Auto loans: red 2020 Subaru Forester Premier in Java

The 2020 Subaru Forester Premier: before you buy

We rent cars and sell one only now and then. There is no 2020 Subaru Forester Premier for sale by us right now. We are not a lender and do not arrange loans. A monthly rental can cover the time while you arrange financing with your bank. Before you buy the 2020 Subaru Forester Premier, see the figures and the checks worth doing.

A buyer's checks

NHTSA has 603 owner complaints on file, mostly about visibility/wiper, unknown or other and electrical system. A private seller in Ontario must give you a Used Vehicle Information Package. Look at the tires, brakes and battery; they are costly to replace. In Ontario, a used car needs a Safety Standards Certificate to be registered.

Specs, explained

Power comes from the 2.5L 4-cylinder, driving through an automatic (CVT). It runs on regular gas. All-wheel drive helps when pulling away on snow; braking and steering still depend on the tires.

Expect about 25 litres for every 300 km, going by its 8.2 L/100 km combined rating. A weekend of 300 km comes to about $38.13 at our price setting. EPA puts its fuel cost at US$2,300 a year for 15,000 miles at US prices.

Best uses

Its all-wheel drive suits winter roads and trips to ski country. It suits anyone who needs a car for a few days, a week or a month without buying one.

Living with the Forester

Being a compact SUV, it handles luggage, strollers and sports gear well.

Try before you buy

A test week in the Forester tells you more than any review. Try the Forester on your commute, then decide. Rent first, buy later: a week with the Forester answers the big questions.

Picking a year and a trim

Decide what matters most first: fuel use, space, or the price you can pay. A newer year is not always better; check what changed before paying more for it. If two trims share a powertrain, the difference is equipment, which you can check in person.

Running costs

Ask what a set of tires costs for this trim; sizes and prices vary. The EPA estimates US$2,300 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles at US prices. A pre-purchase inspection is a small cost next to the price of the car.

Java and the Forester

CarmaCars is based in Toronto, about 1,639 km from Java, and does not deliver there. We rent from Toronto only. If your trip to Java starts in the Toronto area, rent the car here.

One more step

Questions about trying a car first? Ask in your request.