Subaru or Honda? Which model and why?

Question

I'm thinking of replacing my old Civic with something newer but still used. I live in the northeast US, I like to ski but I need something reliable and I've heard good and bad things about Subies.

Answer 1

Hi, I actually worked at Honda as a mechanic for years. They are pretty decent vehicles. BUT I tend to like the Subaru's more. I like their usefulness. AWD is great. The power is great. the engine design is clever. Hondas are just very plain, usually blah. They are good cars, but boring.

Answer 2

Honda's are very well built, but to call Subaru's engine inferior is crazy, It's design does make compromises in exchange for performance, but the Subies' boxer engine is often regarded as unkillable, one of the best built engines on the market. Just look at all the 70's Subaru's still putting around with 200k plus. My friend owns a 98 outback with 160,000 problem free miles. Plus the suspension/drive train is bombproof. Subaru's are also some of the cheapest/easiest cars to maintain because of their rally racing experience. The impreza wrx was on consumer reports 10 most reliable performance cars list, and is a blast to drive. If you like the size of your civic go for an impreza (wrx if you can) but otherwise any subaru will be very reliable so choose whatever model suits you best.

Answer 3

I own a 2001 Civic and like it. It is a beauty and a reliable car. Fuel economy is good. Its so realiable you only need to change the oil every 3000 miles as scheduled. I used to own a Fiat, Ford and Volvo before changing to Honda. After 5 years with my Civic I am now conviced Honda is the best buy and will not change to any other make.

My choice is Honda and I would definitely recommend another Honda especially for a young and pretty lady like you.

Best wishes

p/s FYI Subaru is never popular in Malaysia.

Answer 4

Live in Nor' East also have had many different cars including a Subaru Outback. By far the Outback was the best I have had in the winter driving scene even better than the 4x4 blazer or Ford F250, ALL-WHEEL DRIVE says it all. The only drawback I could see with the Subaru was the cost of parts, but I really never hade to purchase many anyway.

Answer 5

Both are good and reliable cars. But in the snow you can't beat the Subaru AWD.
Good handling, reliable, dependable and maintained properly will last a very long time.
Make sure any used car you buy has service/maintainence records. I currently have a Subaru Legacy great car lots of miles on it.

Answer 6

Both are great makes. But if I had to choose just one, it would be a Honda.

Subie's have a boxer engine. In other words, the pistons lay flat. It makes for a compact and low center of gravity engine package. On the other hand, those boxer engines are prone to more wear at the lowest point of the cylinders. Imagine a glass to be an engine piston and lay it on its side on a table. Thats how a boxer engine has its pistons positioned. The weight of that piston laying on its side as it moves back and forth wears a grove in the cylinder bore.

The honda 4 cylinder engine is an inline design. All of its pistons are upright in a straight row. The wear to the cylinder is much more even. All things being equal, an inline engine will last longer than a horizontal opposing engine.

In my most humble opinion, dollar for dollar, Honda makes the best (designed, quality, ergonomics, fit and finsih, etc..) cars in the world.

Answer 7

The Subaru is the unofficial "poster vehicle" for bad weather driving where a 4x4 is required. Other vehicles are OK but the Subaru is purchased more often when AWD is needed.

Answer 8

Go Subaru! Honda is not a snow, ski vehicle, all those official ski team Subaru's can't be wrong.

Answer 9

I like the Subaru WRX because it has a AWD. The Honda Civic doesn't have one.

Answer 10

Subie

awd helps living in the northeast ...