Scotty, Thanks for all your contribution to us DIY mechanics. I have learned a lot from you and glad to hear you moved away from all the "stuff" in the big city. You have always said that Japanese made vehicles are typically better than US, I agree. Seems like you tend to knock Subaru's. Especially the classic head gaskets issue. Yet that hasn't been a problem in years and is not hard to fix. Now that Subaru is partially owned by Toyota, are you maybe a little more warm to their newer vehicles? They are collaborating on vehicles and that can only be good for Subaru. I have two 2015 subi's with over 200k, granted I purchased new and take care of them. But they are very reliable and easy to work on in my opinion. The boxer motor while arguably outdated has been perfected and improved over the years like good Japanese manufacturing tendencies. I am tall and need 40" of front seat headroom. Can't find a Toyota or a Lexus that gets good gas miles with 40" of headroom. Funny enough it seems like Kia, Geneses, and Hyundai are producing more vehicles with 40" of headroom. Anyway, keep an open mind on Subaru's, you might find more of them in TN to work on. Up here in MI you can't throw a stone without hitting a lake, trees, or a Subaru.
Yes they are better made than they used to be but there's still nowhere near the quality of Toyota if you see some of the recent Subaru recalls rather going to have to repair engines sometimes even replace them it's still not Toyota quality better than it used to be but still not top notch
I would buy a Lexus RX350 but I don’t fit, not enough headroom, same with RAV4 and Highlander, but I do fit fine in the Outback, Forrester, Legacy and my 400HP WRX.
They are pretty decent cars now, but not as good as Toyota or rising brands like Mazda IMO.
I'd still get a Toyota or lexus over a subaru, I'd only ever get a subaru bc it's the car my mom wants
I tend to avoid Subaru myself. If you live up north in the snow, you'll see them all over for sure. Here in Houston though they are a pretty rare sight.
