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

• 

  Lots of little problems. - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By deepsky - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive had lots of small problems with this vehicle. Oil leaks, transmission popping out of gear, piston slap noise from engine, all occuring immediately after the warranty expired at 50,000 miles. All of these things take away from the fact that this is a nice little SUV. It handles great in the snow and has a lot of nice little features, although the back seat is really too small for a rear-facing child seat.

• 

  Nice Reliable Vehicle - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By John - October 14 - 5:50 pm

  Great car for snow conditions. Take it skiing and never have had a problem with handling or starting in below zero weather. Air conditioning and heating are fast and efficient. My only major complaint is the poor comfort of the seats. My bottom hurts during a long trip. The vehicle is reliable.

• 

  Best car I owned - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By AndrewK - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Took this Forester cross-country. It had 59000 miles at the start of the trip. It performed great, gasmilage was 21.5 average. We had no problem whatsoever and after the trip it is used on a daily basis without any problems. It has 90000 miles on it now and it keeps going strong! With regular maintenance we will get many years of good service, Im sure.

• 

  AWD Clutches - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By BKPRAP - May 10 - 10:00 am

  Great car in the snow, MPG is not great, Early electrical problem with the transmission not shifting. At 63K the AWD clutches went out, cost $1000 for repairs. Original tires were very poor. Dealer support is poor. I may buy another Subaru, but not from local dealer.

• 

  positive on balance - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By astjarne - March 23 - 10:10 am

  If you are looking for a car that will safely take you anywhere and back without breaking your back or the bank, this car will deliver without surprises. In fact, after 4 years of Canadian east-coast driving conditions, we have never been stuck in snow, ice, mud, or sand. The only negative aspects recorded to date are: an uncomfortable back seat, limited warranty relative to other brands, and overpriced parts.

• 

  Dont miss the Jeeps at all - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Subielvr - September 6 - 1:33 am

  I bought my Forester just over two years ago and its one of the, if not the, best purchases that Ive ever made. Even with the recommendations of friends who own Subies I was nervous about buying a car whos odometer had just passed over the 100,00 mile mark. It was much ado about nothing as in the last forty thousand miles the only expenses (aside from routine maintenance) Ive had are; replacing a cracked coil, new tires (would be necessary on any car), one rear wheel bearing, and the relatively expensive replacement of the timing belt which is really part of routine maintenance anyhow. Gas mileage is about 25 mpg around home and 30 using cruise control when traveling. I love this car!

• 

  Subaru Forester -- great car - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Brian Dines - April 16 - 8:26 am

  Bought the car 2 years ago from a friend for $7500. Its been an excellent, reliable little SUV. Ive put about 25000 miles on it and the only maintenance thats been required was to replace a couple of CV boots ... and that was cheap. Best used car Ive ever owned. I get about 27 mpg driving 65-75 mph, about 300 miles a tank.

• 

  1998 Subaru Forester S AWD - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By T-Bob - March 19 - 3:06 am

  This has been the best car we have ever owned. We have taken it everywhere - offroad, on beach, long trips, and everyday commutes, and it has never had a problem.

• 

  A great compromise - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By TallahasseePete - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car to replace a Bronco II. It was great in Buffalo snow, on the interstates, and in the Adirondack woods. Seriously sorry to trade it, but we need a pickup truck and cant justify two vehicles.

• 

  Sub - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By KLA - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Overall I would buy another Forester. Zero problems, sound as the day bought. Only complaint is that speed control was not standard on "L", a good thing to have.