Automotive Forums

I'm looking to buy a honda or subaru for $5,000. It will most likely have between 100,000 and 130,000 miles on it. Main concerns: engine and transmission life. I know this will vary based on how well previous people took care of the car. I am definitely buying a manual, so shouldn't have as many worries when it comes to tranny. I just want to know the major pros and cons of these two manufacturers. I am interested in Honda civic and accord, and subaru legacy. I have a subaru impreza close to 300,000 miles now. Hondas are easier to find used, but I'm scared to buy one because a lot of people seem to be complaining about the engines. Also, they have interference engines so if I don't know when the timing belt was replaced last, it could get scary. I heard they have crappy brakes too. Any help would be much appreciated. I'm indecisive at this point. Thanks  

There are benefits and disadvantages to both the Honda and the Subaru. Although Subarus have a very good reputation for quality and reliability, because they're all-wheel-drive, there is inherently more components and complexity in the drivetrain. On higher-mileage vehicles, there's a good chance that drivetrain is going to need some maintenance or possible replacement of some components. Because the Honda is only front-drive, you reduce a lot of the complexity you'd have with the Subaru.

I've also noticed a lot of the Hondas smoke. Some have attributed this to bad valve guides. Some people just use a thicker viscosity oil to cut down on this, as the other alternative, actually replacing the valve guides, could be quite expensive. For the Hondas especially, make sure you've find one where the oil was changed religiously, if you're buying private-party. That will probably reduce your chances of having valve guide problems, as dirty oil can cause premature wear, and the telltale smoking tailpipe.

Hope this helps.  

Honda and Subaru both make good cars.  Some of the subaru engines are interference engines as well:

1.2 (SOHC) No
1.2 (DOHC) Yes
1.8 No 52,000
1.8 (Impreza) No  
2.2 (SOHC) No  
2.2 (DOHC) Yes  
2.5 (SOHC) No
2.5 (DOHC) Yes  
2.7 No  
3.3 Yes  


I think the brake concern is a non issue as neither manufacture uses  better/worse brake components - for the most part I would say they are pretty comparable.


This would be my deciding factor:  Hondas are easier to find used - which means parts will be easier to find and more than likely cheaper as well.