My Subaru Forester Has 275,000 Miles and It’s Held Together By Metal Roofing Screws, But It Keeps Me Alive

Someone needs to hear this story. It could be you.

You aren't alone if you cannot purchase a new 2025 Subaru Forester or another new small SUV. Finances are tight, and you are struggling to make ends meet. It would be great to go to the Subaru dealer, pick out a car you've seen, plunk down the cash, and buy a new vehicle for Christmas. However, that's not happening. 

I've seen lots of new cars on the road this week. Most of them are financed, but that's a story for another time.

This story is about Mark's 2009 Subaru Forester, which is paid off with more miles than you can count. Maybe you can relate. It's still running, and it keeps him alive. Mark also keeps his Forester alive.

Here is Mark's story. 

Mark wants to buy a new car for himself and his wife, but he continues to drive a 2009 Subaru Forester with 275,000 miles on it. I drive a six-year-old vehicle, and I think I'm roughing it. However, that's nothing compared with Mark.

Imagine driving your 2009 Subaru Forester, which was your wife's car, and it has to get you to your job every day. It now has 275,000 miles, and metal roofing screws hold it together. You have multiple sclerosis (MS), you are a builder by trade, and you need your car to get to and from your construction jobs. 

If you know anything about MS, it can cause serious issues. 

John Hopkins Medicine says, "MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that occurs when the body's immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve cells in the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord."

The report says people with MS can have muscle weakness, stiffness, spasms, vision problems, trouble walking, tingling feelings, and difficulty with thinking and movement. Symptoms can also include bladder and bowel incontinence. 

Some individuals with MS may only be mildly affected, while others may lose the ability to walk, see clearly, write, or speak. 

It's not easy to keep your life rolling along if you have MS. 

It would be easy to get discouraged, feel sorry for yourself, and think everyone else has it better than you do. Most people would have questions like, Why me? Why does life have to be so complicated?

Mark's story is not just about survival, it's about thriving. He doesn't envy the shiny new cars on the road; he cherishes his sixteen-year-old Forester and plans to keep it forever. His gratitude is a beacon of hope in a world often overshadowed by materialism. 

Mark doesn't look at what he doesn't have, he looks at what he does have. He doesn't throw things away; he picks things out of the trash and sees a gem. His Forester is his lifeline to the world, and he's thankful for it, even if it's old. 

When a person is thankful, it's hard to feel discouraged. The two cannot coexist. 

Mark says, “My Subaru keeps me alive, and that’s not a story.” 

Here’s the real story.

"My 2009 Subaru Forester with 275,000 miles has needed two timing belts, brakes, and regular maintenance. Sure, the head gasket has been leaking oil for five years. Just a minor inconvenience." 

"I was/am a licensed builder and use my Subaru for extreme purposes like gathering firewood. The reason I say my Subaru keeps me alive is because I have multiple sclerosis, and the Subaru keeps me moving." 

"I believe if I stop moving, I will stop permanently." 

"This was my wife's car, and when we purchased a new car, we bought a Honda. I have replaced fuel injectors, a turbocharger, and O2 sensors in the short time we have owned it. Her next vehicle will be another Subaru." 

"I get made fun of because metal roofing screws hold together my Subaru and might not look the prettiest, but it will be the last car I own, and I will keep it running for the rest of my life." 

Mark is so happy with his 2009 Subaru that he wants to tell Subaru of America. Mark wrote this to SOA. 

He finished by saying, "Thank you, Subaru, for listening. I just wanted to share how happy I am with my Subaru."

Wait, there's more.

I heard about a doctor who was treating a patient with a serious disease. The patient was not responding to any treatment. He consulted another doctor with much experience working with patients who had experienced severe trauma. 

The doctor came in to observe and, after observing the patient for a few minutes, asked her an interesting question: "When did you lose your sweetness?"

This doctor knew that if sweetness existed on the inside, it would manifest in improved health and wellness for this patient.  

Despite the challenges, Mark hasn't lost his joy or his ability to be thankful. His story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always room for happiness and hope. 

There may be someone who is reading this that needs to hear about Mark. His story is about taking what you have and making the best of a difficult situation. Hopefully, it will inspire someone who needs it now. 

Around the Holidays, it's easy to get discouraged because everything revolves around buying new things and getting a shiny new car or whatever. However, thankfulness, joy, and sweetness are an inside job. It didn't depend on what Mark had on the outside. It's who he is on the inside. 

Mark's determination to keep moving forward despite the challenges is truly inspiring. Thanks, Mark, for sharing your story. 

Do you have a great inspirational story about yourself or someone you know? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

This next story is inspirational and takes an unexpected twist. 

My Son Needed a Car, So Grandma Buys Him a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, Only Problem, Grandma Loves It More Than Her Toyota Camry and Takes It Back. Here is Aurene's unforgettable tale.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Mark and Subaru