Patrickjd9

They have a database on their web site with recommendations from site users, it is pretty extensive. http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/

Our 2004 Legacy will run out of warranty by the end of the summer, and I am looking for an alternative to my wife's preference for dealer service. The dealer has been good as dealers go (Fitzgerald-White Flint), but I'm not sure that any dealer is the right choice for long-term service. Suburban Maryland (Silver Spring) would be preferable, but I'd go elsewhere in the area for a good specialist mechanic. This is of extra interest as I am thinking of a used Impreza wagon as a commuter car.

I'm with you. Overall reliability of cars and trucks (especially Japanese and European) appears to have peaked sometime in the 1990s. Too many luxury features, parts costs (especially electronics) and crowded mechanicals that make major repairs uneconomical, and too much power out of too little engine displacement are among the reasons.

The FWD Volvo problems predate the Ford purchase. We had a 96 850 Wagon, and sold it for $2K at 128,000 miles because it needed at least $2500 worth of work-including a repeat torn weld in the driver's doorframe. Hard to get a good price when the driver's door makes a sound out of a horror movie when opening:banghead:.

The Justy picture is clearly a Geo Metro, but the car isn't the most interesting element of the picture:cool: .

For future reference, anybody know of such an independent Subaru shop in the DC area? Preferably Maryland or DC, though Arlington/Alexandria (VA) might also work.

I took the Forester out of the running for our purchase for exactly this lurching. Haven't had it on our Legacy. We drove automatics in both cases, and I only felt it on the throttle, not off.

25.6 mpg on a trip from New York City area to Maryland suburbs of DC. Alone in car, 65-70 mph, no traffic delays. 22 mpg on a recent weekend drive to mountains of western MD. 2 adults, two children, camping gear, very large sack of gear tied to roof rails. I-68 is hard on any car; I took this to be a sign of progress as the engine breaks in. Just under 10,000 miles, automatic transmission.

No mechanical or other problems yet, about 4500 miles. Fuel mileage is mildly disappointing, 22.5 mpg last tank.

Our new Legacy has about 3100 miles, and I'm mildly disappointed with the mileage, 18-20 city, and 22-25 highway. I knew before buying that the fuel mileage was middling at best, but was hoping for about 20-21 city and 26 highway. I won't make final judgement for about 20,000 miles, experience with other cars says it might get there. We sold a 96 Volvo 850 to buy the Subaru, so regular gas alone makes for a big savings. No problems or warranty work so far.

I agree on this. It seemed to me like you had to drive at either 80 kph, never leaving the right lane, or at 150 kph+ to pass safely using the left lane. Even at 150 or 160 kph, a careful eye on the mirror is needed for faster cars!