I've owned Subarus as my primary car from summer 2002 until Nov 2021. The 2003 WRX wagon had very few issues during the 100000+ miles and 12 years I had it. The 15 Forester XT turbo had a bunch of issues fixed under warranty, but the torque converter transmission issues cost me a thousand dollars, three times, while it was under the 100000 Subaru CVT warranty, since apparently the real problem was a high voltage torque converter cable issue, not technically the under warranty CVT. It lit up several dash yellow lights and turned off cruise, stability, ABS, but I could still drive it in limp mode. My dealer, Gateway, was great giving me loaners each time. As I went over 100000 k miles, I asked how much a replacement CVT was, the estimated $9000 price was the finale for that car. I considered a new Forester, but the discontinued turbo performance engine forced me to look elsewhere. We also owned a 12 Camry SE with we put over a 100000 trouble free miles, together with the $7500 Fed tax credit and $1000 state rebate put me in a RAV4 Prime. The extra 1000 lbs towing was also worthwhile, since I bought a bigger boat. Changed out the factory short person seat brackets, horns, speakers, dim incandescent lights, installed the OEM hitch, Adventure roof rails, side moldings and a few other things. Really like most things about the Prime, other than the smaller cargo area, back doors that didn't open as wide for animal carriers, and poorer outside side and rear view, but still liked the Prime enough to replace the Camry with a second Prime. Both have been entirely trouble free, (I sealed the roof rails in the 21 when I put the Adventure rails on). My fuel bills went from $300 a month to $75 a month. Electric up maybe $30 at both houses? I'm not inclined to go back to Subaru with the current lineup, especially since I rarely need to drive in snow anymore. Plus the 25 Forester is hideous looking. We bought both Primes at Williams Toyota in Elmira, and had the pre paid services done at Lancaster, PA Toyota, both dealers were a pleasure to deal with. Had some garage cabinets fall off the wall and do $2800 to the first Prime at two weeks old. The Lancaster Toyota collision shop did a fantastic job with the repair and dealing with State Farms FAILED efforts to pay 10 cents on the dollar. I've been a Consumer reports subscriber since the 70's, and also feel the quality of their work had gone downhill markedly, more sizzle, less steak.
