Faults:

Loose power steering belt.

General Comments:

I needed a car that was comfortable enough on the road to cover many motorway miles, but that was also reasonable offroad (as we have a smallholding). I found this mint Forester in Glasgow, and flew up to make the purchase.

The only problems with this car was that it had done such a low mileage. It was stiff, and belts were baggy etc.

The Forester is a real engineer-designed car, not a sexy shape, but extraordinarily practical and well screwed together.

With the Impreza WRX's 2.5 litre, 237 BHP boxer engine in it too, it is powerful enough to see off many "performance" cars.

Possibly the best and cleverest 4WD system on earth keeps the car gripping, and 8 inches of ground clearance are enough for 99% of off-road needs.

The interior is airy and comfortable if incredibly nineties-naff. Controls are heavy and require a firm shove.

It has proven so far to be a good all-rounder, all the better for not being conspicuous.

Faults:

Not a single problem as of yet.

General Comments:

Handles excellently. Almost impossible to slide out, even in the wet.

Acceleration is impressive for such an economical engine (sitting at 8.6L per 100km).

Roomy and comfortable inside.

Faults:

Driver side power window motor quit 4 months after purchase; replaced under warranty.

Automatic transmission rough downshifting when slowing from 40 mph or faster, starting at around 35K. Dealer service 'made adjustments'; so far so good.

Began to develop engine oil leaks at 67K. 2 to 3 drips every other day, stains on the driveway. Needed a new pan gasket.

Seats starting to show signs of wear at 50K.

Windshield wiper blades freeze up in freezing rain and icy weather, despite defrosters.

General Comments:

Comfortable ride and roomy, but uses a lot of gas with the AWD; even more than my Ford Crown Vic used to use, and that car was twice as big. Don't expect fuel economy from a Subaru.

The expected reliability of this car is well below my expectations for what I paid, and the dealer service was horrible. Subaru Authorized Dealer Factory Service is about the worst I have ever experienced; incompetent and poorly managed. Find yourself a good private mechanic, and stay away from the Subaru dealership for post-warranty service.

Faults:

The hill holder function was over adjusted when I purchased the vehicle. It was corrected a week later.

General Comments:

Great power and a tight chassis make the Forester fun to drive. Since it is based on the Impreza platform, the gearbox is also sport-oriented.

Plenty of cargo room with the seats folded and more space up front than the 2005 Legacy, however, rear seat room is much tighter.

Great gas mileage, 28MPG combined city/highway.

All wheel drive excellent, as in all Subaru's.

The stock all-season Yokohama Geolander tires are great in the snow and dry pavement, but emit too much road noise.

Handles superbly off road and in inclement weather.

Cabin is too noisy at highway speeds.

Factory upgraded stereo/sub-woofer just adequate in my opinion.

Suspension a little too harsh.

Despite the negatives, this vehicle is a joy to drive, and problem free. I have owned many Subarus, and I will gladly put up with a lackluster stereo and wind noise for a reliable, safe, and solid vehicle.