Used 2004 Subaru Forester
Buying Guide for the Subaru Forester:
Subaru’s all-wheel drive arsenal is back for 2004 and looking
to keep its momentum going. Over the years, the Subaru family
has quietly gone about grabbing hold of the market share by
offering exceptional handling and safety components along
with a highly capable driving experience.
The Forester is the compact sport utility vehicle in the
lineup. It glides into 2004 as an early model, complete with
a new turbo XT trim that gives you a spine-tingling rush of
performance (Forester XT covered in a separate review). On
Consumer Guide’s Recommended list for the third straight year,
the Subaru Forester rests upon a legacy of quality.
Under the Hood
As usual, full-time all-wheel drive is there to get you out
of inclement weather. Nothing less should be expected from
a Subaru. The engine powering the 2004 Forester is a 2.5-liter,
4-cylinder model that can handle 165 horsepower at 5600 rpm
and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm.
Forester’s engine is mated to either 4-speed automatic transmission
or 5-speed manual. With manuals, you are saved the annoying
task of roll-backs with a special hill holder clutch. This
is particularly useful if you’re just starting out with standard
transmission.
Subaru puts a lot of effort into its safety package, and
the Forester exemplifies this attention to detail. It handles
well and has a sturdy construction that absorbs crash impacts.
All models have dual front airbags, front side airbags, front
seat active head restraints and antilock brakes. The XS model
adds limited-slip differential for better power diffusion.
Standard Features, Options Packages and Style
The four-door Forester has plenty of space on the inside—64.1
cubic inches of total cargo volume, to be exact. Standard
features on the entry-level X model include a roof rack, air
conditioning, cruise control, a split folding rear seat, power
mirrors, windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, an
AM/FM/weatherband/CD player and an outside-temperature indicator.
The XS has heated front seats, an in-dash 6-disc CD changer
and more.
Forester XS models can also be morphed into XS Premiums,
or Premiums with leather. The former adds a sunroof, while
it is quite obvious that leather upholstery is the defining
feature of the latter group.
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