Faults:

It began showing body rust when it was about 10 years old; no surprise, as it had been on Cape Cod its entire life (it had been rust-proofed by the previous owner).

The heat-controlled switch for the electric auxiliary fan (for engine cooling) gave up at about 70,000 miles.

The dashboard-mounted controls for the heater were jammed by nuts stored by some small animal. Other small animals have died behind the dashboard -- I think it's way too easy for them to get there!

It doesn't perform as well at 6,000 feet as it did at sea level.

General Comments:

This car has been a winner from the day I got it, and continues to be. I don't ever want to replace it! It has way more bells and whistles than I would ever have ordered on a new car, and I appreciate every one of them.

It is beautiful, solid, reliable, willing, spacious, and fun to drive. I generally treat it as a truck -- I've carried ridiculous loads in it -- but have never been embarrassed to take it to formal affairs.

It's my third Subaru wagon, and if it ever dies, I'll almost certainly buy another.

Faults:

The transmission shredded at 190,000.

I have put four sets of timing belts on it.

The factory stereo went out so I replaced it with a Jensen.

Went through three clutch cables.

Crashed it in July, but fixed it and now driving it all over the place.

General Comments:

The car is not too slow, but yet it is not super fast.

It is pretty comfortable and there is a great amount of space in the back.

It sounds like a Volkswagen Bug.

I would definitely buy another one if given the opportunity.

Faults:

Well, unfortunately quite a bit.

Carburetor went bad; rebuilt with $82 dealer rebuild kit; kits only available from dealer.

Distributor now needs replacement due to badly worn bushing, a common problem.

Used availability is poor and new cost is very high.

Auto tranny shudders under acceleration.

Some minor wiring problems have come up.

Many underhood rubber and plastic parts are not of high quality, and have become brittle with age.

Rust is a serious problem for all Subarus of this vintage.

General Comments:

I've owned Several Subarus, which are very well suited to driving conditions in Colorado. They are excellent in snow, even 2wd models. The older models had more ground clearance than other cars, and 4x4 models had an honest-to-goodness dual-range transfer case. These features make the car a viable choice for back-country exploration, and they will go places normally only accessible in off-road vehicles.

The major mechanical components are capable of running reliably beyond 200k miles if well maintained.

This particular model, with the auto trans, is also a very nice cruiser, with good quiet ride, surprisingly decent handling, and amenities like power windows and a sunroof. A/C and heater are both powerful. General comfort is good; head and leg room is plentiful, though the seats are only average.

On the downside, service accessibility is horrible. Jobs that should be simple are often a nightmare on this car, so it is not ideal for the do-it-yourselfer. Subaru was also notorious for mixing and matching parts from different suppliers, and as a result parts availability can be dismal, whether new, used or aftermarket. For this reason, running costs are higher than they need to be.

Performance is also a weak point. With the auto, hills often require a shift to second gear and a speed of 40-45mph. Mileage is in the 20-30 range depending on use. Steering lacks feel but brakes are quite good.

Despite the negatives, an older Subaru is an excellent choice, if you can use its do-everything versatility, don't mind paying for professional servicing or a fairly high level of general quirkiness, and don't want the hassles and expense of a larger SUV-type vehicle.

Faults:

Front axles and timing belts.

General Comments:

I bought this car used from an auction with 209,000 miles on it. It now has 332,000 miles and runs and rides great. It is the best car I have ever owned.

Faults:

Most problems have been due to neglect (I ride motorcycles most of the time). Battery has gone dead from sitting too long, exhaust system rusted out.

General Comments:

Not terribly exciting to drive, but as reliable a car as I've ever owned. Best "foul-weather" vehicle I've ever owned as well.