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Which car should i get?

  • Outback 2.5i SE

    Votes: 13 24.5%
  • Legacy 2.5i SE

    Votes: 17 32.1%
  • Other (Please provide car in response)

    Votes: 23 43.4%

  • Total voters
    53
Can you get such a thing in the US?

Its called a lawn mower...and it still can't corner without sounding like a cat in labour

How about a Reliant Regal...its cheap, rust proof body work, you can change the spark plugs without getting wet...and corners better than any yank tank (even though it only has 3 wheels)
 
Its called a lawn mower...and it still can't corner without sounding like a cat in labour

How about a Reliant Regal...its cheap, rust proof body work, you can change the spark plugs without getting wet...and corners better than any yank tank (even though it only has 3 wheels)

Is that the car from Mr. Bean?
 
Stop being so tight, cough up another 5k and get a Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart pronto.

Why? Have you actually seen what 2009 Subaru's look like? :p :p :p :p :p :p
2009 WRX >> Lancer RalliArt, both in performance and looks. :p
I'm not sure what system the Subaru uses but really with a good set of tires, even a front wheel drive car with traction control can do very well in the snow. The AWD just gives you a little but more security from fishtailing.
Subaru uses:
viscous center differential, normal 50/50 torque split, up to 100 % to either axle (not for long periods though), on manual cars
Automatic cars have a computer operated clutch that usually splits 90/10, and can do up to 50/50 (I think)
Then there's the STI with the DCCD, which is pretty complex, but still is a limited-slip.
Get a nice little 1litre engined run about that gets 60-70mpg
Toyota-aygo-green.jpg

The only vehicles with 1L engines in the US are big lawnmowers and motorcycles. :p
 
4 wheel drive is what you want for winter months, not all wheel drive

AWD = All Wheel Drive
4WD = 4 Wheel Drive

It's all the same unless you are rock crawling or going offroading. Modern AWD systems are as good as 4WD - they can engage 4WD in as little as 1/6th of a turn of a slipping wheel.

For the OP - if you can deal with an auto, you could try for a G35X Sedan - you could probably score an 04 with decent mileage for around $20k. Great ride (think 3 series BMW) and is a great car all around.

If you don't care for AWD (with snow tires and traction control + 100lbs in the trunk, my G35 RWD is great in the snow), you could try a regular G35 Sedan 6MT. Another awesome car ( I have an '04 6MT sedan) and has the bulletproof VQ V6.

I'd seriously also look at American cars - the quality is there and the deals are great. Toyota's quality has been slipping for years and they are no longer blanket-reccommended by Consumer Reports due to all the issues with them. Never been a fan of Honda and they have their share of issues (failing automatics come to mind).
 
you do know that All Wheel drive is also known as full time 4 wheel drive.

Biggest difference is the transfer case is different. 4 wheel drive you can turn off. All wheel drive is just a full time 4 wheel drive.

yes awd is the same as full time 4wd. however part time 4wd is ideal for getting out of ditches and the like which is what i was refeering to for 4wd in my first post



part time 4wd essentially negates the differential of the car and provides power to all wheels regardless.in other words, the wheels are locked in step. this is why it is ideal in off roading and cases where you are stuck. this is also the reason why it is not reccomended to run in part time 4wd on normal conditions and instead run on one axle via 2wd. if you do run part time 4wd all the time, be prepared to pay big repair bills...


AWD on the other hand provides power to all 4 wheels while driving. however, this system is intended for daily driving and does not have a locked differential. so in other words, if one wheel is slipping, the differential will make the other wheel essentially useless. this is why it is not good for snow in some cases. still better than 2wd though for sure

http://www.helium.com/items/86040-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-four-wheel-drive

http://www.helium.com/items/284405-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-four-wheel-drive

http://www.helium.com/items/174070-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-four-wheel-drive
 
I have an AWD Ford Fusion which has been excellent. The Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute would be an excellent choice if you need more storage room. Plenty of storage room, good MPG (really good with the Hybrid), and AWD is available. They are really a nice vehicle this year with improved engines and a 6 speed automatic.

My brother and sister-in-law have a 2005 Mercury Mariner which they love. It's been very reliable and good on fuel. The new ones have more power and better styling so I think it would be a good choice in a vehicle with similar capabilities to a Legacy.
 
AWD on the other hand provides power to all 4 wheels while driving. however, this system is intended for daily driving and does not have a locked differential. so in other words, if one wheel is slipping, the differential will make the other wheel essentially useless. this is why it is not good for snow in some cases. still better than 2wd though for sure

http://www.helium.com/items/86040-the-difference-between-all-wheel-drive-and-four-wheel-drive

Repeat after me:
Subarus do not have open center differentials.

Subarus do not have open center differentials.

Subarus do not have open center differentials.


Okay? I can't think of any current AWD system that DOES have an open differential. Although the Real Time AWD system in the first gen. CR-V is essentially useless...
 
Both the Legacy and Outback have a 5 star safety rating, and both have a very comfortable ride. The Outback would be very handy for off-road driving, if you ever plan on doing that. Also, it's 2 inches higher than the Legacy. My dad works for Subaru, so if you have any questions on the Legacy or Outback, please don't hesitate to ask.
 
The Outback is a fantastic car. I currently have a Forester, my wife a Baja. Last car was an outback, XT 2.5 (turbo) and it rocked. Sadly with my occupation i wore it out very quickly (200K in a little more than 3 years) and ended up with an 09 Forester which I compare very favorable in terms of roominess and amenities.

I will tell you this, I put Nokian Hakkapeliitta snow tires on the Outback and drove through winter's worst numerous times last year heading to ski and a Subaru plus proper tires for the conditions puts other cars and SUV's to shame if you drive it properly, in my opinion. No, it's not meant for rock crawling but it will get you where you need to go.

Honestly, I doubt I'll go any other way than Subaru, ever.

If you think you'll haul stuff inside (dogs, skis, cabinets, etc.) or say a kayak on a roof rack, I'd say the Outback. If not, the Legacy is a nice car.
 
So i'm going to be 21 within 6 months, and need to get a car for the upcoming summer. I will be using this for transportation to my internship, going on trips with my friends and various other things. I want to spend around the 20k barrier, and so far have come up with a 2009 Subaru Legacy 2.5i SE or the Outback 2.5i SE. Now the Outback is 2k more, but has storage space and roof rack bars. The legacy is more of a sporty guys car, where the Outback is more of a granny move stuff around car. My question is which one should i get? They both, or any car i get for that matter, must be a manual gearshift. I'm kind of looking for sport, but i'm a very conservative person, and need to keep insurance down. If you don't think i should get either, please provide a different car and why you think so.

Also, all wheel drive would be a plus for i plan on doing a few winter trips, but not necessary.

You need a Volvo 740 Turbo. :D Engine swap and other fun stuff gets you close to this for under 20k.
 
The Outback is a fantastic car. I currently have a Forester, my wife a Baja. Last car was an outback, XT 2.5 (turbo) and it rocked. Sadly with my occupation i wore it out very quickly (200K in a little more than 3 years) and ended up with an 09 Forester which I compare very favorable in terms of roominess and amenities.

I will tell you this, I put Nokian Hakkapeliitta snow tires on the Outback and drove through winter's worst numerous times last year heading to ski and a Subaru plus proper tires for the conditions puts other cars and SUV's to shame if you drive it properly, in my opinion. No, it's not meant for rock crawling but it will get you where you need to go.

Honestly, I doubt I'll go any other way than Subaru, ever.

If you think you'll haul stuff inside (dogs, skis, cabinets, etc.) or say a kayak on a roof rack, I'd say the Outback. If not, the Legacy is a nice car.

Like i said, I've had a 99 Forester and an 08 Outback, which we still own, but it's time for me to get my own. The Forester had Nokian WR winter tires on it, and it was great. I never not once had any tail happyness or scary moments with that car in the winter. I just hate the way the new foresters look, so i'm probably going to go with the Outback.
 
You need a Volvo 740 Turbo. :D Engine swap and other fun stuff gets you close to this for under 20k.

I've seen this before. Unfortunately,
1 Volvo 740
1 LS1 Engine
1 Manual gearbox
4 S40R wheels
2 Turbos
1 Exhaust system ->> Mucho dinero senior
 
I went with my dad last night to test drive a Mazda 3 which he's probably buying later this week. Seems like a really nice car and it's under $20k
 
At least it looks better than the new Lancer/boat.
2009_mitsubishi_lancer_ralliart.jpg

Seriously, it weighs 300 lbs more than the WRX wagon.

Don't agree. ;)

This car isn't gorgeous, but it certainly looks better than the new WRX.



And my personal preference is the old Subaru Forester.....the boxy one. Awesome design that really set itself apart from the competition. Now it just looks a bit more like everything else.
 
the new forester is nice. my girlfriend just got it. greatttttt car.

other wise get the legacy, but be warned they are updating that AND the outback reallllly soon. so either hold out or buy now and regret the complete redesign.
 
I've seen this before. Unfortunately,
1 Volvo 740
1 LS1 Engine
1 Manual gearbox
4 S40R wheels
2 Turbos
1 Exhaust system ->> Mucho dinero senior

Too true. :p

But even a few basic upgrades would do wonders. Example:

740 Turbo: 5k? (No clue, nobody sells theirs around here but someone had one with a Mustang 5.0 swapped in for 3.5k..)
Swaybars: 400
New camshaft, gears, etc: 350
New ECU chip: 500
Aquamist water injection plus monitor system: 1k
Bilsten HD shocks: 500
Sport Springs: 500
Chassis Brace kit: 250

That's just $8250 and I rounded up. You could go to $10k if the car costs more and needs some fixing up.
 
the new forester is nice. my girlfriend just got it. greatttttt car.

other wise get the legacy, but be warned they are updating that AND the outback reallllly soon. so either hold out or buy now and regret the complete redesign.

Can you link to any pages that have spy photos or any news on this. I am thinking of buying by next May, so if they do anything before then it would be great!
 
im in the same boat but im leaning to get the 09 wrx

keep in mind all wheel drive is NOT the same as 4 wheel drive

4 wheel drive is what you want for winter months, not all wheel drive

:confused::confused::eek:

rubicon-trail.com

"All wheel drive is almost the same thing as full time 4WD - it is a system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle at all times as well. Full time symmetric AWD would be the best term to be used. Difference to full time 4WD is that a "4-low" setting is not available in AWD cars. Due to the lack of "low range" AWD vehicles are much less capable in off-road settings than full time 4WD vehicles, but work perfectly well on-road."

EDIT: And one vote for a Mustang GT with studded winter tires on steel wheels :)
 
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