Need A 2Nd Pair Of Eyes On This - 2004 Subaru Forester Xt - Attn: Terry!

[JGTC]

Evening Gents

was hoping you guys could could give me a sanity check on this - been wanting to replace my clapped out daily (1991 mazda 626) with this - a 2004 Subaru Forester XT SG9

hoping to take a look at it over the weekend

Been looking the last few weeks on carsales and OzFoz, this one seems to look alright (allbeit the wheels) description below;

I am planning on selling my pride and joy and thought I would try OZFOZ before the others.

I am only the second owner and I purchased it from the country from an older family. The car is brilliant, but I need to get some funds as we are building a house and don't have the cash to finish it off. My foz hardly gets driven, it stays in the garage the majority of the week and when I do drive it it is treated with the respect a car like this deserves.

I bought the car stock at around 80kms. It took me about 6 months of looking for a one owner luxury manual and about a 8 hour drive to pick her up. I have done the following to it

-New TEIN Springs with non self leveling struts at the rear. Sits down very nicely front and rear

-Turbo Back Xforce Stainless Steel Exhaust system done at 102kms

(muffler not cannon - sounds unreal)

-GFB blow off valve can be changed to plumb back with a twist of the collar

-19in Black Lenso Wheels with kumo's with heaps of tred

-18% window tint

-Black rear genuine subaru STI lights

-K'N filter

-Brand new Clarion TV/DVD Bluetooth double din system

(this was installed about a 2 weeks ago and cost me 800.00 still has the plastic protector on it)

-Excedy clutch at approx 110kms

-dash matt

-forester matts

-boot liner

-Sports grill and headlight surround

-some badges have been removed but have all of them available

-tow bar with subaru insert and ball removed ( have ball )

-new rear boot protector forester style from japparts

-genuine subaru roof racks not used bought them from ebay just in case but have not used them

there is probably more but can't think at this stage

It looks unreal and drives the same, the interior is spotless and as the luxury model it comes with the moonroof and all leather. Other things is genuine subaru boot lining, floor matts and complete log book service history.

The car is washed about twice a week using meguiars products and polished and waxed using autoglym monthly. The paint looks better than new. I do the leather about once a month with the leather protector from autoglm which doesn't mess around with the colour and keeps it nice and soft so no cracks what so ever. The carpet and other interior is cleaned with meguiars products and looks as new.

There is a scratch on the front bar and some stone chips that I have quoted to have repaired and sprayed at around 400.00. Other than this the car is immaculate. It would have to be one of the cleanest 04xt getting around.

Not really sure what it would be worth but if you interested or know anyone who would be let me know.

I have quite a few standard parts to go with the car if someone wants them such as tailights, springs, struts, cd player

I would consider a swap for something with cash my way as I need some spare cash to do a few things to the house.

Never been in an accident, very genuine car. My uncle is quite high at Subaru and had the vehicle checked out prior to buying it and all services were carried out properly. The only warrenty work the vehicle has had was a new motor to the sunroof and was told by my uncle that this is very common in this model. Sunroof works perfectly as it has done since i bought it.

Model: 2004 XT Luxury

Colour:Silver

Transmission Type: 5 Speed Manual

Registration Number: ZJE 519

Mileage: 123,000

Price: $16000

Other Information:

Pictures: only uploaded three, email me and I can send you a heap

what i want to know - from those with experience of just general subie knowledge, is are these as bulletproof as i imagine them to be? is there anything i should be looking out for? is this the right spec i should be looking at

any input would be great guys

thanks a heap

dan

[iplen]

Subarus are not *that* bulletproof..

*They are susceptible to overheating issues, which very quickly can result in blown headgaskets.

*Gearboxes.. Don't dump the clutch..

*Not sure if the XT has the dual mass clutch, but they too can give trouble.

Having said that.. I have owned a 91 Liberty Wagon (which I abused..) and also rallied an 04 RS which I did worse too.. The liberty did break, (headgasket)

They seem to resist breaking very well, but then let go in a big way. I would still buy one, and would still recommend them, just treat it well

[JGTC]

cheers thanks for that mate

yeh from the outside the ej25/ej20 motor seems like a solid unit but when i was looking at a few v5 sti's alot of them had rebuilds past 150K kms

they seem like a great car on paper in terms of performance and practicality, unfort i'm not in the know with much of the subie world

[GTR-N1]

It's the 06-07 XT that has the propensity to show Fault Codes #1410 & #2432

I don't think the 04 has those issues via the air pump leading to corrosion in cylinder 1.

In any case, if 3 cluster lights stay on, it's an expensive fix.

I'd ask the owner to allow you to check this Foz over at Pulse Racing if it's near Sydney; Paul will give you an unbiased check.

I think the timing belt, tensioner and water pump have been done at 100,000Km eh? On the 06 onwards, that's due at 125,000km.

X-Force can drone on some cars. Keep the test drive steady at 80, 100 & 110 to check droning.

The paint is thin on Fozs. The leather is thin on Fozs.

Electrics are usually good.

Longevity is good

Breakages occur a lot when modified in the engine and then stressed - even on running gear/diff

Good resale value, although $16K for this is at the upper end.

If you're in Sydney and so too is the car, you're welcome to drive mine for comparison.

I'm on iPhone at the moment, so I can't tell where you are.

[JGTC]

thanks a ton terry, exactly what i was after, im located in western sydney btw

the mods at first seemed like a good idea, but after a bit of thought i think maybe a more stock model may be better

your offer is extremely generous, i will keep it in mind for sure

thanks again mate much appreciated

[GTR-N1]

Actually Dan, I'd look at it!

Then do a comparo with mine, which has done 185,000Km

Mine's a workhorse.

[JGTC]

thats exactly what i had in mind for it, i'd probably be putting on about 3-350kms a week, it seems like a great daily

i would be going in a bit lower price wise but overall the seller comes across somewhat genuine but i suppose its all hearsay until i take a look at the facts in the flesh

theres quite a few options around the 12-15k mark, i do like the the XT/manual combo but i could do without the luxury pack as im not a huge fan on leather

will def consider coming up your way to take a look if i get an itch for this one

[GTR-N1]

...love you to.

...most welcome

[JGTC]

had a look at it today, it does come across as a well kept example, it presented as new aesthetically. i might give it a week and see how i feel about it as he wasn't very flexible on the price (prob looking at about 15k) even though the front bar needed touching up and rego was due in a few weeks so we'll see how we go with it

at the end of the day it is a fair bit of coin allbeit for a very nice car i'm just not sure if it is the best way i can part with my savings

Edited June 15, 2012 by squareznboxez

[GTR-N1]

I think that in your position, it's wise to wait a little and then reintroduce yourself by phone (ie at a distance).

[JGTC]

Thanks Tez i will prob be going back to bring my dad to have a 2nd look, the car is in Glenmore Park near Penrith, Pulse tuning i saw was in menai, is that the one u had in mind?

Edited June 16, 2012 by squareznboxez

[GTR-N1]

Yep. The boss's name is Paul and his wife Jan (I think, attends the phone). Staff of about 5.

9543.5007

3/788 Old Illawarra Rd Menai

[GTR-N1]

The owner's last buyer-enquiry was on June 3rd.

He first posted the car up F/S in Jan.

He may have overcapitalised, which is why he's trying to get his money back

[JGTC]

glad you mentioned that i was getting a similar vibe, couldn't get out today but decided i will let it marinate till next week and see how we go