I find that Subaru's tend to need more maintenance (only using my cars as examples) but like most cars if you just put gas in it you will not have reliability.

My 2004 Ford Explorer has only had two or three non wear item repairs (all four wheel bearings, alternator, drive train leaks) and has nearly 200k miles.

I have a '99 OBW that has nearly 500k miles. I've replaced the engine (HGs), Transmission, Struts, wheel bearings and has a ABS fault.

I have an '03 Forester that I have replaced the engine (rod knock after HG replacement) three of four wheel bearings and several emissions related parts.

Personally despite the regular maintenance I would still buy older Subaru's over anything else (easier to work on) than some of the newer ones. Wish I lived where salt wasn't used much. Guess I need to start looking at CA or PNW Subaru's when I need another one.

 

Would that you mentioned Subarus' tend to need more maintenance, in your opinion, is that because they are older AWD, yes?

 

Probably a bit of both. More moving parts, more things to go wrong.

My '99 has never let me down, except that one time my kid called and said something is wrong with the transmission. Years later he fessed up to dicking around with the car racing and such. Transmission had over 300k so I guess I can't complain.

 

I can't speak to Foresters specifically, but Subaru in general...I had a 1992 Legacy which I bought in 2000 with about 90,000 miles on it, put about 100,000 miles on it over the following 10 years, and not once did that car ever break down or strand us in any way. Had to do the timing belt of course, replace the front CV axles, and probably did brakes at some point, but that's pretty much all I ever had to put into that car (other than oil changes and tires of course). Countless road trips up and down the west coast and into the wilderness, crazy blizzards on mountain passes, it always took care of us.

That was my first Subaru and it was just sorta chance that I got it, ran across a good deal when I was actually looking for a Honda. But I was so impressed by that car that when it was time to get something newer, I only looked at Subarus. We then got a 2007 Outback (in 2010) which, like the Legacy, has proven 100% reliable, zero break-downs. My ex-wife still drives that Outback.

In fact, for years after selling the '92 Legacy, I would still see it around town...haven't seen it lately but I sold it to a university student and she's probably moved on by now.

 

Subaru's are more complicated as mentioned. But once you do the head gasket and timing belt with all the idlers, water pump and tensioners. You are good (in general) for well over 200K miles. Worth the effort.

 

I'm in the process of saying goodbye my 2003 at 224k miles due largely to an accumulation of small issues, all fixable but with too much hassle. It's been good to me.

 

Yes, at some point it adds up. We have a lot of salt and the underside of my 06x was taking a beating before I traded it in.

 

I am currently the proud owner of 3 Subarus with the 3rd purchase being an 04 Forester XT with 250k miles. We just picked up yesterday and the car is great. We drove it home 2 hours and it went was a smooth ride. The car drove from Colorado to Texas yearly and made it's last trip in May per previous owner. I also have an 06 WRX that I've owned for 5-6 with 147k miles and have literally beat on since day 1 and after making 340awhp and 365 ft.lb tq i replaced the trans and other typical wear items( bushings, joints, axles, etc.) Other than that it's had no other issues that weren't self inflicted. The other Subaru is a '16 Crosstrek that we lifted and put some wheels and tires on and that has obviously given 0 issues.

 

 

I'd say it's a fair statement...I bought mine new (200 miles) and now have close to 150k miles, the only non-maintenance items I've replaced were the knock sensor, 2 CV boots and the clock!

 

Considering I ran mine with leaking headgaskets for a hard winter with 164k and a tank that wouldnt fill, it never let me down. I dont regret the repairs I've done because of the confidence I have in the car.

 

My car is also a 2003 that I bought when it was 11 months old and had 11,000 miles on it. It now has only about 65,000 miles, which is a reflection of our having two cars, even though we don't need to drive much. I love it, but it has needed some costly repairs, and has some minor recurring problems (rattling heat shields). The major stuff involved having to replace the catalytic converter and associated hardware, even though the cat was still working properly. The tabs that attached the converter to the car rotted through and could not be repaired. It was necessary to replace the converter (about $900) and some other associated parts. Even though the car has low mileage for its age, I had the timing belt and external belts changed, as well as radiator hoses, because of their age.

The weirdest repair was to replace the gas tank filler neck. The "check engine" light came on and stayed on. although the engine operation was okay. This a common symptom of a poorly sealing gas gap, but, in this case, the cap was fine, but there was crack in the filler neck.

I haven't heard of other Subarus having these problems, and except for the rattling heat shields, the problems have not recurred.

My car has not had any of the engine or wheel bearing problems that some older Subarus fall prey to. And the suspension and steering systems are just fine.

My biggest gripe is the lousy fuel economy -- an average of 20 to 23 mpg in a mix of suburban and highway driving. Our 2003 Honda Civic, which is approximately the same length, but about 700 lbs lighter, averages in the low 30's mpg, and has returned up to 43 mpg on long trips. Nonetheless, we use the Subaru for some of longer drives because comfort of the seats and the ride, stability on the road, and visibility are so much better than the Civics.

So, it's a little like having a really good friend with a few bad habits. I love the car's personality and the fact that it so perfectly fits our needs. The 2003 Forester is considerable lower and otherwise smaller than today's model. That is critical for our loading our kayaks onto the roof rack (my wife is only 5-ft tall), and the 99-inch wheelbase makes the car really easy to park when we drive in to New York City.

 

I knew about the poor fuel economy going in, traded a 1991 Chevy truck and the ride was a back breaker, maybe got 11 miles to the gallon. I wanted a small AWD car with easily sourced parts and decent reliability. Every 5th car up this way is a Forester and the ride is night and day over said truck. My ONLY problem is self control, I keep improving the car, so more $$ but its one of a few hobbies and they all just happen to cost money so its a wash. I never had the chance to drive a Subaru before this car and was so impressed we got a 15 XV Crosstrek for my girlfiend 2 years ago. Took that one up Mt. Washington and a few long driving trips camping. Also my dealership has a phenomenal parts team that has been amazing and patient. If I wanted good mileage I would be thinking Honda Civic or Ford Fiesta, and wouldve hated driving either. There is a point when cars get too small to be comfortable or safe, I feel the Foz was a really good compromise.

 

I've been driving around the Nürburgring in Germany for a few years with Subaru's and I can tell you the reputation for reliability is real. If you take care of it (I'm talking regular maintenance) the car will be fine.

The only issues I've seen with Subaru's have been related to either poor driving or poor tuning, sometimes both.

Speaking about Foresters, our national autoclub has a item in their online journal about reliable cars. They check a car with a ton of miles (kilometres over here ) for wear and tear. Foresters are a series regular in that item and can run 500k kms if taken care of.

That and the boxer sound is what keeps me coming back despite the fuel consumption. Oh and the handling!

 

My Forester has been one of the most reliable and dependable things (not just cars) I've ever owned.

Built in 2004, owned since 2005. It's done a low mileage because it's not used for commuting. But it's taken us on all our vacation trips (usually two per year - between 500 and 2000 miles each), and many weekends away, often loaded up and with a roof box and/or trailer full of camping gear. And done countless local journeys round town, etc. Number of journeys that it has failed to complete or needed recovery: zero. Number of times it failed to begin a journey: one (when the battery died totally one morning). No other car I've ever owned has come close for reliability. Engine, transmission, driveline are all original and never taken apart. Does not leak oil or consume any between changes. I think the only replacement parts it's ever needed beyond service items are a couple of wheelbeaings, a battery, and the dreaded SLS rear shocks. It does need a new radiator and some other niggling but put-up-withable faults have developed, and is now up for sale as we wanted something a little bigger - but I will really miss it.

-- Steve