My 2-Year Experience Driving a Ksh2.9M Subaru Forester 

‍Welcome to the Money254 Car Series — where we spotlight car owners across Kenya and their experiences behind the wheel. From first-time buyers to seasoned motorists, we dig into the motivations, costs, lessons, and joys of owning different car models in Kenya today.

This week, we feature Allan, a Nairobi-based professional who owns a 2017 Subaru Forester (SJ5).

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After years of driving a low-slung Nissan Note, I was tired of scraping its underbelly on every speed bump and being constantly mistaken for an Uber driver. The ‘Uber vibes’ were real - from getting waved down by strangers to being told to park in the taxi slots at my friends' houses. I was ready for a change. 

My old car was functional, but I needed something that something different. That's why two years ago, I made the jump and bought a 2017 Subaru Forester (SJ5) for Ksh2.9 million.

The first thing that sold me was the ground clearance. The Forester's ride height is a huge relief; I no longer cringe at the sight of speed bumps or rough patches of road. It’s a game-changer for someone who drives regularly in Nairobi. The car's high stance also gives it a presence on the road that my previous car just couldn’t match.

City vs. Highway Driving

My Forester is primarily a commuter car, getting me to and from the office every day. But it's also a trusted companion for the occasional long trip back home to Eldoret. This is where I've seen a clear difference in its performance.

Within the city, its 2.0L petrol engine gives me an average of about 10 km per litre. In heavy traffic, it can be a bit thirsty, but it’s a fair trade-off for its comfort and all-wheel-drive system. However, when I hit the open highway, the fuel economy is fantastic. I get an impressive 15 to 16 km per litre, which makes long-distance travel much more affordable. It's a car that feels like it was made for the open road.

Managing Maintenance and Spare Parts

So far, I've been lucky. I haven’t had any major accidents, just a few small dents here and there. The repairs have been straightforward and haven’t come with a huge financial burden. It shows that Subarus can be durable and dependable, as long as they are well-maintained.

However, a recent chat with my mechanic gave me a bit of a reality check. While most service parts are readily available, certain body parts, like the rear lights, can be a pain to find. If they get damaged, it can take quite some time to source replacements, and they come at a significant cost. 

This is a point to consider for anyone looking to buy a Subaru. You have to weigh the car's general reliability against the potential cost and time of sourcing specific parts.

A Need for Speed?

If I had to wish for one thing, it would be a little more power. My car is built for comfort and safety, and while it performs well, it doesn’t quite have the sporty acceleration that Subarus are famous for. It's a small detail, but I'll admit I sometimes wish it had a little more "get up and go" on the highway.

Overall, my Ksh2.9 million investment in the Subaru Forester has been a good one. It gave me the ground clearance I needed, a more professional look, and the comfort to handle both daily city traffic and long road trips. 

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