Overview & Reviews

Subaru attacks the mini-SUV market head-on with the Forester, which actually constitutes an SUV body on an Impreza platform with a Legacy engine under the hood. The most carlike of the mini-utes, Forester is also the most powerful. Airbags remain the full power variety, despite new rules allowing lower deployment speeds.

• Handles like a car. Accelerates like a car. Rides like a car.

• Travels off-road like a car.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 65.00

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  I wish it didnt break down so often - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By vande32 - April 9 - 4:26 am

  I bought this car used while in graduate school because I couldnt afford to have a car payment. I should have bought a new car instead. I have spent nearly $4000 fixing it in the last two years because at 80,000 and 100,000 miles, every sensor had to be replaced. I have also had to put in a new clutch and a master cylinder. The engine light will go on and when I take it to the dealer or a mechanic, they tell me that the engine has missed but that they cant find a reason. While the car gets 28 mpg for me, drives great in the snow, and is nice for hauling my dogs and groceries, I will never buy a Subaru again after this experience.

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  well designed car with issues - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By michael - February 13 - 4:03 am

  The major systems were above average in quality and reliability. My problem with the car was the electrical system. Door-open lights wouldnt turn off until the car was started. Remote locking malfunctioned. A lot of items stopped working after several years: radio, lighter, cassette, clock, rear window defroster. Checked fuses; mechanic said too expensive to trace problem. Average city/hwy. combined gas mileage (after a full tune-up) was only about 20-21 mpg. Trunk latch started to fail. Had same problem with our 92 Legacy wagon.

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  4cyl L AWD 4dr hatchback atuomatic trans-bad head gaskets - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By carageous - February 4 - 2:17 am

  Bad electrical system on accessories, i.e. clocks, sun roof, keyless entry) purchased used with 98k miles, sending to the crusher with 264,000 miles due to blown head gaskets that is causing the cooling system to overheat. Cost of repairs more than I care to sink into the old of a vehicle, $1800.00! The MPG was very disappointing, never got over 15MPG city and maybe 20MPG hwy. Transmission had some shifting issues at 200k miles but so bad to require replacing, just grinned and drove it anyway. Tough little cars and fun to drive.

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  Love - Hate IT - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Unhappy_BE - January 31 - 2:00 am

  I do like my 98 Forester (114k miles) except for the six (6) rear wheel bearings that have failed, the cam shaft seal, and the head gasket replaced. For a quailty car, Ive spend alot of time and money fixing the car to keep it on the road. Great car, now if only they could improve the quaility. For the first time in my life (after driving 100,000s of miles) I had to have my car towed to the shop.

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  2.5 Curse - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By JAS - October 20 - 2:36 am

  Bought this car used with 96k miles on it and had high expectations. Knew other Subaru owners that swear by them. I should have read some reviews before buying as apparently this particular engine, which also rears its ugly head in other Subaru models in and around this year, has some major issues. It all started with a bad radiator cap and then led to blown head gasket and who knows what else. Im dumping it because it isnt worth what its going to cost to repair. This was my first and last Subaru.

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  1998 FORESTER S - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By suejane - July 31 - 2:00 am

  many small problems from clocks going out, gas gauge not working properly, temperature gauge not working and unable to locate problem, numerous oil leaks. will be purchasing new car; definitely not a FOrester!

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  Watch Out!! $$ - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Mike - August 1 - 2:56 pm

  Own 1998 and 2001, both bought new. 1998 clock above mirror went out as apparently with most of these cars. The center differential pack went out at 60K to the tune of $1200. The head gaskets and transmission failed at 86k. Cost for these two items is almost double the value of the car. The transmission on the 2001 car went out at a little over 100,000. Cost to replace was given as $3500 or about the value of the car when sold to Carmax.

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  Beware the bearings - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Subieowner - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Drives well, great visibility, very safe. But the wheel bearings have had to be replaced three times!!