What about the RAV-4 V6?

You have a number of different criteria - e.g., fuel economy, fuel grade, engine performance, drivetrain layout, general utility - that are going to bump into each other.

I wish you success in finding a compromise that works well for you.

After my wife's daily driver was totaled in August, we went to a Subaru dealership expecting to purchase a new Forester, and ended up buying a Subaru Certified 2007 (previous generation) Outback. Liked the Forester; liked the Outback much better. The performance of the normally aspirated 4-cylinder engine suits our needs and personal tastes.

I like the idea of the CVT, and I hope that it turns out to be a real winner for long-term reliability. I didn't feel comfortable buying one at this time.

87 octane, from what I've found in a quick google search.

Do you need 4 seats?

You're very correct there!! I need to rethink what I'm really looking for. I agree that it's easy to haul the twice a year big stuff from Home Depot or our local nursery with a rental for the day, which I've done in the past. When I really think about it, we really only have a need for the space of a SUV a few days a year, so the practicality of buying one doesn't seem to outweigh the desire for something that drives more like a car.

So if it's the availability of 4WD with the feel of a car and a little more space for storage, then a wagon is the way to go.

I like the fact that the Subaru uses a boxer type engine with lower center of gravity. The engine is inherently smoother running, which translates into a more comfortable car and longer lasting engine. Time for a test drive?

I'd keep the TDI and invest in a spare set of steel wheels with snow tires. My A3 Jetta does better in the snow with dedicated snow tires than just about anything I have driven; it's pretty hard to get it stuck.

I also think you'll miss the character of the TDI (if it's anything like my '98, anyway) and I KNOW you'll miss the mpg's. I love filling up, going to my little spiral notebook to record the date and mileage, and discovering it's been 5 weeks since my last fill-up.

Keep in mind that AWD has lots more expensive parts to break. If your TDI isn't a lemon, I'd be hard-pressed to part with it (if I were you). I keep thinking about that with mine; why would I ever part with a car that, with snows, does EVERYTHING I need it to do year round, and returns 45mpg in the process? Plus, I enjoy the hell out of driving it. Nothing else does so many things so well. That said, I have more than one car, and the others do some things (hauling, spirited driving) better, just not as many things well. And none of them come close on mileage/ease of maintenance!

BTW, have you tried any of the mods available for your TDI? I am familiar mostly with the options for A3 chassis and AHU motor TDIs, but I am sure some most exist for your car. While it'll never be a race car, I was VERY pleasantly surprised at what a simple chip upgrade and spring set did for my car.

For less than the down payment for a new car, you could probably kit your car out with snows and some nice mods. Something to think about!

:cool:None of the above.

I'd buy a new GL Mercedes SUV diesel.

I have not kept up to date on late model Subarus, but I loved my wife's 1997 Impreza. One thing I liked about it was that it achieved its performance goals through sound mechanical design rather than through more the more exotic systems used on its direct competitor, the Mitsubishi Evo. The Evo achieved its magic (and I hear that is an apt description) through a sophisticated electronically-controlled AWD system. The Impreza did its AWD with the equivalent of a limited-slip differential that split power between the front and rear wheels. Simple. In addition, the horizontally opposed motor gave the car a lower center of gravity and the car itself is rigid and strong. Where other cars have a hatch connecting the rear seating area to the trunk, the Impreza has a solid bulkhead, which greatly stiffens the suspension points. All very simple and fundamentally correct.

Our Impreza had a suspension kit which greatly improved the handling for spirited driving, but the handling tended to break down if you really pushed it near the limit. There is only so much one can do with McPherson struts. That was not an issue for me because I don't drive near the limit like I did back in the day.

I would also note that the horizontally opposed motor was smooth, but no smoother than our current Honda Accord. I miss the Impreza.

Anything Subaru is good, unless you really need the space I wouldn't get an SUV.

You can buy base Rav4's for low 20's and they are good little trucks, mileage is good as well.

Considering for 20 bucks you can rent the Lowes truck for the couple times of year you need it why bother spending a ton of money on one of your own? Keep a car and beat up their truck!

I bought my 08 Outback b/c I wanted a reliable AWD with some cargo space, and that's just what i got. It's been completely trouble free so far (not much to break, it's pretty simple by today's standards). The normally aspirated 2.5 gets the job done but there are times when I could've used more, but with reliability being one of my major goals i didn't want the added complexity/stress of the turbo.

I'm going to give them another couple years to thoroughly sort out the new CVT, then I might be back for another Outback. Already bought my wife the Forrester, she loves it. The 210 is still the highway cruise of choice but it's a garage queen during the CT winter salt season. Especially this one.

We were looking at the Subaru Forester MY 2011 because they had some upgrades over the previous generation and had a timing chain instead of a belt, among other things.

The Outback seems to be a nice option too.

Did I read it right that the Forester requires Premium fuel? :eek:

Ours takes 87.

My mom is facing a similar decision so I've been helping her test drive a few of them and Forrester (non-turbo) was one of them. I liked it very much. I drove several SUVs that day (incl. Honda CR-V 4 cyl, RAV-4 4cyl, Nissan Tiguan) and that Forrester was the quickest one in the bunch. It has a reputation of a good solid 4x4 system. I think the turbo version would be a blast. That evening my sister purchased Consumer Reports which rated Subaru Forrester as their top pick.

I think my mom will choose the RAV-4 (slightly used) because of the sticker shock price for these. With Honda CR-V in close second.

Good luck with your decision - with so many options decisions are tough these days... :)