2015 Subaru Forester reliablilty

[D60]

I like the Crosstrek, although I like the older ones better than the new ones. There's tons of Crosstreks around here, mostly driven by young women. I think they choose it because of its active and "outdoorsy" marketing, so they won't get saddled with the "SUV-driving soccer mom" stereotype.

That's exactly the Subaru buyer here in Colorado. They think they need a Subaru to "get to the trailhead."

It's 99% aspirational because most don't drive to a trailhead more than once a year. And 99% of trailheads are accessible in a Corolla. Still, it makes them feel better about their "active" lifestyle.

The other 1% push the Subaru way too far into terrain that is legitimately low-range territory. I've seen Outbacks just below Jaws 1 on Blanca Peak, which is insane. Doesn't mean the Subaru is capable-- it means the driver is an idiot and they unquestionably shortened the life of the Subaru getting there.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

That's exactly the Subaru buyer here in Colorado. They think they need a Subaru to "get to the trailhead."

It's 99% aspirational because most don't drive to a trailhead more than once a year. And 99% of trailheads are accessible in a Corolla. Still, it makes them feel better about their "active" lifestyle.

The other 1% push the Subaru way too far into terrain that is legitimately low-range territory. I've seen Outbacks just below Jaws 1 on Blanca Peak, which is insane. Doesn't mean the Subaru is capable-- it means the driver is an idiot and they unquestionably shortened the life of the Subaru getting there.

I believe the national park service has started to enforce 4x4 vs AWD for some trails.

 

[D60]

I believe the national park service has started to enforce 4x4 vs AWD for some trails.

A fraction of trails here in the West are inside of National Parks. Here we still have a concept of public lands --although it's threatened every day by special interests -- and those lands are primarily overseen by BLM or the Forest Svc (which is very different from National Parks).

It's basically the Wild West with no gates, ticket-takers or oversight of any kind. Just a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and anyone can try to drive it with anything. The only deterrent might be high recovery costs (see: Matt's offroad recovery on YT)

 

[Lawnman23]

I believe the national park service has started to enforce 4x4 vs AWD for some trails.

Of sorts...

https://www.off-road.com/blog/awd-v...ional-park-service-for-driving-on-4wd-trails/

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The Crosstrek is for the young hipsters who don't fancy themselves as rally car (WRX) drivers. I can never decide if I like the looks of the Crosstrek, or if it looks like a Nike shoe.

It just a good, useful compact car with awd for a reasonable price. Tried to get the wife into a Mazda cx30 but she said it was ugly and cramped inside - and no roof racks.

Dodge was first with the Caliber and Ford had something similar - forget the model - I dont think it was a focus.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I always though these 'humpbacks' were bizarre when seen "in the wild"

 

[Lawnman23]

Dodge was first with the Caliber and Ford had something similar - forget the model - I dont think it was a focus.

Ford Escape?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Ford Escape?

View attachment 235567

No thats a Forester competitor. Maybe late 90's to early '00 stuff. I was thinking a Focus 5 door but nope and I dont think it was an Escort variant.
There used to be one parked a street up the road nearby my house, I guess it is now off to the crusher to come back a Hyundia or ??, lol.

 

[PF52]

No thats a Forester competitor. Maybe late 90's to early '00 stuff. I was thinking a Focus 5 door but nope and I dont think it was an Escort variant.
There used to be one parked a street up the road nearby my house, I guess it is now off to the crusher to come back a Hyundia or ??, lol.

Ford Edge maybe?

At some point, it gets hard to tell them all apart unless one makes it a point to follow a brand.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Ford Edge maybe?

At some point, it gets hard to tell them all apart unless one makes it a point to follow a brand.

Nope, too big no resemblance. It was subcompact>compact size. Looked a lot like the Dodge above.

Sedans were confusing a bit. When I had a then new 2019 Jetta, my friends were saying that "it looked great". I shrugged my shoulders and said that the Ford and Chrylser that came first were a more sucessfull over design.

BLATANT copying. Chrysler wins in the looks dept. here -

 

[Lawnman23]

Ford had the Focus hatchback...

 

[slacktide_bitog]

My research seems to indicate most "pros" don't pull the engine, even for HGs.

I've been told my local dealer doesn't.

I saw a comment on a YT vid where a guy said he used to work at a Subaru dealership and they didn't.

Eric O does not and has a whole video series on an earlier one (2003? 2006?) where he says he does not.

I just pulled heads on an '11 EJ (not FB) in the car.

That said, I don't see it as something to get worked up about. It's personal preference. Some people like onions. I don't understand how, but I respect their right to like onions (shrug). Some people prefer to yank the motors. That's ok.

easier when it's SOHC

 

[onemig]

Copied and pasting it here from another thread I participated in. I hope this helps you in your decision.

“2014 Subaru Forester XT, currently at 185,000 miles. Purchased new in May of 2014.

Repaired/replaced items:

Front and rear wheel bearings have all been replaced. I think I am on my 4th replacement, 6 if you count the two right side wheel bearing that needed to be replaced because of a pothole. Subaru was kind enough to replace it when vehicle was still under warranty. They did not even ask what happened.

Trans. oil pump chain cover started leaking oil at around 90K miles. Engine has to come out for this repair since the chain cover is inside the bell housing. I was quoted $1,400 dollars by the dealer in 2019 to reseal it. I decided to do it myself in the span of 3 weeks working on it after work. Took my time to catalogue all the nuts, bolts, hoses and connectors.

Replaced driver side axle at around 150K miles since it started clattering when making a tight left turn.

Replaced radiator at around 160K miles with a CSF all aluminum radiator. The original one developed hairline cracks at the upper plastic end tank. Good thing I caught this one a week before my wife went on a trip to NY from MD, It gave me time to order the CSF radiator.

Warranty work:

Trans. valve body was replaced under the 100K mile extended warranty issued by Subaru. I was at 98k miles when the dash lit up like a Christmas tree due to the faulty valve body. If this happened after warranty period, it would have cost me around, if my memory is correct, around $1,400 in 2019.

Spark plugs were inspected, cylinder compression tested and the ECU reprogramed for LSPI issues on early production 2014-2015 Forester XT.

I am still comfortable about keeping this vehicle since all repairs to it have all been pretty well spread out, not overwhelming me to the point of thinking about getting rid of it.”

I forgot to mention it in that thread, I also replaced all 4 struts/shocks at around 135K miles. One of the front struts started leaking and I decided to replace all 4, along with the related bushings and mounts.