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Old 07-05-2018, 06:56 AM
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What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's?  
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Default What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's?

Looking into getting a more practical vehicle, and the Subaru Forester, Outback, and the Mazda CX 5 seem to get the highest praises in these types of cars.
Any opinion on them?
My only worry is that the Subaru's seem to need more maintenance than the other Japanese brands.
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Old 07-05-2018, 07:38 AM
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I've got one of the Mazda CX5's in the Sports Max AWD. Had it for the last 2 years. It's been a great vehicle so far and I would highly recommend them. They are usually in the Top 5 sold vehicles in Australia.
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Old 07-05-2018, 08:03 AM
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What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's?  
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Two new 2017 Foresters in my sisters family and she's a liberal democrat. Subies seem to be especially popular with them as well as the alphabet identity groups. I like the Forester, sits up high, but would take a Honda CRV everytime. my wife drives an Acura TSX wagon, 2011 model imported from Japan. The exchange rate stopped Acura from importing it but I love it. Fast, fuel efficient and fun to drive. Wagon gives it very good utility value.

We looked at an Outback but the 4cyl wasn't quick enough and the 6 cyl is on the chopping block so I expect she will get a 2020 Acura RDX as that will be 2nd year of a new model. She's retiring in Dec 2019 so a reward is in order. I'm keeping the TSX for a knockabout ride if she does buy new.

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Old 07-05-2018, 08:13 AM
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We did months and months of crossover shopping for my wife. The Subaru's are good cars but are a little pricey if you get the more powerful engines. My wife likes LOTS of power and after looking at every vehicle out there she decided on a Nissan Murano but she had to have heated leather seats and a sunroof and that pushed the price to about $43K. Then we saw a one year old Infinity QX 50 with 17K miles in brand new condition for $23,700 and snagged it. She loves it and I love driving it because it is really fast!
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Old 07-05-2018, 08:24 AM
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We have owned three Subarus, two Outbacks and a Forester. All have been excellent very reliable cars. When we both retired we downsized to one Outback, it's almost off lease and we have ordered a new Ascent. Wife likes the interior better. Note: the Outback is classed as American, check the VIN.
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Old 07-05-2018, 08:27 AM
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We're a 2 Subaru family. I got a Forester because I don't like contorting myself to get in and out of vehicles. I also prefer standard transmissions, but I'm getting spoiled by the CVT on the wife's car. If it's important to you, the AWD system is better than that on the other vehicles, which are 2 WD vehicles until they have wheelspin. Then they engage the drive system on whatever the "other" wheels are. Subaru (except for the BRZ) are AWD all the time. The traction control is outstanding, the directional stability nanny is tolerant, unobtrusive and can be muted.

The engine design changed in 2010, eliminating the head gasket issues that sometimes crept up and the camshafts are again driven by chains, not rubber bands. I really don't see any significant difference in maintenance chores between brands.

My 1987 Impreza wagon died saving me in a head on collision in 1994.

About those "special interest groups".....one of the "in" jokes among Subaru owners is "I didn't know you were_____________".

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Old 07-05-2018, 09:01 AM
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Subaru seems popular amongst the mountain dwelling folk of VT, NH, and NC. Cousins wife in western NC loves her new Forester.
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:07 AM
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What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's?  
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We are big Forester fans. My wife has a 2012 she swears she will never get rid of and I have had a 2014, 2015 and 2016. Next year I will get a 2018 or check out the 2019s.

They have a three year bumper to bumper so I have no maintenance worries (I also buy the dealer's three year maintenance plan so all maintenance is paid for twice a year for three years).

Neither of us have a payment.

What's not to like.

By the way that is the Brownell facility in Grinnell, IA. Just off I-80. Check it out.
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:15 AM
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The people who own them become Big Fans most of the time. My son just got one and he likes the gas milage the most. Personally they are not for me - I like the traditional American sized SUV's and feel they lack power, room and hauling capacity which I still need. I suppose if you are JUST using them for personal transportation they are fine cars and would suite one well. They certainly sell enough if them - so I can only assume they are good AWD vehicles.
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:19 AM
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I think much depends on whether you are truly going to drive it off road. If one plans on getting off the pavement occasionally I would strongly recommend the Subaru. When our urban dwelling friends want to take thier cross-over out on the ranch or down row-cropping equipment lanes, I always put a 30 foot chain in the F150 or a jeep, because I know I am going to be pulling someone out!

But the Subrau’s do amazingly well. They are hard to stick until they get high-centered. I was amazed to see how well one of those little BMW SUV’s did too when one of my crazy friends got a snoot full and wanted to show me what it would do off road.

If it is simply going to be a town car for pavement, I suspect about any are good.
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:33 AM
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For over 20 years, we have lived in or around the mountains and spend a fair amount off road/snowy roads. Generally, my wife has had a smaller SUV and I had a P/U Truck.

My first "4WD" was a BRAT. Good except no power and trans-axle boots kept going out (leaking oil onto exhaust). From then on it was larger SUVs or P/Us for me.

Spouse and I have gone through:
1. RAV4=good, peppy car. Ours was 4 speed and NOT 4WD. With snow tires, worked good in the Cascades, where we live now. Pain changing tires 2x a year!
2. Pathfinder: Older with 175 horses=not good re: power.
3. Current car: Xterra w 275 hp. Great car, 4WD, decent mileage. My supervisor is very "outdoorsy" and they have 2.

4. As I said, we live in the Cascade foothills. Can be snow-laden 4 months of the year. LOTS of Subarus in our (Forest Service) employee lot! Lots are driven in town by local residents.
5. Also, lots of Kia's in town. Very popular. Note: We drove a 4WD Sorrento all over Alaska last year and really loved it!

Work on any car is ridiculous. We had a Jeep for one year and repairs totaled more than the payments!
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:41 AM
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I test drove an Outback and a Forester earlier this year. Good vehicles, I'd own one if the ride were smoother and quieter. The seats are so comfortable in some Subarus that I'd like to remove them and put them in my living room.

I ended up buying a Kia Sportage. I know it seems counterintuitive, but for a crossover I found nothing with as smooth, comfortable, and quiet a ride, while also being a lot of fun to drive.

I tried the Mazda CX-5 because it's supposed to be fun, but I didn't get much out of it. The Kia is more fun for me to drive.
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Old 07-05-2018, 09:46 AM
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What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's?  
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I have friends that are wealthy enough to buy any car they want and they all happily drive Subaru's including the Forester and keep them 10 years or more. Their parents drove Subaru's and so do all the kids now that they are grown up. The "grandchildren" are now acquiring Subaru's. No, they are not Subaru dealers. Both of my sisters have driven Foresters for a long time and love them. I am more of a Ford guy though.
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:03 AM
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After two years research I recently bought a loaded Mazda CX-5 FWD. I am very happy with it. I had a 2011 Mazda CX-9 that had zero problems, but too big for wife to drive and we don't travel much these days. Only negative comment on the CX-5 is they should give you a class to learn how to use all the electronic stuff.

Also have a 2014 Accord that is a very nice car. Didn't consider a CRV because of the CVT and tiny (1500CC) engine.
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:09 AM
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What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's?  
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My son in California has 2014 Subaru Ouback. We bought it for him in 2016 as a college graduation present. He loves it. Subarus, we have also noted, are very popular in the Pacific Northwest.

In Japan, we had a Lexus RX for six years and loved it — very comfortable, spacious and quiet car — but needed a smaller car for the smaller, narrower streets when we retired to a different city.

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Old 07-05-2018, 10:13 AM
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While traveling to vt from ct I noticed in every other driveway there’s a Subaru. That tells us something.

I’m on my third Subaru. Still have my 2010 legacy and my 2016 cross trec is awesome. I only buy Subaru’s now, since gm sold me junk.
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:21 AM
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We just sold a newer Forester. It ran fine & drove okay, but the interior was spartan and it was kind of slow. Maybe I don't "get" the whole Subi thing.
I vote for a nice RDX or maybe a CX-5 if you want a good value.

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Old 07-05-2018, 10:29 AM
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I have a 2015 Subaru Crosstrek XV (not the hybrid!). The Crosstrek is basically nothing but an Impreza wagon with a somewhat beefed up suspension and more ground clearance.

It's an okay little car. Mine has a manual transmission...hard to find these days. Things in the car's favor are its AWD system and great fuel economy. The car's easy to get in and out of. Seat material is cheap. With almost nine inches of ground clearance, I haven't gotten stuck yet. The rear cargo area is roomy with the rear seats folded down. It has the Boxer engine. Note that the only other auto company using a Boxer is Porsche. It's a very dependable motor, but it does take a while for it to warm up in cold weather.

Unfortunately, the Crosstrek is horribly underpowered, weighing in at only 148 horsepower (in 2015). I can't imagine this lack of power hooked up to a CVT. At least with the manual transmission, I can wind it out to get the most out of its power. It'd be a great car if it had 200 horsepower like some of the Hondas.

Interior accoutrements are cheap and cheap looking. That's the only way to put it. It's glittery and shiny, but it still cheap looking...like some women I've known.

Oh, and you can't get an electric sunroof with a manual transmission! Go figure.

The factory floor mats are useless, totally useless, even the rubber ones. Take them out soon as you can and get some Weathertech ones or Husky Liners. The interior carpet is cheap, and if you get ground in dirt in it, you'll have to work to get it out. And it'll never look like new again.

If you opt for any sound system other than Subaru's "premium" system, resign yourself to feeling like you're back in your 1972 Chevy Nova with speakers you bought from K-Mart. For a 6-speaker system, the non-premium system is simply horrible. The on-screen menus are confusing until you get used to them. And I hear the 2018 Subaru's sound systems are really quirky...something about the radio stays on all the time.

Subaru touts itself as being "dog friendly". Well, that's true, I guess, as my two dogs love riding in it. Unfortunately (there's that word again) Subaru's seatback protectors and cargo mat are like toys or something. Made out of some really thin composite material. This material will not hold up under three years of two Rottweilers jumping into the car and moving around on them during trips. I'll soon replace the seatback protectors with new ones, and a Weathertech cargo mat will replace the factory one. Regular "cargo" and smaller dogs are fine, but big dogs? No, it won't hold up.

Subaru's a quirky little car company that hasn't reached as much of the American market as their advertising would have you believe.

Never one to leave well enough alone, I replaced the boring factory wheels with Enkei wheels about two weeks after I bought it. I also had a factory custom grill and a pair of Hella Supertone Horns laying around here for three years, ever since I bought the car. Finally got those installed a couple of weeks ago, after disassembling the grill and removing the Subaru badge from the center of it. The difference in appearance is significant, and the Hella horns are amazingly loud...no more of that roadrunner-beep-beep garbage.

As I said, the car is quirky. Things you take for granted on other small SUVs in this price range are absent on the Subaru. Then again, it has a few things the others don't.

A good and dependable little car, yes. Would I buy another one. Probably not.





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Old 07-05-2018, 10:30 AM
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Wife and I just rented a "Crosstrak" in Colorado a couple weeks back. Nice enough, AWD (we got a Chevy Malibu back in Feb when it snowed), took us up and down several mountains. Seemed to have enough power for a 4 banger but I noticed the tachometer going up to 4500 RPM trying to merge onto I 25. No lockable trunk and our 2 mid size suitcases filled the storage area. I guess I'd give it a thumbs up. Joe
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Old 07-05-2018, 10:36 AM
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Without knowing where you live or what you want to do with the vehicle, it is all but impossible to predict which vehicle you would like best??

I live in big snow country and need a reliable true 4-wheel-drive SUV and there are just not that many out there anymore. AWD is OK for most who really never take them off the highway. They help up to a point, but should never be confused with full capability 4-wheel-drive systems. I have pulled more AWD out of snowbanks than I can count and often think AWD owners display more confidence than they should with their cross-overs.

I invariably read threads like this where people just have to trash a brand they had years ago. There are lemons of every brand out there and many of us have owned one, but it has nothing to do with overall capabilities and general reliability of any brand. I cannot ignore the fact that foreign car owners are fierce in their allegiance to a particular brand no matter how often the vehicle is in the shop. I have several friends in this situation and no use trying to change their minds. Oh, its just normal wear or didn't cost me a cent - it is still under warranty, etc.

Today's vehicles are almost all good - Period! Capabilities needed for by a particular owner should be the determining factor in what they buy. Off road use should shorten the list to exclude all AWDs. Big snow country car buyers should make careful assessments of what works best for where they live and again AWD barely does the job.

For the OP, find what works for you and your driving situation, but beware of the AWD hype, and the comment from those fiercly loyal brand name owners. Good luck in your search.
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Old 07-05-2018, 11:30 AM
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I bought an outback from my parents when they went to assisted living and could no longer drive. It was a great car until it met a deer at 80 mph. We replaced it with a Forester. The 08 was a 4 cylinder and did good. The 15 has 78 K miles, and with the no shift transmission needs to be on cruise to keep the speed at your limit. You can run down the interstate @ 95+ with no sense of how fast you are going if you are just listening to the engine. It is quiet, has enough power to crest the continental divide @ 80 mph and gets 27-30 mph depending on how it's pushed.
The Outback and Forester have nearly the same cargo capacity with the outback have a longer shorter storage and the Forester a taller narrower space. Both go well in snow and ice and on logging roads. The front seats fit us well and grandkids are comfortable though I would not want to sit in the back for a 6 hour ride. Good cars and seem to hold value.
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Old 07-05-2018, 11:32 AM
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Glowe raises an important point: AWD/4WD doesn't mean you'll never get stuck or lose control should you be stupid (being blunt) on slippery or snow covered roads/trails. Assuming that's a concern where you might live. [The folks who go out and play in mud are a whole different level of stupid IMHO. I rescued a bunch back when I played in the great outdoors.]

The tires put on most vehicles these days are installed to help on on gas mileage and not punish the bottom line too much. "All weather" tires generally don't do well in snow and nothing but studded tires or chains work well on ice. Although the stock tires on the Forester and traction control did quite well for me. Rather surprised me.

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Old 07-05-2018, 11:44 AM
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...Subaru and Suzuki have been the two most reliable cars for us...
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Old 07-05-2018, 11:55 AM
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What Gary mentions is my sentiments also. I have a Toyota Highlander and it is listed as 4 WD, but it is really an AWD. I miss the real 4WD I had on my Chevy Trailblazer that I traded on the Highlander. Other than the tru 4WD, I like everything about the Highlander. It is just the right size for us (just 2), but has a third row seat for when several of us want to go together. I will probably buy another Highlander, but hoping for true 4WD.
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Old 07-05-2018, 11:58 AM
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So, not being an off road guy, or even much of a car guy, what’s the difference between AWD and 4WD other than AWD is always on and 4WD is a choice when needed?
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Old 07-05-2018, 12:04 PM
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Not much! That's how I understand it!
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Old 07-05-2018, 12:29 PM
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Default In Jim’s post above.

That Annie is truly a beautiful dog. I think she is mad the other one (BEAU I seem to recall) is hogging all their food/water!
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Old 07-05-2018, 12:35 PM
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A 4wd will have a two speed transfer case and I would assume AWD would have some sort of differential between the front and rear drive?
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Old 07-05-2018, 12:46 PM
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So, not being an off road guy, or even much of a car guy, what’s the difference between AWD and 4WD other than AWD is always on and 4WD is a choice when needed?
This should give you some idea

All Wheel Drive Explained
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Old 07-05-2018, 01:34 PM
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Overall ... I like the concept of the crossover.
Truth be told, its not a new idea. We used to call em station wagons.
They were unsung heros of the transportation world.
They'll do nearly anything you'd ask of a glorified minivan (SUV) without paying as much for it at the pump.
I'm looking at them in the used market, as I feel they represent a good solution for my RC model airplane and ammo hauling needs while retaining most of the nimble handing, performance and lower operating costs of a sedan.
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Old 07-05-2018, 01:34 PM
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Actually a great deal of difference between AWD and 4WD. First some AWD will only transfer power to a single wheel that turns the easiest while others drive the wheel that has the most traction. Other AWDs will transfer to a single axle and drive 2 wheels, but will not transfer power to all four wheels at once. If that axle is the normal drive axle, only one wheel will get full power due to the lack of a posi-traction axles in AWDs. Some manufacturers offer an improvement over other makes by offering a design that will transfer traction from one axle to another if they sense a loss of traction. Just as the acronym says, all wheel drive means that all wheels have drive capabilities, but you will only get 2 wheels driving at any one time.

4WD is just that, all four wheels will provide traction at once. New designs now allow automatic sensing of road conditions and will alter the drive from two wheel drive to full-time 4 wheel drive to 4 wheel lock which provides full power to all 4 wheels at once. Other more sophisticated designs will offer 4 wheel Low drive, giving incredible traction and pulling power when needed. I have a 2017 with automatic 4 wheel drive, plus one can dial in conditions that the vehicle will deliver optimum traction for snow, mud, gravel, rock, etc. It will also raise and lower the vehicle depending on the selection of conditions. The system also has a low range 4WD system available.
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Old 07-05-2018, 03:49 PM
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Wiki's explanation of drive systems leaves a lot to be desired and a thorough discussion would eat up beau coup bandwidth. Glowe kinda over simplifies AWD. The following is excessively brief, the Subaru website has an excellent explanation of the various systems. (OK, they also puff symmetrical AWD).

First off, you have to realize that most vehicles today have some form of traction control. So, whatever axle(s) are powered will move power to the wheel(s) with traction. This is usually done by braking the wheel without traction using the wheel speed sensors from the ABS system. If you don't have traction control or a locking differential, you effectively have one wheel drive in slippery conditions, that one spins and you don't move.

AWD systems fall into several types: part time (they normally drive only one axle until they sense wheel spin) and full time (there's a differential of some type between front and rear axles-torque split between axles can vary in some systems, is 50-50 [+/- a few percent to get around corners] in others). We'll skip torque vectoring systems normally found in performance cars.

4WD system also split into full time and part time. Most have two different ranges (High & Low), but sometimes that's optional. The inter-axle differential has to allow the front and rear axles to turn at different speeds so you can go around corners without breaking things. Sometimes the center differential can be mechanically locked to give more traction in slippery conditions. Still others use a limted slip center differential. In the part time systems, when you shift into 4WD, the front and rear axles are locked at the same speed. This can cause issues/damage if the wheels don't have some slip. OTOH, if you have this type and either locking axle differentials or traction control, you're gonna move if any wheel has traction.

Both AWD and 4WD can get interesting going around corners in slippery conditions until you learn how to cope.

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Old 07-05-2018, 04:52 PM
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Overall ... I like the concept of the crossover.
Truth be told, its not a new idea. We used to call em station wagons.
They were unsung heros of the transportation world.
They'll do nearly anything you'd ask of a glorified minivan (SUV) without paying as much for it at the pump.
Rented a Mitsu Outlander Sport for a couple days while my '04 Dakota was in the shop.

I liked everything about it. Almost all my hauling these days is dog crates & groceries. The ease of getting to all areas was delightful. The modern auto trans is not your granpa's auto trans. Thing was actually fun to drive.

Before the wife totalled it our first string car was a Hyundai Elantra wagon. It looked like a minivan that shrunk in the wash. I loved that car.
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Old 07-05-2018, 05:06 PM
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. . . Glowe kinda over simplifies AWD. The following is excessively brief, the Subaru website has an excellent explanation of the various systems. (OK, they also puff symmetrical AWD) . . .
I am sure there is no bias there on the Subaru site and thanks for the compliment, but my explanation at least not affiliated with a auto company promo of AWD, and since Subaru does not make a 4WD car what are they going to promote.

Also, there is no issue with drive line wind-up in the newer automatic control systems and no part time drive issue exist even though all 4 wheels can drive the car at once if needed. I think that Subaru uses what is convenient and mixes different generations of drive systems to make their point. Bottom line is 4 wheel drive is just that and AWD is not.
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Old 07-05-2018, 06:00 PM
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Also have a 2014 Accord that is a very nice car. Didn't consider a CRV because of the CVT and tiny (1500CC) engine.
Honda make the smartest CVT out there, and that 1.5 motor has a turbo. Out here, I'll take a 1.5 turbo over a 2.0 NA every day because we have something Indiana lacks, elevation. In fact, in every direction you look from Las Vegas there is elevation. Having owned two forced induction cars out here, I'm sold.
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Old 07-05-2018, 07:41 PM
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Rented a Mitsu Outlander Sport for a couple days while my '04 Dakota was in the shop.

I liked everything about it. Almost all my hauling these days is dog crates & groceries. The ease of getting to all areas was delightful. The modern auto trans is not your granpa's auto trans. Thing was actually fun to drive.

Before the wife totalled it our first string car was a Hyundai Elantra wagon. It looked like a minivan that shrunk in the wash. I loved that car.
when I settle in on one such specimen, Ill likely do a few heinous warranty voiding things to it
any back seats will be removed and tinned over to accommodate larger sailplane wings with a nice level flat cargo space.
No vehicle really offers this outside a pickup, which foregoes a certain level security.
The space below this fabricated deck will be used for deep cycles and a LiPo charging vault. I havn't committed to a means of maintaining a charge in the deep cycle bank, possibly a solar approach. A few other abominations and it should extend the range of events I can participate in.

The point I suppose is that there is a certain genius in the basic form factor.
Just a matter of using it
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Old 07-05-2018, 07:48 PM
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Had a 1999 Legacy 2.5 GT once. Subaru's are pretty solid cars but expensive in repair and maintenance.
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Old 07-05-2018, 07:49 PM
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We've had our 2015 Forester for four years. No problems with it but we have under 10,000 miles on it. The four cylinder has plenty of power for our needs. One of the big factors that led to us choosing it was the AWD system and reliability rating.

A few years back my son and I made a trip through the sierras in late December. I was expecting to see lots of 4WD vehicles and was blown away at the numbers of Subaru's on the road. Yeah, I thought, a bunch of granola and quiche eaters initially but there had to be practical reasons for their transportation choices in that environment.
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Old 07-05-2018, 08:44 PM
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The CVT transmission isn't the world's strongest. The mechanic forums are full of stories, and the repair bills when they quit are staggering. Some of the Honda and Corolla models are going with CVTs. I wouldn't own one. Just my opinion and worth every penny.
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Old 07-05-2018, 08:50 PM
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As an amateur astronomer, I learned that "Suburu" is the Japanese name for the constellation we call the Pleiades. This explains their logo.

To answer your question, my son had a Toyota SJ, I think it's called. He was very pleased with it. Only traded because they needed a true pickup for some needs and already owned a passenger sedan.
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Old 07-05-2018, 11:00 PM
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I have a 2012 KIA Sportage SX with the 2.0L Turbo and six speed auto. I absolutely love it. 260hp and 270 torque. Gets 29mpg on the highway. Only about 22mpg city but that may be my right foot. Before this one I had a Chevy S-10 Blazer that was pretty much identical in footprint. For what I do, this size is perfect. The 10 year powertrain warranty on the KIA is nice as well.
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Old 07-05-2018, 11:03 PM
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I drove a 2014 CX-5 Grand Touring for 3 years. It was a terrific vehicle. Peppy, compliant, nimble, logical layout, deceptively roomy, reasonable MPG and well equipped. I never had an issue with it and it was only in the shop for routine maintenance. The OEM tires weren't the best for snow use. The only design issues I had with it were addressed with the gen 2 model in 2017. IMHO, it's the best crossover in a class full of great suvs
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Old 07-05-2018, 11:15 PM
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You only need to look at one thing to know which is the better car; resale value. Subarus hold their value better that just about any car.

We put 280K on ours before we gave it to someone in need. I would have one now, but they are pricey and used sellers command a high price.

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A 4wd will have a two speed transfer case and I would assume AWD would have some sort of differential between the front and rear drive?
There is a kind of differential between front and rear drive of a Subaru. The front to back drive shaft has two concentric tubes with holes in them. There is a non-Newtonian grease in the tubes. As they slip, the heat from friction turns the grease into a solid and the shaft turns.

With this system, if a wheel in the front starts to slip, this will solidify the grease in the drive shaft and apply power to a rear wheel.

I agree with others. The big missing cog in Subaru design is power. If they had a 200hp or 250hp motor they wouldn't be able to produce them fast enough.
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Old 07-05-2018, 11:23 PM
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This is a good explanation:
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Old 07-06-2018, 12:20 AM
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We've had our 2016.5 CX-5 for 16 months now, and like it more all the time. Make sure you drive one before you make a decision.
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Old 07-06-2018, 12:36 AM
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Default Just my experience

I have only had ONE, a lease, 36000 mi, thank GOD. We lived on a dirt road in rural MN. It was an ANAMIL for getting out of snow but as it sat out each winter it got more noisy. I finally brought it in to Subaru at 30,000 and they told me "YES IT WILL RATTLE BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE ENGINE CLEANED" I said ya the engine looks dusty, why? "NO THEY SAID, WE MUST CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE, 4 cyc, EVERY 25000 mi" WHAT??????

Yep, if you live where there is dirt that can get into the engine, WHICH IT USUALLY WILL, you MUST bring it in to have the ENGINE FLUSHED OUT.

I told them thanks but no thanks and kept it until the 36000 lease end and gave it back to them, NO MORE SUBARU'S
100% true story
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Old 07-06-2018, 10:11 AM
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Am I wrong in assuming, all other things being equal (weight, mileage, etc.) that a normally aspirated engine that is somewhat larger than a turbo engine, will last longer? My thinking is the smaller displacement turbo will have to work harder to produce the same performance as the normally aspirated one. More work means more heat generated and more wear on the parts.
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Old 07-06-2018, 01:10 PM
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We have two, our second and third. Our first was my wife's 2007 Outback, which did well except for a couple of things. The few times I drove it, I found it cramped for my legs, and uncomfortable to drive for long periods (such as here to Woodland CA to visit RottsOfFriends*). It had the older engine design, and just over 100K it got to the point it was going to need the head gasket problem addressed. It also only had the 5speed manual, and its legs were too short for highway driving IMHO. (Out here, 70+ is typical.) Given the head gasket issue and some other work needs, it was going to need enough work to cover roughly 4 months of payments on a new car. Given her weekly drive from her workplace and the house there to this house, and her bad back and aging dog, that seemed an easy decision.

I was impressed even as a passenger with how stable my wife's car felt in the snow, and bought my 2011 Legacy in February of that year. Roomier (I asked a taller cop I met at a class about he liked it for room, and he was all about it.) 6 speed manual - while first it a bit too talk for my preferences (old truck driver habit, I like to start by easing out the clutch with no gas), the longer legs really helped on the highway. Mine was about 900 rpm lower at highway speed, and I got a good 6 MPG better than my wife's car; usually more. I had a cooling fan die on a trip (with a dog, in the summer, so the car had to be on for the A/C when parked). That was a problem, as the closest dealer I got to did not have a replacement, but they were able to cobble up a temporary fix that got me by until I hit Champaign and had it replaced. At about 150K, I had to have the clutch replaced. Other than that, no real maintenance issues, and it is over 154K now, with no indication of needing other than regular maintenance.

My wife went with a 2018 Forester, nicely equipped (which forced us to have a sunroof, and I hate those). Mileage was poor initially, until we took another trip to RottsOfFriends (700 miles, 12 hours, each way, in 2 days). It did very well, and the mileage went up a lot during and after the trip. It had enough room for a Rott sized crate, which was a useful thing while introducing Ted to his new sister Ruby.

Impreza/CrossTrek: these are smaller and cheaper, more like starter cars. Still adequately reliable, and decent in the slop from what I am told. When trade time comes, I might do that, with the goal of renting something bigger for trips. I might get another Legacy. Overall, we have been happy with them. The dealers we have used have lifetime oil change plans, which are cheap compared to the miles we drive - on my Legacy, it went through a change a month during my busiest commute period (62 miles each way to work for 3 years). Subarus will not be perfect for every purchaser, but have been good for us. One of the ways in which they have been really great is that although most of Washington does not get significant snow (6-9" inches overnight is not a storm, you ninnies, it is flurries)**, the road plowing is utterly abysmal. In the 25+ years we have been here, I have not seen anything that is big enough to be considered a plow - they are little toys. There have been several times when the capability of the cars has kept us from being stranded a a result of the poor plowing (close an Interstate? Really? And still have a job? Oh FFS.).

*Dog rescue in Woodland, mostly Rotts, some other hard to place dogs. Renee is a tough, no BS lady, but really savvy. We have adopted two dogs from her, and even with all the baggage of adult rescues, they are good dogs. Someone needs to go adopt Rhino (RottXBoerboel, kinda ugly with his bumpy head, but a really good boy other than with other dogs) and Keeva (sweet pitty girl who managed to anger Ted; very muscular and LOVES people).

** I grew up .5 mile from where the Genesee River runs into Lake Ontario. I've seen 40" in 24 hours - which closed the schools for two days. The wimp mindset here is galling.
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Last edited by Doug M.; 07-06-2018 at 01:12 PM.
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Old 07-06-2018, 01:39 PM
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What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's? What are your opinions on the Subaru or similar "crossover" SUV's?  
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Originally Posted by hoosierone View Post
More work means more heat generated and more wear on the parts.
Turbos generate more heat, but not because of working harder. They're driven by the exhaust which just causes more heat.

However, I don't think they're really working "harder" to create the horsepower. A turbo is much more efficient. It forces the air in which makes it easier to burn. A normally aspirated engine must draw the air in which doesn't burn as easily.

That's a very low brow interpretation. I'm not really experienced in turbo design. I've only had one turbo and it's great, but does have some quirks. My turbo failed at about 100K miles. That was a $1,500 repair. I've heard that they can go much further, but can't verify that.

As for the engine itself, if it's built for a turbo, it should last just as long as any other engine.
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Old 07-06-2018, 02:00 PM
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Black wheels....oh dear.
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