LPA

Thank you all for responding. Just wanted to get some feedback from current Subaru owners. I went to look at an Outback this afternoon and was really impressed. My only knock on the car is that the clutch and brake pedals seem a little too close to each other (at least compared to my 97 Maxima). Other than that, I really liked the car. One additional question. If I end up going for the turbo XT, the brochure recommends using premium unleaded. Would any of you consider using mid-grade or regular unleaded instead? I am curious as to why two cars with the same (or at least I think so) base engine require different fuels. As far as I know, the only difference is a turbo. Any thoughts and recommended links on the premium vs regular subject will be greatly appreciated. Again, thank you all for the responses and efforts. LPA

Hello, I am thinking about buying a 2006 Outback wagon (either the 2.5i or the 2.5i XT) and had a few questions about repairs related to these models and Subaru in general. Are Subaru's considerably more expensive to repair than more common makes (i.e. Ford, Toyota, Chevy)? Since Subarus are not as common as other makes, is it difficult to find a mechanic (other than the dealer) that can work on a Subaru? Again, because Subarus are not as common as many other makes, is it difficult to find parts and do they seem expensive relative to those of more common vehicles? How about maintenance? Is is it difficult or costly to perform routine maintenance (oil changes, lubrication, etc)? Are these cars designed in such a way that maintenance is difficult or costly? Any thoughts and feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. LPA