Ownership Costs

What does it actually cost to own a Subaru long-term? We crunch the numbers on maintenance, insurance, fuel, and common repairs so you can budget smart.

WRX

True Cost of Owning a WRX to 150k Miles

FA20DIT and FA24 WRXs are cheap to buy and expensive to ignore. Plan on premium fuel, $90 oil services every 5k, and a clutch around 80k if you actually drive it.

10-Year Estimate

~$28,400 maintenance + repairs over 10 yrs / 150k mi (excl. fuel & insurance)

Watch-outs

▸TGV delete / cleaning by 60k — $250 DIY
▸Clutch + flywheel 70k–100k — $1,400 installed
▸Rear diff fluid every 30k (R160 hates neglect)

DIY tip

Run a quart of Subaru HP synthetic 5W-30 between changes — FA engines drink oil and warranty replacement requires a 1-quart-per-1,200-mi consumption test.

→ WRX Problems Guide

Outback

Outback Ownership Costs Breakdown

FB25 Outbacks are among the cheapest Subarus to keep running — until the CVT or head gaskets surprise you past 120k. Budget for a full CVT service at 60k and again at 120k.

10-Year Estimate

~$19,800 maintenance + repairs over 10 yrs / 150k mi

Watch-outs

▸CVTF-II drain & fill every 30k — $180 DIY / $400 dealer
▸Oil consumption on 2013–2018 FB25 — keep receipts for the class-action extension
▸Wheel bearings 90k–120k — $220 per corner DIY

DIY tip

Switch to a Subaru OEM cabin filter ($14) and engine air filter ($22) — third-party paper filters shed fibers into the MAF on the FB25.

→ Outback Recalls

Forester

Forester Maintenance Schedule & Costs

The 2019+ SK Forester (FB25 + Lineartronic) is one of the lowest-cost-to-own crossovers on the market. Stay on the 6k/6mo oil interval and most owners clear 200k on the original engine.

10-Year Estimate

~$17,200 maintenance + repairs over 10 yrs / 150k mi

Watch-outs

▸Front control-arm bushings 80k+ — $380 a side at a shop
▸Spark plugs (NGK SILZKR7B11) every 60k — $90 DIY, $450 at the dealer
▸Rear differential fluid 60k — $35 DIY

DIY tip

EyeSight cameras need recalibration after any windshield work — budget $350 at the dealer, no aftermarket option exists.

→ Repair Costs Database

General

Is a Used Subaru Expensive to Own?

Compared to Toyota and Honda, Subarus cost ~15–25% more per year to maintain past 100k miles. The premium comes from AWD service (CVTF, rear diff, transfer-case fluids) and head-gasket-prone EJ25 era cars.

10-Year Estimate

Subaru: $0.62/mi · Toyota RAV4: $0.49/mi · Mazda CX-5: $0.55/mi (RepairPal + reader data)

Watch-outs

▸Pre-2013 EJ25 head gaskets — $2,200 job, often pays to swap engines
▸All CVTs: skip the “lifetime fluid” myth, service every 30k
▸Insurance on WRX/STI runs 30–40% above class average

DIY tip

Buy a $35 Subaru-specific OBD-II dongle (BlueDriver works) — it reads CVT temps and DTCs the generic readers miss.

→ Repair Costs Database

Ownership Costs

True Cost of Owning a WRX to 150k Miles

Outback Ownership Costs Breakdown

Forester Maintenance Schedule & Costs

Is a Used Subaru Expensive to Own?

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