New Subaru Legacy vs. Used BMW 3 series?

[Anonymous]

Want to spend $27,000 or so on an AWD sedan. Understand that BMW is considered a luxury vehicle while Subaru is family car. These are my driving characteristics:

-- drive 15,000 miles/year, combination city and highway
-- when I drive a Subaru, feel it handles well but the BMW is tighter around turns, etc.
-- not a mechanical guy so will not be doing maintenance
-- big on reliability. Do not like (who does?) the need to bring cars to the shop and worry about transportation

[Anonymous]

Eyesight is so nice and from what I understand better reviewed than bmw’s adaptive features.

[Anonymous]

Subaru. I love BMWs but it's not a car for someone who doesn't want to bring the car to the shop frequently.

[Anonymous]

BMWs are hella expensive to maintain and they need to go in to the mechanic A LOT!!!!!

[Anonymous]

A dumb question given your criteria OP. Def a Sub.

[Anonymous]

BMW has higher maintenance costs. To verify, all up a BMW and Subaru service department and ask the price to change brakes or do an oil change. Parts and labor are both more expensive.

Reliability is similar so don't focus on that.

If you get a Subaru, make sure to get the dealer to throw in the mandatory "Coexist" bumper sticker.

[Anonymous]

My friend whose shop specializes in Porsche, Audi, and BMW maintenance and repairs stopped recommending BMWs to his customers several years ago. Noticeably cheaper build quality combined with the usual BMW things can make for a trying ownership experience.

[Anonymous]

Weirdly enough we actually have both (older BMW 3 series and brand new Subaru).

The safety features are why we got the Subaru and they have made a huge difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weirdly enough we actually have both (older BMW 3 series and brand new Subaru).

The safety features are why we got the Subaru and they have made a huge difference.

We looked at the touring Legacy at the auto show and decided we will get one for our next car. We do already have a Subaru and like it. The Eyesight is great

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BMW has higher maintenance costs. To verify, all up a BMW and Subaru service department and ask the price to change brakes or do an oil change. Parts and labor are both more expensive.

Reliability is similar so don't focus on that.

If you get a Subaru, make sure to get the dealer to throw in the mandatory "Coexist" bumper sticker.

I thought Subaru reliability is really good.

[Anonymous]

I would go for neither. Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would go for neither. Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander.

They want a sedan not a huge SUV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BMW has higher maintenance costs. To verify, all up a BMW and Subaru service department and ask the price to change brakes or do an oil change. Parts and labor are both more expensive.

Reliability is similar so don't focus on that.

If you get a Subaru, make sure to get the dealer to throw in the mandatory "Coexist" bumper sticker.

I thought Subaru reliability is really good.

i don't think pp is right. per consumer report

Lexus.
Toyota.
Mazda.
Subaru.
Kia.
Infiniti.
Audi.
BMW.

[Anonymous]

Initial quality for Subaru's are good, but you'll start having issues after 3-4 years. Subaru's used to be good, the 2005-2010 models were great (minus the engine gasket issues), but long term quality over the years have declined. We recently traded in a Subaru (which we bought new) with a low mileage Honda.....with the Honda being 2 years older than the Subie and the Honda still being better put together than the 2 yr newer Subie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Initial quality for Subaru's are good, but you'll start having issues after 3-4 years. Subaru's used to be good, the 2005-2010 models were great (minus the engine gasket issues), but long term quality over the years have declined. We recently traded in a Subaru (which we bought new) with a low mileage Honda.....with the Honda being 2 years older than the Subie and the Honda still being better put together than the 2 yr newer Subie.

BMWs, Toyotas, and everyone else have lower quality than they used to.