The wife wants one...and I'm interested, since I used to have a Audi 4000s quattro along with a 20v coupe quattro - so I can't say I'm against the idea of a AWD car.

We're considering the 2.5i impreza (non-turbo)...probably get a certified pre-owned one.

Does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks!

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"Time's never wasted when you're wasted all the time"

Subarus generally have a good reputation for reliability. Probably the only choice for a less expensive, AWD, non-SUV vehicle. But AWD tends to use more gas. And, compared to most inline engines, the Subaru flat-four may be more difficult and expensive for routine maintenance and repair (especially the turbo versions) once the car is out of warranty. Aftermarket parts availibility may be weaker due to Subarus being less common compared to Toyota.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I've never owned a Subie, only a Suzuki and a couple Kawasakis. I did used to work in a junkyard, and I saw a lot of Subies over 300,000 miles.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

I don't think you can go wrong with a Subaru. I personally know too many ppl that swear by them. Several use them in snow country - (Colorado/Lake Tahoe area/Pennsylvania/Connecticut/Nebraska) so they shine in that area especially well, as ALL Subarus as I understand it, are AWD. Perhaps one day I'll own an Outback.

Mrs B has a 2006 Forester LL Bean. She likes it a lot. Gets about 27-29 on the interstate. In town it's in the low 20's.

2001 Outback wagon - 4cyl auto trans, 158k on it....
Its a wonderful appliance - I love its love-it-or-hate-it nature- examples:
-The outbacks are lifted a bit, I love the ground clearance, kids hate the "its not low enough" look.
-As an appliance, it gives me no trouble, but gives me no excitement. I see exact copies of my car on the road at least once a week (white with grey cladding...)
-Good room to hold people and stuff (its a wagon) - I've fit more than a few 8' boards in it before. I know lots of dog owners who love rolling with their large dog in the back. Week-long trip to FL for training ? no problem !
-You sacrifce fuel economy for awd - they got a LOT better in the 2004-2005 timeframe (my '01 only gets 24mpg, on the highway or in town, for a 4 cyl...)
-awd means you never worry about snow.
-awd means you have to chance diff fluid in 2 more places (if you plan on keeping it that long)
-'98-'02 4cyl engines had head gasket issues - I'd stay away from these years, but since all these are now 10+ years old, the occurrence should be going down.

Stick with something newer and you'll be fine. I keep my '01 becuase it works too well to dump it for something else. Note that a LOT can change in 5 or 10 years of model changes.

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

We have a 2013 Outback wagon with the flat-6. Great car overall, mpg is in the low 20s. Seems to be well made, great in the snow of course.

The only thing that bothers me is that the trans shifts a little hard around town. Might mention next time it's in for an oil change. Wife has racked up 7500 miles in the first year of ownership and no problems to report.

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

Awesome reviews - thanks for all the feedback!

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"Time's never wasted when you're wasted all the time"