One of the most disappointing things about the newer ones as far as I'm concerned is the automatics are CVTs. From my time in the industry its seems that when a CVT fails it completely self destructs and costs a whole lot to fix.Most Subarus still on the market have been ridden pretty hard and put away wet a lot.Steer clear of the sticky shifters, too. We won't be getting deep into the drivetrain issues that are popular with them, even when they have a few years on them.
About 1996 I fixed a Subaru (not a CVT at that time). It had very low miles on it and the lady took it to a quick oil change place. Rather than drain the engine they drained the final drive portion of the transmission, over filled the engine by 5 quarts and sent her on her way. 50 miles later the front wheels locked up as she was driving down the road. New pinion bearings, new side bearings, new ring and pinion. If I remember correctly it was like a 3 grand repair bill. The oil change place just said "OK" over the phone and I kind of got the impression they'd seen this before.
