Hey all.

I am considering a 2002 Suby forrester S from private seller.

Asking: $11400
52K miles, 4-speed Automatic transmission, All Wheel Drive, silver with grey interior, wood interior trim, anti-theft, front and side airbags, oversized moon/sun roof, 6-disc in-dash CD player, heated front seats.

I had some specific questions.

1. Does this have a timing belt. I think Yes. ****So is this motor an interfernce engine? Will a broken belt damage the motor?


2. Are things like Oil change, tranny fluid change, coolant flush etc easy to do for the average DIY'er.

Are any of these fluids special / can be got only at the dealer?

How about brake rotors and pads? anything pricy here?


3. What should I specifically check for in a used 02 forrester?

4. Finally whats a reasonable price for this. I am certainly not looking at a dealer retail price but a private party price.

thanks

 

I just replaced my front and rear sets for my 04 and parts were about $70 for pads and $15 to cut each rotor vs. $500 to have the dealer do it, although if you want performance parts your looking at about $300 up.

As far as changing fluids, just make sure you know whats what, Im not sure about an 02, but my 2000 has the plastic shroud covering the oil drain plug and my 04 has the same shroud with a cut-out for easy access, the 1st time I looked under the car I wasnt familiar with it I almost pulled the trans drain because its about the same place an oil drain would be on a non opposed motor

As far as price goes, I would check kelley blue book specific for your area.

Belts.......bump

 

1. Timing belt - replace interval of 105,000 miles. Interference engine, so things go really bad when belt breaks.

2. Yes, no, 96.xx front pads, 85.55 rear pads, rotors ~90/ea.

3. Check the fluid levels, how dirty the motor oil is, and make sure the moonroof works.

4. That sounds like a reasonable price for a 4 year old Forester with that low mileage (13k/yr.) on the odometer.

www.subaruforester.org for any other questions. You'll find a few thousand owners of Foresters over there.