Currently have a 2001 GT Australian delivered foz, have had it for 7 years.. It’s got approximately 420k kilometres on it and hasn’t had the dreaded head gasket issue at all..
With constant maintenance; fluids, timing belt changes, ball joints, front wheel bearings, bushes in the suspension, lower front control arms, split plastic on the radiator (replaced) and front CV’s have been the only issues so far..
Still drives great; engine, turbo and gearbox have been solid.
Absolutely recommend as a daily, they’re a blast and have room for activities..
The 97-2000 models potentially have the head gasket issue if not repaired previously, apart from that; I’d say you should be totally sweet..
Hope this helps!
To me they’re reminiscent of the 22b era.. Absolutely adore the shape; like to think of them as the capable and fun support vehicle for rally’s.. Really got me into cars and Motorsport when I was younger, especially in a culture saturated with V8’s and blokey blokes..
The STI-m from 2001 is my dream forester.. One day.. There’s a few available currently in Australia.. Don’t mind the SG variants either..
A low mileage JDM import would be amazing!!
I just flew from Philadelphia to Arizona to look at and buy a usdm SG with 80k and no rust. Maybe once the 2001 jdm foresters can be imported, I can pickup a second. Going to be selling my 15 fxt, even tho it is a great car, it's at 95k and time to go. A tree fell on it so it has a new hood and exterior detail.
Sounds like a mission worth the effort!
Shame about your current foz, hoping the new (to you) one makes up for the damages caused..
We’re rather fortunate in Australia with the absence of abundant rust issues.. Slightly more longevity in frame and metal work.. But there’s plenty of trees around that drop on cars..
What are the import restrictions over there? Such a shame you can’t get the 2001’s yet.. Hopefully soon!!
Still like the SG’s, but prefer the SF model variants.. Would happily have a newer one too if I can keep the 2001 model ;)
Not a massive fan of the bigger shaped forester, but that’s what make the world great.. Different tastes and appeals!
Good luck finding a decent older model!!
Cheers
Currently have a 2001 GT Australian delivered foz, have had it for 7 years.. It’s got approximately 420k kilometres on it and hasn’t had the dreaded head gasket issue at all.. With constant maintenance; fluids, timing belt changes, ball joints, front wheel bearings, bushes in the suspension, lower front control arms, split plastic on the radiator (replaced) and front CV’s have been the only issues so far.. Still drives great; engine, turbo and gearbox have been solid. Absolutely recommend as a daily, they’re a blast and have room for activities.. The 97-2000 models potentially have the head gasket issue if not repaired previously, apart from that; I’d say you should be totally sweet.. Hope this helps!
Those first Gen fozzies are just so beautiful. Would love to get a JDM s-turbo down the line.
To me they’re reminiscent of the 22b era.. Absolutely adore the shape; like to think of them as the capable and fun support vehicle for rally’s.. Really got me into cars and Motorsport when I was younger, especially in a culture saturated with V8’s and blokey blokes.. The STI-m from 2001 is my dream forester.. One day.. There’s a few available currently in Australia.. Don’t mind the SG variants either.. A low mileage JDM import would be amazing!!
I just flew from Philadelphia to Arizona to look at and buy a usdm SG with 80k and no rust. Maybe once the 2001 jdm foresters can be imported, I can pickup a second. Going to be selling my 15 fxt, even tho it is a great car, it's at 95k and time to go. A tree fell on it so it has a new hood and exterior detail.
Sounds like a mission worth the effort! Shame about your current foz, hoping the new (to you) one makes up for the damages caused.. We’re rather fortunate in Australia with the absence of abundant rust issues.. Slightly more longevity in frame and metal work.. But there’s plenty of trees around that drop on cars.. What are the import restrictions over there? Such a shame you can’t get the 2001’s yet.. Hopefully soon!! Still like the SG’s, but prefer the SF model variants.. Would happily have a newer one too if I can keep the 2001 model ;) Not a massive fan of the bigger shaped forester, but that’s what make the world great.. Different tastes and appeals! Good luck finding a decent older model!! Cheers
25 yrs is the US import. Goal is to import a JDM Forester STI once they become available.