2,5 XT automatic

Tame wolf, looks like a sheep.

This car replaced an H6 Outback for my wife, if we could have found another Outback we would have done so, but this Forester cropped up with really low mileage, brought privately and cheaply.

It does everything you want, it's fast but sure footed with it, there's no drama the car just grips regardless of weather, suspension is supple and tyres sensible 55 or 60 aspect so our rapidly deteriorating roads don't upset or damage the car, its pleasant to drive but be aware if you do put your foot down it flies away at an astonishing rate from rest, care is needed not to be too quick pulling out behind moving traffic.

A small overall package, all round visibility modern car drivers can only dream of, huge van style mirrors give clear vision and you can see out of all windows, estate section is a proper rectangle with large door opening.

Heating and aircon work well, fastest warm up i've ever known.
Everything works as intended, no frills at all that is not what Subarus are about.

Has proved reliable over these two years, i expected nothing less as the Outback was equally trouble free.

Downsides,
If you use boost it drinks fuel at an alarming rate, like the Outback before it we had the car converted to LPG, which gives it hatchback running costs, keeping the sporty car performance but without the concrete sprung typical sporty car ride.

Road noise is high, well worth doing some soundproofing if you travel motorways often, and tyre choice is important for that reason.

Fit some decent mudflaps too because being high of the ground it kicks a lot of road muck up, ''rally flaps'' which can be bought via the usual auction site have helped no end with this.

Wind noise can be high, door windows are frameless,which as a bonus helps make the doors really light.

Servicing and main dealer parts are expensive, specialist or DIY most of the usual jobs to help keep costs down, however the car is typically Japanese in that it is a joy to work on, apart from spark plug changes due to boxer engine, horrible job.

Tax is i the highest band but insurance costs are quite reasonable, between £220/280 for protected comp for mature owners.

All in all a thoroughly competent car, the looks of which don't attract problems on the road.

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