My next car will be a Subaru

[stephent2]

Some of you'all know I've been a long time SAAB owner. I enjoy cars and expect a bit of enjoyment from my ride. I need them to be practical too. Which is always a tough mix. Usually fun means expensive (BMW, Audi, etc), cars i like but wouldn't buy. SAABs have been good to me, but I know great independent SAAB mechanics which made ownership much easier. I don't like dealerships for the most part.

So I been anticipating having to replace the 2002 SAAB and I've been researching new cars for the last couple years. Cars in general have gotten better for sure, I liked the newer Fords I've driven for instance. I won't list the cars I've driven and for one reason or another have eliminated. It's just not cool and I'm not interested in dissing someone else's choice.

Who's the other automotive outsider? Well, Subaru. The have a slightly different point of view. Boxer engines and four wheel drive. Known for reliability and longevity but also Rally racing. And in my opinion, they're grown the models, made steady improvements over the years. Since 2012 the Impreza is redesigned and it's a nice package, fun to drive and decent mpg. I was considering the Impreza, it's a nice car.

Are Subarus the best cars money can buy?

http://management.fortune.cnn.com/20...aru-best-cars/

They also made changes to the Legacy for 2013 that made it more attractive to me, stiffened the body, chain drive instead of a timing belt, better mileage, decent seats, very nice CVT transmission,... and they want to sell cars! No interest 36 month loan and two years free service plus a heck of a deal (i shopped the salesman for a couple months).

On my second tank of gas and I'm averaging 28 plus in mixed Atlanta driving, fun to drive, fits all my gear in the trunk, nice stereo and fun in the twistys. Plus good seats and a well thought out drivers position.

My SAAB days are behind me, sold it to the first guy who saw it.

[Jimclarke100]

Like this:

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=2hxy8...%3D2hxy8yQvUmk

[Tim Armstrong]

I have several friends that own Subarus, and all are very happy with them.

I just bought a Mazda 3 that is a purely wonderful car. Seriously fun to drive, gets a consistent 34-36 mpg, has a big enough trunk to easily fit my bass rig, and I got a great deal (helps to have a friend in the business).

Tim

[stephent2]

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

I have several friends that own Subarus, and all are very happy with them.

I just bought a Mazda 3 that is a purely wonderful car. Seriously fun to drive, gets a consistent 34-36 mpg, has a big enough trunk to easily fit my bass rig, and I got a great deal (helps to have a friend in the business).

Tim

I drove a 3 sedan for a week as a rental and thought it was nice, better than average road feel and excellent mpg. Congrats!

Drove a new CX-5 and thought it was nice.

Zoom, Zoom.

[rokdog49]

I like this one, rated very highly of the 2014's. The Mazda 6

[jimd]

Love my Subaru Outback Sport (a version of the Impreza). It is a fun little car to drive with the added benefit of AWD. The AWD comes in handy here in Cleveland. You need it infrequently, but when you need AWD, it is great. I've had mine for 3 years now and haven't regretted it for a minute.

[Rich_S]

I've owned two Subarus and would buy another in a heartbeat. Only reason I'm not driving one now is, I have a company car.

[AirBagTester]

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

I have several friends that own Subarus, and all are very happy with them.

I just bought a Mazda 3 that is a purely wonderful car. Seriously fun to drive, gets a consistent 34-36 mpg, has a big enough trunk to easily fit my bass rig, and I got a great deal (helps to have a friend in the business).

Tim

That's excellent mileage... I didn't know Mazdas were that good on gas. Something I might consider when my Civic finally keels over. My #2 concern (after reliability) is fuel efficiency. And my #3 concern is "bass player approval." :)

Oh and my first car was my parents' Subaru Impreza wagon and it was a blast to drive! Pity that I totaled it like a complete amateur... but at least I had the good sense to wipe out on a deserted back road into a mailbox and then a powerline pole.

[geoff_in_nc]

I've owned 2 Subarus long ago and loved them. My dad and sister both love theirs now. I've driven my dad's (2012 Legacy I think - 4 dr sedan) and my ONLY complaint is the sound of the doors shutting seems tinny or hollow to me. They feel fine but a (another?) layer of sound deadener inside the doors would go far for me.

That said Mazda 3's seem sweet!

[Slow Reflexes]

Good looking car... the Subarus are always on my radar come car time, but haven't yet bought one. I always liked the non-interference engines, but apparently that's gone by the wayside.

I'm leaning Mazda 2/3/Ford Fiesta/Focus right now, but I'll have to check the Subarus while I'm debating.

[Flaneur]

My 10 year old Forester had it's annual government test today....... sailed through -again- with nothing to do.

I first drove the earlier model, in the snowy mountains of California and on the freeway, in 100 degrees of heat. My buddy Tim traded it, when it had 200,000 miles on the clock.

Mine's done 120,000 so far- 80,000 under my ownership. It's the best car i've ever owned- fantastic quality and complete reliability, through a bunch of tough Scottish winters.

[stephent2]

Originally Posted by Slow Reflexes

Good looking car... the Subarus are always on my radar come car time, but haven't yet bought one. I always liked the non-interference engines, but apparently that's gone by the wayside.

I'm leaning Mazda 2/3/Ford Fiesta/Focus right now, but I'll have to check the Subarus while I'm debating.

All nice cars, but check out the Impreza on your way to a decision.

I expect to drive a new car 10 years or better, that's one of the most important factors in my buying process. It's that long term satisfaction that's difficult to achieve and predict. I enjoyed driving the SAAB up to the day I sold it.

So for the last couple years I've been watching car forums for the models I was researching. The Automotive press reviews are one thing, ownership often tells a different story. The Subaru owners forums are pretty quiet in relationship to problems. I was researching the VW Golf TDI forums,... not so quiet.

On paper and in the press many cars look great.

[emu!]

Boy I hate purchasing automobiles...like throwing money down a dark pit. They all will cause you headaches after awhile. I stear away from anything that will cost alot of money to fix. Usually imports will have higher repair prices on parts and labor. You almost always have to take the imports to the dealer as most independent repair shops don't have anyone trained in anything but domestic.

[dman]

I'm seriously considering the XV Crosstrek to replace my wife's aging (2002) Jeep Liberty. It's gotten pretty good reviews; main complaint is that the 145 hp engine is no more than adequate. Coming from the Liberty's 4 banger, I doubt that it will be an issue. And the cool thing is the base (Sport) model has a 5 speed manual! I have never owned a vehicle with an auto tranny....hate to break the streak!

[TheGoodTexan]

My next door neighbor has a Subaru turbo something-or-other... and that car is wicked fast. I mean... freak-you-out fast.

That's the same neighbor that had people going through his trash.

And the same neighbor that runs his lawn-mower into my yard by 8 feet.

And probably several other stories that I've shared about him on this site.

[stephent2]

Originally Posted by TheGoodTexan

My next door neighbor has a Subaru turbo something-or-other... and that car is wicked fast. I mean... freak-you-out fast.

That's the same neighbor that had people going through his trash.

And the same neighbor that runs his lawn-mower into my yard by 8 feet.

And probably several other stories that I've shared about him on this site.

Well there you go.

I heard of a guy, ate mashed potatoes for a week and then killed his mother.

Being a reasonable person myself, I don't hold the potatoes responsible.

[Flaneur]

All the boy racers in my part of rural Scotland drive Mitsubishis.....and mainly Subarus. Stupidly quick, tuneable in your back yard, solid fundamentals and ne'er a main dealer in sight......

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by TheGoodTexan

My next door neighbor has a Subaru turbo something-or-other... and that car is wicked fast. I mean... freak-you-out fast.

And the same neighbor that runs his lawn-mower into my yard by 8 feet.

And probably several other stories that I've shared about him on this site.

I'd put up a fence or a hedge or something. I'm very territorial about my lawn.
My wife thinks I'm an idiot, but she would anyway.

[stephent2]

I gotta say the WRX crowd is a different demographic from the rest of the Subaru owners.

Fuel ecomomy is not a major concern for them.

[TheGoodTexan]

Originally Posted by stephent2

I heard of a guy, ate mashed potatoes for a week and then killed his mother.

That actually happened to my neighbor once.