I had a 2.5 automatic 2006 Subaru Outback (Legacy Estate on stilts) with zero issues other than fuel cost (28 mpg) and the extra cost of frequent fluid changes.

Sadly It didn't get past 40,000 miles as I parked it round a tree - we walked away so I can vouch for it's structural strength.

Ah - that's my car you're looking for!

I have a 2005, 78,000 mile 2.5 Legacy automatic tourer (ex Subaru management car) and have no desire for anything else (I can live with the fuel consumption because I only drive 5K p/a).

1. Ensure that the cam belt was changed at 60,000 or so, along with all the diff. fluids and the auto box fluid. That's a £500+ service. Make sure you see the receipt.

2. Suspension issues. Clonking front suspension (you’ll hear it and feel it through the wheel) is common and means that the drop links / roll-bar mounts need changing. That's not expensive if you get the bits from Japanese Import Car parts. Subaru dealers are pricey! Work can be done by any competent mechanic - they're simple cars to work on.

My car has lived a very rural life. I've replaced both of these with uprated ones and may need to do a few more mounting bits in the near future.- see this for details on the Legacy Forum (tinyurl.com/p8qd8u – lots of useful info there). Front ball joints are another weak point.

3. Uneven tyre wear is common – check the inside of the tyres. The standard-fit Bridgestones are expensive and not good in the winter (I run winter tyres from Nov – March, but I need them where I am).

4. I’ve had a new rear exhaust – forget Subaru for that, they want crazy money. Either get a stainless one made by a specialist or – as I did – source the bits in Germany (via ebay) for 20% of the price Subaru were asking.

5. Make sure that the locking wheel nut key is with the car! And check that it’s the right key for your car.

6. The LCD display in the middle of the dash (temperature, time etc) goes and replacements cost ££. Awkward to fix (involves re-soldering tiny parts). I can live without mine.

7. Stereo is very average. No iPod connector on the older (2005) models

8. Interior lighting is rubbish if you have an SE spec with the big sunroof.

Can’t comment about clutches because I don’t do manual boxes.

I’m still on the original aircon gas - changed the original battery in the winter of 2011. Pollen filters cost a fiver every couple of years. Tyres are a bit pricey . They don’t rust . . . other than that . . .

I would say, however, that if you’ve got teenage kids, the Legacy may be a bit small – its an old platform and narrower than many modern cars. Rear leg room isn’t the best. Having said that, there’s more room than an A4 or 3-series (MUCH more load space).

Drive a hard bargain - big petrol engined estates aren't exactly flavour of the month, are they . . .

I love mine and honestly don't know what could replace it.

Davros

Use Davros and APV postings as a buyers guide, they both sum up the car.

I've had an Outback 2.5, '56 reg. automatic from new. Apart from wear and tear - and supermarket dings - it has been wholly adequate. To date it has done 81,000 miles and the battery has been changed because the voltage had dropped low on cranking. I didn't know that, the engine still started, but it was a planned maintenance item (better safe than stranded). The car had started to rust underneath so it has been Wayoyled, especially at the back. I did much of the work, but the Expert had to take down the protective covers and finish the work. I now leave it to him.

I've had three Subarus now, two were Legacy and one is Outback. My first Legacy was a manual; the clutch was dire and had to be replaced at 17,000 miles. Apart from that, and ruining every left shoe that I had by cracking it across the sole, the car was fine.