Should I buy a Forester???
Oz, there are quite a few reasons for the move/job, mainly just wanted something new / a change.
Damn new page…
Actually Spaz, one other thing, I bought my last SSV $46K brand new. I sold it post warranty after 3.5 years for $28K, thats after pocketing over $10K a year in tax return after writing off expenses on the car, that includes, depreciation, interest on finance, and running costs like tyres, petrol, servicing and in my case it “needed” new wheels, exhaust, air intake and tuning. Cost me about $24K a year including repayments to run so over three years for the sake of my arithmetic thats $72K minus $12K+$11K+$10K (tax returns on car) = $39k or $13K a year or $1085 a month or $250 a week everything including depreciation included. The proviso of course being that you need a car for work for tax purposes.
Even on a $5000 car paying it off over 3 years your repayments will be about $50 a week, petrol for similar kms to what I do will be another $50, servicing $20, tyres $10, insurance $15, rego $15 or $160 a week, not even bothering with depreciation. For an extra $90 a week I know what I would rather be driving.
I take it you value your time, it took nine months or god knows how many hours to get it into a state where it could be insured for $3500, why not factor labour costs into what the car has cost you as well?
Good run down of car costs… I’m going to miss my work car :(
&
And Oz and NBG, I will use it for camping, but not Fraser Island… I deliberated and researched about cars and Fraser, but in the end decided to stay clear of it. People have taken Ravs, Xtrails, Grand Vitaras etc on the island and made it out to tell the tale 
but those cars are ultimately not designed for that terrain (mainly a lack of clearance). We’ll find other ways to go to the island.
Dan,
So moving has nothing to do with a girl?
Many a Kombi tackle Fraiser Isl.
The VW rear engine set-up is an ideal sand or snow vehicle.
Type3 in particular has stock adjustable suspension - with 2 hours work I can set big clearances, the chassis I sold was to be used as a Fraiser Specific vehicle- dune buggy.
Well, the answer is probably a little bit of yes and no ^
Well, the answer is probably a little bit of yes and no
A Tranny?????
UPDATE
Sorry going to be brief, so much shite going on as part of my move.
Looked at 3 Foresters yesty around 03-04 all less than 150K kms. Noticed some issues with two. The best of the three put a deposit down, agreed to pay pending a favourable inspection by ‘state roads’ (which were very good btw). Anyway, remember my main concern was the head gasket, well this one is leaking and on the way out. Looking at minimum $3,500-$4000. Faith in Subaru’s has gone down now 
. I know it’s only one but it was the main concern I had. I think generally the good ones don’t get sold probably. I rang the lady who said she will refund the deposit, she seemed genuine that it was news to her and she is obviously devoed.
We badly needed at least one car (by next Tue!) to drive up, luckily my girlfriend found one today which she is buying. Big relief!
Devo for you Dan!
Don’t give up on Suby’s but maybe broaden your search a bit!
When I was looking at (and ultimate bought the imprezza) I actually only looked at 2! Fell in love with the Imprezza (not sure if you remember my horrible experience after I picked it up) but after a through going over by a mechanic i was told it was an amazing car. it was 03 with 04 badging so right around the same ages as the one you were going to buy!
so, I’m pretty close to pulling the trigger on a new Forester. I want to put a box on the roof for boards - do I need to drop the extra cash for the dealer roof rails? or does a regular roof rack work fine?
so, I’m pretty close to pulling the trigger on a new Forester. I want to put a box on the roof for boards - do I need to drop the extra cash for the dealer roof rails? or does a regular roof rack work fine?
The Foz already has rails, you just need to add bars (going across between the rails). I’m 99% sure their bars are just Thules anyway, at least here in Aus. The only difference is, Subaru will double the price compared to buying them from an aftermarket dealer. Since you are buying a new car, you can put the bite on Subaru to sell them to you at cost - that’s what I did for my window tinting. Go check pricing at an aftermarket shop first, so you know the real price when haggling with Subaru. I am using Thule bars and they fit and work fine.
tip: wherever you get them, make sure to get all the parts that have locks keyed the same so you only have to carry one key around. I have my bars, bike carrier, ski/board carriers and pod all keyed the same. The lock barrels are replaceable so you can get it fixed up later if they don’t match initially.
thanks for the info. However, in Japan, only the more expensive models have the roof rails
thanks for the info. However, in Japan, only the more expensive models have the roof rails
Hm that sucks. Can’t advise you on that. In Aus the higher models get silver rails, lower models black. If it were me I’d go the dealer option but still get an aftermarket quote and haggle Subaru.
yeah, here, only the model with eyesight has the roof rails option…and I don’t want eyesight. I guess it’s a regular rack for me. However, I will go with the options at cost approach!
yeah, here, only the model with eyesight has the roof rails option…and I don’t want eyesight. I guess it’s a regular rack for me. However, I will go with the options at cost approach!
Just curious why you don’t want Eyesight? Cost or something else? I know a lot of reviews criticize it for false positives, but I have it on mine and I reckon it’s brilliant. Sure, it’s not perfect, but when you consider what it’s trying to do I think it does an amazing job. Adaptive cruise and collision avoidance are great features. Lane departure can be annoying around the city but you can turn it off.