2001 Subaru Forester GT review from Australia and New Zealand

Driver side mirror broken, fixed under warranty.

Interior plastics mark easily.

CD player jammed, fixed under warranty.

Exterior paint marks easily.

I have owned this car for almost two years now and it is an absolute pleasure to own and drive. I bought it brand new and is mechanically perfect and totally reliable.

I have never felt more secure in a car it never puts a foot wrong even in Sydney's slippery, greasy roads;in fact even at 140kmh on outback dirt roads it's pretty hard to wipe the smile from your face.

You can tell Subaru puts all the money under the bonnet though, the paint, body kit and interior trim are easily marked I'm a bit clumsy though.

Also, you can tell it's made for little people anyone over six foot would not want to sit in the back for a long distance.

Clean gear shifts in traffic are a pain the clutch really wants to be in or out.

Steep driveways have to be tackled at pace or you will stall.

The clutch really stinks if given a workout (Subaru trait).

The engine note sounds unreal.

Ultimately though this is the best car I have ever owned (apart from my '85 merc280e for totally different reasons) You cannot help feeling smug about owning this car its got it all, good on you Subaru!