Looking for an AWD car, and we're down to various Subaru options, and maybe a CX-5.
Other things that have come up in the search that are piquing my interest are the Lexus IS-250, the Cadillac CTS and ATS, and the Infiniti G35/7's.
How is the reliability for all of those in AWD forms? What about scary maintenance costs? I suspect we're just going to go with the Subaru options, but wouldn't want to miss these if they're right in the same ballpark.
Subaru's will need head gaskets. All of them. I sell more Subaru gasket sets than everything else combined. The AWD setup is pretty robust unless you hot rod it.
No info on the Caddy's, the older ones just plain fell apart. ATS is aving a lot of engine issues in both the 2.0T and the V6.
IS250 is pretty rock solid. Rear wheel bearings seem to pop up every now and again.
G35's seem okay, 37's are a little too new to get a good feeling for as they didn't sell well up here.
Chrysler LX AWD's tend to survive up here pretty well. Charger/300. You can even get a 5.7 Hemi in it.
I'm just not a fan of anything MOPAR. Everyone in my family who has had them has had issues with them--everything from 3 transmissions (minivans) to horrible rust (Aspen, 300M, Charger) to engine failure (well, that was probably the owners fault).
Good news on the Lexus being rock solid even with the AWD--Toyota is a big plus for wifey's family.
mtn wrote: Good news on the Lexus being rock solid even with the AWD--Toyota is a big plus for wifey's family.
I'd look there then. I personally know of 7 Service Writers/Techs/GM's that drive IS's and they all love them. I only ever sell maintenance items for them (filters, belts, brake pads, etc).
If i was stuck in a dead-heat decision between a Lexus IS and anything else, i would give the nod to the Lexus because of it's super sweet temp sliders on the HVAC controls. I doubt anyone who hasn't used them would get that. 
In reply to mtn:
I wouldn't hesitate on a Lexus IS at all.
A relative has an early CTS and it's a nightmare. Very low-mileage inherited car that's needed some crazy big repairs in 40k miles.
Cadillacs are garbage. Always some stupid electrical thing failing.
Lexus is the way to go. Infiniti G37s are great too with little to no issues.
Chrysler is worse than GM.
I work on all makes/models basically no more than 10yrs old. I'd estimate 80%+ of the stuff I get is GM+Chrysler. The rest is everything else.
I work for GM as a mechanic, and Cadillac's are the some of the biggest piles of junk they make. Every mechanic in the shop will agree. Actually, I really can't recommend a lot of the GM's with AWD.
The Equinox/Terrain are tops for GM's worst junk: by 50,000 they will need timing chains, by 70,000 they will need pistons and rings and by 100,000 they will need timing chains again. Factor in transmission issues and a few dozen electrical issues in between.
The Acadia/SRX/Traverse/Outlook/Enclave isn't much better. The 3.6L VVT is also another one that needs timing chains frequently and the 3.6Ls also just blow up mysteriously a lot. The transmissions are also pretty weak, usually by about 80K they become a ticking time bomb just waiting for the springs to wear through the 3-5 wave plate. These cars also have horrendous electrical issues, often right from the factory.
Personally, I'd go with the Subaru. AWD kinda is their stick, and yes, they might need head gaskets down the line but they honestly aren't that bad to work on.
For some reason, G35/37x have atrocious depreciation. They are REALLY cheap. I have no idea why.
As said above, run far away from the Cadillacs with the v6. They all have timing chain issues of some sort.
Can't go wrong with the Lexus, and I've not seen anything bad out of the g35/37 AWD cars.
Knurled wrote: For some reason, G35/37x have atrocious depreciation. They are REALLY cheap. I have no idea why.
I can't figure it out either. A lot more of them?
If I can find a coupe awd at a good price that may be the ticket.
I think your best bet is a Lexus..
There's a million haggard Lexus out there for a reason. Them E36 M3s dont die.
Knurled wrote: For some reason, G35/37x have atrocious depreciation. They are REALLY cheap. I have no idea why.
Thus why the hood loves them around here, along with Altimas and Maximas.
mndsm wrote: There's a million haggard Lexus out there for a reason. Them E36 M3s dont die.
Exactly. Then again, Matt Farah recently talked about the development money that went into the original LS400 and it was insane. Possibly the most thoroughly and expensively developed car ever.
I recall reading somewhere that the 1uzfe had $100MM in development alone. They are the most thought-out car I have ever been in. I used to close the trunk by grabbing it and pulling. One day, I thought, you know, what this trunk really needs is a handle on the inside of the trunk over here on the left. I reached up and guess what? There was a handle molded into the inside of the trunk right there. You know how when the sun is in your eyes and you have the visors down and there's that little space over the rear view mirror that the sun shines through? There's a mini-visor right over the mirror to pull down.
I was in the exact search about 6 months ago, but without the AWD requirement. We also looked at an acura TSX. I was unable to find a G35/37 that wasn't trashed or a Subaru that didn't have a pack of dogs living in it. The TSX was so slow that my wife asked if there was something wrong with it.
We ended up with an LS430 and the understanding that it will need snow tires (if it ever snows!) If your budget was in the mid 20's, you could get a 460 or MAYBE a 600h with "AWD"
It will take some selling to the wife, who doesn't want an SUV, Wagon, or Van, but now I'm thinking an early Lexus RX.
You can get what look like decent examples for $4500. Lexus interior. And we could sell it after 6 months or a year for next to no loss. Especially if I plastidip the bumpers (city living, parallel parking every day).
I really think that is what is going to make the most sense--plus, if I get one with the towing package, a 3500lb towing capacity.
250 version of the IS is pretty slow, don't know if that matters to you but I'd spring for the 350 (or the F 
)
A friend of mine is the engine guy at the local subaru dealer (read head gasket guy) and said that properly done with subaru gasket glue and other tricks, the repair will last 150k miles.. And the h6 is not prone to HG failures. He deport doing only 2 in 10 years compare to 1 or 2 a week for the h4.
I love all subaru i have especially my current 2006 legacy wagon. The next one will certainly be a 2010+ outback.
The lexus is250 awd is on the possibilty too for the sporty and rock solid reliability but i didnot test drove one yet
Be very careful when looking at the RX300. Early ones could have the Toyota sludging issue if the oil wasn't changed often enough. Also, the 4 speed transmission is a little bit under built for an SUV, from what I've read. I've also heard it does give a decent amount of warning before it fails completely, though.
It is why I stuck with looking for 2004-up Highlanders and RX330s when I was shopping earlier this year.
I want to hear about the CX-5
Early G35 issues:
Engine oil leak problems, and some manual transmission issues that probably don't apply to the AWD cars, as I think they're auto only. Power lock motors self destruct, a lot. Seat materials are fragile. The 6-disc changer head unit is almost guaranteed to fail. The soft touch dash materials would start peeling away from the glove boxes. The waterfall dash is made out of some cheap plastic that is a little floppy. The top of dash clock bezel is prone to cracking.
Getting a later car should avoid most of this.
Just curious: Have you considered the second-generation Acura RL (2005-2012)? They were all AWD with a J35 and pretty nice styling and interiors.
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