Trainman loves his. I have quite a few friends with 09 models, and unanimously they have nothing but good things to say concerning build quality. The only complaints I've heard are ones that hold true for Foresters of all years save perhaps for the newest ones:
1. Fuel economy is so-so.
2. Dealers suck.
3. Tires wear fairly quickly and you have to rotate them a lot.
Yup, sure do!
Mine is now at 167,000 kms, with only one significant issue from a couple of weeks back, a new radiator, but my fault when I hit an unmarked cross ditch on a logging road at 50 kph, I heard the crunch as I saw it and was under heavy breaking at the time
me bad.....
Other than that, it has been a real joy to drive and own for me. Better performing and better fuel consumption (by 10%) than the wife's 2012 RAV4 4 cylinder. Averaging around 9 l/100 kms over the 6+ years of ownership, with plenty of longer drives at well under 8.2. First and so far only vehicle owned from new that did not need any warranty work.
What I wish they had done better:
Better quality of the interior (except the seat material which has held up extremely well);
Tire wear has been a bit of an issue, hard to quantify with me due to the use it has had. I am a forestry consultant and use it in the woods a lot, so tires do tend to wear faster;
Better sound system;
Stupid low passenger seat, fixed in later years;
Not sure about the dealer issue, just not enough of them really.
What I really, really like:
Incredible off-road performance for what it is. Will go to about 90% of the places my 2002 Pathfinder was able to get to. Very good ground clearance, and well designed;
Good aftermarket options for skid plates, suspension improvements, etc;
Quality;
Engineering. You can tell where Subaru puts its money, into engineering. Not silly things like soft touch dashes or fancy electronic gizmos
;
Sight lines. Huge windows make seeing out of it great.
Final say: would I recommended one to my best friend? Would I buy another? Do I have buyer remorse? Yes (and he bought a 2010), Yes and No.
But as with all used vehicles make sure you get it checked out. If over 130,000 kms make sure the timing belt has been done, or budget for it and get it done as soon as possible.