2004 Forrester Thoughts? Auction Prices?

[TSDible]

Ok...

So a bit of back story...

My wife's job had her move away for a bit, and she took our main commuter vehicle (2012 Pilot). I'm in the market for a "beater" commuter vehicle that can still haul my 90lb Lab around on the weekends.

I like the Subaru Forrester and have included them in my search.

I went by the Subaru dealer a coupl of months ago and told them what I was looking for. I gave them a budget ($5-$10K but willing to go higher if the right vehicle pops up). I'm not really interested in certified pre-owned. I explained to them that have 2 other vehicles that I can drive if I have to.

I walked away from anything that they tried to show me that day and asked them to be on the lookout for a trade I might be interested.

I got a call, and they got a 2004 Forrester X on the lot with a 5MT and 114K miles. Very basic vehicle. I actually prefer the 5 speed, but I didn't let them know that. They had a price on it of $7995. I went out to see it expecting to see an excellent condition vehicle, but it really isn't. I took it for a test drive, and it seems mechanically sound. I did notice a few things and let the salesman know that it is nowhere near the "excellent" retail price they are asking. By the time I left, they were down almost $2K ($6300), but I still walked away.

Some of the things I noticed...

- Minor scratches, dents and some chipped paint that has been painted over with a bad touchup paint
- Large tear in the drivers seat
- Headlights are pretty frosted and need cleaned/replaced
- small star crack in the driver view
- Engine bay was clean, but not too clean
- Airbag light was on (don't know how serious this is)

Before I left, he said that later this week he expects that it will go to auction. They are a new dealer and aren't interested in keeping anything around that isn't going to make them money. Maybe he shouldn't have said that, because I see that as a possible opportunity to get a deal. Surely they would rather sell it to me cheap than to go through the hassle of sending it off to auction.

Anyone have any idea at what this might fetch at auction (Western Ohio)?

Should I be overly concerned about the Airbag light?

I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirth and doing a little maintenance.

 

[NutBucket]

Airbag light is a bad omen. That would be my number one concern. Everything else is cosmetic and can be expected of a car that was treated as an appliance.

 

[AgentUnknown]

You asked for a beater and got a beater. Sounds like you want the 2013 forrester.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Subarus are just insanely priced around here. I gave up looking at them when I was shopping for a new beater.

 

[jlee]

$10k budget can get you an XT. Moar faster!


>>> http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/3860752445.html

 

[ballmode]

Hey Jlee where the Rotas go? I need some extras

 

[phucheneh]

Airbag light is unlikely to be cheap. Assuming it's not something dumb like an airbag or seal belt tensioner getting unplugged during some other repair, I would say the least costly part would be a clock spring at (random guess) $200 or so. If it needs an airbag, you're probably talking twice that, at the least.

Check to make sure none of the seat belts are locked up. Deployed pretensioner means not just a prior collision, but a shitty repair job.

I would pass on it. If nothing else, get it inspected at a Subaru dealer and get a DTC printout.

 

[Kelvrick]

Not sure about the 2004 foresters, but the 2005-2009 legacy/outbacks have a common problem with the airbag light. A bad soldering job in the overhead display where it displays the little passenger airbag on and off lights causes it. Resoldering it fixes it for us.

You should browse some forester forums and see if there is a common issue such as this.

 

[nerp]

Waaaay too much money for all those issues. But then again, I think used car prices are outrageous across the board. That should be a $3,500 ride, depending on mileage.

 

[TSDible]

Can't believe I didn't put the mileage... LOL. It has 114K. I updated the original.

$10k budget can get you an XT. Moar faster!


>>> http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/3860752445.html

I have other vehicles that go much "Moar faster".

This will be our 7th vehicle if you count the motorcycles... I just need something somewhat reliable with decent gas mileage that can carry the dog.

Not sure about the 2004 foresters, but the 2005-2009 legacy/outbacks have a common problem with the airbag light. A bad soldering job in the overhead display where it displays the little passenger airbag on and off lights causes it. Resoldering it fixes it for us.

You should browse some forester forums and see if there is a common issue such as this.

I'll check that out. Thanks.

The Airbag light is the one thing that really stopped me. If it weren't for that, I probably would have made an offer.

Airbag light is unlikely to be cheap. Assuming it's not something dumb like an airbag or seal belt tensioner getting unplugged during some other repair, I would say the least costly part would be a clock spring at (random guess) $200 or so. If it needs an airbag, you're probably talking twice that, at the least.

Check to make sure none of the seat belts are locked up. Deployed pretensioner means not just a prior collision, but a shitty repair job.

I would pass on it. If nothing else, get it inspected at a Subaru dealer and get a DTC printout.

It is at the Subaru dealer already. They have gone through it. I asked about any service history they may have and they didn't offer anything up.

I may call back and ask about getting a DTC.

I have no idea what this car would fetch at auction... I was thinking of offering $5k, but I'm not sure if even that is too much.

 

[TSDible]

Did some searching and it seems that the airbag light can be a common problem with an easy fix.

It is most often a connector under the seat that needs to be reset.

I may go look at it one more time... If I can fix the issue there at the dealer with that, what is a good offer to start with before the send it off to auction?

I'm not sure how low I could go before they just kicked me to the curb... LOL.

 

[NutBucket]

According to Edmunds a Forester in "average" condition should retail for under $5k at a dealer. The one you're looking at might not even be considered average. I doubt the person that traded it in got more than $2500 for it. I would honestly offer $4k assuming you can tackle that airbag issue fairly easily. I'm guessing they wouldn't get $4k for it at auction. What part of the country are you in?

 

[mvbighead]

You asked for a beater and got a beater. Sounds like you want the 2013 forrester.

A beater is not a vehicle that is worth 6-8k. He's looking for something moderately reliable to haul a dog. If it's banged up, asking for 8k is a bit ridiculous. I bought a prestine Jeep for 6k several years back with not so much as a problem other than tires.

That year of Forester around my area should be around 6k in good shape private party, tops. If it's a bit rough, I'd shoot for 5500 or so.

Also, if AWD is not a big concern, I'd look for something without it. Focus ZX3 or similar. If you don't need AWD, you're paying extra for something. You could find a number of ZX3s for 3k-5k. Would fit your 90lb lab just fine with the rear seats folded down. My lab is a long, lean 86lber, and he'd have no problems in such a vehicle.

 

[TSDible]

I have several other possibilities on my list.

I would like to have AWD, but it isn't absolutely necessary. I have a Wrangler that I can bust out when I need to... but it is definitely not for regular commuting. It is a "fun" vehicle and has been modified to be more fun...

 

[BrandtTheMan]

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the turbo foresters. High cost in maintenance and unreliable parts. 110k is also when the timing belt service is due, wheel bearings like to go around then, valve cover gaskets (harder than it sounds), turbo will start to leak oil, I could go on and on. Learn from my mistake lol.

 

[TSDible]

I'm not looking at the XT really...

I don't need it.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Those 2.5l subaru engines also have headgasket issues.

 

[jlee]

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the turbo foresters. High cost in maintenance and unreliable parts. 110k is also when the timing belt service is due, wheel bearings like to go around then, valve cover gaskets (harder than it sounds), turbo will start to leak oil, I could go on and on. Learn from my mistake lol.

Timing belt service is 105k, which is not unreasonable (many cars are 60-90k). I had to replace one wheel bearing on mine. The OEM turbo went out around 109k. They're super cheap (or spend $350 and put a VF39 in).

Gotta pay to play. If you want something that'll run forever with no maintenance, buy a Camry.

 

[NutBucket]

Those 2.5l subaru engines also have headgasket issues.

By '04 all those issues were resolved. However Subaru still says to use a small bottle of stop leak whenever you replace the coolant.

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the turbo foresters. High cost in maintenance and unreliable parts. 110k is also when the timing belt service is due, wheel bearings like to go around then, valve cover gaskets (harder than it sounds), turbo will start to leak oil, I could go on and on. Learn from my mistake lol.

Uh, those maintenance items are the same for the non-turbo motor. And there's no reason for a turbo to fail at 100k.

 

[BrandtTheMan]

I'm not looking at the XT really...

I don't need it.

Best decision you ever made.

 

[T2urtle]

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the turbo foresters. High cost in maintenance and unreliable parts. 110k is also when the timing belt service is due, wheel bearings like to go around then, valve cover gaskets (harder than it sounds), turbo will start to leak oil, I could go on and on. Learn from my mistake lol.

The belt, bearing and VC gaskets are still something thats as likely to go on a NA motor as well.

$6-8k.... gas friendly, doggie friendly hatch. Mazda protege wagons, maybe those mazda 3 wagons are near that price range.

 

[snoturtle]

The belt is a regular wear item and not hard to replace on your own

Wheel bearing can go on any car

And the valve cover gaskets can be done in an hour or so for both of them

Currently driving and 02 Forester with 240k on it
Bought it a few months back and was told the belt was done at 200k but no records/receipts so as soon as I finish the top end rebuild on the 2000 Forester thats in my garage it will go in for a belt

I think they are great
Plenty of room without buying a minivan
Gas mileage isn't fantastic but it is twice what my former DD was (97 k1500)

The belt, bearing and VC gaskets are still something thats as likely to go on a NA motor as well.

$6-8k.... gas friendly, doggie friendly hatch. Mazda protege wagons, maybe those mazda 3 wagons are near that price range.

Was the timing belt and water pump already done?
If so maybe 5k if not I would shoot for closer it 4k

 

[TSDible]

Thanks to all for your help and advice.

I'm now the owner of a 2004 Forester.

I checked the gasket and I don't see a problem. The timing belt had been replaced recently.

But I didn't give the guy the $6300 they were down to...

I drove past the dealer again and saw the vehicle parked at the back of the lot with the key in the door. It was my indication that it was going to auction soon...

I went in and asked the salesman about the airbag and the TSB that I read about... They seemed genuinely surprised when I told them about it on the airbag light on the test ride, so I suspected that maybe the plug was bumped during the detailing process... They offered to take another $300 off (down to $6k). They didn't want to budge on diagnosing the airbag problem. I was told that the troubleshooting would be too expensive for the cost of the car... So... with the salesman standing right there, I fixed the problem. Turned out it was the passenger side plug.

I told him that since I fixed it for him at the dealership, he would have to pay me dealership prices... he chuckled... I ended up getting it for just over $5k out the door (including TTL).

Definitely thinking that I did ok.

 

[NutBucket]

I think $5k OTD is the right price. Dealer still made bank for zero work on their part too

 

[BrandtTheMan]

Looks good.