I turned the key, it started and ran perfectly no matter what. Its compact and easy to maneuver, has a TON of grip for the little tires (AWD), and gets 25 mpg. Crash ratings are 4-star, so I felt good teaching my kids to drive in it. The interior is pretty crappy...the seats are uncomfortable, the back seats have limited leg room, the interior materials are terrible, and the interior ergonomics dont make any sense. But I love it. I get the Subaru thing now. Theyre ugly ducklings and theyre not that nice inside, but they inspire so much confidence through how they start, run, feel, and drive that they just get under your skin. Im trading this car today for a 1999 Legacy Outback with low mileage and look forward to more of the same.
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Buy one you will love it - 2002 Subaru Forester
By Moondog - February 21 - 9:56 pmIn the small SUV vehicles I found the Forester to be the best buy and it is very reliable. I have owned Subarus before and can vouch for this.
