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Hi,

I am Looking at buying Subaru forester - year 2008 or later model.

1. I would like to know if there are anything that as buyer I should concerned about with this brand and model?
2. I know its cambelt driven, do you think the service costs are going to be higher than similar class of SUVs?
3. I am also was looking at Suzuki Escudo 2005 model, what is your opinion in comparison in respect to maintenance costs, fuel costs and usability?
4. I am looking at vehicles that done under 100,000 KM, is that a sensible approach to looking at wear and tear?
5. If I am buying a car just arrived in NZ and passed compliance check, does it make sense do AA inspection as well?

Please see the listings I was looking in TradeMe, I haven't finalized it yet..

TradeMe listing Subaru forester: 1475195939
TradeMe listing Suzuki Escudo: 1443275307

Thanks,
Ramesh

Hi Ramesh,
The Foresters have been known as a great AWD vehicle option, not particularly fuel efficient as they are full-time AWD. But generally reliable, maintenance and servicing costs should be fairly normal as far as Japanese vehicles go.
If you calculate the average driver travels 10-14k a year then a ten year old vehicle should have 100-140k on the clock and this would be considered normal.
I've not heard any negatives about the Escudo, but this one looks pretty tidy, and for a manual you only have the clutch operation to worry about.
100km is usually the hump, that people would sell a vehicle eat in order to avoid a large service as it can be seen as the mid point of a vehicles life (in NZ anyway)

Hi Cade,
Thanks for your response, that's helpful. Could you also comment on mu question 5?

Cheers,
Ramesh

Sorry,
Compliance means the vehicle passes a wof, but you still don't know the actual vehicle overall condition, this is where a pre purchase inspection comes in.
So yes it is still worth getting one.