The Scooby Chronicles: Episode 5 - How much have you spent on your Subaru? And more..

[slippers2k]

Hey everyone,

Quick question: is Subaru ownership worth the price of admission, and upkeep?

Personally, I wouldn't mind paying the approximately $20,000 to buy and play around with a 4-door Impreza RS, or a Legacy, or maybe even a WRX. If I could trick out a car, I would probably have a really individual look to my Scoober. But at the same time, understanding that this is an imported vehicle, and that parts have to be brought into America, I wonder about the repair bills that inevitably do come with the ownership of ***any*** automobile, Subarus included.

How much have you guys payed in maintenance for your vehicles? I have heard about Subaru reliability, but I have also seen websites where people have run into difficult problems with their Scooby cars (read: difficult as in expensive to fix). Understandably, there is probably a relationship between how a car is used or driven and how much it costs to fix. Subarus are infamous for their go-fast-on-almost-any-surface rally personality, but that probably does come at a price.

I am a seriously HUGE fan of Subaru vehicles, but I also want to make a sound and well-researched buy on my first new car / used car (when the opportunity presents itself years from now ). I look forward to experiencing some of the Subaru buzz that you guys display here, but at the same time, like a lot of people, I'm looking for a specific formula of car, and for a deal that can give me the most for my money... if Subaru can't fit the bill, it would be unfortunate, but I would want to go with what would better serve my needs.

I really like Subarus, though - whether or not that makes me brand-happy, I'm not interested in finding out. AWD is an absolute necessity where I live (at least, having more traction is a plus - can I hear some snow stories from people who have benefitted from all wheel drive? Pleeeeeeeeze?), and driving a nice looking manual tranny sedan is another thing I'm looking for. Add to that reasonable gas mileage, and strong protection in an accident... when you start looking for vehicles in the $25,000 price range, who can deliver on all that? Subaru.

I'd really be interested in learning from the group about previous ownership experiences you've had with Subaru vehicles, but at the same time (and I hope my post doesn't get moved to off-topic for this inclusion), I'd be very interested to know about previous ownership experiences with NON-Subaru vehicles as well, in the same price range if at all possible. Were you able to find a vehicle with the same options (or at least All Wheel Drive) that was a sedan, around $25,000 or less? I would be very interested in hearing from you.

Knowledge is power, folks... thank you for your responses in advance. I appreciate the support this community has given to this Subaru wannabe. Until then, I'll be driving my Taurus til it breaks down...

God bless you,
Ramon

p.s. Audi ownership stories also welcome too... Quattro cars only, please... I really want to use the feedback for research purposes. This post could become useful for many more people out there too, and show just how Subaru stacks up against the competition. Viva la Rally!

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1992 Ford Taurus L Wagon
190,000+ miles... and counting

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