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Buyer Guide · Jul 25, 2026

2000 · SubaruForester L

Asking price$0
Public guide
Asking$1,800
Mileage182,000 mi
Engine2.5L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
DrivetrainAWD
BodySUV

What the data shows

This 2000 Forester’s EJ25 is in the mileage and age band where the big documented issues show up: head gasket seepage, timing-belt service history, and age-related cooling and drivetrain wear. The seller’s note that it runs well and the all-wheel drive works is encouraging, but it does not erase the usual Subaru maintenance bill that comes with a 26-year-old example.

Budget for near-term maintenance, especially cooling-system and timing-belt related work if records are missing. The asking price sits at or below typical private-party market for this mileage, so the main question is condition, not price. Verify cold-start behavior, coolant level, and whether the transmission shifts cleanly on a test drive.

Red flags

  • High Mileage Age Combo

    182,000 miles and 26 years old means wear items and leaks are the main story

  • Early 2.5L Head Gaskets

    this engine family is well known for coolant and oil seepage as it ages

  • Automatic Transmission Age

    the four-speed automatic can develop harsh shifts, leaks, and internal wear at this mileage

Green flags

  • Runs and Drives

    seller says it moves under its own power with no obvious drivability complaint

  • AWD Functions

    seller states the all-wheel-drive system works as it should

What’s costing this car points

Fixing these, or marking them done, raises the score.

  • Head Gaskets
    Usually shows up around 120k mi · $1,800 to $3,000 to fix
    −0.3
  • Wheel Arch Rust
    Usually shows up around 150k mi · $300 to $2,000 to fix
    −0.1
  • Timing Belt Service
    Usually shows up around 105k mi · $700 to $1,200 to fix
    −0.1
  • 13 smaller items
    −0.1
Fixing the top three$2,800 to $6,200

When this car gets expensive

The chance of a major repair as the miles add up. This one is at 182k, past where the climb starts around 121k.

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You’re here · 182k
30k
61k
91k
121k
151k
182k
212k
242k
3.3/10
ReliabilityPoor
Deal0.0
16 open issues
Major
08
Caution
08
16 Findings16 items to check

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