"They've been real popular here in Wisconsin, and not just the gay crowd."
HAYYYYYYYYYYYY Sailor!
I bought a 1997 used in 2001 when my old Plymouth blew up. All in all, I'm extremely happy with my Subaru. I can recommend them highly.
I needed a car that I could transport two 60-lb. dogs in and still have room for the crap I needed to take along.
I looked at a lot of different cars before I finally chose the Subaru. It's very likely that I'm going to be driving Subarus for a LONG time to come.
The thing is a freaking mountain goat in bad weather. I've driving a lot of 4WD vehicles over the years -- Scout II, Suburban, a bunch of pick up trucks, and this Subaru beats them all hollow.
Handles well, very comfortable.
The biggest problem with the Subaru up to about 2001 was the oil pump seal. It had a bad tendency to leak, and it took a long time for them to figure out the fix. I had mine fixed in 2002 when I sprung a leak, and it's starting to leak again, but that's the worst thing I can say about them.
They're also known for audible piston slap when the engine is cold, due mainly to short skirt pistons. I don't know if that's been addressed in later years.
Mileage isn't spectacular, the best I've ever gotten on the highway is about 29 mgp, around town its normally 22-24.
A friend has a 2004 6-cylinder. VERY VERY nice, but it takes high test gas. Not a good thing in today's environment.
The most annoying SMALL thing about my 97 is the lack of small-item storage in the front. Not a lot of places to put things. The cup holder is also a joke on the 1997. It will hold anything as long as the base is the size of a 12-ounce coke can. When it's open it blocks the radio.
But, that's small beans.
You do need a good mechanic with a Subaru, either the dealer or someone who knows his way around them. Plugs are expensive as hell -- $10 a piece at the auto parts store. Don't skimp on the plugs, either, or you'll have performance issues. Same with the engine filter element -- I pay a premium for the Subaru element. I tried a Fram element and had performance issues that caused me to go to the Subaru dealership and buy OEM. When I put the OEM in, the performance issues went away.
My 'roo came out of Massachusetts and has the winter package installed. I've never used the core heater (I went to use it this past winter and found that the cord was damaged, and haven't replaced it yet). Given that I'm now driving less than 3 miles to the office, I'm going to have to think about using the core heater or I'll never get the thing warm in the winter.
but the heated seats and mirrors are a REAL bonus, though.
Oh, a lot of the Subarus don't have a timing belt. They have TWO timing belts. That's what you get with the horizontal opposed engine.