Stock #5643

**** This vehicle is being sold as a running and driving project. It has failed Virginia State Safety Inspection for structural corrosion around the rear strut towers and the engine is developing early signs of rod knock. We suggest bringing a trailer to pick up this Forester and repairs to the body and engine are highly recommended before driving long distances.

For an excellent, all around turbocharged hauler, it's hard to go wrong with Subaru's touring models. Take this Forester for instance, equipped with the same punchy turbocharged flat four and symmetrical AWD system as the GC8 WRX! Add in a taller ride height and an interior fit for a family of 5 and the dog, and you have a recipe for a seriously capable all-weather warrior that won't bat an eye! Our 1997 Forester is a fantastic blank canvas, and sports the drivetrain and upgrades needed to be the base of a great project. Finished in Subaru's Light Silver Metallic (406) the exterior shows well, with only a few expected chips and dings to note around the body. The outside is clean and fortunately devoid of any unnecessary aftermarket modification, so this one can be customized to your liking! Apart from a subtle factory graphics package, the only change to note are the freshly refinished SG Forester XT alloys on all four corners, wrapped in fresh Falken rubber! With a mere 87k verified/documented miles on the clock this one would be a fantastic candidate once spruced up. For those looking for a Japanese Classic to build and modify to their choosing, this Forester is the one!

The interior is spacious and overall not too worse for the wear. The funky patterned cloth upholstery shows well, with no major damage to note outside of some expected wear on the driver's seat bolstering. The dash is clean and in good nick overall, although we would like to note that the covering on the upper glove box has been removed for some reason. Luckily parts like these are easily replaceable and the rest of the dash has resisted any major cracks, fading, or miscellaneous UV damage. The lower dash trim is in good shape and houses a fully functional digital automatic climate control unit. The A/C blows ice cold and hot heat is on standby in case you make this one a dedicated winter warrior. As expected from a touring model, plenty of power amenities are on hand, and power windows, power locks, and power folding mirrors are all functional and work at the push of a button. The factory instrumentation is clear and easy to read, and all gauges display accurately. The rear bench can comfortably fit 3 additional passengers, but for those looking to haul cargo the seats do fold forward to accommodate some extra storage space in the rear. The headliner is clean and taut, and we even kept the factory owner's manual and maintenance booklet handy. Overall, the interior won't need much attention on this project, and the next owner should be more than satisfied with the condition.

Under the hood sits Subaru's fabled EJ20G. Similar in construction to the boxer fours offered up in later iterations of the Impreza WRX and Forester XT lineup, this motor packs plenty of potential for power and this one is a fantastic candidate for a replacement or rebuild up to a higher horsepower spec! As stated previously this one starts up and runs in its current state, and our technicians have installed a new 12v battery to aid in ignition. While the internals may have seen better days, Subaru's stout 4 speed auto held strong, and this transmission shifts smoothly throughout the gears with no hesitation! An FGK exhaust is on hand and sounds great without being too overbearing. With the relatively cheap cost of low mileage Japanese engine replacements on the market, this Forester will get back up and running just in time for the woes of winter, and with Subaru's second-to-none all wheel drive system on deck, this lovable crossover will be the perfect cold weather companion once she's patched back up.

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.