Hi Dave,

Having owned a 1998 2L Auto Forester from new ( 80K miles now) I would
advise you to check for the following:

1.  Check condition of exhaust back box, centre pipe and the 2nd catalytic
converter (sits between
centre pipe and 1st catalytic converter. There is no pattern/aftermarket
exhaust or cat parts available as yet so Subaru stealership is only place to
go and parts prices are high. The 2nd cat tends too rust through on the
output pipe neck and can't be welded due to damaging the actual cat. The
cost of 2nd cat, mid pipe and back box is around 700 quid for parts !.
Negotiate price down to cover replacement  if required

2. Check for rear differential whine, most noticeable if you get up to 50 to
60 mph and take your foot of the throttle. It sounds a bit like a turbine
like drone/whine noise. They will run like that for a long time but the
noise gets annoying !.

3. Check for piston slap noise on a cold engine, if it quickly disappears as
engine warms do not worry, if it sounds like piston slap when warm then walk
away. The piston have very short skirts compared to older versions of the
Subie 2L boxer engine and if "caned" when cold and/or run with low oil level
excessive bore wear can result causing the piston slap.

Please do not be put off by the above advice, just don't buy a crap shagged
out one or pay too muchfor an average one, they are ace vehicles, a hoot to
drive and very reliable if treated and maintained appropriately.

Living in Scotland I love driving mine in snowy conditions and seeing
"Mondeo man" type people gawp as I sail through with no major problems in 6"
or so of snow. On days like that I forgive the little bitch for the fact
that it takes me about an hour to change the plugs (with practice once you
have done it a few times,access to the plugs is a bit of bugger).

Regards

Marcus

Dave,

Take a look at http://www.subaruforester.org for as much forester
information as you can handle. Brilliant forum.

mike