Rally Dreams: 2005 Subaru Forester XT

The Subaru Forester was launched in 2007 as Subaru's first entry into the (then small, now large) segment known as the crossover SUV, but the Forester was a long way away from being an AMC Eagle. A few years later Subaru put a slightly detuned version of their 2.5 liter turbo motor from the legendary Impreza WRX STI and called this new model the Forester XT.  Today, as cheap used cars, they offer an interesting combination of off roadiness, boosted all-wheel-drive fun, and manual gearboxes that'll challenge all takers for a few grand. Find this 2005 Subaru Forester XT offered for $5000 in Atlanta, GA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Custom Wagon: 2007 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT

This next car comes as a tip from Jeff who writes: Never really been into the who Subaru thing, but this is super cool.  I have been was into the Subie thing...and it was something special -- all-wheel-drive grip mixed with a torquey turbo engine that farts out a raucous exhaust note as the tires scramble for grip.  This next car is offered for a price where you could get into a older Subaru STI...but if you are willing to live with the day-to-day realities of a custom/modified car...this could be your jam. Find this 2007 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT offered for $12,000 in Sacramento, CA via craigslist.

Manual Turbo Wagon: 2005 Subaru Forester XT

This next car comes as a tip from Art C who writes: If I had the cash I'd buy it myself. Looks realtively clean, little rust bubbling but should be an easy fix... 4.44 gears, pulls hard to 80+... fun DD that fits a ton of crap, very good in the snow. If compression and leakdown look good, with confirmation of work done this is a great buy! Shoot, I sold my '05 FXT  manual with 155K and a blown cylinder for $3500... They are rare and have a following.  Find this 2005 Subaru Forester XT offered for $4500 in Pawtucket, RI via craigslist.

SubieTurbo Madness: 2004 Subaru Forester XT

This next car won't win an beauty contest awards, but it sure will get you and a bunch of your junk from point A to point B with turbocharged 5-speed all-wheel-drive fury...and that is a rare thing in this world these days.  Find this 2004 Subaru Forester XT offered for $5500 in Jacksonville, FL via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Clutch Player: 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 X Premium

The manual gearbox used to be the ultimate in performance...but dual clutch gearboxes and hypershifting automatics are faster in a straight line or at a track.  Regrettably the only thing a manual gearbox is better at now is driving the price of late model "normal" cars lower because most used car shoppers are looking for a slushbox. This is good news for those looking to shift their own gears. Find this 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 X Premium offered for $6795 here on eBay buy-it-now located in Bohemia, NY

STi Light: 2004 Subaru Forester XT

It's dirty and it's ugly, but it is ready for a rallycross event or a nasty SF Bay area commute.  The second generation Subaru Forester was released for the US market in 2004 with an available turbocharged model called the XT that produced 210 horsepower from a 2.5 liter flat-4 that was based on the STi powerplant.  This next example won't win any concours events, but it'll be perfect to taking the dogs to the park or kids to school AND hitting some dirt on the way home. Find this 2004 Subaru Forester XT offered for $6,500 in Milpitas, CA via craigslist.

Turbo Grocery Getter: 2006 Subaru Forester XT Turbo 5 speed

The Subaru Forester with a turbo is a seriously quick vehicle and something of a budget STI.  The main difference on the 2.5 engine in the Forester is fitted with a much smaller turbo than the STI, but not to worry as many STI owners ditch their factory turbo so they are easily found second hand.  It is quite challenging to find one these Forester's with both a turbo and a 5 speed manual trans, but that is exactly what we have with today's feature.  Find this 2006 Subaru Forester XT for sale in San Francisco, CA for $7,000 via craigslist.  Tip from fuel truck.

STI SUV?: 2004 Subaru Forester Turbo

The turbo version of the Subaru Forester is sort of like the GMC Syclone of pick-up trucks.  In 2004 when the turbo model debuted, car magazines were able to get jaw dropping 5.3 second 0-60 times and high 13 second 1/4 mile times out of this tall wagon.  The 2004-05 turbo Foresters are blessed with super short 4.44:1 gears that along with the all wheel drive system and 2.5 liters of displacement really help the car at the local stop light Grand Prix.  If you were a crafty Subaru second hand parts scavenger, it would not be difficult to make one of these at least on par with a WRX STI performance wise.  Find this 2004 Subaru Forester Turbo for sale in Billerica, MA for $7,500 via craigslist.

STI Powered: 2004 Subaru Forester XT

The 2004 model year release of the Subaru STI into the North American market was a landmark year for American Subaru performance lovers.  Now you could get your 2.5 liter flat four force fed to the tune of 300 horsepower and a 6-speed gearbox-- items that were previously raremashita on these shores.  In the same year Subaru also introduced their 2.5 liter turbocharged Forester XT turbo that offered a lite version of the STI but in a supersized wagon package.  Today's car has been swapped with all sorts of STI goodies and is close as you'll get to a Forester XTI.  Find this 2004 Subaru Forester XT offered for $14,000 in Riverside, CA via craigslist.

Radio Flyer: 2004 Subaru Forester XT

The Subaru Forester hit the showrooms in 1997 with the marketing slogan "SUV tough, car easy."  It was Subaru's first entry into the (then small, now large) segment known as the crossover SUV, but the Forester was a long way away from being an AMC Eagle.  The Forester was a replacement for the incredibly named Subaru Impreza Gravel Express, but by 2004 it was actually a competent on-road car that shared parts with the GG series Impreza.  Today, a used Forester with a manual gearbox makes a great family hauler for a guy like Doctordel, but is this next one a bit too modified?  Find this 2004 Subaru Forester XT 5-speed offered for $15,000 via NASIOC forums.