I bought a 99 Forester a year ago from a dealership in Vancouver BC. It had 74000kms on it, fully loaded etc...really nice. We have since put 20000kms on it with nothing to speak of causing us problems. The LR wheel bearing is starting to get a bit noisy, but that's fine, easily dealt with.
As for the dealership, we don't have to take it to the dealership for it's routine maintance to maintain our warrenty, just as long as we have reciepts/proof of scheduled maintanence, everythings fine. Not sure if that works for you in your situation.
We are coming up on the end of our 5 year powertrain warrenty, and we are having an independant party do the inspection to make sure we have everything covered off. I suggest the same, as you have to believe that the dealership isn't to interested in "finding" the big problems for your safety at the end of 5 years...bah...