I bought my 2004 Forester new from the dealer in March of 04 and just recently turned 107,000 miles with no issues at all. I decided to follow the maintenance manual recommendations and I had the timing belt, idler pulleys, belt tensioner and the water pump and thermoastat replaced. The timing belt was recommended at 105,000 miles but I am a preventive maintenance person and since the area was opened up I had the water pump replaced also. I was told the timing belt was not that bad which gives me a good idea on how long I can go before having it replace again. I commute 57 miles to work each way so Im sure that wont take long. Only issue I have had with this car is the radio stops working when its really cold out and taping on the dash fixes it until the car hits a bump.
Scott
Scott