Faults:

Power steering pump died at 155000km, found a 2nd hand one for cheap (no worries so far).

Climate air linked, fixed for $100NZ.

Front crank shaft seal starting to leak (but only when driving at high revs), will probably last until next the cam-belt change.

Little play in the steering rack, but nothing really needed to be fixed so far.

General Comments:

I though I was buying a 4x4 wagon able to go off the main-roads and I got a true tarmac beast! However it's perfect for the endless NZ metal roads...

I've changed the shocks for some sporty KYB and the original tyres (195/65-14) for some high spec Khumo 205/55-15: cornering and general handling are really impressive since, however the tyres will not last very long!

Love the all wheel drive cornering grip and the general balance of the car: if you push too hard, it slips gently from the 4 wheels (unlike most 2 wheel drive cars).

Amazing on any slippery surface as well (gravel, snow, rain, mud, sand...)

Sounds great over 4000 revs, but very quiet when cruising 100km/h under 3000 revs.

Seats are good even after a 5 hours no-stop drive.

Original stereo sounds like crap: get some decent speakers and a CD player.

More torque and power would be better, but at least this one is cheap to run; unlike the awesome twin turbo ones: mine takes about 10.5L /100km when driving quick.

I'll probably keep it until it dies ('will take a while...), unless I get '94 GTB Bspec!

Faults:

In my five speed gear box the synchro wore out in second and third gear.

Have since had it repaired.

Other than that, nothing whatsoever.

General Comments:

What can I say, I love Subaru's.

I love how they sound, how they drive, the shape, the power, there's not a thing I don't like about them.

Faults:

New clutch needed at 90,000.

New engine needed at 100,000 (big end gone).

New drive shafts needed on 4 occasions.

New suspension struts (@£500 a time) needed on all four corners.

Relay/solenoid and compressor controlling the air suspension replaced twice.

Central locking/ remote control failed at 90,000.

Reduced to manual locking, the driver's door regularly locks itself. The tailgate often refuses to lock/unlock.

Unacceptable wind noise from seal on the passenger door.

Aerial up/down does not work. Had to replace it with a screw-in one.

Need I continue...?

General Comments:

The above faults are the main reasons I wish I had never seen this car. Minor gripes are that:

The suspension (when it works) is very uncomfortable for rear seat passengers;

The position of the switches for the fog lamps and rear window heater is insanely impractical (you cannot see them);

The supplied Subaru radio is awful (the sound is good, but the reception is rubbish.

I have today accepted an offer to do a straight swap for a 1989 Justy... 3 years older and a much smaller car!