Car financing: green 2021 Subaru Forester Base in Danforth

The 2021 Subaru Forester Base: before you buy

No 2021 Subaru Forester Base is for sale by CarmaCars at the moment; this page helps you judge the car before you buy one elsewhere. We are not a lender and do not arrange loans. A monthly rental can cover the time while you arrange financing with your bank. This page puts the 2021 Subaru Forester Base in plain words for buyers: what it uses, what to check, and how to try one first.

Recalls and complaints

Check whether every recall was done, by the VIN, before you pay. A pre-purchase inspection at a shop you choose is money well spent. A private seller in Ontario must give you a Used Vehicle Information Package. Owners filed 210 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility/wiper, unknown or other and electrical system; have those parts checked.

What the specs mean

The powertrain to know here is the 2.5L 4-cylinder, with all-wheel drive. It runs on regular gas. With all-wheel drive, it pulls away more surely on slippery roads, though it does not stop any shorter.

Expect about 25 litres for every 300 km, going by its 8.2 L/100 km combined rating. At our price setting, driving 100 km costs about $12.71, and a 300 km weekend about $38.13. The EPA estimates US$2,300 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles.

The Forester in everyday use

As a compact SUV, it sits higher than a sedan, which makes getting in and loading easier.

Good uses for the Forester

It suits anyone who needs a car for a few days, a week or a month without buying one. It suits people curious about the model who want to drive it before they buy.

A longer test drive

A test week in the Forester tells you more than any review. A week with the Forester answers more than any brochure. A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel.

Money matters

Get an insurance quote for this exact model before you buy; rates differ a lot between models. Tires, brakes and batteries are the regular costs to budget for beyond fuel. Ask what a set of tires costs for this trim; sizes and prices vary.

Picking a year and a trim

A newer year is not always better; check what changed before paying more for it. Ask the seller which trim it is; badges can be swapped and options vary. Write down the VIN of any car you consider; it unlocks the recall and service history.

Danforth and the Forester

Danforth is about 1,178 km from Toronto, outside our delivery area. We rent from Toronto only. If your trip to Danforth starts in the Toronto area, rent the car here.

Talk to a person

Ask us anything about renting before you buy.