Yes. They hold their value for a reason. I can only speak to Subarus, since they are what I've owned. My last one went to 240k, and probably would have gone a lot further if I'd decided to put $1000 into the engine instead of trading it in for a newer used Subaru.

The drawbacks for Subarus:

SoundslikePuget is dead on about the oil leaks in older Subarus (upwards of 150k). The seals tend to go at that age, and they can go through oil faster than newer cars. But still, very good, very reliable.

They also don't get the same kind of mileage that a little old Toyota might get. My last two subarus averaged around 24-28 miles per gallon. Newer Toyotas and Nissans can get upwards of 40 mpg, but might not be as heavy duty.

If I were buying a car for mountain logging roads, I'd get a Subaru. If I were buying a car specifically just for commuting to work or tooling around town, I'd look seriously at a Toyota or Nissan.

For Subarus, the answer is a resounding YES, they are reliable at 100k miles.

I'm on my third Subaru. First one had about 145k and was running great when it got totaled in a crash.

My second Subaru had 245,000 miles on it when it started giving me trouble with the engine. I sold it, and later saw it parked at a nearby trailhead (it had a distinctive bumper sticker). The new owner told me he put a new engine in it, and it was running great.

My current Subaru has 158,000 miles on it.

Subarus with 200,000 miles are reliable. At 100,000 miles, they're barely broken in.

Just remember to CHECK THE OIL! Subaurs use oil. If you add oil when it needs it, you're golden. If you don't, and let it run dry, you're in trouble. My brother has killed two Suby's on Stevens Pass by failing to check the oil. Don't be that guy (or girl)

My first two cars were late 80's/early 90's Toyotas and those babies ran forever.

I bought my '89 Corolla with 140k or so miles on it, drove it for a year and a half without doing any maintenance, and sold it with over 200k to a mechanic who then drove it for another 2-3 years (not sure, family used to see it around town).

After the Corolla was a '91 4x4 Pickup that I drove for another year and a half (I sold it when I moved here- otherwise I would have driven it into the ground). The speedometer crapped out around 146k and I drove it for a year after that before I sold it. I also never did any maintenance, and from what I hear it's still kicking around town.

My aunt drove her old old Subaru until the bottom rusted out, and my brother is notorious for driving really crappy old Toyota trucks. My mom always told me to never buy anything other than a Toyota or Honda if I was buying something old. I trust her!

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