1999 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews

1999 Subaru Forester

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1999 Subaru Forester

Kelley Blue Book Retail $2,300–$3,900  

Average Rating

3.9 out of 5
Review This Car
Comfort:3.7 out of 5
Performance:3.7 out of 5
Exterior Styling:3.7 out of 5
Interior Design:3.7 out of 5
Value for the Money:3.9 out of 5
Reliability:4.2 out of 5

9 out of 12 people would recommended this car to a friend

Consumer Reviews

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AK is Subaru Country

by AK is Subaru Country
from Anchorage, AK | February 23, 2013

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I had a great experience working with the internet sales and used car sales teams at Continental Subaru. Ricki, my sales person, worked very diligently to make sure I was the first person to view (and subsequential buy) this vehicle. I would highly recommend you go see Ricki. The Subura is an older model but she runs great. I replaced a few things that are common with age (dash board lights and center console lights, the battery, and repaired the clock). I also had a remote start and new stereo system installed in the vehicle and both work great. This will be a great first car for my niece."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

239K and going

by SuBarific Car
from Holland MI | January 26, 2013

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Never heard of a Forrester when I bought this rig. 70k on it and a blown head gasket -which the dealer repaired for free- and I am still driving it. No major work on this car. Yes it drips oil...All 99's do. Yes, the motor is clanky but dependable. I would drive it CA tomorrow (slowly) but it would get me there. I am buying a newer one for my daughter."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Before you buy 1999 FORRESTER

by 1999 Subaru Forrester - MUST DO BEFORE BUYING
from Carmel Valley | October 18, 2012

Rating from

(1)
Comfort: 1 out of 5
Performance: 1 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 1 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"People selling cars can be great people. YOU MUST Have a mechanic check out ANY used care. I went to this website, saw the 1999 Subaru in Carmel Valley with 167,000 miles. I drove 200 miles one way after owner said in great condition. He did a video tour. Looked great. He said "okay to have engine checked out". So I paid $100 to 3rd party mechanic...thank goodness! Found out "COMMON" for Subarus over100K to need new gaskets. Valves. etc. The owner of the car said car was fine. SO WRONG. Car needed $2500 - $4000 in engine work. BUYER BE AWARE. Nice people should know more about their engines before they sell them. Subarus great, but used...Have a mechanic check."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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2 out of 3 found this review helpful

Tough, loving and reliable, like a family pet

by Adrenalinesaint
from Lower, OH | December 6, 2011

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Long lasting and practical. Really tough to beat on a tight budget. Probably the highest space verse practicality (mpg, interior room, and capible AWD) on the market. A vehicle that is a jack of all trades but master of none. Repair cost can be high and is the only downfall I can find with this vehicle."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

1999 Subaru Forester-manual transmission

by SubaruOwner
from Lansing MI | October 24, 2011

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"Had 100k miles when we bought it 3 months ago, performing flawlessly since then. I had forgotten how much I like a manual transmission. A worthy substitute for our 2002 Forester that was totalled. Enough interior room for the three 6-footers of our family and lots of cargo space."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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4 out of 4 found this review helpful

99 Subaru Just as safe as they say

by Just me
from Redmond WA | February 13, 2011

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I bought my 1999 Subaru Forester in September 1998 - brand new off the lot. I was the only owner. I had 187K on the car all my miles - combination of highway and city. The car averaged 25MPH up to the end. The end for this car was February 10, 2011 - when my car was rear-ended by a semi-tractor trailer rig on I405 - jack-knifing big rig that couldn't stop. I have to say that while I don't feel well and that I'm injured from the accident - this Forester probably saved me from much more serious injuries. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this brand this car again. My 99 Forester is totaled, otherwise I would still be driving it. Okay, this car is a little loud on the highway. I did have the valves replaced around 89K - I also did the free oil changes every 3K - and followed the major maintenance that is recommended by Subaru. I had the -S- model heated seats, moon roof, and we did make some changes to the sound system with the way that audio changes - but all in all everything was original. This is a great little SUV and for the price and reliability I wouldn't hesitate if this your budget - I know it's hard to consider a car this old and this price point - but they are reliable - and to be honest? I'm truly going to miss my trusty 'lil Red. RIP and thanks for saving my life."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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13 out of 13 found this review helpful

The best car Ive ever owned

by Subaru Junkie
from Liberty, NY | March 4, 2010

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Features: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 3 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I own 3 Subarus A forester, an imprezza wagon and an imprezza sedan. All 1999. Change the timing belt & water pump at every 100k and they will go forever. My forester is a rock. Reliable, it has never let me down! Engine gets a little nosier as it ages but doesnt affect anything. I hate to give it up but now I need a Van. I wish Subaru would make a full sized Van !!!!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Ugly, slow and sounds like a thrashing machine.

by JJ123
from Berkshire Hills | November 28, 2008

Rating from

(2)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 1 out of 5
Handling: 1 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 1 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Features: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 3 out of 5
Reliability: 2 out of 5

"This car has ended up costing far too much so I'm NOT happy anymore. The gas fill pipe rusted out, this caused the engine light to come on. It cost $583.70 to replace! Next the head gasket blew, this cost $1400. Subaru parts are out of this world. Headlight, my fault $423.00 The car was good up to around 70k but down hill after this. My other car is an Audi A4, it has 136,000 miles and a MUCH better car."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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1 out of 5 found this review helpful

Reliable and consistent performance

by Sube Fan
from Seattle,WA | March 7, 2008

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I have loved my Forester and have very few criticisms to offer. 1st the pros: reliable, solid, fun to drive, great in snow and foul weather. cons; interior material quality could be better, (some small parts broke within the first year of light use), brakes feel sluggish until you get used to them, one of the last auto makes in this class that still offers no hybrid or higher fuel economy. Unfortunately, I will be selling my Forester and opting for a more ecologically minded vehicle. I have waited the last 4 years for Subaru to release a suitable hybrid/electric/or diesel engine vehicle of this class but I am still waiting."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: N/A


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3 out of 4 found this review helpful

A solid, practical, reliable car

by Practical Guy
from Chicago, IL | May 5, 2007

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I bought a used Subaru and owned it for 7 years. Yeah, things occasionally needed to be repaired, as they do on any used car. However, I would never be afraid to take it on a long trip, as I would with most American high milage vehicles. . . As a homeowner, it was a great work vehicle -- it had a lot of room to haul stuff. Would I recommend this vehicle to a friend? Absolutely!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: N/A


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4 out of 4 found this review helpful

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