I love the Forester. My wife and I both have them. My 99L is getting up in miles and it is time to do some maintenance. I need a timing belt and while in there, figured I would also get a water pump. Unfortunately, I seriously suspect that I also need a head gasket (and probably another 02 sensor (already put one in).
After I began totalling the cost, I decided maybe it was time for a trade-in for a newer Forester. As I started looking around, I also noticed the Passat wagon. It is also all wheel drive (which is critical since I live on the side of a mountain and use a dirt road to get on and off of it). I was wondering if it can stand the pounding that the Forester takes daily without the nickel and dime problems that my Forester has.
They (the Passat) are a little more cash-wise, but are not substantially more.
I've looked at a couple of '01 and '02 Foresters and really like the sunroofs! This time, I would probably go with an S versus an L and would prefer a stick versus and automatic (my wife has a stick and it is really...um...peppy). Whatever I get, it will probably go to the wife and I'll get her Forester, so I need something kinda nice as I like to take good care of her because she's usually hauling the kids around.
Any comments, statements or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.