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 31 through 40 of 65.00

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  Not what I expected from Subaru - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Albertlock - January 21 - 6:23 pm

  Apparently, Subaru needed to wait a bit longer before turning out the Forester. This was the first year they made them, and the bugs are still present. No way to fix a failing in the AWD; the wheels intermittently lock at low speeds (this was also a problem on the Legacy wagon) - even Sub experts cant fix it. Many other mechanical failings that disrupted trips. Ive heard subsequent years are much improved and really wish Id known more up front, since Ive been very happy with past Subarus Ive owned.

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  SUBARU = QUALITY - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By lmhunter - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Subarus always start, hold to the road, never need repair. Parking lot where I worlk is full of them. Everyone is pleased.

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  Former Forester owner - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Pip - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Bought this wagon in 04, my senior year of college.. I got a great deal on it. Was 6 years old and had 90k on it. I love the manual transmission. By far the smoothest manual i ever drove. Fantastic in the snow. Just too many problems, radiator, head gasket, tires wear very fast due to the symmetrical all wheel drive. This vehicle broke down 3 straight years on the eve of the biggest snow storm of the year leaving me stranded. I went to a Jeep and havent looked back.

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  What a great car! - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Roodriver - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Have had my 98 Forester for a year/14,000. Couldnt be happier with it. Mileage is good (21/27) so is the power. The seat adjustment range is wide enough that most everyone gets comfy. It hauls much stuff and passenger room is good. I replaced the speakers it sounds better, but the system could use an upgrade. Needed good all-season tires with low noise. Still, the noise is acceptable. Im gonna be driving this puppy for a loooong time.

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  What to call an 11 year old car? - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Realist - January 20 - 8:30 am

  Well here we are...11 years 180k miles and still going. I figure I paid $20100 for the car, put an average on 18k miles on per year, spend about 2k per year in repairs/maint. So what? Should I trade it in and get a car payment. What is $200 per mo going to buy me... a compact? I have one of those and it cant take a curb, a mud bath, a snow bank, etc. Over time my Suby pulled a Jeep, a Lexus, a Land Rover and about 3 other cars out of ditches. It may be the way I drive or it could be this car (please note: towing is only about 1800 lbs... all the stuck vehicles had to help some). Thats it. It is a fair car/truck/wagon/compact/suv/whatever for the price. I would consider buying another.

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  1998 Subaru Forester - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By smokeymedic81 - January 13 - 11:04 am

  I bought this car uses so I cant say what the previous owner put it through. It had only 110,000 miles on it when I purchased it 6 months ago. Had my mechanic do a full inspection on it before I bought it. was able to drive it for 3 months, put a whole 3000 miles on it then the head gasket blew. The car is junk now because the cost to replace the head gasket is outragous. Will never buy a subaru again.

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  Ugly, Yet Tough, Reliable & Fun to Drive - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By MMoretti - December 3 - 6:10 pm

  Bought my Forester used in 2004. While it is not the most beautiful vehicle (it sort of looks like the car seen in "National Lampoons Vacation)...it has proven to be dependable, fun to drive, and an unstoppable monster in the worst Winter weather New England has to offer. The AWD is great! While the car has gone through a few wheel bearings, and does leak small amounts of oil, it still looks new and runs strong at 194,000 miles. Looking for a new car, but I may hang onto my Subaru as a beater/dog hauler.

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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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  Subaru - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Beth - October 9 - 1:50 am

  Im a 17 year old girl [what do I know about cars, right?] and I drive a 1998 Subaru Forester. The car is easy to drive for a new driver, gets pretty good gas mileage, and is the right size so that its not too big and awkward but also not stiflingly small. However, I live in New England and the absolute best thing about this car is its handling in the snow. Im not a good driver and the bad weather in Mass. makes me nervous, but Ive never had trouble getting up a hill or driving on slippery roads. My driveway is very steep and both my parents have trouble getting up it in their midsize sedans. Also, this car has almost 150,000 on it and is still running great and has never broken down.

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  This car rocks - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By kinkar - September 18 - 2:00 am

  Our "old" faithful!