Regular Car Reviews: 1998 Subaru Forester

I'm a male. I'm sorry. I want to have sex. I'm sorry. I find you attractive. I'm sorry. I drive a Subaru Forester. I sympathize with you. I'll pay for everything. I won't look at you. I will look you in the eyebrows. Look how I am behaving. See my hands? They're in my pockets. You had a bad day. I'm sorry. I know it's my fault. Everything is my fault. You are listening to member-supported Public Radio.

[@ndflatt]

I only get about 5% of your jokes but I watch your videos anyway

[@w140chris]

ndflatt same

[@blakesmith290]

ndflatt A lot of them are jokes only Pennsylvanians (like myself) will get.

[@SpaceMissile]

really?

[@matthewlemon4208]

He's mostly making fun of kids that take these cars and try to mod them for no apparent reason.

[@oFailBoat]

It’s very thick sarcastic joke making

[@mcmtv2]

"Lumpy white as Moogo?" You're such a tripper! MCM sticker. Stay mad.

[@TheTenderhooligan]

YES my worlds are colliding in such a great way right now

[@RegularCars]

"Lumpy: Why does Moog own one?" Sorry, my East Coast Yank accent still wants to run words together.

[@fishjohn014]

mcmtv2 RegularCars my two favs going at it!!!!! Can you guys please do a mash up?

[@Heretic306]

John Fisher Mighty Car Mods RegularCars also two of my favourites! Regulars cars, you mention in your KUR interview that you have merchandise? Where can I buy a RCR t-shirt or Hoodie?

[@rasvial]

+mcmtv2 pretty sure this guy was hiding in your dumpster for a while just taking whatever came out of gramps/etc.

[@BlueHokage]

Lowered with off road tires. Killing me.

[@kevinlesac8132]

A few people have mentioned this. these are my "stock" winter wheels (outback stock wheels) with my winter setup. I swapped them back on for the review to make the car a bit more "regular" I realize its not as normal as many of the other reviewed cars, but at least this made it look more stock. typically I have another set of 18s with summer tires that are on the car.

[@tarqsharq]

Kevin Lesac I came looking for an answer to the winter tires in the summer looking scenes surrounding the car. Thanks!

[@herranton]

BlueHokage Gislaved Nordfrost 100s!!! aka....generals.....

[@DanFuhry]

+BlueHokage Winterforces aren't offroad tires, they're just badass snows. Running them on my (slightly lowered) GTI for the same reason.

[@ASHWEAVE84]

@@kevinlesac8132 what is the company that did the wireing harness splice for you.... And how long did they take to do it and cost please..... I'm currently swapping the same setup in a outback

[@astonia131]

I agree with him. The Subaru Forester is to blame for the crossover pandemic we're suffering. But you can't ignore the Honda CR-V. That partial all wheel drive jacked up Civic has blood on its hands too

[@oregongaper]

The Suzuki Samurai (and the lesbians who bought them) played a big part in it too.

[@Paladin1034]

The third gen CR-V isn't a bad vehicle, though. Good fuel economy, roomy inside, and extremely capable. We have eight in our fleet and they're fantastic. Also, half of them are nearing 400k mi. Oh man, the X90. That could only exist in the 90s.

[@brandonallred894]

I still say the Sidekicks and the GeoTrackers where the beginnings.

[@luuk3213]

best kind of X90 is JZX90

[@marlinwasp2551]

Crossover vehicles are the shit I've been in AMGs and bmws audis corvettes and I still can't find a car that is more fun than this car. I don't think such a car even exists. The crossover trend isn't a pandemic it's what people want sports cars are boring dude they're uncomfortable and useless and not nearly as fun as a powerful crossover. This crossover out handled my 335i m it followed jeeps on trails was good on long trips towed 5000lbs and could hang with evos and stis. It is the best car hands down especially when it smokes mustangs and nissan 350zs bone stock. That was a big appeal about these things is that they smoked entry level sport cars.

[@idriwzrd]

No-maintenance sex is the best sex. The only thing necessary to make a Subaru an STi is an STi sticker.

[@stevemcrichards8768]

The only thing necessary to make no maintenance sex more dramatic is curiously also an STI!

[@Dragunov302]

I bought a 99 forester a few weeks ago. Dark green, 5 spd. 155k. I love it to death. Subaru 90s blue/green. Very nice brown/tan interior and designs in the fabric are a sweet 90s touch

[@wut0.o]

I have a black 98 rhd forester s/tb 5 speed but i really want a white one or that dark green i think its so beautiful and a front lip because its pre face lift 😩

[@patrickmcloughlin1940]

I have an '01 forester, still running on all stock parts except for the shocks. I love her, she really carries sound well after you add a sub and some kickers/tweeters. The only complaint is the pain in the ass that is a timing belt repair. Great for car sex!

[@SexyAndlKnowIt]

Aw I was expecting him to say SUBARUUUUUU?! IMPOSSIIBRUUUUUU!!!

[@JJuden96]

The Roman's outro gives a little taste of it, around 8:50

[@kless001]

GripHobby going back to watch that video again. So good

[@cinilaknedalm]

Love the Velvet Underground references and the whispered "Is it an STi?"

[@112233jjooee]

hey you got a steady cam. kudos to you, you gave in to our jeering and betrayed the authenticity of your craft. As a commenter, i am required to call you out on your inconsistencies, but that doesn't mean you should listen to me. While I appreciate that I can now see the cars in your videos, more equipment is the path to the dark side. Equipment leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to you taking your self too seriously and making low quality, high production value drivel.

[@RegularCars]

What do you WANT from me???

[@GoldenRuleVideoForum]

Get off the internet Joe, you're on heroin.

[@Mechanic618]

another sube-review? impossibru!

[@luxuriouslexusland-yacht2164]

RegularCars...a stopwatch. Y'got a stopwatch?!

[@alvindiaz8088]

Pretty sure they have BEEN having a steady cam Bro!

[@PlasticCyborg]

I used to have a 2001 Forester. When it was fully working, it was really fun to drive. But, of course, it had plenty of problems after we bought it used. Lots of idling problems, head gaskets needed to be changed, bad O2 sensor, no working A/C, and at one point the radiator blew out while driving and exploded antifreeze everywhere under the hood leaving me stuck on the side of the road for a good 6 hours until my dad gets there and buys another radiator and swaps it out. And some of the interior features were broken. The car itself was fun to drive and felt comfortable and easy to drive. But, eventually the car was stolen by our housesitter during vacation and she totaled it going 75 mph on local traffic roads with a 35 speed limit. Hit a curb and spun out and wrecked the frame. I do kind of miss my Subaru.

[@enzo2588]

The writing here is impeccable. And that last Forester 'Titanium' cover was just beautiful. ALL THE LIKES!

[@yamasail]

As much as I love the XJ Cherokee, I kinda feel like that's what lit the fuse for the crossover epidemic. It was built on a unibody (a huge deal when it came out) and was wildly popular because of its blend of utility and comfort.

[@jacobfleming565]

Unibody was so common back then

[@Tahu2323]

As owner of 3 of these that I treat like gods and spend my whole paycheck on I don’t know how to feel about this 😂 Love your videos

[@Revitalyzed]

Here's why I love Subarus: Their motors are like Legos. It's literally take out the old motor and plop the new one right in. Easy as that. I helped convert my buddy's RS into an RSTI. And let me tell you: It was much easier than I expected. Gotta give it to Subaru. They knew the car community was going to do shit like this, and they prepared for it. "Hey! We know you want to put an STI motor in a Forester, so we'll just give you the biggest helping hand possible." ALL HAIL SUBARU.

[@coopsnz1]

Buy are sti in japan for 2000usd

[@hubbadubchub]

"Subaru Farrrester."

[@inudude15]

I love RCR, but I have to say I think this review was way off the mark. While the Outback review was hysterical and perfectly on point, this one really seems to totally mis-represent the Scooby in question. I don't think you can blame the Forester for the god awful CUV's of today because the Forester is really their cure. Most CUV's come from companies that make or made big SUV's and have raided the parts bin to make pint size versions to appease the EPA whilst making soccer moms feel safe. The only SUV Subaru ever made was the Tribeca and that both came after the Forester, and was almost a seven seat crossover itself. It certainly wasn't a Suburban or a Land Cruiser by any stretch of the imagination, even if it was a decent soft-roader and had the flat six. Subaru started small and has slowly grown their cars. You got the little Justy growing into cars like the Impreza and Legacy, and the Impreza in turn birthed the Forester. It's a car that has practicality beyond a sedan or small hatchback, but drives like a car. Has the engine of a car, the AWD of its car siblings, it doesn't feel bulky or heavy or big. We at one point had an 09' turbo and while the four-speed auto wasn't brilliant, and it was thirsty and took only premium, that Forester was a lot of fun. It felt like an Impreza on truck tires, the steering was fairly sharp, the power was smooth and strong, it rocked the snow, it was hugely practical, and yet it never felt big or oversized at all. You could drive that thing in Philly and not feel like you're threading a needle, and yet you could fold the seats down and sleep in the back if you had to. Subaru got it right with the Forester because they put a utilitarian body on a car chassis and gave it the slight lift and truck tires to pull it off whilst most of the other companies have tried to make body on frame trucks out of their compact parts bin.

[@20NoName20]

I will always love you for mentioning The velvet underground.

[@jaberwocky6669]

These intro and outro songs are quickly becoming the main reason I watch these videos.

[@twotailedavenger]

The Forester may have got the ball rolling for crossovers in the US, but they actually could've been good if we'd stayed on that course. Unfortunately, that was right when Pontiac did three lines of chop and thought it'd be a good idea to make an SUV out of the Chevy Venture.

[@HstarR18]

I know Pennsylvanians aren't New Englanders. but "faresters?" I get it. It's kinda like "Flarida."

[@roddydykes7053]

Usually I agree with most of these reviews, but I couldn't disagree more with the opening statements on this one, people don't buy Foresters for any simpler reason than it's an affordable, (around $5k in my province for an imported model) JDM powerhouse that has all the practicality of an suv, but will keep up with the majority of other tuners out there, and blow them away in the snow. All the while maintaining that classic Subaru box shape that everyone into the jdm scene appreciates.

[@envoy3]

Roddy Dykes this is exactly why i bought an stb. tons of fun on the highway and it can still handle itself on some light off roading. and its a helluva lot more roomier then an impreza.

[@envoy3]

William Whiskers legacy gt has a peppier engine but it was only made for the jdm market so parts would be hard to come by. its incredibly spacious though and it feels somewhat luxurious and some of them have a tiptronic style auto transmission. i went with the forester stb because it has more ground clearance and the engine is the same as an american wrx. both get aweful fuel economy tho :(

[@coopsnz1]

Forester stb sti 2500 usd japan . With 100000km

[@LOLHICRONO]

Dat MCM sticker. :D

[@ncc74656m]

Holy shit, that's beautiful. And btw, this is the first time I've seen this channel, I died. :D I have an '02 Forester S with basically all the options. Preparing to do a swap myself, probably from a Wrex or a LGT, and then do a turbo upgrade and the like. Thanks for basically answering the question of whether or not I should just get a whole donor car.

[@arhoptt]

I don't see the problem. I chose a forester, willingly. It had more boot space than a sedan, but wasn't as long as a station wagon, and wasn't as large/didn't have a huge engine like most SUV's. Quite content with the car, tbh.

[@Arrozconchopsticks]

I wanted an Outback but ended up with a Forester and I'm content with it. Seems nearly perfect for me and my wife's needs.

[@jensonsamuel1865]

Precisely, I'm on my second fozzy now (2006) n I could've bought almost anything within reason

[@AmesiesCorner]

Hey Broh you guys need to do a Saab Sonett!

[@AmesiesCorner]

I can wait..

[@Kydenius]

Any saab on that matter would be good. Would love To see that, or the SUPERCHARGARUUUUUUUU MR2 AW11 UUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

[@TheFroInBristow]

But where would they get one!??!?! :000000000000000000 (sarcasm of course)

[@AmesiesCorner]

Also Saab 9000 you can borrow both of my cars

[@malevolenceXXXensues]

I'd like to see them do a Jaguar XJS or XK8

[@Pablo668]

Over here in Aus we had a model called the forester GT which had the WRX engine (probably drive train too) in it already. Good cars.

[@RevengeofGothzilla]

THE FIRST CROSSOVER?! AMC Eagle, my nigga.

[@Dilomski]

Totally agree.In the 80s there was the Toyota Tercel 4WD as well.

[@infiltr80r]

I wish in the end you'd rev the engines properly for at least one proper 0-60mph.

[@CoreyJones314]

+infiltr80r Yeah, this one was a swap, but the '04 Forester XT's were known for being one of the ultimate factory sleeper cars with a 0-60 of roughly 5.5 sec. (only with the 5MT, the autotragic was very inefficient). They had STI blocks with WRX turbos...

[@kyleorcholski4433]

+Corey Jones My dad picked one up from a guy down the street, 5mt for $3500. I'm going to have to try it once he gets it going. He's replacing the engine, bigger turbo, going to see how slow my '03 5mt is compared to it lol

[@rottenbananatv7602]

Corey Jones I thought the XT was only in Japan

[@peterbiltxr379]

your songs rule keep singing

[@djweetos]

Every car video should have a running shadow;)

[@agrippa1234]

I always like the British expression for wagons; "flying boot". I believe your level of angst is uncalled for, this is a good example of stealth, a way to have your boost and room for the kids. It shows a level of owner self-confidence that I lack with my Vette....

[@mtheory85]

"... you're not impossibu... to me..." Haha I love the little details.

[@Siskiyouoffroad]

Unlike most people, I actually WANT a Forester. I need a car that can be decent off road but I don't have a lot of money so it needs good MPG. Seems like a decent compromise to me.

[@mrracey69]

One of the realest channels on the tube, came for the cars, stayed for the philosophy.

[@Robby94LS]

Great vid as usual!! In terms of needing a different wire harness and ECU for the swap, isn't that EVERY computer controlled car? I know with Hondas the lego reference just means little modification needs to be done for physical fitment, but yeah, I think everyone is aware that you always need wire harness converters and ECUs from donner cars!! Only time I can think of when you don't is back in the hot rodding days when everything was mechanical and not ECU controlled!

[@brandonscheuvront3322]

In addition, to my other comment, the engine swaps are easier than you make them out to be. The engine in my '98 Forester was from a '96 Legacy GT. That engine from the '96 LGT, was then rebuilt and transplanted into my '02 Forester. Albeit, after also swapping the heads on from the '02. ABSOLUTELY no wiring work done at all!

[@IronFishChannel]

Just wanted to give a shout out to iWire, even if you just have Subaru wiring questions you can email them, and they can help you out. It's really great to have a resource like that for Subarus, because wiring can be confusing.

[@MrNinjaSkittles22]

I can't believe you have been to council bluffs

[@MrNinjaSkittles22]

Crazy stuff

[@Xpansiongaming281]

NinjaSkittles22 aye you from CB too?

[@jacobfleming565]

Damn my best friend grew up there

[@kylejames2746]

You can swap a 1997-99 forester 2.5dohc with a 2.2l out an Impreza and all you have to do is tee in a vacuum line. They have to have the same trans i.e auto to auto or manual to manual to have the same harness.

[@delorean00]

I must say that tail light trim panel really made that car look a whole lot better. There has always been something funky about the Forester design, but that piece does help along with all the other tasteful mods.

[@james4344]

The OK Cupid bit was great, these are the reasons I watch this channel. Love the random over the top analogies and comparisons.

[@TheApparitionofAylesbury]

i love foresters.. lol sleepers hard core. no one expects a granny wagon to do a 13.8 1/4 mile stock. (2004 forester 2.5XT)

[@lukesites2457]

I love throwing my 05 around in the dirt

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Why would you write a comment to make yourself look ignorant on purpose? An intelligent and sensible person judges a product by its own merit and functionality, not that memey ''joke'' travesty. Metaphorical attempt to belittle both grandmothers and cars that are old, with that bully frat douche humor. When in reality this is one of the best cars out there Don't try so hard to gain internet sympathy and likes from your fellow car bros, that you have to dumb down your thoughts to that level When males are in each other's company they will revert to their troglodyte mentality, and revel in their own male degeneration

[@9a21x]

I think either they are getting sloppy with blurring faces, or they are just finally showing us their true form.

[@onesimpleclik]

Mighty Car Mods!

[@OtherMomo]

Also: nice Titanium Parody at the end, kudos.

[@carlshneebly7136]

I know BMW is bad about having so many different engines in a category. From there 4 cylinders to there straight 6s, there are so many variations. I learned this after doing some research for an engine swap for my 85' 318i. I came to the conclusion that an e30 323i would be the best option because even though it had a 6 cylinder m20b18 engine ( I think), it used the same Getrag transmission, but a different bell housing to hold the weight better.

[@jlcii]

This was not the first crossover, that would be the RAV4 in 1996.

[@TheExaminedLifeofGaming]

My dream car.

[@marcellmeszaros9381]

Thats honestly sad..

[@TheExaminedLifeofGaming]

Marcell Meszaros Hah. Since I posted that, I bought one. No longer a dream!

[@EggBastion]

_"...if it's a car you dream of driving"_

[@TheDonCucaracho]

The Examined Life (of Gaming) how did those gaskestSSS treated you? Tomorrow I'll be trying to lowball a 99 Forester too

[@scrustle]

I wouldn't say this thing is really that closely related to the crossover trend. This is an estate car that's also lifted and has some off-road capability. Crossovers are cars that pretend to look like SUVs with their styling, but have little to no off-road ability (with some exceptions), and exist mostly as a fashion statement. I suppose you could say they're both the opposite interpretations on the same idea, but I don't think you can really "blame" the former for the latter. The former is practical, functional and versatile. The latter is style over substance, designed to fill an artificially created niche.

[@DannyZRC]

Forester, CR-V and RAV4 are the genesis of the crossover, formerly 'cute ute' or 'car based SUV'

[@DiegoRuiz1991]

DannyZRC Don't forget about the Lada Niva, which is older than all those 3!

[@NoBrakes23]

I was shopping for a small SUV in '97. The car mags and Subaru were using the term crossover to describe it.

[@luckduck5031]

Your videos aged like fine wine

[@Clinterus]

Also that shadow of the cameraman running to keep the forester in frame at the end, lol.

[@deusexaethera]

Wow, the '98 Forester looks so much better than newer versions. And I'm not one of those "everything I'm familiar with from my childhood is better than what we have nowadays" people.

[@elmoreoocyte]

Lot of faces in this one, Mr. Regular... Thank you again for the delight I feel each Monday when I remember there's a new RCR!

[@ezzie3927]

My mom had one until 2020 when it finally blew up on the highway. Miss that old banger…

[@Zaimejs]

Why is this in Council Bluffs, Iowa?!

[@lol109109]

the OK Cupid segment destroyed me from the inside out

[@PossiblyYourDog]

Was the intro song to the tune of Such Great Heights? I'm pretty sure it was but I could be wrong...

[@luckysubie]

+Chris Oliver I heard that as well.

[@dvd77612]

+Chris Oliver That's exactly right, nice catch haha

[@waxmax117]

Anyone notice the "Such Great Heights" tune by The Postal Service he did for the intro?? Great song and review brah, keep em up.

[@miniman11937]

yep one of those reviews you're gonna have to watch twice to appreciate all of the jokes and still absorb the content

[@internziko]

"A whole nother". Lol

[@Toastmaster_5000]

I don't get it - what's wrong with a Forester (new or old)? I don't own one and have no intention to but I don't really see what's wrong with having a small SUV.

[@Creibold]

The Super Man 64 comment did it for me. Bravo! Genius reference.

[@dru9918]

Man honestly the singing was the only thing I'm taking away from this video you killed those remixes

[@ShoutsWillEcho1]

That description deserves a like.

[@scott8919]

It always messes with my OCD when I see wheels from another model on a car. Those came from a 2000-04 Outback. Doesn't look right.

[@AFluffyMobius]

At least its a trillion times better than DUB wheels or knock-off BBS's.

[@KFCGAMING55]

Then you're not ready to hear about the 06' Tacoma with nissan rims that drives around my neighborhood

[@kevinnistor1954]

That song at the end really hit home, i drive a forester

[@legor17]

If you haven't already, it'd be awesome if you got around to reviewing a Chevy/Geo Metro 3-cylinder 5-speed hatchback.

[@aftrimg]

Dont mind me. Just coming back to this video to quote Mr. Regular saying "no one chooses a forester," after he chose a forester.

[@W1LDwanderer]

For a fleeting second I thought you made a William Gibson reference, then I realized you were still talking about the velvet underground. I loved your Film Noir Fiero GT review. You got to do a cyberpunk theme some day.

[@DanTheMailman330]

Holy cow. The mass of vacuum lines on top of that engine looks like a plate of spaghetti.

[@trixr4kidsdawg]

that velvet underground reference did it for me

[@ragingasian]

You guys make Drive look like shit. I love it!

[@coryhalvorson8874]

I'm picking one of these up today for the reason of doing this swap haha what a coincidence

[@theonemoo]

I had a 2002 WRX Wagon that died last year and I donated it to Wheels For Wishes. Hearing that this Forester has parts from an 02 Rex makes me wonder...

[@Clovislac]

I will never get over how awesome you are Mr. Regular.

[@FromDyl]

aomeone please tell me what that boot light is called

[@marvinrazor597]

I Nearly Fell assleep at the Outro. So nice

[@TwoDollarGararge]

That ending song was pure gold

[@jimkirchner951]

i used to have one of these. Mr. Regular fucking NAILED it.

[@Voivrenetwork]

You guys need to do a 2000 Honda Insight, and I just so happen to drive one :)

[@danedwards6038]

Wait what!? Props for the William Gibson reference!!!

[@NPCDCBA]

What is that badge on the front?

[@pshep138]

Nebraska represent!

[@TerribleTimes]

MCM sticker at the 5.00 sec mark = awesome!

[@glennmiller394]

Mr. Regular -- are you related to Dennis Miller? He's the only guy I know who can compete with your narrative. Love it.

[@huntwhales]

Loving the Postal Service intro!!!!!

[@Andrew-on5do]

This is so true. But I've driven a manual forester xt and I gotta say it was a blast and slightly confusing.

[@chaysendreamz]

Yeah no, I’ve swapped several motors into my forester using stock harness, all were non turbo, and all have worked. Some changes need to be made when going turbo, but not much.

[@blindassassin111]

I like the little rascals song reference at the end. Good job with this review!

[@CountdownCulture]

Ken Burns as the background sound track for Round 2. I love it. Keep up the great work.

[@robott6696]

Whats the last song a parody of? The "I am a forester" one. Its so famailiar I cant get it

[@Luke357]

now you need to review that gmc envoy xuv.

[@derekmartin8127]

I think this is one of your best.

[@peterpatrone1952]

Best work in a long time. Back to the original recipe.

[@Jordan4Ibanez]

It's about time they finally did this

[@repkam09]

Hats off to the Roman this week! Sounding great!

[@TheArmoredOwl]

thanks for the closeup of our state's WONDERFUL boring plates -.-' +9 bro

[@PapiLewis]

Mr regular should've done the "subaruuuuuuu imposibruuuuuuu" voice

[@Ryukachoo]

i was under the impression that the lexus RX350 was the first "true" crossover in the us market, and that was around in '99