Faults:

Very little has gone wrong with this car.

A couple of interior lights have burnt out.

Brake pads and the alternator needed replacing at about 100,000 kilometres (in 2001) and there was some carbon buildup in the engine at about the same time, which is easily corrected.

No problems have arisen since then.

General Comments:

The first reason this car was purchased was for its All-Wheel Drive, enabling it to handle outstandingly in snowy winter weather. There are simply no other cars that I have seen that can outperform this Sooby in the worst weather conditions; it has never gotten stuck and never needed to double any hill regardless of the road surface.

However, the car is great in many other respects as well. It's a very relaxing car to drive, with stable handling, precise and communicative steering, and a ride that's firm yet comfortable and well-controlled. The engine, while not overly powerful, responds quickly and fades to a gentle murmur at cruising speeds. It's a stable cruiser and cruise control helps keep the speed in check, which can otherwise creep up very easily.

The interior of the car demonstrates excellent fit and finish, and the lack of rattles and squeaks after more than 160,000 kilometres is a tribute to the car's solid construction.

The controls are logical and easy to use, and the low hood and frameless windows provide excellent visibility all around. The seats are supportive and roomy, and the cargo area is generous.

Gripes? Well, not many. The brake pedal is spongy, and, like other automatic-transmission Subarus of its era, it has a rough idle. The cabin is a bit narrow for three in the rear seat. That's about it...

This car became a second car when another Legacy (1998 Wagon) was bought in 2002, which demonstrated the same reliability and unbeatable bad-weather performance. A switch to any other carmaker at this point would simply not happen.

Faults:

One spark plug wire failed several years ago and a main engine oil seal began to leak recently.

General Comments:

Never have I felt so safe and secure as in this Subaru Outback. Roadholding is top-notch, handling is almost faultless, brakes secure, and the body structure is very solid and stiff.

The combination of Subaru's good steering feel, balanced suspension, AWD and ABS makes for an enormously capable, controllable machine that is the driver's best friend in any situation. You'd have to so something really dumb to trip up this Subaru.

I like my particular car better than the new Subarus. Though they are more refined and luxurious, they do not have the sporty feel and feedback mine has with the 5-speed gearbox and 50/50 drive setup, which means all the wheels are driving under normal circumstances.

These cars are true automotive hardware: purposeful, sturdy, long-lived, sensible, capable, and simply smart.

Faults:

Thermostat needed to be replaced. Dealer had said I must replace the water pump but it was not so.

General Comments:

Car handles excellent. Minimal problems and very dependable.

Very comfortable even in the back seats. Back seats fold down for extra space.

Faults:

The rear suspension now needs replacing (probably due to my overloading the load area on more than one occasion!!).

The rear screen washer permanently leaks water, causing the rear wiper motor to fail (over £200 to replace!).

Nothing else, other than new front discs required at 60,000 miles.

General Comments:

The car has the ability to drink fuel at a wallet emptying average of 22 miles per gallon (11mpg on a track day!).

No other car has the ability to frighten Porsche's, Aston Martin's etc and still look like a standard family runabout.

Unfortunately franchised dealers will not service it in the UK (but will supply some parts!).

However there are now quite a few imported car specialists willing to help.

The interior is nothing to get excited about, but it is comfortable and includes the most important toys like climate control, stereo radio/cassette/CD, electric windows and mirrors etc.

Faults:

Power steering pump failure at 38,000.

Repaired under warranty, no problem.

General Comments:

An excellent car to drive and own. Only negative is poor fuel consumption (maybe my driving too!!)

High depreciation over the 18 months I've had the car. If it was an Estate or a Turbo, good second-hand market. Not for 4-door saloon it would seem.

I'll be sorry to see it go!!