Subaru or Other?

[grateful1]

So, the fiancée wants to trade/sell her 2002 Subaru Legacy Outback 3.0 Sedan (whew!)...for the new 2009 Forrester.

We test drove it and then I had her take out a Tribeca(hehehe)...whne we left she was all confused!

I know she likes the sturdiness of the larger car(as well as the V6), but she also likes a slightly smaller vehicle.

Does anyone have a real world suggestion for a vehicle?

Thanks.

 

[tone-ny]

I like the Tribeca and the fact that all their vehicles are 4wd. Can't go wrong with that combination.

 

[The Green Monkey]

Both of our cars are Subies. My wife drives an 02 Impreza 2.5TS and I've got an 07 Legacy GT wagon. Hers is so tiny you can whip it around like nothing, but the turbocharged engine in mine (as well as the S# mode of SI Drive) is just an absolute joy. I don't need to tell you about the AWD, but if she takes any pleasure in driving (or if you do and you plan on driving it ever) I'd heartily recommend the turbo 2.5 over anything with a 6 cylinder. Aggressively test drive them both and you'll see why.

I'd look at the Outback XT and the Forester XT (maybe even a new 08 XT that's still sitting on a lot somewhere) if I were in your shoes, but then again, I really don't care for the Tribecas.

 

[Ginseng]

We've been pleased with our Kia Sedona. If I were in the market for a small SUV, I wouldn't hesitate to look at the Kia Sportage or Sorento.

I should add that we owned a first gen 1998 Forester and I drive a 2002 WRX and love(d) them both. The Subie line has gotten a bit upscale in recent years and mileage sucks but they are well made and capable.

Wilkey

 

[grateful1]

Both of our cars are Subies. My wife drives an 02 Impreza 2.5TS and I've got an 07 Legacy GT wagon. Hers is so tiny you can whip it around like nothing, but the turbocharged engine in mine (as well as the S# mode of SI Drive) is just an absolute joy. I don't need to tell you about the AWD, but if she takes any pleasure in driving (or if you do and you plan on driving it ever) I'd heartily recommend the turbo 2.5 over anything with a 6 cylinder. Aggressively test drive them both and you'll see why.

I'd look at the Outback XT and the Forester XT (maybe even a new 08 XT that's still sitting on a lot somewhere) if I were in your shoes, but then again, I really don't care for the Tribecas.

Funny, we took out the turbo Legacy (and one other) and they had nothing on the V6 (across the powerband range)!

You're also locked into premium grade fuel with turbo....but she likes the hood scoop! :laugh:

edit - the pre-08 Forester is out...she doesn't like the body style!

 

[insight]

I love my 04 wrx and my dad has had no problems with his forester. My wife is starting to drink the kool aid too and wants to replace her car with a forester. So basically, I like Subarus for what they are.

 

[tone-ny]

Both of our cars are Subies. My wife drives an 02 Impreza 2.5TS and I've got an 07 Legacy GT wagon. Hers is so tiny you can whip it around like nothing, but the turbocharged engine in mine (as well as the S# mode of SI Drive) is just an absolute joy. I don't need to tell you about the AWD, but if she takes any pleasure in driving (or if you do and you plan on driving it ever) I'd heartily recommend the turbo 2.5 over anything with a 6 cylinder. Aggressively test drive them both and you'll see why.

I'd look at the Outback XT and the Forester XT (maybe even a new 08 XT that's still sitting on a lot somewhere) if I were in your shoes, but then again, I really don't care for the Tribecas.

Funny, we took out the turbo Legacy (and one other) and they had nothing on the V6 (across the powerband range)!

You're also locked into premium grade fuel with turbo....but she likes the hood scoop! :laugh:

edit - the pre-08 Forester is out...she doesn't like the body style!

And what is wrong with buying premium fuel at premium prices. Your car is worth it, just cut back on the cigars :thumbs:

 

[Rob_k]

Toyota RAV4, small to mid size SUV with V6 option and all wheel drive. I have one now and it is a very nice car/suv. Not bad on gas either, I have the V6 and it is more than capable in the concrete jungle.
Rob

 

[grateful1]

.....
Funny, we took out the turbo Legacy (and one other) and they had nothing on the V6 (across the powerband range)!

You're also locked into premium grade fuel with turbo....but she likes the hood scoop! :laugh:

edit - the pre-08 Forester is out...she doesn't like the body style!

And what is wrong with buying premium fuel at premium prices. Your car is worth it, just cut back on the cigars :thumbs:

I drive a " 345 hp and 375 lb.-ft of torque" V8 and don't have to put in premium! :sign:

...and still get around 20mpg on average.

 

[cookie_1978]

I (wife) has a loaded 2006 Tribeca. We bought it on a 3 year lease. I will be happy as hell to turn it in. Motor (2006) is undersized. I believe they added some hp since 2006. Gas mileage is not great. The kids have just beat the inside up.

 

[Marco-Polo]

So, the fiancée wants to trade/sell her 2002 Subaru Legacy Outback 3.0 Sedan (whew!)...for the new 2009 Forrester.

We test drove it and then I had her take out a Tribeca(hehehe)...whne we left she was all confused!

I know she likes the sturdiness of the larger car(as well as the V6), but she also likes a slightly smaller vehicle.

Does anyone have a real world suggestion for a vehicle?

Thanks.

Real world? Well, my wife and I drove a Subaru when we picked our 1st (and so far only) car together. We ended up picking a Hyundai Elantra GT, aka "the slug". Because the sage green one looks like a slug, in profile. (What can I say, we're Canadians, we like our wit dry.) We got the silver.

IMO, pretty much any Subaru has enough power to do whatever you demand of it. All have AWD. All are pretty good in a crash. My input, so far as it goes, is that the price of oil is only going up - $4/gallon hurts, but I was working in Amsterdam last summer and I saw gas at 2 euros + per liter - $1.61 to the euro, 4 liters to the gallon, and so that's about $13 per gallon. IMO gas prices in the USA won't quite reach that, but it's certainly looking like they'll get a lot closer.

The point is, unless you REALLY need the space, get as small and as fuel efficient a vehicle as you possibly can. Remember, the price difference isn't just the sticker; it's every additional dollar you put in to maintaining and operating, plus any residual value on resale or trade-in. It makes a real difference.

 

[The Green Monkey]

Both of our cars are Subies. My wife drives an 02 Impreza 2.5TS and I've got an 07 Legacy GT wagon. Hers is so tiny you can whip it around like nothing, but the turbocharged engine in mine (as well as the S# mode of SI Drive) is just an absolute joy. I don't need to tell you about the AWD, but if she takes any pleasure in driving (or if you do and you plan on driving it ever) I'd heartily recommend the turbo 2.5 over anything with a 6 cylinder. Aggressively test drive them both and you'll see why.

I'd look at the Outback XT and the Forester XT (maybe even a new 08 XT that's still sitting on a lot somewhere) if I were in your shoes, but then again, I really don't care for the Tribecas.

Funny, we took out the turbo Legacy (and one other) and they had nothing on the V6 (across the powerband range)!

You're also locked into premium grade fuel with turbo....but she likes the hood scoop! :laugh:

edit - the pre-08 Forester is out...she doesn't like the body style!

I assume you had given the engine enough time to warm up so that the turbo would spool, but is there a chance you had the SI Drive in Intelligent mode? Did you fiddle with the big dial in the center console and twist it all the way to the right once the engine was warm so that you were using the most aggressive throttle map?

I've had a devil of a time finding any meaningful numbers to back up my position, but suffice it to say that I am very surprised that you thought the 3.0 to be preferable to the 2.5T.

 

[grateful1]

I assume you had given the engine enough time to warm up so that the turbo would spool, but is there a chance you had the SI Drive in Intelligent mode? Did you fiddle with the big dial in the center console and twist it all the way to the right once the engine was warm so that you were using the most aggressive throttle map?

I've had a devil of a time finding any meaningful numbers to back up my position, but suffice it to say that I am very surprised that you thought the 3.0 to be preferable to the 2.5T.

Hmmmm...maybe that was the problem.

 

[mrrt]

95 Legacy with 165K on her and she runs good as the day I brought her home. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

art

 

[jabba]

If you can wait... Subie is coming out with a Diesel boxer soon , 50mpg and 250lb/ft at 1800 revs

http://www.boxerdiesel.com/