Faults:

I bought a 2002 Subaru Forester two weeks ago. My brother loves the cars and will own nothing else and so I was sold. I test drove them and loved them.

Day two of ownership the check engine light came on. I returned it to the dealer who serviced it and said that it was a gasket on the catalytic converter. Simple.

Two days later the check engine comes on again. This time they tell me that they can't really figure it out but that they think a cylinder is misfiring and give it a total tune up. I picked it up on Thursday. Saturday the check engine light comes on. Geesh!

I am feeling pretty stupid about buying this car and yet it was impeccably maintained. I know it's history and felt confident about purchasing it. So far all repairs are covered under warranty but that isn't the point. What a nuisance to keep taking it back and I have only owned it two weeks!

Faults:

Clutch repaired at about 140,000 miles. A family member replaced it, but didn't fix the sticking pedal. He recently found the repair bulletin and will be replacing a couple of parts related to the clutch.

The check engine light seems to go on - possibly associated with cheap gas.

General Comments:

Overall this has been a reliable car, and we plan on purchasing another Subaru.

The car handles excellently in bad weather.

A truck hauling adobe roof tiles lost a flat of the tiles, which broke open and landed on my car (while we were both traveling down the freeway). My windshield sustained and hood sustained a few minor chips, and absolutely no dents to the body.

My husband and son were t-boned a few years ago. The other car wrecked the front and back doors and rear quarter panel, but did not set off the air bag on the side as the side roll bar prevented any interior crushing of the body. It was like the roll bar bounced the car back away from our son.

Faults:

Had to replace the O2 Sensor, but that was under warranty.

Had to replace the Right Wheel Bearing at 50K to the cost of $400.00.

Had to replace the Clutch at 56K to the cost of $1200.00. But I didn't get the work done and traded the car for a Honda.

All this is after replacing a 2000 Forester because of the Lemon Law. I got the 2002 as a replacement. The 2000 was bad from the start with the "Check Engine" light always going on. Each time it was a different reason. I gave the 2002 a shot, but no way was I sinking $2000 into that car after only 50K miles.

General Comments:

When the car ran it ran well. It had lots of PEP and the rid was smooth. It had lots of room, but after owning a Toyota, the quality didn't compare in my opinion.