2015 Forester 2.0

[richard_crl032]

Nitthe Forester, on the other hand, we were only able to eke out around 14km/L - in
tself not a bad result (especially when compared against Subarus of old), but still far
pff the Corolla Cross. You'll also get more than 800km of mileage on a full tank with
the Forester, but that's also only because it's significantly larger, at 63 litres.

https://www.sgcarmart.com/articles/car-reviews/subaru-forester-e-boxer-vs-toyota-corolla-cross-hybrid-38307

 

[Elginlye]

Hi everyone,

I am driving a 9.5yo stock FNA with 150K mileage. Recently MI found 2 new issues which I didn't expect:

1. secondary engine oil leakage (~$10K and 3 days downtime)
2. replace exhaust muffler and gasket ($1K)

For now, the leak (issue #1) doesn't seem serious. For issue #2, I suppose the concern is gasket leak and exhaust gases escaping near the engine can be hazardous and may worsen quickly with exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin (according to AI). 

I might renew the COE. The car has been quite reliable though some foreseeable wear-n-tear maintenance are coming: shock absorbers replacement, engine mounts, wheel bearings.

Appreciate feedback/advice from the forum. 
Thanks.  

Edited February 18 by Elginlye

[Tohto]

On 2/18/2026 at 8:11 AM, Elginlye said:

Hi everyone,

I am driving a 9.5yo stock FNA with 150K mileage. Recently MI found 2 new issues which I didn't expect:

1. secondary engine oil leakage (~$10K and 3 days downtime)
2. replace exhaust muffler and gasket ($1K)

For now, the leak (issue #1) doesn't seem serious. For issue #2, I suppose the concern is gasket leak and exhaust gases escaping near the engine can be hazardous and may worsen quickly with exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin (according to AI). 

I might renew the COE. The car has been quite reliable though some foreseeable wear-n-tear maintenance are coming: shock absorbers replacement, engine mounts, wheel bearings.

Appreciate feedback/advice from the forum. 
Thanks.  

9.5 years, if you renewing COE.

Just go outside Subaru expert workshop repair the leak. 

[Stratovarius]

On 2/18/2026 at 8:11 AM, Elginlye said:

Hi everyone,

I am driving a 9.5yo stock FNA with 150K mileage. Recently MI found 2 new issues which I didn't expect:

1. secondary engine oil leakage (~$10K and 3 days downtime)
2. replace exhaust muffler and gasket ($1K)

For now, the leak (issue #1) doesn't seem serious. For issue #2, I suppose the concern is gasket leak and exhaust gases escaping near the engine can be hazardous and may worsen quickly with exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin (according to AI). 

I might renew the COE. The car has been quite reliable though some foreseeable wear-n-tear maintenance are coming: shock absorbers replacement, engine mounts, wheel bearings.

Appreciate feedback/advice from the forum. 
Thanks.  

If you are extending, go bks or bms to do a thorough check. Will be much cheaper and shorter downtime than mi.

[flikmy]

Curious, any 2015-2017 Forester (NA & XT) owners thinking about replacing your cars with the new Forester strong hybrid once your COE is up?

Personally, will find it a hassle as current apartment doesn't have chargers and I do not drive to work. Mainly use my car for school runs, going out on weekends and a bit of travels into Malaysia. So, switching to an EV will be a hassle from a charging perspective.

Among possible new cars, the new Forester seems to be a good candidate for an SUV under SGD 230k, with similar size to the 2016 Forester while still being a hybrid rather than EV. Toyota SUVs seem to be more expensive, Corolla Cross is more expensive than the Forester but is lower spec-ed and slightly smaller. Rav4 isn't out yet (but likely more expensive) while Harrier is a lot more dough. Honda CRV is over-priced for the 1.5T version in Singapore. So is the Mazda CX-5.

Kia and Hyundai  seemingly aren't selling their Sportage or Tucson at the moment (yet to be released?). But understand reliability might be worse compared to Jap makes.

Wondering what others have decided on since I assume most have bought their foresters close to the same time?

[Stratovarius]

On 3/6/2026 at 1:56 PM, flikmy said:

Curious, any 2015-2017 Forester (NA & XT) owners thinking about replacing your cars with the new Forester strong hybrid once your COE is up?

Personally, will find it a hassle as current apartment doesn't have chargers and I do not drive to work. Mainly use my car for school runs, going out on weekends and a bit of travels into Malaysia. So, switching to an EV will be a hassle from a charging perspective.

Among possible new cars, the new Forester seems to be a good candidate for an SUV under SGD 230k, with similar size to the 2016 Forester while still being a hybrid rather than EV. Toyota SUVs seem to be more expensive, Corolla Cross is more expensive than the Forester but is lower spec-ed and slightly smaller. Rav4 isn't out yet (but likely more expensive) while Harrier is a lot more dough. Honda CRV is over-priced for the 1.5T version in Singapore. So is the Mazda CX-5.

Kia and Hyundai  seemingly aren't selling their Sportage or Tucson at the moment (yet to be released?). But understand reliability might be worse compared to Jap makes.

Wondering what others have decided on since I assume most have bought their foresters close to the same time?

The new Forester is looks nice to me. I saw one blue unit near my house. Power is okayish I guess. But mine is xt and I look at hp, so is a no for me. For others, I think the new Forester is a good choice esp if you like to do abit of overlanding up north.

[flikmy]

@Stratovarius Yeah, sadly hp is lower than our XT. Torque is lower as well at 200 nm. But i guess these older turbo engines can't meet the latest emission regulations.

What are you changing your car to? 

[Stratovarius]

On 3/6/2026 at 5:15 PM, flikmy said:

@Stratovarius Yeah, sadly hp is lower than our XT. Torque is lower as well at 200 nm. But i guess these older turbo engines can't meet the latest emission regulations.

What are you changing your car to? 

Not sure yet. Ev don't interest me. Any new ice cars around the same performance are around the range of 300k or more. Was looking at glb35 though but I'm not paying 350k for that. Lol.

Currently more leaning towards renewing coe. And my mileage is pretty low now. BKS boss also told me can renew. So will see.

[Tohto]

On 3/6/2026 at 4:36 PM, Stratovarius said:

The new Forester is looks nice to me. I saw one blue unit near my house. Power is okayish I guess. But mine is xt and I look at hp, so is a no for me. For others, I think the new Forester is a good choice esp if you like to do abit of overlanding up north.

I moved to EV also because no other ICE at $200k+ can match the XT performance. And my XT was bought at $110,800 in 2016. The lowest price.

[Wt_know]

On 3/6/2026 at 8:01 PM, Tohto said:

I moved to EV also because no other ICE at $200k+ can match the XT performance. And my XT was bought at $110,800 in 2016. The lowest price.

after owning a 110k suv, how to swallow a 225k suv that perform lesser? 

pay more for less ... jit dong jeng!

[Stratovarius]

On 3/6/2026 at 8:01 PM, Tohto said:

I moved to EV also because no other ICE at $200k+ can match the XT performance. And my XT was bought at $110,800 in 2016. The lowest price.

Mine was 138k including changing leather seats. Lol. Regret din take the 3k top up for sti package. 

Was aiming glb35 4 years ago when it was around 250 to 270k. Should have bite then. Knn pap.

[Bplakad]

Anyone not extending the coe for their 2016 forester. I am thinking of extending my coe and thinking of buying a used front left headlight. Please pm me.

[flikmy]

@Stratovarius Yeah, a GLB 35 would be a nice upgrade, but too pricey.

I similar bought at $128k in 2016. Thought then that it was on the expensive side as the price went down.

Comparing to prices now, it was a downright steal.

I don't think I can renew the COE on my XT. electronics will mess up every now and then. The dash would show errors which would randomly appear and then disappear.

Recently, the buttons on the steering started malfunctioning. I.e. I can't toggle S mode and couldn't turn on cruise control.

I guess it's time to get a new ride.

[flikmy]

On 3/7/2026 at 2:42 PM, Bplakad said:

Anyone not extending the coe for their 2016 forester. I am thinking of extending my coe and thinking of buying a used front left headlight. Please pm me.

Is the headlight not working or just the SRH?

I had to replace mine as well, initially it started flickering when turning the steering, but after a while, it stopped lighting up. Cost about 1.8k.

[Bplakad]

@flikmy The left headlight is working fine except that it has turn a bit yellowish. IF i were to renew this car's coe then i would like to change it provided i don't have to pay brand new price. Overall the car has been quite trouble free except for replacing cooling coil, suspension, bushing, engine mount (all wear & tear?) over the last 9+ years. Of course there was also the gearbox oil leak which happened 1.5 years ago.    

[Stratovarius]

Okay. Abit embarrassed to ask this after almost 10 years of ownership. Is the window lock button supposed to have illumination photo for reference.

[richard_crl032]

On 3/13/2026 at 8:30 AM, Stratovarius said:

Okay. Abit embarrassed to ask this after almost 10 years of ownership. Is the window lock button supposed to have illumination photo for reference.

Hope this helps ....

 

[Stratovarius]

On 4/8/2026 at 12:35 PM, richard_crl032 said:

Hope this helps ....

 

Great. So nothing wrong with mine. TC cut cost.