I've had to replace the brakes twice since I bought it in 98. Not too problematic other than squeaking. Its started leaking oil recently (somewhere around 120000) but not a substantial amount as to need addition of oil between changes, just enough to drip onto something REALLY REALLY hot down there and stink like the bejeezus when I'm stopped. I'm sure a quick trip to the dealer is in order to fix the problem... although after 140000 its the only complaint I've ever made.
Agreeing with other comments made, the A/C on the Subaru line of cars does indeed decrease performance substantially. My car loses its 'get up and go' on the highways and I usually make a point of turning it off when I know I'm going to need its sporty 2.2L engine.
Counter to that the heater in mine is exceptional and warms up pretty fast... coming from Alaska, that's a tall salute esp when I accidentally leave the car unplugged at -40 and only have to wait 5 minutes to warm it up...
I've always taken regular maintenance/oil changes/etc on my car and have never had any real problems. Others, however, (and I think this is primarily in the 98-2000 line) have had serious ball bearing issues and there are some other forums/subaru pages I've found online that expound on this issue. My dad bought a 2000 Impreza after he had driven mine from AK to NV - he liked it that much. Unfortunately at around 8000 the car started acting up and after several (4,5,6) trips to Subaru, they finally whittled the problem down, but had no idea, at least not initially, where the real problem lie. They were a little quick to accuse him of not really knowing how to drive a stick (which he's done all his life) and that he had probably been riding the clutch. This didn't sit to well with him and he sold the car soon after and bought a Toyota.
Me, I'm about ready to upgrade to a 2002 Impreza WRX and can't wait.
I have a 1997 outback sport and had to replace the disc pads 2 times. The pedal is low. Subaru said that it is normal. In my entire life I never had a car with poor low brake travel.
Most people who own Subaru don't realize just how fragile and unreliable other cars are. I owned a 1996 VW Jetta that was NOTHING but trouble, I've owned several Hondas, but they are all so FRAGILE and the least little bump in the road can crack your radiator expansion tank or bend suspension parts. I had a Honda Accord that I broke the suspension on by hitting a medium sized pothole in the street!
Subaru is built VERY STRONG and will run forever with very little problems. I have known people who drive Subaru's well into the 300,000 mile area with little or no problems at all.
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