Purchased 26th Vehicle from Lesser-Known Automaker in Three Decades, Explanation of My Undying Affection Towards It
A bloke in Blighty has shown some serious dedication to a single car brand, laying claim to the title of their longest-serving UK customer after buying his 26th model in three decades. But it's not a big-name marque like Ford, Volkswagen, or BMW. Instead, it's a brand that makes up just 0.12% of new car registrations and was 34th in terms of sales in 2023.
Bill Nunn, a project manager hailing from London, has stuck with this Japanese manufacturer through thick and thin, starting with a Legacy Estate in 1995. Since then, he's added 25 morebadge-wearing rides to his garage, averaging a new model nearly every year.
While this automaker may not be a household name, it's got a reputation for producing reliable, practical vehicles and a few standout performance cars - particularly during the 1990s and early 2000s when they were popular in the World Rally Championship.
As for why Bill keeps coming back, he recently shared that Subarus are the perfect blend of performance, quality, and dependability, adding that he's never been left stranded in 30 years of driving these vehicles.
Though it's not the most popular car brand in the UK, Subarus scored high in reliability surveys over the years and even topped a customer survey by Auto Express in 2024. Still, it remains far from a volume seller, with fewer than 3,000 vehicles registered in the UK last year.
Despite their relatively low sales, Bill can't resist the draw of these niche vehicles. His collection ranges from various Legacy and Impreza wagons to his favorite - the Forester SUV - of which he's owned multiple versions over the years.
One unique feature of the Forester that may have caught Bill's eye is that until a facelift in 2024, it was the last model sold in the UK with a CD player. The new model replaced this "old-school" feature with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, much to the dismay of purists everywhere.
So, while a three-decade devotion to a single car brand might seem like overkill, Bill Nunn's story serves as a testament to Subaru's lasting appeal - and perhaps the enduring charm of well-crafted, reliable vehicles.
- Bill Nunn, a London-based project manager, has maintained a long-standing loyalty towards a specific Japanese automaker, with his 26th purchase marking him as their longest-serving UK customer after three decades.
- Contrary to big-name brands like Ford, Volkswagen, or BMW, the niche car manufacturer makes up just 0.12% of new car registrations and was 34th in terms of sales in 2023.
- Bill's dedication is rooted in Subaru's reputation for crafting vehicles that boast a balance of performance, quality, and dependability, ensuring he's never stranded in 30 years of driving them.
- Despite their unpopularity and low sales volume in the UK, Subarus have consistently scored high in reliability surveys, even topping a customer survey by Auto Express in 2024.
- Bill's collection features various models such as Legacy Estate, Impreza wagons, and multiple versions of his favorite – the Forester SUV.
- In a unique twist, the Forester was the last model sold in the UK with a CD player, which was replaced by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the new model, sparking dismay among purists everywhere.
