forester cross sport info needed please

[rodney_persad]

Hi all. First off all i'm using my friend's username and password for this forum. I had problems trying to register. You can call me Mikey.
my issue is:
I am really interested in having a forester cross sport of my own, an i'm getting the opportunity to purchase one at a fairly low price from a family friend. 2005 model, black in colour and looks really cool. The said cross sport however has some issues that needs to be fixed and i'm trying to find out how much it will cost to fix these issues. Apparently the owner does not have a clue about what caused these problems or is "playing" he don't know if you know what I mean.
If anyone has an idea on what these problems may cost to fix or who may be able to help me, please let me know.

1) The back right door was hit and the straightner did a terrible job. The door skin on the door in the door jam area looks like it's opening up with filler showing. Will i be able to get a door to purchase? How much will one cost? or should i just try to fix it over?
2) The power window on the driver side does not work. Don't know what the problem is. Will i be able to get a motor or fix the current one for that door?
3) The ABS light stays on when the car is running. Haven't got a clue on that one.
4) The owner said he installed new front lights.(it really looks new) When i tested it by flicking from high to low beam, it was only staying one way (don't know if it's high or low beam it's stuck on). I'm seeing a loose wire behind the light and don't know what the hell is going on with that.
5) The tyres are touching when driving on bumpy roads and turning corners. Don't know which one. He said it is adjustable suspension and it's just adjusted really low. How much would shocks cost for this car?
6) There is some kind of wrapping material around a pipe close to and practically on the turbo. It's some kind of spongy shabby looking thing wrapped around the pipe. About 3 to 4 inches of the pipe. Looks like a patch up job to me.
7) I went for a test ride and my mechanic says it pulling ok and the tips and stuff working good, but somehow the car feeling "heavy" by the way it moving. He said it may be heavy from filler. Don't know how true this is. There are no engine leaks however.

Overall at a glimpse the car looks really well. Especially the front. I have been watching these cars for a long time and very interested in owning one. I will have to take a loan to buy one so money is an issue and willing to wait until I get a really good deal. Hence this post in trying to find out if it is worth going behind this deal.

The guy said he's giving me at that price because he knows it has some stuff to fix.

PS: Does anyone know of a fairly good deal for one? If so, please leave some contact info.

Thanks in advance for all the help.

[marcus8860]

hello mikey =] ........ well i dont know anything technical about cars but , dont be blinded by the nice flash and your cravings ........ it seems to me that you have doubts about purchasing this particular car and also you're taking a loan ..... so you dont want to end up spending more time and money fixing the problems rather than enjoying the ride ....... you have to be patient and be sure of your purchase , be sure that when you do buy a subaru its in good working condition even if its a RORO .... i know this would cost more money but you'll be getting a 1st class used car with just a few bushings to change if necessary ....... im not trying to discourage you from your goal , its just that you want your subaru to be in top condition because it is alot of money being spent =] ... just wait a little longer , save up some more and buy something that you're sure about =]

[rodney_persad]

Great advice. Thanks Marcus. Something constructive to think about.

[Alpha_2nr]

THe trouble is that (aside from body job stuff) most mechanics down here still aren't up to date with how to troubleshoot "new" turbocharged engines......and the crosssport will fall into that category. So if this engine might have some "unknown" problem, you'll have a lovely time trying to find out what it is. Bad starting point already

Point is, just like marcus said......if you aren't sure.......that says something. Don't buy the car cuz it's cheap or whatever.....you'll only end up with more problems later on. Save up, and get a good one to start with.


And no....I can't recommend an Impreza TS.

[mikey_c]

Finally got my username and password... yaay..
ok cool. so don't buy. Hopefully i can locate a good one for a fair price. I'll keep on looking then. Thanks Knight.

[16 cycles]

a. right power window on front door and right back door shows evidence of repair - what can you infer from this?

b. that spongy material on the turbo may be "turbo wrap" - heat wrap - commonly used aftermarket addition

c. you can pull diagnostic code on the ABS - either via computer or using the diagnostic cables provided - just jumper the cables and take a look the ABS light - it'll blink in a particular sequence to let you know what's wrong

d. Front lights - check it in the night to see - if you commfy. Try an sort out before the ABS - some ppl claim that faulty lights throw ABS codes

e. with the adjustable suspension, look at the wear on the tyres to see if camber settings are within spec - look for excessive cutting on edges / flat spots etc

f. based on your ans to my first point - read your 4th point and ask yourself same question

g. your mechanic really tell you the car moving heavy from filler?????

i not saying buy or not to buy - jus helping in askin the questions. Cross Sports are really nice cars !!!

[marcus8860]

mike if you want you can call r. hosein marketing in debe =] ,, 681-8222 , i bought my legacy and theres also a white new model forrester there .... with body kit too =]

[mikey_c]

16 cycles thanks a mil for the info. I decided it's too much issues to work on.
lmfao, yes my mechanic really did say that. He's cool though.
You're sure right: cross sports are top class in my book

Thanks Marcus, I'll surely give them a call.

[Bacon]

Have you considered a Legacy.


Gobin's at $135K Neg is a very good deal

[mikey_c]

Not really. I'll do some checking up on the specs. thanks bacon.

[mikey_c]

Marcus, i called R. Hosien and yes he has the white cross sport. he wants 200k for it though. waaayyy over my budget. It has some kind of fancy stuff on it like new model lights and other things. thanks anyway.

[mikey_c]

aye bacon, you have a # for Gobin? maybe he can source what i'm looking for? don't know though

[Bacon]

He does not bring in foreign used cars...to sell that is...At least not to my knowledge....this LGT is one of his personal rides.

But he is the man to check for parts when you do buy your Subaru.

His # is in this post (the one with his LGT) when you ready.....

http://forums.trinituner.com/forums//vi ... highlight=

One thing you could be sure of is that any direction you go with your Subaru purchase you will not be disappointed. It has almost been seven months since I parted ways with my LGT and I am still in mourning. Take your time, choose your Subaru carefully and have lots of fun with it.

[mikey_c]

Legacy specB, my budget is around 140k. I hope i can get a good forester for that. What you think? Thanks for all the great info guys.

Bacon, it looks like a cool ride. But I kinda have my heart set on the cross sport and maybe the XT. Will still keep the legacy in mind though. Thanks.

[Alpha_2nr]

^^I've seen some Legacy GT's (early 06) and some Forester XT's going for around 14.K USD on online auction (sayuri>??). That'll translate to about 145-150k for a legacy in your hands in trinidad....assuming you bring it in yourself (no dealer markup). A co-worker sourced a Forester Cross sport (06) for around 140K or so IIRC....he brought it in himself as well. Forester XT's might be a bit cheaper

If you aren't sure about how to go about doing that, folks like legacy spec b should be able to point you in the right direction (think he did the same as well).

Of course, if you bring in the car yourself, you'll have a substantially more amount of capital to pay down first before even getting the car shipped (you need less capital if you buy locally...when applying for your loan).

[Bacon]

Legacy specB, my budget is around 140k. I hope i can get a good forester for that. What you think? Thanks for all the great info guys.

Bacon, it looks like a cool ride. But I kinda have my heart set on the cross sport and maybe the XT. Will still keep the legacy in mind though. Thanks.

Take your time, There are some great deals every once in a while on Local Company XT's in ur price range, check the papers regular.

No need to explain my friend. As I said, any direction you take, you good......................

[mikey_c]

lol... nah, I don't think I'll go TS.
pm sent.

[cacasplat3]

for an owner to allow soo many things to go wrong in a vehicle and not fix them....it seems as though he was not paying much attention to the vehicle.......definitely not a vehicle i would buy