Wait, the Patriot/Compass is gas sucking, but a Subaru isn't?
Wait, the Patriot/Compass is gas sucking, but a Subaru isn't?
I agree that the Suby 2.2l was there only really good engine, it too can have HG issues, but only at say 200k or more. The problem with the 2.2l is that it was last used in 2001, so the cars are pretty old by now and tend to rust out the rear quarters and shock towers. If you could find a nice '01 wagon or OBS it would be a pretty good car, but no modern safety protection like ring reinforcements or side/rear airbags.
A newer 2.5l that has already had a quality HG repair might be a good bet, except that $6k will get a pretty ratty example. Subies are #1 in retaining resale value.
An SX4 is a pretty miserable piece of transportation. They make Imprezas seem like luxury cars.
ProDarwin wrote: Wait, the Patriot/Compass is gas sucking, but a Subaru isn't?
EPA City/Highway/Avg
2007 Subaru Impreza Manual: 19/26/22
2007 Jeep Compass AWD Manual: 22/27/24
In addition to unimpressive fuel economy and not fixing their known engine problems, a pet peeve of mine, Subaru's also don't exactly have very good interiors either. The used one's I've looked at have always felt much higher mileage than they actually were, even when less than 5 years old rather than the 10ish years old she'll be looking at. As much as I thought I would like them going into it, because Subaru, I never really did.
That's why I feel it's always best to start off car buying by first trying to put aside personal biases and preconceived ideas, to go into it with an open mind towards experiencing ALL of the options that meet the absolute minimum baseline criteria...And only then deciding which one will be the best fit. When people do this, they often end up surprising themselves and going in a completely different direction than they originally expected. Such has happened to us on more than one occasion. But if nothing else, having those alternatives compare and contrast against each other will also help really prioritize the various needs and wants, and can really solidify whether or not the most anticipated option is actually the preferred one.
Adrian_Thompson wrote: So, keep the search to 05 plus Scoobies or get the magic snail of awesome and hope for the best.
I also ran into some '05-only parts on my Subaru. I think it was the first year that they went to drive by wire throttles. I'm not sure what changed in 2006. I know the throttle body was '05-only. I still have a spare in my basement even though the car is long gone.
Another vote for a CR-V. Get a 2nd gen (02-06) with AWD and a manual. Good MPG, tons of room for stuff, absolute beasts in snow. Can be pricey, the Honda tax can be bad with these. We love our '03 though.
Jaguar X-type V6 AWD manual = the clear winner here.
Plus, it really is a Ford Mondeo under the fancy Jag knickers isn't it?
ProDarwin wrote: Wait, the Patriot/Compass is gas sucking, but a Subaru isn't?
My co-worker's wife has a 2wd Caliber and they have seen nearly 40mpg highway. She does a bit over 30mpg combined with it.
Other (more realistic) options:
Saturn Vue, Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V or Element. Suzuki Grand Vitara. Kia Sorento?
WOW Really Paul? wrote: Jaguar X-type V6 AWD manual = the clear winner here. Plus, it really is a Ford Mondeo under the fancy Jag knickers isn't it?
I drove one with the stick when it was brand new. It was awful.
On a related note, what is the least failure prone replacement head gasket? My 02 needs done soon.
Dusterbd13 wrote: On a related note, what is the least failure prone replacement head gasket? My 02 needs done soon.
Any 3-layer stainless steel/rubber variant should work better than the plastic laminate that Subroru went with.
bastomatic wrote: Saturn Vue
Aside from me recommending against this car just because I've grown to hate it, it also isn't available as a manual with AWD.
Woody wrote:WOW Really Paul? wrote: Jaguar X-type V6 AWD manual = the clear winner here. Plus, it really is a Ford Mondeo under the fancy Jag knickers isn't it?I drove one with the stick when it was brand new. It was awful.
I owned an 05 for a while. The interior was pretty lame for a "JAAAAAAAG". Drove ok, the 2.5 is slow. Plastic coolant reservoir broke under the hood more than once. Transfer case fluid was "lifetime" and there was no easy way to change it. Made me nervous of running it low and having it lock up. (I came from the DSM world)
Looking at an Xtype for my daughter would be a big no.
I'm calling CRV a winner.
Woody wrote:WOW Really Paul? wrote: Jaguar X-type V6 AWD manual = the clear winner here. Plus, it really is a Ford Mondeo under the fancy Jag knickers isn't it?I drove one with the stick when it was brand new. It was awful.
They aren't great by any means, but it fits every criteria, plus it also would retain the luxury stuff she'd be used to with the Acura. They are also probably still more reliable than most Subaru's.
In reply to WOW Really Paul?:
Subarus are boringly reliable. People bitch about OMG HEDGASKET but in reality, it's an oil leak, and the 2.5/3.0 engine leaks more oil than that as a matter of principle. (Don't ask me why. When installed in a Jag or Land Rover, they heave oil.)
And at least you can easily service a Subaru if you have to work on one. I had to do an engine in an X-Type and, by my estimation, replacing the rear catalyst would require dropping the engine/trans/subframe out. And the rear catalyst is in the way of everything else back there, so to do pretty much any trans work at all would also require dropping the whole mess out the bottom.
Just because you CAN made something all wheel drive does not mean that you SHOULD.
Speaking of nightmares. Had a 3.7 Mazda6 in the shop today. I was demonstrating some of the features of the new service manual package we are using to the owner/manager/CEO/Da Boss, and I showed him how the system seemed to be set up for service writers making quick estimates rather than technicians who need to know details. (So I hate it, but I'm trying to give it a shot. Really. But I do hate it.) Absentmindedly clicked on "water pump" procedure for aforementioned V6 6. Step 1: Drain coolant. Step 2: Remove engine and transmission assembly with subframe...
Our '04 Forester XT we bought new now has 197+K miles on it. Still has original headgaskets, wheel bearings, clutch, blah blah blah...
As previously posted by others, I haven't heard of any real headgasket issues with the turbo engines (2.0 OR 2.5) or the sixes.
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