Faults:

Replaced 2 Oxygen Sensor/Air Fuel Ratio Sensors. The first one was Feb. 13 2002 with 8,272 miles on the car, about 6 months after purchase. I was told they (the sensors) should last about 100000 miles. RIGHT - The car is in the shop today Nov. 12, 2004 getting another Oxygen Sensor/Air Fuel Ratio Sensor. hummm. That is 31,178 miles between sensors. The car is not under warranty, but the part was so it will not cost me a thing.

I am still having trouble in shifting into first. You have to "force" the gears into place. The dealership cannot find anything wrong. It does not happen all the time. (note: I do put the clutch in to shift!)

I agree with a lot of people - the cup holders are placed wrong.

General Comments:

I LOVE THE SUN ROOF.

The car is great on ice.

I enjoy driving the car long distance. Over 18 hours driving at a time.

I work with computers, and the back is great for keeping stuff like towers and parts.

The large windows are great to see what is going on around you.

Faults:

The service engine light has gone on 7 times and each time it was taken in.

It was not fixed until I contacted Subaru directly.

The EMC was sent out to Subaru to be reprogrammed.

Parts already needing to be replaced have been numerous - rear brakes, oxygen sensor (twice), battery and clutch.

Most recently it will not start in cold weather.

There appears to be no end in sight.

We are still trying to get the problems corrected.

General Comments:

Love the heated seats, sunroof and heated mirrors.

Very disappointed in the unreliability.

Did a lot of research before buying.

Reliability was my first concern.

Did not expect to spend so much time at the dealership while I'm still paying and under warranty.

Faults:

This vehicle has only 18000 miles on it and it is the most unreliable vehicle I have ever seen. The Crank malfunctioned at 17,900.

The timing system malfunctioned at 18,100.

The entire engine control system failed at 18,100.

General Comments:

This vehicle is dangerous. Three times the drive train has failed (leaving my wife with no power in rush hour traffic.) The Subaru people have a lot of pictures of Subarus in the forest; it must be because that's where their owners push them. You did read correctly, this car cannot take my wife or daughter on their 5 mile commute to school each day after only 18,000 miles.

Faults:

The six-disk CD changer would not eject CD after first use. Dealer ordered new one and replaced under warranty. Dealer said they'd seen this problem before.

General Comments:

I became a Subaru buff with the purchase of my 99 Legacy L sedan. Having previously owned Toyotas, I quickly came to appreciate the security and handling of all-wheel-drive.

So when I needed a car with a more flexible interior, I stayed with Subaru and bought the Forester. I've not regretted that decision.

Other than the somewhat higher seating position, you feel like you are driving a car. Unlike the unwieldy, gas-guzzling truck-based SUV, the Forester is a pleasure to drive. It combines comforts such as cruise control and heated seats with mechanical features like the viscous limited-slip differential - all standard equipment on the S model.

I also like the non-Rambo image of the Forester and Subaru's emphasis on respect for the environment.

No car is perfect, but for me, this one comes close.