Faults:

The 'check engine' light has gone on a few times because of a very sensitive gas cap thread. Very expensive when you consider the diagnosis fees!

My rear right side wheel bearings now need to be replaced (I have less than 40k on my car!) and the dealer was going to charge $450. A call to Subaru customer service enlightened me to the fact that bearings are covered under the 60,000 mile powertrain warranty for model year 2001 and newer. Also, Subaru has supplied dealerships with a 'Technical Service Bulletin' which specifies the new procedures/parts to use when replacing bad bearings. My dealer did not know of either of these points!

General Comments:

Overall I love this car and hope the bearing problem is not the beginning of the end.

I have had excellent service from Frank's Irvine Subaru where I bought the car.

I have not had good, informed or economically priced service from Bob Baker Subaru of Carlsbad.

Faults:

Window cracked from rock chips and -20 degrees Celsius.

Heater connector came off of dash control. Dealer simply re-connected it.

Tires wearing quickly. 25% left after 50,000km.

General Comments:

Love my Subaru (it's the second in my family). Drives like a mix between an SUV and a car. Has more punch than the 4-cylinder Outback.

It corners well, starts off the line great in icy conditions and deep snow.

Car starts easily even at -30 Celsius. I do recommend a block heater though.

I prefer the Forrester over the Impreza in this model year simply due to the room for storage. Camping, biking, snowboarding, whatever, you can throw it in the back. The Impreza in 2001 does not even have fold down seats.

Has child restraint mounts for each back seat and shoulder belts for all three as well.

Back leg room is a little small for people over 6 feet tall.

You can put it into a big spin with a lot of snow and speed. I would recommend better tires for the snow (the standard Yokohama's don't cut it) or throw some weight in if you like to drive hard.

Faults:

Like many other owners of late model AWD Subarus, this car suffers from dreaded Subaru "clutch shudder" when cold. The car vibrates loudly and violently when letting off the clutch for the first few miles each morning. Very annoying on what is supposed to be a premium small sport/cute. Dealer says he's seen it happen before, but claims it never happens when they have my car in for service and feel if they can't replicate the problem they won't fix it. Have also found metal particles in the differential which Subaru rep says is "normal". An acquaintance told me she just had to spend over $2000 for a new automatic trans on her '99 model with approx. 75,000 miles. Many other owners report bad wheel bearings which I have not had a problem with yet...hopefully.

General Comments:

A well-designed little car that's really enjoyable to drive (when the clutch is working correctly!).It's very stable and confidence inspiring in all types of weather. But dealer service is poor and extremely expensive - you can't just get an oil and filter change - you have to spring for the $120 "preventive maintenance" - read oil and filter! Subaru seem to be trying to put me off on doing clutch work until after 36,000 miles when the warranty runs out and I have to pay. I may get rid of the car by then and hope that the supposedly top notch resale value hasn't been hit too badly by then.