New Car

[Nostromo]

I have been planning to buy a new large estate car for the past few months but had to put it off because of the expenses of our recent trip to Orlando. As coincidence would have it, I met a Canadian visitor while in Orlando who had just bought a Subaru Outback 3L which seemed to combine the virtues of a conventional estate with that of an off-roader. I liked the looks of the car and on return to the UK, I checked it out and found that it was rated high by Top Gear and good value for the goodies that come with the price. I've even test driven one and very impressed, but I know very little about Subaru cars and would appreciate some advice whether I should go for this or not.

[DMC]

I have several friends ( 4 ) that have Subaru's and every one of them has been 100% happy with their purchase.

Subaru always come near the top of the Top Gear JDPower Customer survey and have done for several years.

The only adverse comment I have heard is that parts and servicing can be a little expensive.

You might want to get some feedback from the dealer as to the servicing costs etc and then bench mark that against your current car or something similar.

But otherwise I have heard nothing but good reports.

[Nostromo]

Thank you very much DMC. I am aware of the expense involved and have already had a chat with the local Subaru dealer about the maintenace costs. I think I can handle that. In fact, the other two similar vehicles that I looked at were even more expensive to buy and keep (and were rated lower by Top Gear). Audi 'Allroad' 2.7T Quattro and Lexus ISO-300 Sportcross. I did not like the Lexus despite its smooth engine; loading space impractically limited for a supposed 'tourer'. On paper the Subaru looks easily the best value of the lot, but it is just that I don't know much about the company. Thanks again.