I am a mother of 2 young children and I have been driving the Forester for 5 years. It is a very safe car and I live in a snowy part of New England. The best part is that it sits up a little higher, so I don't have to worry too much about potholes! It also has plenty of room in the backseat for car seats even with extra leg room. The trunk is spacious and can fit 2 strollers. Other than regular wear and tear, I have not had any mechanical issues at all. I am still using the same tires that came with it when I originally leased the vehicle (I bought it out of a lease) and they are in great condition. One issue that I knew going into it, is that the Forester has a bit of a rougher ride, than the Outback, which is a bit smoother on the road.

I like that my car has required very little maintenance and has survived city living, mountainous vacations, beach driving, and caring weather conditions. The car holds a lot of stuff for its size making it great for my home renovation projects.