Had to pick between a used Subaru and a used Honda last month

I needed a car under $8k and it came down to a 2012 Subaru Outback with 140k miles or a 2011 Honda Civic with 120k. Everyone told me Honda for reliability but the Subaru had all wheel drive which I need for winter. I went with the Subaru and already had to replace the wheel bearings after 2 weeks. Still drives fine but I'm wondering if I made the wrong call. Anyone else been stuck between AWD and a more reliable brand?

2 comments

2 Comments

johnson.paul1mo ago

lol "everyone told me Honda for reliability" yeah and you ignored them. Look man I get why you picked the Subaru, the AWD is legit for winter and Hondas are basically ice skates without snow tires. But you picked a 12 year old Outback with 140k miles which is like buying a ticking time bomb. Those wheel bearings are just the beginning. Head gaskets, CV joints, all that stuff is gonna hit you eventually. You made the call for snow driving but honestly you probably would've been better off with the Civic plus some good snow tires. That's $600 vs a whole repair bill.

the_wren1mo ago

Honestly, have you tried explaining to your mechanic that you bought a Subaru for the "reliability" and watched them try not to laugh? Tbh I've made the same dumb call before, choosing heart over brain, and my wallet still hasn't forgiven me. Ngl though, the Civic with snow tires probably would've been the smarter play, but at least now you get to learn about boxer engines firsthand like the rest of us masochists.