Screw PH. Recommend ME/my SO a new car!

[snoopy369]

I have a Forester, my MIL has the toyota equivalent (is that Rav4, or is that the bigger SUV?). Both are fine cars. The Forester generally has the highest safety marks from what I've seen, which was a big plus for me. It's okay to drive, though I'd get the upgraded engine version - the base engine that I have doesn't have amazing pickup. Realistic MPG is 28 highway if you drive 60mph or slower, my wife gets more like 24 driving 85ish. Drives beautifully in snow/ice; one of my trips downstate last winter, I came back with several inches of packed snow/ice on the road, everyone else going 10mpg and skidding, I zoomed past going 30 with no slipping

[snoopy369]

Not at all planning to go off-roading, just winter road commuting.

Haven't looked at the Outback yet. Was initially turned off by its stationwagon nature, but it's worth a closer look. Thanks.

The new Outback actually looks a lot like the Forester (or did in late 2009 when I bought my forester), just a bit more expensive, nicer engine, etc. Pretty much lost the station wagon look entirely (though both it and the Forester are technically wagons, according to the Illinois DMV )

[The Mad Monk]

No it were those who were smart enough to make it in society that stayed.

Are you talking about the inbred aristocracy, or those that licked their boots?

[-Jrabbit]

I have two friends with Foresters. Both them; engine upgrade recommended.

[Asher]

Calgary is flat...pancake flat...and has plenty of well snow-ploughed roads...as for straight-lined streets...you been to Canada?



Note the mountains in the distance...whilst the city and its environs are flat and hey...I can spot VERY wide, straight streets with tarmac.

Dear Mentally Challenged Apolyton Poster,

Calgary is situated in the prairies and foothills region of Alberta. Do you understand what foothills are? Consider consulting Wikipedia. The photo you took is of the downtown area which, perhaps unsurprisingly, was not built in a hilly area of town. Consider also that large hills are plainly visible in the photo you claim has none. Perhaps a visit to an optometrist is in order.

Another thing you may wish to consult is a ****ing topographical map. I live in the NW of the city which is very hilly. I am building a house in a neighbourhood known as Sage Hill. Incidentally, this name was chosen because the neighbourhood is in a very hilly area of the city with many...hills.

Your assumption that every street in the city is VERY wide and straight is fairly amusing. Indeed, the downtown core is perhaps not the most indicative of what the land and streets may look like outside of it. This is perhaps a novel thought, but it is not that much of a stretch. And your observation that the streets of Calgary in the summer are free of snow is nothing short of stunning. Unfortunately, snow falls in what is colloquially known as "winter". During this period of time, temperatures fall and snow accumulates. Furthermore, Calgary is a low-tax city which keeps its low-tax status by removing "frills", such as the plowing of residential streets. Yes, that is correct -- main arteries are plowed, but residential streets are not. This means for much of the winter we have snow -- compacted/ice or otherwise -- on residential streets. Many of which are on hills.

Consider this video: http://youtu.be/Msr7sMgVNiU?t=2m57s

Or this one:


Sincerely,
A much brighter New Worlder

[Asher]

We drive Range Rovers...comfort, power and off-road capabilities that other so called off-roaders can only dream about.

The only people who drive Range Rovers here are rich soccer moms. They have a terribly bad reputation for reliability. Plus they look fugly.

[Asher]

I have a Forester, my MIL has the toyota equivalent (is that Rav4, or is that the bigger SUV?). Both are fine cars. The Forester generally has the highest safety marks from what I've seen, which was a big plus for me. It's okay to drive, though I'd get the upgraded engine version - the base engine that I have doesn't have amazing pickup. Realistic MPG is 28 highway if you drive 60mph or slower, my wife gets more like 24 driving 85ish. Drives beautifully in snow/ice; one of my trips downstate last winter, I came back with several inches of packed snow/ice on the road, everyone else going 10mpg and skidding, I zoomed past going 30 with no slipping

My main problem with the Forester is it looks like it could've been released in 1998. It also has a 4-speed automatic, which is pretty sad in 2011...

[BlackCat]

Considering the last video, you maybe should buy your SO these instead of a car

[Asher]

I own a pair of those. Though they're much more modern...

They're fantastic in the mountains.

[snoopy369]

My main problem with the Forester is it looks like it could've been released in 1998. It also has a 4-speed automatic, which is pretty sad in 2011...

Yep, the 4-speed is irritating to say the least, but it's my only real problem with the car. And have you seen a 1998 Forester? Those look like they could've been released in 1978. So some progress is being made.

Oh, and it is not a terribly quiet car. Not sure if that's relevant. Not that it rattles or anything, but it isn't terribly well sealed from outside noise. Great if you have a sleeping baby in the back that you want to keep that way [they love white noise]. Not great if you're trying to listen to a [sports game of your choice] on low quality AM radio

[Imran Siddiqui]

Screw PH?! What is this another Alby thread?

[onodera]

Subaru is the only real AWD of the bunch, iirc. If it's not important, have you checked out the Mitsus ASX and Outlander? ASX is like Nissan Quashqai (is that the Rogue you're talking about?), the OL is a bit bigger.

[Asher]

Subaru is the only real AWD of the bunch, iirc. If it's not important, have you checked out the Mitsus ASX and Outlander? ASX is like Nissan Quashqai (is that the Rogue you're talking about?), the OL is a bit bigger.

Apparently Nissan Quashqai is the Rogue. I don't know Euro-names. I have no idea what a Mitsus ASX is.

The Outlander is too large for me.

And Subaru is the only "real" AWD in the group, which is also why it's bottom of the pack in mileage. I don't need AWD on all the time, I need it when I have no traction.

[Dinner]

All those cute-utes are gay.

[Asher]

What do you drive, Oerdin?