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Hi, I'm looking to buy a Subaru Forester. My online research indicates pre-2016 Foresters are likely to be expensive to maintain, and I don't have the budget to go 2019 or newer, so I'm looking at the 2016 to 2018 Foresters and want to spend about 20-24k. I am choosing between two on TradeMe. One is 2016, 84,000km. The other is 2017, ex lease, service records provided, 145,000km. Looking online, it sounds like 2016 is marginally the better of the two years for Forester reliability. But with the 2017 vehicle an ex-lease and regularly serviced, my question is whether there is really any advantage to the 2016 year over the 2017? Is it better to have an ex-lease that's been looked after?
thanks in advance,
Heidi
Hi there,
As this is the last two years before the new model came out, there would be very little difference between a 2016 and 2017 year Forester. The decision would be if you want a vehicle with twice as many km's on the clock. Are they both NZ new? This could also be a decider NZ new vs Japanese Import. This could be where a NZ new ex lease with service history and having done high km's quickly could be a benefit over an unknown import.
Thanks Cade! Neither of them is NZ new. Both imports that have passed the 'damaged import check'. The 2016 vehicle had one owner in Japan and no owner in NZ as yet. Is it better to have more kms on the clock but a known service history with the 2017, vs fewer kms on a vehicle that's just been imported with the 2016? Also, the 2017 vehicle is the 'sport' model of 2500cc whereas the 2016 is 2000cc. I live in Central Otago and I want it as a ski wagon - is there a real difference between 2000cc and 2500cc?
thanks again,
Heidi
Hi Heidi,
This year of Forester is listed as having the chain drive 'FB' model engine which required a more complex oil and oil level checking procedure. I'm not aware of any issues with blown head gaskets as the older 'EJ' 2.5ltr engine was notorious for. Subaru large main services were typically every 50,000km with 100k and 200k often requiring a full fluids, spark plugs and filters to be replaced- and maybe a water pump at 200k.
Personal preference would dictate your decision, however resale might be affected with high km's as opposed to a vehicle only one year older and half the km's on the clock. They are not complex vehicles and so fairly easy to service.
Thanks Cade, that is super helpful. The AA is inspecting the 2016 vehicle for me today. I've been looking at chains because they are often required on all vehicles (2WD, 4WD, AWD) where I ski. It seems like both the 2016 and 2017 vehicles need low profile chains eg: https://www.hyperdrive.co.nz/product/67119/konig-ck7-k-slim-snow-chains
Is there any particular brand or type of chain that you would recommend for this generation of Forester please?
thanks again,
Heidi
Hi Heidi,
The chain size and requirement is more to do with the wheel and tyre size and not necessarily the type of vehicle you are fitting them to.
I've seen these which might be a good chain alternative? https://www.issechains.co.nz/
Or Repco have cheaper chains https://www.repco.co.nz/en/4x4-adventure-escape/travel-touring/air-tyre/snow-sweat-easy-fit-snow-chains-red-scefr