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Old 08-17-2013, 10:33 AM   #1
jctjct
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Default Please help - Forester Alternatives? Need fast wagon

My last 4 cars are a BMW M5, Mini Cooper S and TWO Forester XT's (one was an STI conversion) I love fast and fun cars, but need the trunk space of a Forester while hauling kids.

I wanted a clean 2008 FXT Sport but now they're nearly 6 years old and hard to come by so I'm considering other cars. And with the manual being gone while staying with the older style trans, I'm not sure I can do a newer FXT. if they did a DSG gearbox I'd probably already own one.

Wishlist:
  • Fast
  • Big trunk/hatch/wagon
  • Space for 5 PLUS Gear in the trunk, this is what kills the STI/WRX for me, I need the bigger trunk without folding the seat down.
  • Does well in snow
  • Budget $15-25k

Any recommendations? Audi, Volvo are the only ones that come to mind and I don't want the Audi's repairs and Volvo V70R's are impossible to find.

Subaru Forester XT Sport 08


Volvo V70R


Audi
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Last edited by jctjct; 08-17-2013 at 01:03 PM.
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Old 08-17-2013, 10:38 AM   #2
JustyWRC
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Arlington, TN
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95&96 Sambar 06 Forester

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Sounds like you are looking at used? Why not a new one? Go drive one. You may raise an eyebrow.
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Old 08-17-2013, 10:39 AM   #3
infinite012
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DGM

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Any Mercedes AMG wagon.
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Old 08-17-2013, 10:46 AM   #4
Corners
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Default

What's your budget, and CTS-V Wagon.
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Old 08-17-2013, 10:51 AM   #5
tommyson01
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Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: in transisition
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Old man blue

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Outback xt?
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Old 08-17-2013, 11:40 AM   #6
geronimo81
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9psi on 91 No EM

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Quote:
Originally Posted by infinite012 View Post
Any Mercedes AMG wagon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Corners View Post
What's your budget, and CTS-V Wagon.
Does well in snow?

Quote:
Originally Posted by tommyson01 View Post
Outback xt?
My thoughts exactly
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Old 08-17-2013, 12:02 PM   #7
That guy in Maine
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Default

Porsche Cayenne of course!
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Old 08-17-2013, 12:07 PM   #8
intense98rt
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Srt-8 jeep or tb ss
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Old 08-17-2013, 12:22 PM   #9
nhmtns
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An OBXT can make plenty of power. Mine still makes my wife car sick when I accelerate quickly. Been driving it for almost 4 years. It's the handling that really needs attention.
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Old 08-17-2013, 01:03 PM   #10
jctjct
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Default

Sorry I didn't mention budget $15-$25k. Since I put 30k highway miles per year on cars and live where snow and salt rules the roads in winter I can't justify spending more on a daily driver.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nhmtns View Post
An OBXT can make plenty of power. Mine still makes my wife car sick when I accelerate quickly. Been driving it for almost 4 years. It's the handling that really needs attention.
I test drove some Outback XT's before getting my last forester and while I loved them and the trunk space, the handling was even more "gushy" than my Foresters were. I believe they have the same trans as well?

Last edited by jctjct; 08-17-2013 at 01:10 PM.
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Old 08-17-2013, 01:20 PM   #11
Mr.IllBill
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jctjct View Post
Sorry I didn't mention budget $15-$25k. Since I put 30k highway miles per year on cars and live where snow and salt rules the roads in winter I can't justify spending more on a daily driver.
And how low of miles are you looking for?
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Old 08-17-2013, 02:47 PM   #12
jctjct
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.IllBill View Post
And how low of miles are you looking for?
The lower the better but prefer 75k or less. I've seen 30k mile cars I wouldn't own and 150k cars that looked and ran like new so it depends on the car and care it's received.
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Old 08-17-2013, 03:17 PM   #13
Corners
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geronimo81 View Post

Does well in snow?
Depending on where you live, RWD with a good set of snow tires will get you around just fine.
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Old 08-17-2013, 03:19 PM   #14
Mr.IllBill
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jctjct View Post
The lower the better but prefer 75k or less. I've seen 30k mile cars I wouldn't own and 150k cars that looked and ran like new so it depends on the car and care it's received.
why don't you get a used 2011-12 WRX hatch?

Check out the private vehicle classifieds section and see if there's anything in there that catches your interest.
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Old 08-17-2013, 03:23 PM   #15
rwfloberg
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SWP

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Trailblazer SS!!!
How about an older BMW 540i wagon? 6 speed V8
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Old 08-17-2013, 04:16 PM   #16
CCFRN
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If you're trying to fit FIVE people AND their gear into a wagon, its not going to happen. You might want to start looking at minivans and SUV's like the Yukon, Explorer, etc..
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Old 08-17-2013, 04:47 PM   #17
Kean
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2020 Forester
2010 Challenger R/T

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I find my wife's '08 Forester crowded enough with just us two and my two year old. The car seat kills front leg room IMO/IME and he usually sits behind me so my wife can have easy access to him (I always drive when I'm in the car). My knee are usually just an inch or so from the dash. Lately, my wife has been sitting behind me so i have more room (but she is cramped).

Cargo space is tight for trips but doable. However, I couldn't see hauling crap for 3 let alone 4 or 5 people in that thing with any hope of comfort. ....I have hip and lower back problems to boot so its worse for me.

We have been looking at the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland the last couple of years as a replacement. We may make that happen in the next year or so. I sat in a couple and really liked it. We'll see how it goes when we get serious about buying something.
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Old 08-17-2013, 04:52 PM   #18
MUscooby
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Black/Black/Black

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Should I even say Dodge Magnum R/T AWD, or should I just now?
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Old 08-17-2013, 05:30 PM   #19
A W
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Default

Even an A6 Avant, regardless of how you pretty it up, can't get past the fact that it's just a slightly larger A4 Avant. I'm not sure how tall you are but the rear legroom in the A6 is "okay" by American standards when loaded up with cargo and people. The A4 isn't even enough for 5 adults but for 2 adults and 3 children it's a pinch.

It's too bad though. The main improvement from the SG to the SH was the improved front and rear legroom. Of course as the years go on from 2004 and up the Forester gets heavier and slower but what can you expect if you stay stock? Have you driven any of the '09-'13 XT? If you don't like the 4-speed, try the 2014 Subaru Forester XT with the Sport# on. Some diehard manual fanatics don't mind the CVT but some do still walk away a diehard fanatic after testing the new 2014 Subaru Forester XT. Besides an X1 which is clearly out of your budget, I can't think of a better replacement for a DD than a Subaru Forester XT with the requirement of that cargo capacity.

That is, until we get the Legacy GT DIT in the USDM.
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Old 08-17-2013, 05:51 PM   #20
BXWRX77
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Location: Bronx NY
Vehicle:
2005 Legacy GT Wagon
Black

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This may sound stupid, but I have a 2012 Hyundai Santa' Fe, put a cargo basket on the roof rack, with a soft cargo bag, and a hitch mount cargo carrier, Family of 4 with gear can go anywhere, and my kids are 5' 9 and 6', it also has 275 HP with a locking diff. and gets over 25 MPG on the highway. granted it's front wheel drive most of the time. It's pretty comfortably on long drives. and has a lot of storage space behind the seats and under the back deck, rear seats recline. I was dead against getting one, but got a good deal on it!
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Old 08-17-2013, 08:43 PM   #21
Corners
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How often will you be doing 5+ gear trips? Have you considered buying or renting a small trailer when it comes time for those trips?
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Old 08-17-2013, 09:35 PM   #22
KC
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Caddy CTS AWD.

--kC
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Old 08-17-2013, 09:41 PM   #23
Jack
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It Better

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Porsche 996 with a small, low trailer. No, I'm not kidding
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Old 08-18-2013, 07:13 AM   #24
mhoerath
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2003 354 ftlb@3k rpm
justablue hatch

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my 03 wrx hatch is very long road trip capable - has 206k miles so hat's 20k miles a year. It's fast but on trips I use the cruise control and avoid speeding tickets.

We had an 03 toyota highlander - lots of room and great road car that got 24 mpg. Sold that and bought a '13 outback, 2.5l cvt trans gets 28 highway. Lots of room and great road car.
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Old 08-18-2013, 08:56 AM   #25
utekineir
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Default

I like my fxt, gives you pretty much all the modding potential of a turbo impreza, with a bit more room in the ass.

plus it draws 0 attention.

and i'd far rather own an old high mileage subaru and an old high mileage anything european.

much easier to fix at home, even if you're a retard like me
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