2004 Subaru Forester

Wagon

2.5L 2458CC H4 GAS DOHC Turbocharged

Manual

JF1SG69604G723977

Clear

Gasoline

About: This is my 2004 Subaru Forester XT. I chose this particular year of FXT since A) Subaru B) this year's 2.5L is quite similar to the STI's engine 3) useful as heck, more than a WRX (have moved a 2br apartment with it). I think I paid $14k for it with 60k miles as second owner in 2009, and drove it mostly freeway miles with a 50 mile freeway round trip to work. At around 100k miles I began to lightly modify the car, while keeping it generally subtle in terms of sound, usability and appearance. There is a video of the Subaru driving at the bottom of this auction description! With the XT's low gearing and 5spd, I went with the modified TD04 turbo and these upgrades to keep the car a blast to drive between under 100MPH - and it is! When it was tuned by Delicious on March 2015, horsepower at the wheels was 247 so thinking 290ish at crank. That might sound low, but because I wanted to stay really conservative to insure engine/drivetrain longevity and gas mileage. Was also on stock OEM wheels at the time, which probably didn't help. Why am I selling: I don't want to sell it. I realize that's what everyone says, but I really don't. Subaru fanboy, this is my second Subaru (I also own a 2015 WRX) but I just got divorced and need the cash for single dad life. Pretty bummed, but, I'm hoping that you (the buyer) is a Subaru guy/gal and will have as much fun with the XT as I have. What you're getting: The XT comes with original paperwork + window sticker, clean title, recent smog certificate and the parts below. Almost all service performed by Infamous Performance, a Subaru shop in San Diego. Oil changes either by dealer or Infamous Performance around 2500 miles, Rotella T-6 synthetic, OEM filter and crush washer. At one point I had every piece of paper/receipt for everything from oil changes up, but in the divorce I apparently lost that stuff. Going to dig around in my storage unit one last time though. Add-ons to the car: Just with the list below, I have spent at least $13k on parts not including labor to install, or tax/shipping. Ugh, car life. Anyways, here's the parts I can remember I've added, with part numbers, what I paid part price minus labor/shipping/tax, and estimated install date. Might be missing a few things:Kartboy Shifter Bushings, KAR KB-003, $30.00 (2014)Kartboy Rear Shifter Bushing, KAR KB-003-REAR, $35.00 (2104)Kartboy Pitch Stop Mount, KAR KB-015, $120.00 (2014)Kartboy Short Throw Shifter, KAR KB-001-XT, $115.00 (2014)Kartboy Delrin Shift Knob Black 5MT, KAR KB-014BD, $45.00 (2014)Rain-X Weatherbeater Wiper Blade 22" Driverside, RX30222, $9.99 (2015)Rain-X Weatherbeater Wiper Blade 19" Paassengerside, RX30219, $10.54 (2015)Rain-X Weatherbeater Wiper Blade 15" Rear Hatch, RX30215, $10.01 (2015)ACT StreetLite Flywheel, ACT 600175, $261.11 (2013)ACT Heavy Duty Performance Street Disc Clutch Kit, ACT SB9-HDSS, $466.20 (2013)Swift Sport Springs Drop Front -1.6" inches Rear -1.2", SWI 4F904, $299.25 (2013)OEM Clutch Pedal Pad, $13.95 (2013)STRi DSD Amber 60mm Boost Gauge, STR SLM6031, $178.49 (2014)Pioneer MVHX560BT No-CD Digital Media Receiver, MVHX560BT, $150 (2014)Speaker Spacers from subaruaudio.net Required for Aftermarket Speakers, $55.00 (2014)Kicker 40CS654 6.5 inch 2-Way Speakers, 40CS654, $49.95 (2014)Kenwood KFC-1365S 2-Way 5-1/4" Flush Mount Car Stereo Speakers, KFC-1365S, $39.00 (2014)Rockford Fosgate Prime 1-Inch Tweeter Kit, R1T-S, $32.99 (2014)Kicker subwoofer, $150 (2010)Pioneer amp, $150 (2010Depo Passenger Side Headlight, 320-1110R-ASD, $190.10 (2015)Depo Drive Side Headlight, 320-1110L-ASD, $190.10 (2015)OEM 2008 Tail Light Pair Blacked Out, $185.99 (2015)17x8 knockoffs, used, $300 (2015)Tires 225/55R17, $595 (2015)Power Stop KC2376 1-Click Performance Brake Kit with Red Power Coated Calipers, Front & Rear Pads, Drilled / Slotted Rotors, KC2376, $891.23 (2015)2002-03 Subaru JDM hood scoop paint matched, $400.00Battery, $110.00 (2015)Whiteline Front Sway Bar 22mm, WHI BSF33, $151.43 (2014)Whiteline Rear Strut Tower Braces, WHI KSB586Q, $168 (2015)DeatschWerks DW65C Fuel Pump, 9-651-1010, $149.00 (2015GrimmSpeed Lightweight Pulley Red, GRM 095015R, $114.29 (2014)GrimmSpeed Air Oil Separator Red, GRM 078006R, $277.19 (2015)GrimmSpeed Subaru Turbo Heat Shield, GRM 092002, $78.95 (2015)Grimmspeed Hood Scoop Splitter, GRM 093113, $184.79 (2015)2004 STI intercooler, used, $275 (2015)Apexi Panel Filter, APE 503-N101, $35.00 (2015)Go Fast Bits BOV TMS Response Hybrid Blow Off Valve, GFB T9007, $281.70 (2015)Ceramic Coated Td04 w/bigger compressor wheel, turbine wheel, wastegate from PureTurbos.com $1,000 (2015)Perrin Red Inlet Hose, PSP-INT-401RD, $202.00 (2015)Invidia G200 Cat Back Exhaust Stainless Steel Tip, INV HS04SFRG2S, $648.20 (2015)Invidia V2 Downpipe Bellmouth, INV HS02SW1DPN, $278.60 (2015)Invidia Uppipe, INV HS02SW1UPP, $178.40 (2015)Koyo Cooling Radiator, W0133-1653781-KCS, $175.00 (2013)COBB Tuning AccessPORT v2, used, $225.00Dynotune by Delicious (two maps, normal and aggressive) (2015RAAMmat BXt II Soundproofing $267 (2015)Recent non-performance changes:Transmission Oil changed October 2015Oil changed October 2015Air filter changed October 2015A/C clutch fixed + refilled March 2015PCV Valve changed March 2015OEM Down Pipe swapped for car smogged/passed October 2015Compression test by Subie Shop in San Diego, everything looked good, October 2014Replaced all vacuum hoses March 2015Replaced all gaskets except for block-related gasket(s) March 2015Replaced all radiator hoses + coolant plug (2013)New spark plugs and injectors March 2015New CV joints February 2013Parts NOT on car in pictures/video but included:COBB Tuning Short Ram SF Intake System, COB 712100, $165.00 (on car for maybe 1k miles but was too loud for my tastes, even with all my mods probably doesn't make a real difference anyways)(2) OEM Subaru Luggage RacksOEM Original Subaru Forester Catted Down PipeOEM Original Subaru Forester Up Pipe Missing from car:Original Subaru OEM wheels (spare is still there though)My Honest Opinion. This is not a new car. Subaru's are beasts. Based on that, here's my thoughts about the car in sections.Interior: 7/10 Scratches minimal, missing some screws here and there. I should have done a better job cutting the plastic around the strut bar. In the summer of 2015, the entire interior, doors and rear hatch were soundproofed. I filled the speaker pockets in the hatch with sound deadener. The plus side is that this sound proofing dropped avg dB by 10-15+.... t's crazy but true - my 2015 WRX has louder 'road noise' than this Forester, which if you know anything about this year, came with zero soundproofing stock. The downside is that now, the loudest thing inside the XT is the transmission, since there's basically a boot and flimsy piece of rubber between the cabin and the tranny.Exterior: 6/10 I wash and wax the car on the regular but time has aged the paint, both color and in some places the coating. There are also the usual tiny nicks and scratches from living in the city. Dent near the drivers side door that came with the car. There are two tiny spiders in the front windshield. Engine: 7/10 I'm dropping 3 points because, again, it's 140k miles so it is certainly aged. That said, I don't drive it aggressive and it doesn't have a massive turbo. I let it warm up 30-60 seconds on cold start, buy good gas, and do oil changes on the regular. Speaking of oil, expect to add 1-3 quarts between changes - this is because A) typical behavior for early EJ255 engines B) higher miles C) aftermarket life. Transmission: 6?/10 Hard to say. After I did the interior soundproofing I couldn't help but hear the transmission. I swear I couldnt before and am fairly certain it's because the entire interior (except roof) is soundproofed and now the noise via the shift boot is more noticeable, since that piece is basically what separates the cabin and gears. To be safe, I changed the fluid at 130k and then again at 140k. It shifts fine, does not stutter or stick at all if you let the car warm up (which I always do because Subaru). Never have towed anything, or driven in snow.Suspension: 6/10 lower than stock (1.6" front, 1.2" rear) but you'll never scrape unless you drive like a maniac, so it's the best of both worlds. When I installed the Swift springs I kept the OEM struts, and now the passenger front strut clicks, so that's probably shot, hence the low 6/10 score. Otherwise, as you have noticed I have bought pretty much every available suspension part for this car. Fixing the strut will be at minimum a $150 part BUT I would highly suggest replacing them all at once.Rims/Tires/Wheels: New tires purchased after I bought this set used. Wheels/rims were knockoffs from a 2004 STI and have some rash here and there. Took pictures. Tires in perfect condition.Sound system: 8/10 Sounds fantastic, well, as good as I think you're going to get in a forester without spending way more. Soundproofing helped SO much. Overall sound is better than my 2015 WRX Harman Kardon's upgrade. The subwoofer has seen a lot and works fine but box isn't pretty.My wishlist aka What I would do if I wasn't hurting from a divorce & could keep my baby: Do something about the passenger side strut (either full KYB swap for $500 and get 20%+ stiffer, or, coilover setup - I'd probably do full strut replacements because I like the utility and do not need to be low low, but thats my personal choice)Deep clean the car; full detail of seats, carpet, floormatts, headliner, engine bay. Fix or replace plastics with scratches, etc etcDo something about the paint (probably a vinyl treatment, I got quotes from $1,200-2,000, but maybe a full blown paint job)Do something about the windshield ($30-40 to fix stars, or be uber anal and get a new windshield (which it does NOT need, btw))Upgrade stereo from single DIN to fancy dual DIN with a bigger screen because why not?Put the XT on a lift and wrap gas tank with RAAMmatt soundproofing (read on forums that this is supposed to have a huge impact on exhaust noise, though it's pretty decent inside the cabin - it's the 'final' thing to do for soundproofing)Open the engine block, new gaskets, heads, pistons, etc etcBuy a used STI drivetrain, rebuild, and give the XT that sweet 6MT + higher gear love. Maybe do this before anything else, hahaVideo: last second I decided to film a few video clips in-between work breaks. I tried to include cold starts, stop and go, drive by, around town, and freeway. While I personally drive with the BOV closed, I added clips with it at 30-40% open because I know you kids love that pshhh. Here's the video: FAQ: Q: Hey will you end your sale for $42? A: No, it's an auction, and the reserve is sadly much less than I have spent.Q: Can I come by and take it out for the weekend? A: No. If you're local to San Diego, we can probably arrange a viewing, but I'll drive.Q: Want to trade for ____? A: No, I need the $$$. Q: I am going to win the auction and mail you a Bank of Nigeria check! A: No. $500 deposit upon auction end. If picking up local, we will meet in Central San Diego police parking lot (my brother is a cop) so both of us feel comfortable.Q: While watching your video, I couldn't help but notice that you shift like my great grandmother, who is also dead. A: Thanks. For some reason I wore brand new boots when I went to shoot the videos, don't hate.Q: If this XT isn't exactly like a brand new zero mileage car I'm gonna be so angry, my dad is a lawyer!! A: C'mon, the XT is 12+ years old. She's great but keep your expectations grounded. Q: My question isn't on here :( A: Send it over!On Dec-07-15 at 09:40:53 PST, seller added the following information: I've gotten a flood of message - some questions and mostly compliments (hat tip to all my Subaruheads). To answer the three most popular questions: sorry but I can't end the auction early to sell to youthe reserve is very low and almost there which also makes me a little sadwill not part out pieces unless you also want to buy those same piecesAlso, five things I learned since starting this auction:the windshield wiper squirter doesn't squirt, I never used it so no idea when it worked, but as I can hear the motor I'm guessing the hose is simply clogged. Seems like a common problemXT comes with a new-but-not-attached front grill, which has black mesh wire where the Subaru logo is and I had the plastic red paint matched. I never got around to creating the clips that will attach grill to car, so my $250 spent will be yours to decideI have a small bottle of touch up paint that the paint shop which did the scoop & grill gave meif you're having problems with seeing the YouTube video of this car, load this auction in a desktop browser. Embedded video will not display on an Android, iPhone, or eBay app for some reasonyou'll receive (1) backup metal key and (1) alarm dongle, as my EX-wife lost both of the fancy OEM keys because of course she didFinally, to the questions about why I decided not to go crazy with horsepower. As I noted in the description, the tune for this XT is conservative because that's what I happened to want. Normal driving gets 20MPG and that's pretty cool knowing I've got power on tap. In regards to potential, Charlie @ PureTurbos.com, the shop that made the ceramic coated turbocharger, said that "I like the upgraded TD04 turbos for spool and capability. With tuning you can make 300+whp on them, 100% bolt on, and can pass Smog visual inspection since externally it would look like stock." So basically if you want an easy 50+ hp, I'm guessing you could just add more fuel (ie buy bigger injectors than stock, I already upgraded to a bigger fuel pump) & get a (re)tune. Maybe I'm just an old fart, but I would seriously suggest driving the car for a bit on the current setup before getting it on the AWD dyno and going nuts. Just my $.02!