Thats a pretty prodigious list of dealers but if youll take a second and peruse the Subaru Global site,
http://www.subaru-global.com/, youll notice that they have quite the dealer network themselves, including some of the countries youve listed off. Perhaps not as large as Mercedes due to the sheer amount of money Daimler has in relation to Subaru but Subaru hasnt been as internationally active as many of the other marques mentioned due to their restricted access to funds.
"Mercedes-Benz had the least reliable vehicles in three categories. Six of its 13 models were below average, and the GLK SUV was far below average this year." - Consumer Reports
"Subaru had a good record overall, with a top rating going to the four-cylinder Legacy sedan and the non-turbo version of the Forester SUV." - Consumer Reports
Warranty Direct most reliable cars of the past decade (and this is an international list, copy available at:
http://www.gizmag.com/the-100-most-reliable-cars-of-the-last-decade-in-order/5657/):
#2: Subaru Forester - Not quite an off roader, much more than an estate with a sporty edge, making it the perfect combination. Great all round buy.
#72: Mercedes E Class
I guess its good that the dealer network is so dense as many owners of European cars will tell you, youll need them.
I guess Im more along the lines of TKSC01 when it comes to traveling. The list is of vehicles that could be taken around the world and are available for purchase here, which lets face it, a very, very, very small amount of people on this board will actually do. We dream of it and talk about it but the fact is, most of us will not make it past Canada or Mexico with our vehicles.
You have been fortunate enough to partake in many "international travels", which you have pointed out, but there are some choices on the list that make no sense at all. With your readership in mind, most of this list is funny. The argument of global dealer networks are relevant due to the choices. You even acknowledge that one of your choices would be almost impossible to find parts for while traveling:
"The G-Wagen is a rare breed, and for those who have driven them, they rarely will drive anything else. Yes, they are that good, but their obscurity is also their only downfall, as parts can be difficult or impossible to find while traveling and they can be somewhat temperamental."
So, why is a limited parts availability G Wagen that can be "temperamental" a better choice than a DII which has better parts availability, due to its being more common place, but can also be just as temperamental? Curious as to the logic. Is it because Tom Sheppard drives one?
You list things like capability and reliability and then list what is acknowledged to be one of the least reliable vehicles out there as a top choice (because the international dealer network is dense?) over a vehicle widely acknowledged to be one of the most reliable and durable vehicles out there (but a thinner international network) and then go on to list the Nissan XTerra as a top choice. You do know that that is a North American market only offering right? Show up to an international dealer with one of those and youll be waiting for parts too. So, why is it acceptable to have limited availability of parts for the XTerra but not for a Subaru? In fact, your words of wisdom for it are "The best overall value on the list, but make sure you don't leave the country without a DHL account and the number to your Nissan dealership." What about Suzuki? They will have a great dealer network for their motorcycles but what about the automobile side of things? They are not the same. I bet its thinner on the ground than Subarus. It just makes no sense at all really.
Which vehicle is going to require that extensive network? Thats what you should be asking yourself. Change suspension geometry, install skidplates and add a few things to make the E Class what an Outback or Forester already is? A Subaru might not have the international network that Mercedes has but, if the goal is overall reliability and as few modifications as possible to keep the reliability and be ready for the trip, the E Class is not a top choice. Hard to imagine why it is. For some vehicles, it isnt a question of if but when youre going to need that dealer network and youve highly recommended one that falls firmly into that category (possibly more than that if you count the G Wagen and the JK which are not highly rated when it comes to reliability).
I think that the choice is made with a view of what Mercedes USED to be and not what Mercedes currently is just like there is a difference between what Toyota USED to be versus what Toyota is now. In the cosmopolitan parts of Africa and Eastern Europe, a new Mercedes might be common but in the rougher parts, the common Mercedes is going to be an example of what they USED to be, the W123 (which would be the better choice but out of range for this list due to its age).
Then we get to the Jeep Compass. Why the Jeep Compass/ Dodge Caliber? Superior AWD? Nope. Superior build quality? Hell no. Superior Capability? Youre joking, right? My 20 year old plastic Thermos lunch box has better quality materials and build quality than that entire car.
I am sure that I am going to come off as a Subaru fan boy. I have owned one and it was up there as one of the most reliable and best built road cars I have ever owned. I am not questioning because of any latent Subaru fanaticism but because the list of requirements and the actual list of choices varies so wildly. A list is just a list and subject to personal bias but many things just make no sense at all to me.
