Honestly, it's a fun drive: you sit up nice & high. It's a 2014 Subaru Forester 2.5x with 165k and a 133k engine, a comfortable AWD ride in Burnished Bronze Metallic. Besides installing the 133k engine, we gave it a new serpentine belt; new front sway links, control arms, and ball joints; a new catalytic converter, O2 sensor, and PCV valve; and a new battery and windshield.

Also gave it new front brake pads & rotors. Rear pads are close to new, with 7mm thickness (8mm is new for rear pads).

--> Gave it our signature 300+ mile test, and it passed.

The 2014 Forester is slightly longer, wider, and taller than previous years. Veterans of Foresters, you should notice more legroom (especially back seat) and cargo room than before.

Of all Subaru models, the Forester has a bit more headroom: it's about 2 1/2" higher than the Outback. Driver's seat height adjusts between 26" and 28" off the ground. Its ground clearance of 8.7 inches makes it not only easy to get in and out of, but along with the all-wheel drive, makes it a great vehicle for all seasons, including Midwest winters.

Automatic transmission with "low mode" for driving slowly in snow. The CVT (continuously variable transmission) is designed for fuel economy. See photos: we hit 37 mpg in 8 miles of highway driving; then 27 mpg in 200 miles of combined driving. Should at least average in the mid-20s for you, depending on your drive. We found its gas mileage to be consistent with its factory rating of 24/32/27 mpg.

Double wishbone rear suspension makes for a smoother ride.

17" wheels have a set of 4 Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady tires with plenty of tread remaining: 8-9/32". (10/32" is new, and 2/32" means Replace Now.)

Fog lights. Tilt and telescoping steering wheel. Height- as well as tilt-adjustable headrests. Rear seats fold down for more cargo space. Exterior entry lighting (LED lights in both outside mirrors that illuminate the door and handle when you push the unlock button on the fob).

Handsfree Bluetooth connectivity for your phone and wireless audio streaming. iPod capable. The steering wheel has audio, Bluetooth, phone, and cruise control buttons. A USB port plus a 1/8" aux jack are in the center console. Trip computer in the dashboard to monitor fuel economy.

There are 3 12v power outlets: in the front console, center console, and rear cargo area.

Cargo volume with the rear seats up is 34.4 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded, it's 74.7 cf.

For stability and safety, Subaru's Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system monitors the direction of the car compared to the intended steering direction. It compensates by braking individual wheels and/or altering fuel flow to the engine. Also, the Traction Control System (TCS) senses if any wheels are skidding and redirects power only to those wheels having the best traction.

This model was a Top Safety Pick for 2014 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It comes with 7 airbags (including side-curtain ones and a driver's knee airbag) as well as Brake Assist.

Imperfections (see photos): Dents on hood. Airbag light is on though we're not sure why. We put in the leather seat covers. Cloth upholstery underneath is clean, but it had some holes, now covered. TPMS light is on even though all tires are inflated to recommended pressure.

Brake lamp switch recall: we'll give you the info with a phone number to schedule this fix. The brake lights work fine on this car, but Subaru has issued a recall to update the switch for free.

But of course this Forester has Subaru's signature All-Wheel Drive transmission!

No hidden fees. Find us at Strictly Subie, 303 E. Bradford, West Union, Iowa 52175, right on Hwy 18. Contact Aaron at 563-380-4739 to try this out, or to find out what else is available or up and coming. For more info, see our website strictlysubie.com or our Facebook page "Strictly Subie LLC" and look under Photos/Albums. Thank you!

VIN: JF2SJAAC6EH409330