2005 Subaru Forester Pros and Cons at TrueDelta: Owner Pros and Cons by racalinisan

Exterior styling

After 3.5 years of driving it it still looks fresh.

Reliability & durability

No problems with the transmission, exhaust or anything major. With regular maintenance it has been problem-free.

Discounts & incentives

We got $750 in accessories and a great deal on our trade-in. It was hard to resist the offer especially with our 1st baby on the way.

Handling

AWD makes driving in any type of weather worry-free. It feels planted on the road even in snow with decent all season tires.

Fuel economy

Considering it was an AWD car, I expected something worse than our Protege5, but it was not far off.

Rear seat room & comfort

Rear seat room is a bit tight for larger people. Car seats are a little tight in both rear and forward facing positions.

Quietness

When new, the engine was very quiet, but after a couple years it is very noticeable. On cold start, it vibrates quite a bit.

Safety & braking

Had a squeal in brakes for over the past year. Pads and rotors have been replaced, but it is still there.