I’m on the hunt for a used car under $8k and have seen a lot of 2011-2016 Foresters and Outbacks in that price range, with mileage from 150k all the way up to 300k. Seems like a lot, but maybe that’s normal for these cars?
I’m looking at a super clean 2015 Forester 2.5i Premium with 154k miles for $7k. All maintenance has been done at a Subaru dealership, it’s been kept in a good climate, and the title is clean. I was hoping for something with lower miles, but I feel like this one might be a good deal compared to lower-mile cars from brands known for less reliability. Plus, I’ve always wanted a Subaru!
I’ve read about people running their Subarus up to 250k-300k miles, but I’m not sure if I should believe that and go for a higher mileage car or if I should stick with my gut and look for something with fewer miles. My budget is tight, and I want a car that’ll last me the next 5-10 years for commuting. I’m taking it for a test drive on Friday—what should I be on the lookout for besides the normal used car stuff?
Check out those folks who’ve got their Subarus past 200k miles—they’ve probably done a lot of work on their cars themselves. If you’re thinking about buying something with high miles, you’ve got to be okay with maybe doing the same kind of stuff.
Every Forester year has its quirks. I bought a 2012 Forester recently, which has the FB25 engine, so it doesn’t have the old head gasket problems of the EJ engines. Still, I keep an eye on my oil because this engine can burn it up. If you’re looking at 2011-2013 models, they’ve got the older 4EAT transmission, not the CVT like the 2015 you’re considering. The 4EAT is pretty tough, just something to keep in mind.
If you want to avoid the CVT, stick with models older than 2015. And if you’re looking at an EJ engine, just know it’s likely the head gaskets have already been swapped, so you should be good there.
The 2015 should be fine, but double-check that the PCV valve has been replaced. Also, check if the transmission and differential fluids have been changed—if not, get that done ASAP. The CVT can be reliable, but you need to keep it maintained. Most issues with CVTs pop up between 150k-200k miles, and if you’re unlucky, you might have to replace a valve body, which is about $800 if you DIY. Bigger issues like belt slip or a bad torque converter are rarer but can be costly, so just be aware.
At higher miles, the transmission throttle bodies often go out, and replacing them costs about $1,000. It’s a known problem with Subarus from 2011-2015, so keep that in mind.
Subarus are great if you know your way around working on them. If you’re not into doing your own repairs, they can get a bit tricky as they age, sometimes needing the engine pulled out for fixes.
Subarus aren’t as reliable as Toyota or Honda, and the high-mileage transmissions can be hit or miss. We’ve had a few Subarus in the family, and while some were solid, others, like my wife’s Ascent, have been a nightmare.
Agreed—Hondas and Toyotas are way more dependable. I’ve owned several Subarus, and the only ones that didn’t give me problems were the ones I sold before issues popped up. The EJ engines, even with their head gasket problems, still feel like the most reliable ones. For anyone wanting a worry-free car, a Subaru, especially a high-mileage one, might not be the best choice.
Subarus from those years are known for oil consumption and CVT issues. If the car has either, fixing it can cost more than the car’s worth. Regular fluid changes are critical, but often they weren’t recommended back then. We had to replace an engine in our 2014 Forester due to oil consumption issues. If you want reliability, you’re better off looking at a Honda or Toyota.