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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  This car is a piece of trash! - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By paulnelissa - November 22 - 7:36 am

  We bought this car used from a Subaru dealership. The day after we bought it the check engine light came on and has stayed on for almost 4 years. We have, in the past 4 years, replaced the clutch, had a major oil leak, replaced the rear wheel bearings twice, and now have a crack in our cylinder head which can not be repaired. The mechanic has recommended a new engine. I realize that the car has a lot of miles, but come on. This car is a lemon if I ever saw one. Subaru has refused to honor warranty issues. We hate them and this car.

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  1998 Forester - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Pat - September 19 - 1:03 pm

  Love it to death, it is reliable, comfortable, fun to drive, and just tears through the snow, without a hesitation! We highly recommend this vehicle!

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  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.

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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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  UGGGH - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Bill - December 22 - 9:00 am

  NOthing but problems with this one. Its to bad because I loved the (260,000 miles) outback I had previously. The forrester has been a nightmare. Wheel bearings, every seal the thing has. Now the head gasket. I will be giving up on this one.

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  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.

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  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.

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  The Subaru That Keeps Going - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By bigairtrix2 - June 13 - 3:34 pm

  Unlike many other reviews that I have read on the 1998 Subaru Forester mine keeps going no matter what I do to it. I have never had a problem with head gaskets or wheel bearings. Yes I have replaced the timing belt at 80k but I do that with every new vehicle I buy. Other things that I have replaced over the life of the car are struts to an adjustable bilstein coil over , rotors and pads to brembo drilled and sloted rotors and pads , cv joints were changed based on the fact the car had 150 k and it was time, clutch to a center force stage two and two sets of tires cause each set wore out after putting over 75 k on each.

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  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.

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  Love My Forester - 1998 Subaru Forester
  By Forester Lover - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Purchased new in 98 have had nothing but good luck with this car-agetting 25- 28mpg. Now has 107000 miles and is still going strong. This is without question the best vehicle I have ever owned.