10 Used Subaru Cars That Will Last For Years

Dec 25, 2023

Subarus are notoriously reliable, but which 10 used models do we think you’d like the most?

Want to go out into the wilderness for a day and explore every forest, wade across every river, and climb every hill? It's simple: get yourself a Subaru. Not only has the brand forged a stellar reputation for itself in motorsport, but a number of its sedans, SUVs, and crossovers are known for being almost impossible to break.

Despite the sheer number of Subarus available on the used car market, the vast majority will have minimal faults, if any. They’re built to last, so finding one that will keep going for years isn't difficult. The challenge lies in finding different models that will keep you interested at the same time, given that Subaru hasn't actually released too many different models over its history – not compared to other Japanese brands, at least.

We do realize that if this was a list made up of 10 of the brand's outright greatest models, an overwhelming number of entrants would be various Impreza WRXs. So to keep it a little more interesting, we’ve tried to make our countdown of 10 used Subaru cars that will last for years as diverse as possible. Here are 10 of the very best:

Note: Using information gathered from a variety of trusted sources, including Carsurvey, Consumer Reports, and Repair Pal, we've provided both a detailed list of reliability-related FAQs to all of our entries in addition to a predicted reliability score.

If you want a superb project car that's quirky and maintains that unbreakable dependability that comes with the Subaru badge, the Baja may just be the perfect solution for you. Before browsing through the market for examples like a 2005 Baja Turbo five-speed, we’d suggest checking out our guide on what you need to know about this tough-as-nails Subaru. During its production between 2003 and 2006, the Baja was the unique option on offer from Subaru, which essentially fused the idea of a truck with four doors and an open-top bed. It was also based on the Outback of the early 2000s, which meant it had all the pedigree it needed to become a success. Combine this with a strong 4.8 reliability rating, and several positive reports from previous owners, and it makes sense as to why we'd recommend the Baja given the low prices that you can still pick one up for.

• Problems Owners Report: The engine can feel slightly jagged in idle; the clutch can feel hard to press down; can sometimes stall awkwardly, causing a loss of steering and brakes.

• Highest Mileage Reported On Carsurvey: 130,000 miles

Despite the unusual name, the BRAT is another super curious pick-up that was small enough to fit inside your pocket. It had a pretty long production span, too, running from 1978 to 1994 across various versions, so there is no shortage on the market right now. A prime example would be this 1986 Subaru BRAT GL 4-Speed which sold for just $8,700 a few months ago. Like the Baja, what makes the BRAT worth the money are the endless customization options on offer; you could genuinely turn a BRAT into an all-conquering off-road beast. If that doesn't suit your taste, watch the world's fastest Subaru BRAT run 7s at the strip to see why turning it into a straight-line monster isn't a bad idea either. But above all the quirky possibilities on offer with the BRAT, what really helps it stand out is a strong reliability record and the fact that there are only a few common faults that former owners report.

• Problems Owners Report: CV axles can wear quickly; radiator problems can appear, albeit infrequently; ball joints can be problematic on high-mileage examples.

• Highest Mileage Reported On Carsurvey: 203,000 miles

Related: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Used Second Generation Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Built to comply with Japan's kei car regulations, the 360 is not only the oldest car on our list but also one that's as adorable as a Labrador puppy. The 360 was sold in both a van and a small sedan layout, with the former quite similarly styled to the Volkswagen Samba Bus and the latter acting as a disguised Fiat 500. We’d opt for the sedan here, and suggest purchasing something similar to this 1969 Subaru 360 Deluxe Sedan 3-Speed. Now we realize that the 360 won't have the sort of durability on offer that most of the other cars on this list do, given both its age and its relatively humble performance. But if you can ensure it stays maintained, the 360 is a surefire way to put a smile on your face every time you go out for a drive in it. You’ll probably make onlookers smile, too.

• Problems Owners Report: Lap belts are susceptible to loosening over time; front seats can suddenly (and violently) give up which means they could slide forward; directional instability contributes to making it potentially dangerous on a highway.

• Highest Mileage Reported On Bring a Trailer: 35,000 miles

The last of the truly unusual Subaru models on our list is the SVX luxury coupe. By comparison to its siblings, the SVX was a sales disaster, and it was rumored that Subaru was actually losing money on each one it sold. That probably also explains why this premium performance car was the most expensive model in Subaru's lineup at the time. It's ironic, then, that you can grab yourself a 1994 Subaru SVX LS for just $5,000 these days. With a horizontally-mounted 3.3-liter flat-six boxer engine producing around 231 hp and 228 pounds of torque, it was certainly no slouch, and even after all these years, that wonderfully weird styling still makes us sit and take notice. It's also worth touching on that one of the 10 things we actually like about the Subaru SVX is its 4.9 reliability score – who'd have thought that the divisive SVX would carry the highest rating of any car on this list?

• Problems Owners Report: Transmission can explode due to overheating; rear wheel bearing issues could be an issue due to poor manufacturing quality; brake rotors can warp due to the SVX's excessive weight.

• Highest Mileage Reported On Carsurvey: 161,000 miles

We wanted to try and have at least one option on our list that represents the best of the new school of cars on offer from Subaru right now, and while the Outback may be known as a somewhat vanilla option to many, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition is anything but. Not only is the Wilderness Edition the perfect off-road capable everyday vehicle – as the name would unsurprisingly suggest – but you can pick up a near brand-new example that is packed with both plenty of creature comforts internally and off-road gear externally. For $30,000, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more utilitarian option on any corner of the market, and when you throw in a 4.4 reliability rating, the Wilderness Edition Outback may be one of the best all-around packages on the market at present.

• Problems Owners Report: Front oxygen sensor fault which led to many recalls; head gasket failures can occur; the car can vibrate under heavy acceleration due to a faulty transmission converter.

• Highest Mileage Reported On Carsurvey: 170,000

Related: 10 Things We Love About The 2023 Subaru WRX

When Subaru finally decided to take the plunge and give the Forester an STI badge, the excitement was real. The Forester was already adored by many, and by allowing it to evolve into a sportier car with a much more engaging driving experience potentially on offer, there were plenty of reasons why JDM fans wanted to buy the Subaru Forester STI. The Forester name may not gain the attention and adornment that it once did, but the fact that the STI editions are still going for such high prices means the writing is on the wall: this is one used Subaru that really will last a lifetime, which is solidified by a strong 4.7 reliability rating. If you’re willing to take a punt, we’d recommend an example similar to this STI-swapped 2004 Subaru Forester six-speed.

• Problems Owners Report: Failed catalytic converter; worn head gaskets can lead to oil leaks into the spark plugs; cooling system issues can lead to further gasket issues.

• Highest Mileage Reported On Carsurvey: 115,000 miles

Joint-developed by Subaru and Toyota, the BRZ and GT86 cousins remain a viable option for enthusiasts that want to get themselves a rear-wheel drive, tail-happy sports car that won't rip a deep hole in their pockets. A perfect example of one would be this 36,000-mile 2017 Subaru BRZ Series, which looks seriously appealing in that shade of yellow. It's also been widely accepted now that the Subaru BRZ is one of the best beginner sports cars you can buy, and that will probably remain an evergreen trait of the boxer-engined BRZ for as long as it remains in production. A big reason for this is that it can handle a fair amount of punishment that comes with ferrying a beginner sports car driver around. That also directly contributes towards a high chance that said beginners who opt for a BRZ will soon turn into drift nuts, so do throw some caution to the wind.

• Problems Owners Report: Knock from steering rack when turning at low speeds; transmission throw-bearing wear can lead to clutch issues; manual gearbox iterations could throw up issues due to the rate of transmission fluid use.

• Highest Mileage Reported On Carsurvey: 110,000 miles

What was originally pegged to be a challenger to the likes of the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry has transcended its calling as a stale, box-shaped snooze to become one of the great all-rounders in existence; use its 4.6 reliability rating and handsome face as supporting evidence for that claim. We adore the third and fourth-generation Legacy models, but the pick of the bunch has got to be the second-generation estate for us. Take a look at this 1996 Subaru Legacy Touring GT-B 5-Speed and tell us you’re not tempted. Keen Gran Turismo fanatics will also point out that this particular model and trim grade brings back plenty of memories from the first installment of the game, and that nostalgia is another big reason why we want one so much.

• Problems Owners Report: Faulty transmission torque converter can lead to vibration when acceleration; excessive engine oil use can overheat the engine; fuel gauge showing incorrect reading can grow tiresome.

• Highest Mileage Reported On Carsurvey: 121,000 miles

Subaru was one of the brands which really drove the image that Japanese cars were just boring, compact boxes during the 60s and the 70s. It was equally responsible for lifting that image from the nation of Great Nihon during the 80s and 90s, and the reason for Subaru's success was the Impreza moniker that debuted in 1992. It is now in its sixth generation and has seen everything from family duties to World Rally Championship glory during its career – two of the big reasons why it has such a high reliability rating. At HotCars, we’re huge fans of any performance wagon, but a 1997 Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon sits right at the top. It also offers owners the perfect palate upon which to create their dream all-wheel-drive JDM wagon, and if you need any inspiration for how far you can go with that, just check out this 862 hp Subaru GL Wagon that "moved" at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

• Problems Owners Report: Failed knock sensor; faulty plastic baffle plate leads to oil leaks from the back of the engine; crankshaft front seals could mean further engine oil leaks.

• Highest Mileage Reported On Carsurvey: 156,000 miles

Related: How $10,000 Can Make A Subaru Impreza Three Seconds Faster Than A V12 Lamborghini

It is, of course, impossible to limit ourselves to just one version of the Impreza, so bringing our list to a close is the greatest Impreza – and therefore Subaru – of all time: the 22B STi. Finding one of these on the used car market is challenging enough, but finding one for less than an eye-watering sum of $200,000 will be a challenge. For an example of what a modernized version would look like, HotCars has also rendered a 2023 Impreza 22B STi restomod that immortalizes Subaru's glory days. Getting back to our topic, take a look at this 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi which fetched a cool $226,000 over on Bring a Trailer, for some perspective. Ultimately, the price is justified by its rarity, on top of the fact that it is such a capable performance car. Just 400 of these were ever made, which means Subaru made the exact same number of 22Bs as Ferrari-made Enzos. Talk about being among elite company.

• Problems Owners Report: Cooling system issues can lead to head gasket failures; knock sensor issues can trigger engine check light; clutch chatter, which could require a new clutch altogether if the issue is left unattended for too long.

• Highest Mileage Reported On Bring a Trailer: 55,000 miles

Shafiq is a petrolhead to his core, and has had a lifelong obsession with anything that came from Japan in the 90s. When he isn't driving, talking or writing about cars, he enjoys watching football and taking his German Shepherd on countryside adventures.His motoring journalism career so far has seen him write for publications like CarThrottle, DriveTribe, Electrifying and The Intercooler. Shafiq is also a double graduate, holding a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in automotive journalism.