Even when I started driving in 2002, a 10 year old car was a K reg Escort s***box with no power steering and a gearbox which could circumnavigate the world.

Drive a 10 year old, looked after Focus today and you're fine.

Jamie you are not correct about it being rare to buy a new car:

Well you clearly didn't read what I said. I said it's rare for somebody to pay actual money for a car and a small piece of the article you link me to proves my point; in listing the reasons for increased sales it says;

Attractive finance packages have encouraged motorists to buy new cars.

There seems to be a desire to take the moral high ground here about people who buy a car on finance. Who is to say what people should spend their money on?

I can think of many good reasons to have it. People who take up a manufacturer funded 0% offer so they can keep their money in the bank. People who need a fixed monthly expense instead of the unknown of a used car. People who dont understand cars, or want the to bother with getting a car fixed.

A cheap new car can cost as little as £100 a month, and yet has the security of a nice long warranty, new everything (so no replacements will be needed for years). Swap cars every 3 years, without ever paying for the car they drive, yet almost no risk of unexpected or unaffordable bills.

Of course its cheaper to run an older car, but we shouldnt assume anyone who chooses the option of a new car on finance is wrong.

I'm very glad there are people who buy new cars, Regardless of if they pay cash or get finance etc. Without them there would be no secondhand cars for people like me who want to buy a good 3 year old car at 50% of it's original new price.

+1

C ars have been purchased on finance since the day they were made in volume...

There is more to go wrong but do they go wrong more? In the last 6-7 years I have had 4 cars and only one had a serious problem outside normal wear and tear. And that was a Fiat that have never been known to be reliable!

Would be interesting to see some stats if there are any about.

Hoy ! The 1970's Renault 12 was very well engineered and reliable!

And a deathbox compared to modern cars.

Thats it, sorted, and SWMBO loves it.

Glad you've gone and bought a Subaru GB, if it's anything like mine it will be totally reliable and enjoyable to drive. What colour is it?

I think those earlier models can take a din sized aftermarket stereo if wanted - on the later Legacys the stereo is part of the climate control panel and hard to uprate. So no DAB or aux input.

That 3.0 H6 must be inaudible most of the time.

Well money put where mouth is.

The 04 Outlander never really endeared itself to us, not fast enough for SWMBO, and its going to be sold on to a friend whio likes them.

So, there i was perusing the bay of E one evening when an intersting looking Subaru Outback 3.0 H6 cropped up on auction, 52 plate but crucially a 90's design, just over 100k with almost full history, loads of tax full MOT and looked OK, so i bought the blighter (for a ridiculously cheap price and i'm not saying how much).

Went up on the train and bought it, its a gem, as was the seller, a straight bloke, sweet engine new exhaust new tyres, well serviced, few scratches on the bumpers but nothing to worry about.

Did me usual full examination, during which i found both front drive shaft inner boots leaking, regular job from 80k on they sit immediately above the twin cats so heat does for them.

So did them, proper job, none of those stretchy elastic boots, and slipped a new set of discs and pads on whilst there, £134 for all discs and pads, Mintex.

Everything came undone, typical Japanese in that the car was designed to be fully maintained simply not just easy oil changes, i actually enjoyed doing the work and thats not been the case with newer European cars.

Its showing no rust apart from expected exposed subframe surface rust, so full rustproofing this year, will replace all transmission oils (auto box recently done, but i'll do it again to make sure the TC is drained), will probably LPG it.

Hope to keep it a long long time, it goes like hell, lovely auto box, compliant ride on sensible 60 aspect 16" tyres, only £8 more to insure than the 2.4 Outlander.

Funky under the bonnet, none of this missing dipstick rubbish of modern stuff, its got 3 dipsticks, engine, auto transmission and front diff.

Thats it, sorted, and SWMBO loves it.

Hi gordonbennet,

Must be silver.:)

I had a 1990 2.2 GX over 10 years ago, a great car. I'd have another Legacy without hesitation if my mileage was lower.