Actually it's only $5,000 more then the Mitsubishi IF you can find a basic one.

I'm very curious to see what the pricing on the 250 is going to be like.

AWD in VA?

How about the Acura TSX wagon?

http://www.acura.com/modellanding.aspx?model=tsx%20sport%20wagon

Which Subaru? Outback or Forester?

Do you have reason to believe that you would be unhappy with the performance of a normally-aspirated 4-cylinder Subaru?

Find a good used E320 4matic for $20-25k. It will hold it's value much longer than any new SUV, it will carry stuff, and it will be much nicer to drive.

By only looking at new cars in that price range, you are severely limiting your options.

I looked at all of those and more. The Chevy Equinox blew them all away. Motor Week just did a comparison of 9 small SUV below 29K and also picked the Equinox.

I love the Post, but have never liked Warren Brown's columns. For one thing, he seems to always start with what he doesn't like about the car being reviewed. For some cars, a negative approach is appropriate, but he seems to start with the negative in every case. His review of the Cayenne is a good example. He starts the column noting that his test car did not have a backup camera. Is that the sort of feature that he expects to be of interest in a review of a Porsche?

On the other hand, I completely agree with his view that it is hard to justify paying $93,000 for that car. It does seem like a particularly pointless vehicle.

I've thought about that, but have learned all too well the old adage: "There's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes." Also, premium fuel cost and mileage are a big factor.

GM??? Maybe I'm too biased.

I am a diehard Ford guy, it was that good

also MW review

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt3022a.shtml

I'm thinking the Forester, but the Outback is nice too. I also want the performance help of the turbo.

I owned a Ford once. '83 Ford Escort. It died at 86,000 miles. 'Course that was during the horrible '80's when everything coming out of the States was garbage.

none of the cars are the same as the 80's. I had a camaro that swore me off GM and a Toyota I bought new that rusted out from under me. All the car co's have figured out the quality needs so the playing field leveled off years ago for me.

The 2.5 Outback has a CVT transmission and is pretty smooth. The 2.5 Forester has a conventional automatic that does the old 4 cyl/auto upshift/downshift shuffle. It's a pain.

If premium fuel is an issue, you better review the octane needs of the cars in question. I would be very surprised if the XT turbo is designed to sip 87.

You're right. It needs premium.

I'm beginning to feel like I want the best of too many worlds.....