Subaru

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Subaru

41 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 30, 2025

  What product category has gotten worse in quality, even at the premium level?

  I finally upgraded from 1994 Honda Civic to 2019 Subaru Forester for multiple reasons, safety being the primary reason, age and signs of impending repair/replacement needs being second. I love my Subie and got the 10 yr extended warranty which was only $1600. Still haven't used it. The incredible look of complexity of all the shit under the hood is mindboggling.

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• #2Dec 30, 2025

  What product category has gotten worse in quality, even at the premium level?

  I never thought they were buy it for life----but in the old days, speakers, microphones, wired headphones of good quality lasted and lasted now---ear buds, wireless headphones--not going to last long. Refrigerators Washer machines One thing that did improve--gas cars in the past 30 years got better than predecssors (honda toyota subaru etc.

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• #3Dec 30, 2025

  Delivery Vehicle Suggestion

  This could be better served in r/whatcarshouldibuy but the problem is 99% of people are just going to say Corolla or Civic ignoring your height. I’m 6’1” (long torsoed) and I do not comfortably fit in a Corolla or Civic (even the Prius and Camrys are tight). Budget is the main question here. If you need something used, say <15k I’d look at the Ford Cmax. The early ones had transmission issues, but that was fixed with the build date of 8/2015, so anyone after that you should be golden. They have a ton of head room, good gas mileage, and are pretty bang on reliable. The only real common fault is engine mounts, which are pretty cheap to replace. If you have more budget and are looking for something newer, I’d check out the Subaru Forester hybrid.

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• #4Dec 27, 2025

  Teen Drivers Incoming!!

  Subaru Honda Toyota Volvo (but NOT model years 2000-2007) I got a 1993 Volvo when I turned 16. Drove it for 18 years. 🙂 My mom always said she wanted the closest thing she could get to a Sherman Tank for me.

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• #5Dec 27, 2025

  Looking for a hatchback car that’s not an SUV. We have a rav4 and looking to replace my ‘10 corolla. We have 2 large dogs.

  OP you need to do real research on this. You didn’t give us a budget, so we can’t even start to recommend anything. Vehicles are VERY generationally dependent. One year in between cars and sometimes you’re talking about an entirely new vehicle top to bottom. Get a budget, make it absolute. If you have $20k to spend on a vehicle, don’t spend any more or less. Do research on what years of specific models are the best and find the one with the lowest mileage and go grab it. Subaru is a very solid brand, made for dog people, and almost every model from any year is going to be rock solid as long as you do your part to maintain the vehicle. The only hard rule here is basically that if you buy brand new; you like to throw money away.

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• #6Dec 27, 2025

  Teen Drivers Incoming!!

  Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy/Imprezza/Outback… older models.

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• #7Dec 27, 2025

  Teen Drivers Incoming!!

  Subaru all the way. The AWD is superior (true full-time symmetrical) and very beneficial for handling and traction on poor surface conditions. The vehicle safety crash test ratings are top tier and the type and amount of driver-assistance/added safety features that are standard can't be beat at the price point.

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• #8Dec 27, 2025

  Teen Drivers Incoming!!

  Subaru, Toyota, Honda

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• #9Dec 27, 2025

  Looking for a hatchback car that’s not an SUV. We have a rav4 and looking to replace my ‘10 corolla. We have 2 large dogs.

  I had the little Subaru "station wagon" for a long time and it was gold.

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• #10Dec 27, 2025

  Looking for a hatchback car that’s not an SUV. We have a rav4 and looking to replace my ‘10 corolla. We have 2 large dogs.

  Subaru Outback. Ours is 20 years old and still going strong!

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• #11Dec 27, 2025

  Looking for a hatchback car that’s not an SUV. We have a rav4 and looking to replace my ‘10 corolla. We have 2 large dogs.

  Hatchback: Subaru <insert model> based on size/style.  

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• #12Dec 27, 2025

  Looking for a hatchback car that’s not an SUV. We have a rav4 and looking to replace my ‘10 corolla. We have 2 large dogs.

  I have a Subaru outback which is absolutely perfect for two dogs - I can leave the back seat up and keep them in the trunk or lay the rear seats down to them to be able to access the rear windows for smells and cruising!

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• #13Dec 27, 2025

  Looking for a hatchback car that’s not an SUV. We have a rav4 and looking to replace my ‘10 corolla. We have 2 large dogs.

  Mazda 3 (or CX-30) or the Subaru Crosstrek are solid options. Ford Focus, though not sure how BIFL it is.

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• #14Dec 26, 2025

  Looking for a hatchback car that’s not an SUV. We have a rav4 and looking to replace my ‘10 corolla. We have 2 large dogs.

  Subaru. Impreza/Crosstrek (same body) or Outback/Forester if you want bigger.

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• #15Dec 26, 2025

  Looking for a hatchback car that’s not an SUV. We have a rav4 and looking to replace my ‘10 corolla. We have 2 large dogs.

  depending on the size of the dogs: Subaru Crosstrek or Outback. I ended up with a Forrester because the cubic size of the back (though slightly smaller than an Outback) was the right height for my 55lb Aussie.

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• #16Dec 26, 2025

  Looking for a hatchback car that’s not an SUV. We have a rav4 and looking to replace my ‘10 corolla. We have 2 large dogs.

  If you’re looking for a hatchback, the Honda Civic Hatchback is probably the best option. Otherwise, a Subaru Crosstrek or another subcompact SUV could also be a good choice.

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• #17Dec 26, 2025

  Any personal recs for a used hybrid SUV that will be long-lasting?

  Rav4 Hybrid or Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid if you're lucky

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• #18Dec 22, 2025

  What was the best purchase you made this year?

  A Subaru in September, finally got out of my 90’s shitbox. Words cannot describe the relief of getting into a good, reliable car every day!!

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• #19Nov 3, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  Scrolling the comments, it looks like a bidet is the definitely most appreciated, followed by a Toyota. I guess if you have both, you are living the best life! (I like my Subaru tho....)

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• #20Nov 3, 2025

  What’s a purchase that’s not fun, not flashy but now you swear by it?

  My ruggedized floor inserts for my Subie are life savers! Rubber floor mats, rubber mat on the hatchback compartment...I do a ton of hiking/camping/backpacking and there's always about 2 c. of gravel on my floor mats and dust and leaves on my hatchback liner. It was my favorite upgrade, along with seat heaters!

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• #21Aug 9, 2025

  What's the best BIFL item you own?

  Pendleton blanket. Crock pot (basic 4qt), Technivorm Moccamaster, Baratza Encore, two Subarus, two Harleys (big twins), knives, Vitamix blender, Miele vacuum, Whirlpool drier and fridge, and some other stuff (Grundens, Patagonia apparel) , Snap On , Matco tools, etc, which at least (all in this list) are 15 years and older and still standing. Oh, forgot to mention MacBook Pro and iMac Mid 2009 still standing. Bose mini speaker. BUY LESS BUY BETTER!

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• #22Aug 4, 2025

  Toyota or Buick to drive for many years

  Subaru is the right answer. Number 1 in reliability rankings. Toyota quality ain’t what it used to be, they fell all the way to 9th place a few years ago. Freaking Hyundai and Kia rank higher in reliability than Toyota these days. The data is the data, and data don’t lie.

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• #23Aug 4, 2025

  I wish vehicles were still BIFL…

  Buy Honda or Toyota (maybe Subaru) and you will have a BIFL car.

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• #24Jul 3, 2025

  Ever Bought Something That Quietly Changed You?

  In a Subaru guy… but a 1989 LandCruiser is both my kink and safe word.

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• #25Jul 2, 2025

  Ever Bought Something That Quietly Changed You?

  Man this could cause some shit… but my Subaru Outback. It gets me down the road at 27-30 mpg… gets me through the mountain dirt roads/trails that most cars can’t get through, and with maintenance, could last me 500k miles.

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• #26May 9, 2025

  What did you wish you had at 21?

  Subaru?

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• #27May 2, 2025

  Which is better for BIFL - electric or gas-powered transportation?

  Consumer reports had an analysis of gas, hybrid, and pure EV reliability and found gas still wins on the reliability front. That article convinced me to stick gas with my recent purchase. In fact, they call out Subaru Forester as the most reliable car, so that’s what I went with. https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/electric-vehicles-are-less-reliable-than-conventional-cars-a1047214174/

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• #28Apr 7, 2025

  Me with the Golden Taco the day I bought it vs 4 years later... Still ticking with 530,000 miles!

  Man if Subaru would release the Baja again I bet they would sell well now.

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• #29Apr 7, 2025

  Me with the Golden Taco the day I bought it vs 4 years later... Still ticking with 530,000 miles!

  With tariffs driving up the cost of new vehicles, the price of used is skyrocketing with them. $5k won't get you much, sadly. Without knowing your needs, I'd stick to brands known for their longevity, durability, and ease of maintenance (e.g. Toyota, Honda, Subaru, etc.).

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• #30Mar 12, 2025

  BIFLers, what things do you not understand why people spend their money on?

  I almost bought a Honda (I drove used Hondas exclusively from 2010-2020) but every dealership was offering a quarter for my traded in. The maintenance can get pretty price for Subarus which is why I drive an hour away for better prices. I also usually do a lot of it myself (oil changes, tires, etc) but I'm not equipped to do an engine rebuild. I will say that outside of the rebuild my Subaru never had any other issues. The cause for a rebuild was a 1/100000 fluke and if it wasn't due to the previous damage from the wreck I would have paid for a new engine.

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• #31Feb 8, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Benchmade for knives! Quite expensive but quality & their lifetime sharpening warranty is sweet! Subaru for car. Same amazing longevity as Toyotas, more premium materials at a fraction of the price. Le Creuset for cooking. Again, pricey but last for generations if maintained. Hoka for shoes. I had a pair of their hiking boots I wore religiously (live in the PNW. Hiking everywhere). They lasted me 6+ years without a single hole, worn inside or rubber coming apart. Only reason I ditched them is because I wore the lugs down to nothing!!

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• #32Feb 7, 2025

  In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?

  Subaru

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• #33Feb 6, 2025

  In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?

  Got an ‘05 Camry and ‘14 Outback. Both have all of the manual controls I want. I don’t want a “smart” car. The only modern update I’d want is CarPlay just because I want the bigger map. Anything else on that screen can gtfo. I want a dumb car that I don’t think about operating while driving. I took a Uber ride in a Tesla once and it was absolutely terrifying how often the driver was interfacing with the tablet.

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• #34Feb 6, 2025

  In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?

  Some new Subarus are OK. They require a lot of maintenance and babying, but they can last a while, otherwise, I bought a 1996 ford ranger for 3K, put 1000 dollars in it replacing the clutch and other old hoses and rubbers. Despite the 300k on the clock, I'm confident in it's ability for the next 5 years. There are really no cars made after 2008 that are as good as the ones before.

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• #35Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Subaru

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• #36Feb 6, 2025

  In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?

  No car is BIFL when not maintained. The majority of cars, if driven safely and carefully, serviced regularly (once per year for low mileage cars, 2x per year for high mileage cars) by a reliable mechanic, and cleaned regularly and carefully (including engine bay), will last significantly longer than 10 years. There are however some brands that will last longer than others even if the above is done. Brands I would personally be happy to own long term: Honda, Toyota, Ford (if they have a wet belt, stick to the replacement schedule or before), BMW, VW, Skoda, Mazda, Subaru. There will be other brands I haven't listed too, but that is off the top of my head. Some will also last longer due to simplicity, less electronics, availability of parts (popular car generally = more parts available), etc.

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• #37Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Subaru

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• #38Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Subaru, Honda, Rubbermaid, Italian DOCs, Carhartt, Hennessy, Dove, Toyota, Cuisinart, Cambro, Wayfair, Tikki Cat

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• #39Feb 6, 2025

  What’s one product you bought that has lasted forever and was totally worth it?

  1998 Subaru Impreza. Still ticking!

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• #40Feb 3, 2025

  Buy Once Cry Once items?

  I bought a Toyota Camry new in 2000. I finally got rid of it in 2020. My Subaru Outback is from 2013 and has had 0 issues

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• #41Dec 1, 2015

  [Bifl request] A car, suv, or truck

  Subaru Forester and done. I drive the XT, but for longer life would probably recommend the non-turbo version....anything post-2014 to avoid head gasket issues.

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