Faults:

Clutch worn out 159000 miles.

Misfire code, turned out to be worn spark plugs at 179000 miles.

Rear wheel bearings at 210000 miles.

Rear struts at 210000 miles.

Front brake rotors at 210000 miles.

Transmission synchros worn, grinds gears when downshifting presently at 248000 miles; transmission will need to be replaced or repaired soon!

All other preventative maintenance done at home by owner; includes timing belt and other normal wear items.

General Comments:

Subaru got it mostly right with this car; since we've bought it we've never been let down. This car always starts, always gets 25-27 mpg (combination city, freeway, and mountain driving; usually all during my commute), has ample power, and is always surefooted in the snow and on wet roads.

Reasonably comfortable inside, my only complaint is the center console interferes with my right leg (I'm 6 foot 4 inches tall), but it's only a minor nuisance.

Mechanically, my only complaints are a notchy transmission with failing synchros (I plan to replace the transmission this fall), and the rear wheel bearings failed. These both seem to be common problems with newer Subies.

At this point, my Impreza is a science experiment; the original engine uses NO oil between changes (every 5000 miles), has never overheated, and just plain keeps running great. Breezes through smog checks, too. I'll keep driving it once the new transmission is installed for as long as I can. Maybe it'll go another 250,000 miles!

Faults:

I had to replace the fuel pump at 25k miles, although it was still under warranty.

Replaced the brake pads 2 times since owning. Brakes squeal when coming to stop due to accumulation of brake "dust". Does not seem to affect performance at all.

General Comments:

I have had very minimal problems at 80k miles. I take it in for maintenance regularly, per the Subaru maintenance schedule. This car has been incredibly reliable. I always starts right up and is ready to roll whenever I am. Unlike my previous cars, I never worry about whether or not the Subie will break down in the middle of a trip somewhere.

The car handles well in snow and icy conditions. After the snow/ice storm this past year, my Subie was the only car that was able to pull out of my apartment lot, even without studded tires!

The fuel efficiency is OK, not the 22/30 mpg as advertised. I get more around 20 mpg in city and 25-28 mpg on the freeway.

If I had anything critical to say about this car is that it lacks in interior quality and comfort. I have the optional leather seats, which are nice, however they are not comfortable especially on long trips. The seats lack lumbar support, which is nice to have for someone like me who is 6ft 2in tall. The interior is, however, surprisingly spacious for the size of the car. The back seats have minimal leg room. The interior plastic molding often pops and creaks on bumps or turns, which is slightly annoying. The A/C dramatically slows down the car performance, so don't try to pass anyone on a hill with the A/C on! The heater is slow to reach temperature.

Despite the few negatives outlined above, the impreza outback sport is a fantastic machine for someone who is looking for a reliable and safe car that can handle a variety of weather conditions. I plan on investing in another Subaru in the near future because they build quality cars.