Faults:

Head gaskets failed at 50K and then at 100K. However, on both account SOA replaced them. When they failed at 100K, SOA covered cost of labor but not parts. However, as the car was 8 years old we were pleased.

General Comments:

Great car, fantastic in the snow.

However, old Outbacks are not cheap to maintain, although having said that - now that we are past 100,000 miles - everything has been OK. Perhaps this was just the break in period. Still, these are not cheap cars to keep on the road.

However, the vehicle is very comfortable and safe. Living here in New England and driving frequently on logging roads in Maine and New Brunswick in the winter - I can attest the car is fantastic on snowy and slushy roads. With snow tires - she is un-stoppable!

Bought the wife a 2006 Outback H6 few years ago, and it has been trouble free so far, and just as good in the snow.

Faults:

Head gasket blew at 65,000 miles.

Stabilizer bar broke at 108,000 (flaw in the metal).

Head gasket blew at 150,000.

Error code p0420 (catalyst efficiency) at 160,000, looks like I need a new catalytic converter.

General Comments:

Car is very good in the snow.

Body and interior have held up very well.

Other than the head gasket problems, it has been a fairly good vehicle.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Imagine buying a car with 189000 miles? I can't believe it myself, because I just donated my previous car (Dodge Caravan) because it's just plain clapped out.

I was just so impressed with the way this car drives and how well it has stood up for the last nine years. There are no rattles, nor looseness in the suspension. If the odo was rolled back and I was told it had 40,000 miles on it, I wouldn't bat an eyelash.

It has a manual transmission and it's a pleasure to shift, although the pedal cluster is squeezed by the transmission hump.

I took delivery of it and in two weeks I have over 1000 miles on it with absolutely no issues. Everyone is impressed when looking at the condition, and this is before I stun them with the mileage.

We just had a major snow in the New York City area and the 4WD was such fun. However, under power you can kick the rear around where this was not an issue with FWD only. I am sure this is true of all 4WD cars.

This car is white with a charcoal Grey interior. Probably the nicest combination offered IMHO. I miss having floor space between the seats like I had on my Caravan for things like the snow brush, etc. But the heated windshield/ wiper/mirror/seats pamper me like I am not used to. Also, anti-lock brakes - yay!

I'm a little disappointed with the fuel mileage, about 23MPG so far, but I will try to improve it when I stop having fun driving it :).

Faults:

Head gasket was bad when we bought the car.

Had it replaced. New gasket (genuine Subaru part) was defective, replaced again (another Subaru part), defective again. Mechanic replaced it with an aftermarket gasket and have had no problems.

(Subaru has admitted the fault with the product and refunded cost of the part (not labor for replacing it three times) to our mechanic.)

Went ahead and had timing belt, water pump, radiator and hoses all replaced while they had it disassembled.

Body panel on front passenger door fell-off in car wash last week (held-on by plastic clips that apparently have broken).

General Comments:

Great full-size car.

Fun to drive, but seems to lack a bit on get-up-and-go (could be cause I'm extra-cautious because we can't afford to fix it again).

I find it very comfortable, and it fits a large car-seat nicely behind passenger seat.

LOVE the sunroofs!!