Faults:

Not a lot really considering how old it was and how many km it's done.

391,000 km replaced steering rack boots

394,000 km replaced aftermarket front drive shafts with aftermarket ones from CV specialist $320.

397,500 km replaced non branded alternator that failed after 40,000 km with a used one from Hitachi that had 160,000 km work done, never failed again - $40.

403,000 km replaced timing belts and tensioners plus idler $170 Optibeltset.

406,000 km replaced both front calipers and hubs including bearings, used from a low mileage wreck - total cost $74.

410,000 km Oxygen sensor failed, taken one from a Vortex wreck that just had a new one put in - freebie.

413,000 km genuine Clarion head unit failed and so did a couple of genuine speakers; replaced unit and all 4 speakers from wrecks - total cost $50.

421,000 km fixed coolant leaks, replaced cross pipe and steel pipe from water pump - total cost $30. 2 tie rod ends $14, 2 ball lower ball joints $12, you guessed it from a low mileage sedan (wreck).

425,000 km genuine external fuel pump started to go out (low fuel pressure); replaced with a high flow Walbro unit and new fittings $170.

427,000 km the car started to misfire, replaced distributor cap $37.

429,000 km thermostat was stuck open, new thermostat and gasket $20.

430,000 km replaced tailgate struts, new $80, fitting on A/C system has rattled loose and lost charge, new drier $20.

437,000 km new front brake pads $40, heater fan brushes and speed resistor that failed as the fan motor was running hot because of worn brushes $10, indicator stalk multi switch replaced used $33.

442,000 km front drive shafts had be replaced again, purchased from a different CV specialist $480.

459,000 km could start to hear gearbox bearings a little when in neutral and idling; replaced gearbox oil, was a lot quieter afterwards $42.

463,000 km fuel hoses to injectors perished; replaced all fuel hoses in engine bay, less than $20.

468,000 km intake manifold gaskets replaced $32.

470,000 km the car didn't start properly, cranked slow, plus ran only on 2 cylinders. New starter battery $123, 4 new spark plug leads $40.

477,000 km the car misfired in humid weather on start up. Rubber cap of ignition lead wasn't properly on the coil so could see spark leaking. Tested resistance - was right on spec at 2.3k ohm. Considered to replace anyway down the track as age was unknown.

479,102 km car didn't miss a beat until I was driving home climbed the last hill before arriving home the car started suddenly to misfire badly, backfired caught on fire instantly. Couldn't save it all happened to quick. Engine bay completely destroyed.

General Comments:

It was a fantastic car. Never in my life have I run a car as cheap as this one. I bought it off a mechanic and knew its entire history. At 277,000 km it has received major repair work including its first and only clutch replacement. Cylinder heads were welded as they had cracks between the valve seats. Refaced and valve seats cut, plus all tappets replaced. Many seals and gaskets replaced on the engine. 4 struts were replaced a bit later.

Unfortunately, and this was the only nuisance with this car, someone replaced the genuine drive shafts with aftermarket ones from China. They kept failing. All the ones I bought from CV specialists were actually cheap imports. Rubber quality of the boots was ridiculous. They always failed on long distance drives (600 km up to 3000 km).

The current ones would have needed replacement again. I already bought genuine ones from a wrecker in Switzerland with only 55,000 km on them (240 SFR); the boots were still like new. Haven't been sent to Australia yet. Also bought a genuine set of CV boots from a Subaru dealer $220. They didn't fit the aftermarket so I let them go anyway.

My advice is as I've driven 5 Subaru's in my life. The genuine boots usually last 10 to 12 years with average driving. Other manufacturers last longer, but they give you some time until you need to replace it. Replace the boots when they start to build small cracks with genuine Subaru boots. They are expensive, but it's worth it and you'll keep the original driveshafts, which have a high manufacturing quality; much higher than any aftermarket product.

As you can read from my report of what went wrong with the car, I wouldn't have been able to run it so cheaply if I had bought everything new from the Subaru dealer. Ex. One new drive shaft will cost $700, a new brake caliper $1300.

I bought my car for $2300 in 2011. It sustained a road accident, where I wasn't at fault. The insurance of the other party paid me out with $2000 and I have fixed the car for $200. That made it a $500 car. Including maturing that $500, the car has cost me $600 per year in 7.5 years of ownership covering all repairs and maintenance.

In the time I've owned it I went through 2 starter batteries and 3 sets of tyres.

Things I loved the most was how well it was made like the window regulators, which I've regreased soon after purchase. Took all the power window switches apart, cleaned them and they all worked until its last day.

Ergonomics on the Touring Wagon. Adjustable seat in height. Tilt and easy access steering column . Soft suspension which ate the bad country roads in Australia. Lots of body roll, but that didn't bother me at all as I don't need a sport suspension. Suspended seat soft, but not too soft, plus lumbar support adjustable in 3 stages.

Very good visibility and easy to side park in cities. Quite roomy inside considering its outer measurements. Economical for that time and age. Very easy to work on. One can fix this thing on the side of the road.

Faults:

Bought it with oil leaks everywhere, timing belt ready to snap, and a wrecked exhaust. It has taken about a grand to fix, but it's now a fun versatile car. Shift on the fly is great, it doesn't need low range. 2 inch exhaust, 98 octane fuel and an advanced tune, and it goes well.

Fuel consumption is a little thirsty though, but amazing fun offroad.

General Comments:

Tough, and always gets me home, broken or not.