We recently purchased a used Subaru Forester for teen. We test drove and were weighing the different used legacy sedans (AWD/4WD non negotiable here) when a used Forester popped up on the dealer website. They tend to sell those right away so it felt fast but they fixed a bunch of stuff on it and then we were the first to drive it. It wasn’t cheap but it’s a very nice car and should last a while. We were offered 500 under MSRP if we bought a new Subaru, which would have been a February delivery date. We decided we really liked the Forester for him and those are quite a bit more new, plus the used one has leather and heated seats (which are not technically necessary but you do have to weigh value). A new one with leather interior would be a LOT more. So, crossing fingers that the car lasts him a long time.
Subaru Foresters dated 2018 or earlier are prized due to the availability of a turbocharged engine.
We missed out on the opportunity to purchase one of the first produced Subaru Forester Wilderness (new trim line introduced “in 2022”. Still feel a bit sick as we were offered the chance to secure it via a small deposit, but insisted on test-driving it first. Lost out as it was sold within one or two hours of our decision not to reserve it with a deposit even though we drove within a few hours to the dealership for a test drive.
Thank you for explaining that the range may be lower in cold weather. I was wondering why that was happening. So far, enjoying the car very much.
Speaking of EVs… Ford sent a warning letter to some of the dealerships telling them that they can’t request any deposits in addition to what was required to reserve an F-150 Lightning. Also said it would be OK to request a no resale for a year agreement signed by the buyers.
Ford tried this before with the 2017 Ford GT, but a 2-year restriction:
The two lawsuits that Ford brought against buyers were settled confidentially.
I’ve seen those no quick resale (flipping), no rental (owner-occupied only), low or moderate income, etc. restrictions written into real estate agreements and recorded on deeds/title. IME, here in CA, they’re unenforceable either by the governmental agency in charge of enforcing the restriction provision or any HOA, if there is one. No time, no money.
I’d let the lawyers chime in, but to me, it’s “restraint of trade.” Anti-capitalist. 
I’m not sure where you are located or if you have found one but Greene Suburau in Springfield Il has an Outback Wilderness in transit
Most Subaru dealers that I have contacted abide by a limit of 200 miles for all sales. I have found several Subaru dealers who refused to sell to me because my address is more than 200 miles from the dealership.
I did find one dealer whose salesperson stated that that dealer does not abide by the Subaru restriction.
Ha Ha. My D who is now in grad school and is 24 needed a car for school a few years back. A relative sold me their minivan for cheap. She has been driving it ever since. She certainly wasn’t and isn’t “dying” to drive it but it has been a fairly reliable vehicle which allows her to move things back and forth from campus and various living situations without much difficulty. When she gets a job I am sure a new vehicle will be one of her first purchases.
Maybe mask mandates are good for more than stopping the spread of disease.
I never, ever wanted to drive a mini van even when I was a mom with young children!
I LOVED our minivan. Wish they still made the shorter versions. It was as easy to park as the new small SUV’s. Fantastic visibility. Worked well for children, high school events, camping, hauling to college, home repairs, etc. It was over 20 years old when I finally had to say goodbye. SIGH.
I got my first Suburban in 1992 and my second one in 2003. These were my “mom” cars and I loved them. My girls could have all of their friends come over after school in my car and they worked well for road trips and were great at the barn since my girls rode horses. Not always easy to park, but they drove so well and I always felt safe in them.
Agreed. I loved my smaller Plymouth minivans. As good as a truck for hauling and camping, filled with windows, versatile, cushy seating. With the back seat removed when the kids left, I kept my bike inside.
You can’t beat the sliding doors, especially with younger kids who tend to just fling open regular doors, right into the car parked next to you.
I had a minivan from when the kids were in grade school and kept for 20 years before I bought a hybrid Prius prime just before Covid.
It served our family and my nonprofit well, especially for camping trips and sports and hauling lots of gear.
Bummer 
I have a 2022 Subaru Outback Limited (my 3rd) one . I got lucky!
In September I put a deposit on a new one. I have always wanted a red one.
I figured it would take me 6 months or more to get it. I was in no hurry to get a new one so I put down the deposit.
The factory had one schedule to be delivered to my dealership the next month and it was just a the right point in manufacturing that it was able to intercept it and change it to my specification and I got it that next month! I was totally shocked.
My dealer told me that was about the only way I was probably going to get one, by placing down a deposit.
Why is this a “bummer” ?
That subaru dealers won’t deal with people more than 200 miles away. You would think they would want the business regardless