(1) Forester 2.5 is noisy, particularly road noise getting into cabin; with very hard suspension, making it unsmoothy on highway.
(2) Engine bay design isn't people-centric: hard to reach for transmission fluid check and spark plug changing.
(3) Poor design on oil filter: It's under the engine and no way you can change oil without spilling on the floor.
(4) Gas mileage is poor: I was getting less than 20 mpg on the road average. In the first year you might get a little higher.
(5) Frameless door/window sounds like a fashion, actually it can't seal well with noise.
(6) Mine was a 02, maybe they have changed now - it had a drum brake on rear, cheapy meaning low braking effiiency.
The good part: all wheel drive; hard body making it safer.
Well, don't think I am picky but when you spend $33k you could and you deserve a better car/suv. Test drive it and look at it thoroughly before you purchase it. Good luck!!