Can you buy a good, used, reliable, and safe 2005 Subaru Forester, Outback, Impreza, or Legacy for under $5,000? Consumer Reports says no.
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Consumer Reports says there are no used 2005 Subaru Forester, Outback, Impreza, or Legacy models under $5,000 that make its latest best used models list. Is it because they are unreliable or dangerous? To make the Consumer Reports list, models have average reliability, have "a safety system that saves lives," and can be purchased for under $5,000.
CR's list of eleven cars and SUVs includes the 2005 Toyota Corolla, 2005 Toyota Prius, 2005 Pontiac Vibe, 2005 Toyota Matrix, 2004 Honda Accord, 2003 Lexus ES, 2004 Toyota Avalon, 2004 Toyota Camry, 2005 Honda Pilot, and 2004 Toyota RAV4.
You won't find the 2005 Subaru Forester, Outback, Impreza, or Legacy model on the list. It's not because they are unreliable or dangerous. You won't find any good used Subaru models for sale at this price because they are in high demand and will cost more than $5,000.
It won't be cheap if you can find someone willing to sell a 2005 Subaru Forester, Outback, Impreza, and Legacy. Subaru owners hold on to their vehicles or pass them to family members. If they are priced under $5,000, they are likely high mileage vehicles and need expensive engine repairs.
Subaru all-wheel-drive
That doesn't mean you can't find a used 2005 Subaru Forester, Outback, Impreza, or Legacy in good shape for sale. You will have to pay a bit more because they all come standard with all-wheel-drive for all-weather performance. Most of the models listed above do not come with all-wheel-drive, and some it was an expensive option.
Safety scores
The 2005 Subaru models also get the highest "Good" crash ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), except for the Outback, which earned a slightly lower "Acceptable" score.
Fuel mileage
The 2005 Subaru Forester gets an EPA estimated 20/27 city/highway mpg and 23 combined mpg with the 5-speed manual transmission. Automatic models get 20/26 city/highway mpg and 22 combined mpg.
The 2005 Subaru Outback gets an EPA estimated 20/26 city/highway mpg and 22 combined mpg with the 5-speed manual or automatic transmission.
The 2005 Subaru Legacy gets an EPA estimated 20/27 city/highway mpg and 23 combined mpg with the 5-speed manual or automatic transmission.
The 2005 Subaru Impreza gets an EPA estimated 20/27 city/highway mpg and 23 combined mpg with the 5-speed manual transmission. Automatic models get 20/26 city/highway mpg and 22 combined mpg.
Are the older Subaru models reliable?
Consumer Reports identified Subaru models and years with the potential to need an expensive engine rebuild. CR says the 2001-2009 Subaru Forester, 2001-2009 Subaru Outback, 2006-2008 Subaru Impreza, and the 2006 Subaru Baja could need the head gaskets replaced if they haven't been appropriately maintained and serviced.
You can find a good used 2005 Subaru Forester, Outback, Impreza, or Legacy model, but you'll pay more than $5,000. If you buy one of these models and years, check to see if the head gaskets have been replaced. It's always a good idea to have a certified mechanic check out any used vehicle before you buy it.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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