# 2009 Subaru Forester - Which to buy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** subaru, engines\ **Created:** [July 22, 2023, 1:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-forester-which-to-buy/191854 "2023-07-22T01:06:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JBarclay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f1d935/32.png) [@JBarclay](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JBarclay)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 1:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-forester-which-to-buy/191854/1 "2023-07-22T01:06:47Z")
is it better to buy a used Subaru with 200k+ miles and no engine issues, or one with less than 100k miles that has already needed its head gasket replaced? ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 12:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-forester-which-to-buy/191854/2 "2023-07-22T12:03:33Z")
Ur looking at 2 different 2009 cars? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-forester-which-to-buy/191854/3 "2023-07-22T14:55:02Z")
> [@JBarclay](#): > > is it better to buy a used Subaru with 200k+ miles and no engine issues, or one with less than 100k miles that has already needed its head gasket replaced? Welcome to the forum… Sooo, the 200K Subaru just had it’s 2nd head gasket(s) replace and no engine issues?? With the 200K mileage vehicle, what about the rest of the car?? What else has 200K miles on it? The axles, wheel bearings, transmission body, frame, exhaust etc etc etc, unless some of that has already been replaced… With both hitting high mileage they could have already had lots of work done, OR the owner is getting ride of them before having to spend $$$$ on either one… Some people will keep all the maintenance up on there vehicles and then you get a good used vehicle, others wait until it is about to self destruct before getting ride of it and you are buying a money pit… Have them, whatever you buy, checked out by a 3rd party qualified shop of your choice and have them checked out, go with the better one… If they don’t find anything wrong at all on most/any of them, then they are not looking very hard… ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 7:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2009-subaru-forester-which-to-buy/191854/4 "2023-07-22T19:44:30Z")
Everything else being equal, same model year, same level of routine maintenance, owner’s had same driving style, etc, me, I’d choose the 100k version of the vehicle.