2011 Subaru Forester

I would not worry too much about the head gasket issue as that had been largely solved by 2011. I would question the current owner about oil consumption and ask for a CarFax. Without driving it for a 1,000 miles you probably cannot evaluate oil consumption.

I would be very worried.

Mine is a 2012 Subaru Forester, purchased used from a Ford dealership after my researches, which boiled down to: "Best car for invalid and elderly. Very high crash safety." Soon there was a recall related to air bags "that a Subaru dealer must install." After the airbag installation at a Subaru dealership, a service representative told me there was an oil leak that would eventually ruin the car. It was a simple repair EXCEPT for the fact that the engine had to be pulled. This would cost several hundred dollars. Suspecting that I was being baited and scammed, I declined the repair. Then I took the Forester to two mechanics NOT forty miles from my home. Both stated , "There is no leak," so I patted myself on the back for not being tricked. Maybe a year later, a rod started knocking. A "shade tree" mechanic and then an experienced licensed mechanic agreed and encouraged a rebuilt engine was required -- a new engine would be throwing away money. The licensed experienced mechanic said that he could not replace the engine and that he knew of no one "locally" (Atlanta southside) who could. Google searches made this morning suggested that a rebuilt can be installed anywhere from $2.5K to $12K. My initial car consumer searches should have been for "Subaru Forester Oil Leaks." I did not know there was a prominent problem and searched only on "Safety For Older Or Invalid Drivers And Passengers." So the Subaru dealership told me the truth. However, from all I have read this morning, I am wondering if "Subaru, Inc." purposely built that leak problem into its Foresters. Next I learned that if/when a rod breaks and pierces the engine block, the car could catch on fire. My "safety searches" never mentioned that. BUYER BE WARE!