I drive a 2017 Subaru Forester XT. It's a turbo 2.0 liter. It has 23000 on it. I'm looking at my last car. I want something like it, in the same footprint, and yes, I want pass power. My wife's car is a wrx. Any steering? Recommendations?

You’re in Colorado so I’d definitely want to stick with AWD.

As you already know Subaru in all their wisdom does not make the FXT any longer. Turbos and passing power with Subaru you have to go Legacy, Outback, or the WRX. There is the Ascent as well but same engine and much bigger vehicle. I’m not fond of CVT’s myself and prefer a 6MT, and if no manual is available at least a real automatic.

I have a 2019 Ridgeline. Same AWD and engine is in the Passport. You should drive that and see how the power is for you at altitude with the normally aspirated V6. It will tell you pretty quick if you need to stick to a turbo for driving at elevation. I had some mods done on the truck and they gave me a Pilot one day for a loaner then a Passport another time. The Passport really surprised me how well it drove. You aren’t going to get great steering feel unless you go to a dedicated performance car and even many of those are numb. The Passport’s chassis, AWD system (torque vectoring rear half shafts), engine, and transmission made for a solid vehicle to me. I’m into bikes and cars and few things impress me like that just driving it for a day unless it has 400+ HP and costs a fortune. The Passport really surprised me. I much prefer the SH-AWD in the Hondas and much prefer the automatic. I loathe CVT’s.

A lot of people love that Rav 4 Prime too. I mean a lot of praise. Damn things being extremely hard to get reflect that. They are sold well before they arrive on a lot. Akio Toyoda has really turned that company around injecting some much needed performance with the brand. Gone are the days of Toyotas being appliances. I put a deposit down on a GR Corolla Circuit or Morizo edition because of this.

Lastly, drive anything and everything. Something someone else loves or a model that gets reviewed well, you may hate it. Always best to tell that stealer I’m driving, x, y, and z then making my decision so they let you test drive and cut out the high pressure bs.

Good luck.

AWD Challenger GT. Goes great in the snow. I love mine. Life is too short for boring vehicles.

I just picked up a AWD Honda Ridgeline last week. I looked at a lot of vehicles and the Ridgeline was my favorite. Nice ride, AWD, dependable, V6, 9 speed auto, nice tech/safety features and it's pickup truck. I don't think they are on a lot of peoples radar but you may want to take a look.

When I lived in Alaska, the WRX owners couldn't get out of their neighborhoods until it was plowed if we got a mount of snow higher than its ground clearance (4.9 to 6.1 inches depending on trim). Plowing neighborhoods is a last priority unless it's a school bus route. Everybody driving a SUV or truck was at work as the main roads were fine and they had the ground clearance to get to the plowed road.

Mazda CX-5 higher end trims do come in both AWD and turbo that makes 250 hp. They get great reviews. Also, my favorite color of metallic red at this price point.

However, by the time you go to the turbo CX-5 your price is not that far off a luxury compact SUV. The Genesis GV70 has been racking up accolades and comes in about 10% less than the BMW X3.

How is your lesbian street cred? If you need a boost, you could get one of the turbocharged Outbacks. It has 8.7" ground clearance.

RAV4 Prime is the only RAV4 worth looking at. I owned the standard (new taco looking model) RAV4 for about a year. The transmission sucked. I know people say they hate CVT’s but I have had zero issues with the Subarus CVT while the Toyota non CVT tranny you felt every shift and the shifting was bad. Odd downshifts, labored, bad. It might be because the stock engine, 203 hp I believe, is woefully inadequate for the platform. I had warranty issues which is why I got rid of mine and went back to Subaru but the engine sucked. It’s a reliable engine it just isn’t enough engine. The Prime adds 100 hp to 302 I believe. This is a good thing, all the electric stuff aside.

If you can find one (another story), the newish Ford Maverick small pickup truck ticks all the boxes. Turbo 2.0 engine with lots of go-faster goodies already on the market, AWD, storage.

I don't know if the Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Grand Cherokee is in the same footprint, but I'd take those over any mazda, honda, or Subaru based on where you live.

You might consider the Jeep Cherokee but I'll admit that I've driven one and liked it but I don't know if it will have the pass power you're looking for.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Life is too short for boring vehicles.

Agreed! This is how I ended-up with my Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd. with a 5.7L Hemi

I don't know about prior or subsequent versions, but my 2015 is an amazing vehicle. Ride is relatively smooth, relatively quiet, yet surprisingly responsive and stable on curves and turns. I've seen videos of people doing amazing things with them (things I'd never even remotely consider doing) off-road. At the same time: With the 5.7L Hemi it doesn't have to take any guff from many other vehicles on the road.

I plan to go to my grave owning this thing.

I hear you shaql kinda. If you are buying a vehicle to go off-road, climb rocks, etc., then a 4Runner is a good call. If you just want to drive in shitty winter conditions I would take a Subaru with good winter tires over a similarly setup Toyota. If real off-road is an issue then Toyota. If you just want to navigate shitty streets and highways the Subaru platform is hard to beat. My wife has an AWD Toyota (not a 4WD I get it) and when we lived up north the Subaru was the go to car when it got nasty. I prefer AWD to 4WD for street driving in the shit. I don’t like “wishing” I’d shifted into 4WD I just want it there. For street driving.

I loved my Jeep GC too, till the 7 year mark where it became a maintenance hog. Hopefully they are better now.

A dual motor Tesla Model Y would hit a lot of check boxes. Unless you are really into off roading. It's clearance just wouldn't cut it. Or hate the idea of electric. Either way.

The right car is the one that's paid-for, and runs. You got the title? Bingo, you got the right car.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
When I lived in Alaska, the WRX owners couldn't get out of their neighborhoods until it was plowed if we got a mount of snow higher than its ground clearance (4.9 to 6.1 inches depending on trim). Plowing neighborhoods is a last priority unless it's a school bus route. Everybody driving a SUV or truck was at work as the main roads were fine and they had the ground clearance to get to the plowed road.

Mazda CX-5 higher end trims do come in both AWD and turbo that makes 250 hp. They get great reviews. Also, my favorite color of metallic red at this price point.

However, by the time you go to the turbo CX-5 your price is not that far off a luxury compact SUV. The Genesis GV70 has been racking up accolades and comes in about 10% less than the BMW X3.

How is your lesbian street cred? If you need a boost, you could get one of the turbocharged Outbacks. It has 8.7" ground clearance.

I have a 2020 Mazda CX-5 Signature (top of the line with 250 hp turbo). To Tatortod's observation about price point between the Mazda and a BMW X-3 or Genesis V70, for a list price of around $40K, the Mazda comes fully loaded with nappa leather, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats, HUD, 360 degree cameras, full-safety suit, etc. For another $8-10K the BMW and Genesis are base model and don't have most of those options. You're looking at YET ANOTHER $8-10K to similarly equip them to the top of the line Mazda.

That's why I ended up with the Mazda, it was a value proposition for a car that is very close in ride comfort and quiet to the X-3 and came in at around $15K less than a similarly equipped X-3. (The Genesis V70 was not around in 2020. And I don't have a Genesis dealer near me. Not all Hyundai dealers are allowed to sell Genesis.)

If the Mazda has enough interior space for you, you can't go wrong.

So you want to stay with something similar to what you have and you haven’t given us any reason you are not happy with what you have. Applying Para’s wisdom above, I’m going to suggest a 2017 Subaru Forester XT. If you could find one with less than 30,000 miles, you’d be golden.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
The right car is the one that's paid-for, and runs. You got the title? Bingo, you got the right car.

Best automobile feature EVER!
I haven't had a car payment since the mid 90's, imagine what you can do with that cash...

Don’t you mean, “dilemma?” Personally, I never cared for Japanese cars, recognizing that Subaru is the state car of Colorado. Can you afford a Porsche Macan? Very capable, sharp looking, fun to drive.

Both of my parents passed in 2011. I inherited their 2003 Camry with about 32,000 miles on it. Considering I’m retired, it’s just perfect for around town. It beats the Saturn I had.

I really have no idea to answer your question.

But...... I am so lusting after this car. I would make it my daily driver and drive the snot out of it.

ANYTHING mechanical or electrical in this beast is easily repaired by just about anyone, unlike todays modern cars with way too my computers and such crammed into impossibly difficult cramped locations. For example, a recent post of a Titan oil filter issue is typical of todays autos. I personally could fix just about anything on this car.

Anyway, good luck to you finding the car you want.
'
And, please excuse the goofiness of Hoovie and the Car Wizard. The Wizard will have everyting sorted out and fixed on this '49 Caddy.

I soooooooooooo want this car!!!
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Honda Pilot, especially the Trail Sport would exceed everything the Subaru is. More comfort, space, power, ground clearance, etc.