Rally Dreams: 2005 Subaru Forester XT
The Subaru Forester was launched in 2007 as Subaru’s first entry into the (then small, now large) segment known as the crossover SUV, but the Forester was a long way away from being an AMC Eagle. A few years later Subaru put a slightly detuned version of their 2.5 liter turbo motor from the legendary Impreza WRX STI and called this new model the Forester XT. Today, as cheap used cars, they offer an interesting combination of off roadiness, boosted all-wheel-drive fun, and manual gearboxes that’ll challenge all takers for a few grand. Find this 2005 Subaru Forester XT offered for $5000 in Atlanta, GA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
From the seller:
2005 subaru forester xt
condition: good
cylinders: 4 cylinders
drive: 4wd
fuel: gas
odometer: 197800
paint color: red
size: mid-size
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: wagon
The coveted 2005 Forester XT in 5sp manual.
Radiator, turbo, clutch replaced around 180k. New General Grabber AT2 tires, brake pads and rotors.
Interior 6.8/10
Exterior has usual wear for near 200k car.
Mileage will continue to creep us as this is my daily.
2nd owner. Georgia Car. No Rust. No accidents.
Mechanically sound and great car.
Will trade for cash. No interest in anything else.
See a better way to drive
We bought an '04 XT a few months back and they are fun cars to drive. Finding a rust free 5 speed is unicorn territory. The engines are quite finicky and it would be expensive to rely on a mechanic for keeping one of these on the road. There are four catalytic converters for example. These are charming, engaging cars and $5k seems a fair price depending on how much preventative maintenance has been done over the miles.
Did FuelTruck enter the exact same search parameters that I used to find the Caliber SRT-4? I'd be tempted to give them a call if I weren't a bit leery of DD'ing a 200,000 mile turbo Subaru.
This issue our shop sees with the Forester is head gaskets. Lots and lots of head gaskets.
The Forester was launched in 2007 but this is a 2005? And I had a 2003, which was already like… Gen 2? Gen 3? Methinks the model launched in 1997.