Advice on purchasing 2004 Subaru Forester XT MY05
 

Been keeping a casual eye out for an Automatic Forester for the wife and came across this 2004 MY05 Auto Forester at Osborne Park Subaru -

[url=http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Subaru-Forester-2004/AGC-AD-15256605/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1]2004 Subaru Forester 79V XT MY05 All Wheel Drive[/url]

[img]http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/carsales/car/dealer/157260500.jpg?height=290&aspect=centered&width=440[/img]

Went had a look and it seems fairly reasonable for a ten year old car, there'a a bit of wear on the drivers door and the carpet in the drivers footwell sill area. Seat belts in the rear look slightly tatty and the ashtray / pocket is missing from the rear of the centre console. 126,xxx km's is lowish for the age. Drives ok. Obviously the picture looks a bit better than what it is in the flesh.

Sales rep said he's willing to let me have it on road with stamp duty paid etc for the $13,888 online price. (Price in the windscreen is up around 18,000 :eek:)

At $13,888 it's at the high end of Red Book pricing and it's not an immaculate car, so I don't know if it's appropriate. (Red Book Private Price Guide $9,500 - $11,600)

Any advice, thoughts, pro's and con's on these Foresters? What do I need to be aware of or expect?

Is the 2.5L turbo motor on these ok? Price? Known issues?

LOL for 18k I would assume it comes with 6k cash in the glovebox.

If its been serviced and not abused (nudge bar = boring old fuck so doubt its been smashed around) it will live forever.

Based on what you said about it I'd be thinking $11k range. Is it the sports shift auto or just normal?

Any fraying in the seatbelts = replace.

Tyres and service history ok Macey?

Have a look underneath, see if there are signs of sand/salt water exposure.
May have been down the beach.

sexiest Subaru in the sexiest colour
not that I'm biased or anything

pretty standard for the dealer to have a much higher sticker price on the car then reduce it massively so buyer feels that they're getting a bargain

you can't realistically expect to pay what redbook says because a) prices in WA tend to be a bit higher than other states and b) you'll pay a small premium for buying from a dealership...

just my 2c

Id be interested to know why the belts are tatty at those km..

dogs getting chewy
baby capusle/booster seats rubbing against the belts

Thanks to everyone for their input on this thread and also to Doug at STechnic for his advice too.