Should I buy this 2005 Forester XT?

starsky1984 · Post by **starsky1984** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:00 pm

Hey guys,

Please help decide on whether to get this 2005 Suburu Forester XT Luxury Edition. Guy is asking about $16500 and it has done about 112000ks. I took it for a test drive and it drove well and looked good.

Had the RACV give it an inspection, and got the following report:
http://imgur.com/w3mMJ

They rate this car as AMBER – caution buying. They flag a few engine leaks.

Can anyone with Suburu experience give me some advice – are these common faults, or should I pass on getting this one? The price is good compared to other similar ones on carsales. Im in Vic.

Thanks heaps, any and all advice will be MUCH appreciated!

Mike.

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:19 pm

Motors, esp HP ones, need oil.

"Oil not registering on the dip stick" = walk away. No debate required.

starsky1984 · Post by **starsky1984** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:24 pm

Done and done. Ill can it tomorrow. Thanks for the advice.

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:21 pm

Good move

...the search continues! Good luck!

NachaLuva · Post by **NachaLuva** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:51 pm

The trouble with buying 2nd hand turbos is many of em have been flogged or not cared for. I'd say both with this one! So good choice to walk away.

Not many old ladies drive a turbo but if you can find one then the XT is an awesome vehicle

Perhaps send Pezimm a PM, he has an XT, '06 I think but anyway the same series as you were looking at. He is VERY happy with his...we're very happy with his too lol

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:30 am

nachaluva wrote:we're very happy with his too lol

Only because a certain someone is allowed to drool over it every time we're out!

Cheers

Bennie

Venom · Post by **Venom** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:57 am

I'm not sure if you're aware of it or not, but the timing belts need to be changed at 100k km. Its a major service interval and i understand will cost around 800-1000 to have done. Lots of Subaru's get sold with KM's just under that service interval, in which case its a good bargaining tool to take $800 of the price of the equivilent car with the belts already changed. Be very wary of vehicles getting close or past 120k KM with no belt change! A failed belt will be terminal for the motor.

If i was to buy a newish turbo Subaru i would be on the look out for one with full log book service history. Even if it meant paying a little extra or getting one with slighlty higher KMs, definitely worth it in my opinion.

Good luck in your search!

Post by **TOONGA** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:09 pm

I just read the RAC report... run!! run!! run!! don't look back!!!

The engine leaks alone will cost around 500 dollars to fix, and it has no oil in it, is overdue for a service and the transaxle is leaking from the casing and the drivers side seal.

http://i.imgur.com/w3mMJ.jpg

danger! Will Robinson! danger!!... engine failure imminent!!!

TOONGA

Subyroo · Post by **Subyroo** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 4:12 pm

I agree Sven '2' and Toonga, forget that one, there are plenty more fish in the deep blue sea and all good things come to those who wait.

You did the right thing by having the the RAC inspection done, money well spent IMO.

FROG · Post by **FROG** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:34 pm

yerp run run away
that car is "worth" about 7g's and then it would be a viable buy
as said just wait for the right one to show up - it will - and again as said before skippy badge for spending the $$ on the check up

good luck with the search