2005 Subaru Forester consumer reviews

My daughter totaled our first '05 Forester, which was bought new. She rear-ended a commercial van, but didn't get a scratch herself. In a less well-constructed car, she could have been severely injured. So I bought another '05 Forester. These cars retain their value! I put a few extra bucks into the "new" one to get one with lower mileage. It drives just like the first one - sure-footed, all-wheel drive handling, plenty of power to get out of a bad situation, but not too much for a young driver to get into one. Plenty of cargo space. Our first Forester never had a problem, and I don't expect any with this one. It's a great car!

My wife and I bought a used 2004 Subaru Forester XS with 38k miles on it. Used to have a 2 door Honda Civic, but with a baby on the way we needed a bigger car and needed to be 4 door. We also moved from Central NJ to the norther "snow belt" of Pike County Pennsylvania. We get snow everytime their is any chance for it because were at a higher elevation. I didnt realize when they tout the commercials saying "symmetrical AWD" and "Boxer engines" I didnt know what any of that meant. Well to sum it up, it means you have a car/suv that gets pretty good MPG, Gets 5 star crash test ratings all around (side and frontal), you get great handling without feeling like your going to roll the vehicle over. and you get REAL awd unlike all the others out there. Full power, to all wheels, all the time. Not the "AWD 60front/40rear" jokes that these other SUV"s have. I look for reasons to take this car out in the snow because its such a pleasure to drive in bad weather. And in good weather its just as good too. We have been able to fill it up with cargo, even with long shopping trips, AND still have the kids car seat still in the back and still have room. The Forester is a great all around car, you dont have to live in the snowy places or even be an off-roader type to own one. Its just a great all around car, that gets you wherever you need to go, IN ANY WEATHER. The AWD makes it feel like its slow, but when you look at the speedometer you realize your going 65mph. It drives like its on rails and is very stable at high speeds.

After four years and 55000 miles, this car is about to leave my fleet. This has been a really good car overall. Maintenance costs have been practically nil, except for a new set of tires and the recommended services. There has been once recurring problem with faulty iginition coils, I'm on my third one! With one covered under the factory warranty, I'm only out $250 or so on mechanical repairs. It also seems to be a problem with these vehicles (according to CarTalk and the dealer) that spiders have a habit of weaving webs in the gas tank vent causing fuel fill problems. Easily fixed, though. This car has received more than an average amount of use off-road and in crazy weather conditions and has held up well. I managed to get stuck in a deep, icy rut on the side of the road once but in fairness I was really pushing my luck with that parking space. This car has performed as well as expected. This car has been improved greatly in the 2009 model, with reduced interior noise, four wheel disc brakes all the way around, and (thank goodness) a bigger fuel tank. The 2009 had better have a better windshield defroster, too. Every car is going to have its quirks, so I reaffirm my thumbs up and look forward to my shiny new 2009.

I live up in the mountains in colorado and that is a true test of a car's durability. The temperatures range from -20 F to 98 F where I live. Most of the people in my neighborhood drive a subaru because they last the longest, preform the best in the snow/rain/ice with the full time AWD, and are very reliable cars. They hold their value very well and are well built both inside and out. Every winter I use my forrester to tow at least two people out of snow banks on the side of the road. Living up here is my dream come true, but when it comes to a vehicle I need something I know will start and that will run for years under these harsh conditions. The sheer number of Subarus in the rocky mountains is a testament to how great these cars really are!

I purchased this car 6/1/07. It has proven to meet or exceed my expectations in all areas. The final test for which I was waiting was how would the AWD be in the snows of North Central NY. I now have that answer...it is equal to or better than any of the 4WD vehicles I have owned over the years without the miserable gas mileage those beasts offer. A big thumbs up to Subaru for producing this fine vehicle

Had my 05 Forester for almost 3 years. Just traded to get a bigger vehicle but it was a great car. Excellent handling, fun to drive (has some zip) and had zero problems with it. Only complaints were MPG (little low for a 4cyl), road noise and rattles. Absolutely GREAT in the snow. Great for towing small trailers. VERY solidly built. Had a couple people rear-end me and absolutely NOTHING happened to the forester. Not even a smudge on the bumper.

This car was bought brand new. What a disappointment. Over the course of the first year and a half I've been back to the dealer 4 times for a whistling windshield, 4 times for a squeaking suspension bushing, 3 times for a defective instrument cluster, roof racks that vibrate no matter where you place them, vacuum leak, warped rotors, and the vehicle uses a quart of oil every 4000 miles. Having had enough with Subaru I've tried to trade in this car but both times the dealers wouldn't touch the car because the odometer was reset twice when they worked on the instrument cluster. This car is a great driving machine, quick and agile yet, If a car is unreliable all other considerations don't amount to a hill of beans.

This was the first vehicle I have puchased new, and the biggest selling point is that even the base model had everything I needed. I live in the North (snow), frequently travel to construction sites (mud), carry a lot of tools and equipment around (station wagon), haul around ladders (truck), make long trips on my service route (econo-box), am starting a family (safety), and wanted something I could work on myself if need be (cheap). After comparing a dozen or so vehicles in its class, and knowing a few fanatical fans of Subarus, I couldn't come up with a reason not to go for it. The standard features are just what one needs, without too many frills. Everything about the car is comfortable, except I feel that on the highway there is a bit too much road noise. I'm used to driving bigger, more luxurious vehicles so maybe I'm just picky, but on long trips I have a tendency to arrive just a bit crankier than my spouse would like. However, it could be much worse. The seats are very supportive. The 4 cylinder engine is enough to make the car peppy when I'm the only thing in it, but load it up with 4 people and some luggage and you definitely notice the engine strain. Turning on the AC likewise really bogs it down. I can't complain too much, though, because the gas mileage is adequate. A V6 would just make me angry every time I stop at the gas station. Handling is suprisingly good for such a tall vehicle. It corners very nicely, is swift to change lanes, is a dream to parallel park, and stops on a dime. The 2006 models have a package with 4 wheel disc brakes and much larger outside mirrors, which I feel are important safety items that should be standard. I wish I could have held out a year for that. Styling? What's that? Subaru could have done worse. Its not exactly eye-catching, but it isn't goofy-looking or available in garish colors like some competitors out there. You can't hide what this car is: a four-wheel drive station wagon for tall people. It looks like the sensible vehicle it is. The interior design is good, though after a year I still have to think about which stalk sticking out from the steering wheel does what... especially when getting out of one car and into the next. Leg room in the front is outstanding, and so is the cargo volume with the rear seats down.

If this car were hybrid, I would think I had died & gone to heaven. Mileage isn't so bad though. Almost 30 on the highway. Plus, it has so many other terrific qualities, like high ground clearance, really nurturing-to-your- back seats, no-lean cornering, to name just a few. It is comfortable even for my 6'2" husband. My 2005 has a top safety rating & I can vouch that Subaru's brand of all wheel drive cannot be beat for driving in bad weather or bad roads. (My life was once saved because I was driving one.) I love this car & regret mightily having to sell it. This was my third Subaru over many years & I loved them all. They are absolutely 'faithful & true to expectations' cars!