1998 Subaru Forester: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

3 builds left the factory as a 1998 Forester, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 2 main configurations
  • 1,013 vehicles built
  • 4 for sale right now

Which Forester is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Pick your Forester

What actually differs

L · AWD S · AWD
Vehicles built 539 473
Same on every 1998 Forester
  • Engine 2.5L
  • Drivetrain All-wheel drive
  • Fuel Gasoline
  • Body Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
  • Doors 4-door
  • For sale right now 2
Cost to run

18/24 mpg city/highway. Roughly $2,330/yr on fuel at 15,000 miles.

EPA estimate for the 1998 Forester

Safety, in plain English

What JF1SF655-W means

JF1 SF655 · W
JF1
the World Manufacturer Identifier Subaru registered — assembled in Japan
SF655
together encode the Forester line — Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), 2.5L, All-wheel drive — as Subaru filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
W
in position 10 — model year 1998
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
1 rare configuration — mostly fleet, export or irregular VIN patterns. Fewer than 20 known vehicles each.

Already looking at a specific Forester?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.