I want a 03/04ish Subaru Forester... answer these questions please.

Where should I be looking (forums and such). I've been on cl quite frequently as well as subaruforester.org. Anywhere else?

What should I be watching out for?

Thanks. -Nels

Well, 2004 was the first year with a turbo (XT). Anything over 2002 should have cup holders in the center console instead of over the radio. We found ours on cars.com. Aside from that I can't think of any "notorious" flaws in those model years. Let me know if there's anything else I can answer.

Now Nels... to be cool in Subaru land don't forget this.....

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=SUBARU-IMPREZA-WRX-STI-Aluminum-2pcs-Front-Rear-Tow-Hook-Red-Blue-Yellow-Black-

Unfortunately... those aren't long enough.

It'll be my wife's car... and she insisted that it have tow-hooks that stick out at least two feet past the bumper... and mudflaps. This is why I fell in love with her...

You may already know this, but I figured I'd throw it out there anyway. The NA EJ25's are prone to head gasket failure around 100k miles depending on how its been driven (more in town driving means earlier failure). It's not a matter of if, but when they fail. I'm guessing that's the mileage range the 03-04s are getting into now. I'd rather find one that has already had the gaskets done. If the engine has already had them redone by anyone who knows what they're doing, they are good for at least another 100k. If they were done by Randy at Randy's Subaru shop by the Carquest warehouse, he sends the heads to Hartung to be reconditioned and uses a head gasket that has been developed to address the flaw that causes the failure.

FWIW my sister and bro in law had a 2000 Forester and found it to be less spacious/comfortable than the '97 Outback they replaced it with.

Also, this is the tow hook setup I plan to use on my Subaru because I plan to enter a tractor pull after I get the Ferrari V12 mated to the Allison automatic in my 76 GL Coupe... you'll probably need to install a class 3-4 Receiver hitch...

one of none wrote:

Also, this is the tow hook setup I plan to use on my Subaru because I plan to enter a tractor pull after I get the Ferrari V12 mated to the Allison automatic in my 76 GL Coupe... you'll probably need to install a class 3-4 Receiver hitch...

Stuart..... you're my hero. And it has something to do with a sense of dry sarcasm I think. I hope the stage 26 full out race car you have to trailer treats you well at Lewistown and you can beat up real good on the race car imposter wannabe's. You should be able to once your tow hook is installed and mud flaps are professionally installed at the suburb 23deg negative angle that has demonstrated awesome aerodynamic properties and side load stability in high speed wind tunnel testing at the parachute sewing facility in Tokyo Japan. Consider this a hi five go get em tiger

Nels... don't forget. 23 degrees on the mud flaps. No more. no less. level the car before installation.