I have had my 2006 Subaru outback for four years. In that time, I've only had to complete one minor repair (a sensor valve went out, cost about $145) to fix. The car isn't very sexy, but it gets good gas mileage (about 28mph on the highway) and performs well in the snow. It's comfortable to drive (I'm 6'2" tall, 230 pounds) long distances and has good visibility (no major blind spots).

Nothing about owning this car has been easy. It's uncomfortable to sit in (the seats are rock hard), the shocks don't absorb much at all and it rusts like crazy. Holes developed in the gas tank and I was told that I could try to patch it or else junk the car because it's so much work to fix a Subaru that it wouldn't be worth it to me. I got it patched and it started leaking again almost immediately so then I had to patch it again. It's junk for reasons beside this - it creaks and groans and rattles. The rear hatch is impossible to open so I have to put anything I want back there in over the rear seats and then pull it out again the same way. Actual driving is jerky and temperamental. The battery drains super fast, even after replacing it with a new one so I have to get jumped all the time. The only good thing about it is that the AC still works. I absolutely hate this car, what a waste of hard-earned money! I know it's an old car, but my Chevrolet Prism is only a year newer and runs quietly and efficiently.