jotterman

So.... Would a 2007ish to present be a good starting point? Would an inspection by a mechanic be useful too? What type of paperwork should I look for? Thanks

Thanks for all the help I'm 99.9% sure I'm going to go with a Outback after everything that been said and weighing my odds. Now if only I could find one that was manual so that I could drive it and figure out if that's the way to go or not!! Thanks again, Jotterman

Well I concur with what upnorthguy said... sounds like you I only need to buy the q-towers. I would suggest going with Yakima because you already have some stuff for it. The brands match up with each other than mixing and matching (obviously) but one thing I would suggest is going on Craigslist and looking for the q-towers that correspond with your car (look at the Yakima site car fit guide) Hope this helps, Jotterman

thanks for the bundle of information. A couple of things.. I am looking at 2007- present. Good idea? I would like to spend less than $10,000 but for a really nice one I would be willing to go to $11,000, ideally with 90,000 or less, so I have plenty of time to enjoy it!! I used to drive a manual and, for a preference I really don't care. I can concur the gas mileage difference and a manual car doesn't bother me one bit So your saying find a Subaru with a good service history and look at it closely for issues? I am thinking about getting another set of tires and rims for the winter. From reading some forums, it would be totally worth it!!!! Any other suggestions or comments I should take into account or note? Thanks, Jotterman

Hey all thanks for the reply, I do have a couple more questions and comments to ask about though... However I think I am leaning towards the outback. I believe I would much rather have the space and ground clearance when I need it rather than not when I do. But I'm still not 100% sure. So the questions.... I was understanding that the gas mileage between the legacy and the outback were close, medial difference, 1-2 miles per gallon about 21/29 city/hwy. Is there a way to put a hitch on the back for a cargo carrier or bike rack. I would put a maximum of 4 bikes on it or a large cooler, a Rubbermaid container and some other things. Is there a better year to look for than the others? One with less problems (w/ the engine, transmission, head gaskets, etc....) basically what is the best year? and what are the years to steer away from?? Thanks guys, I look forward to what the answers are and what you have to say...again, Jotterman

Hey all, I'm getting ready to trade in my current car (2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee) for a new car. I have narrowed it down to Subaru's, not that I don't like my Jeep (I do) but I just got a new job and am traveling about 95 miles a day. That's a lot of gas money!!! However, in less than a year I will be transferring to the headquarters and will then be driving significantly less. Down to only about 25 miles a day. Hence the trade in to a car with better gas mileage, and technically and upgrade too!! I like the available 4-wheel, ground clearance and extra space of my jeep but I really don't need that much room on a regular basis. I am a recent college grad, single with no kids to cart around but I do have a boxer that I do take to the vet or bike trail on occasion. I'm very active; I like to ski, mountain bike, road bike, rock climb, soccer, golf and run. So I cart my toys around to where ever I need to go. I have a roof rack for my keep and am planning on putting it on whatever I get. So... My real concerns are the amount of unused space in the Outback's. I really don't need that much space all the time, I have never packed my Jeep full in the 6 years I have owned it. I feel like its a waste of space when I don't use it. Should I even be worried about the excess space if the gas mileage between the Outback and Legacy is as close as it is? And...In the Legacy's the ground clearance. I have and my family has always had SUV's or Trucks so we really haven't had to worry about snow or parking "off-road" at HS football games, soccer tournaments or bike races. Parking usually is on gravel or dirt roads so I'm not tremendously worried about that however, I live in Ohio where we get about 25-35 inches a snow a year. How much snow can a Legacy take? So.... My question is; I have narrowed it down to the Outback or the Legacy. I like both. I have driven both and like them equally, for different purposes. HELP!!! Ideas? Opinions? Thoughts? Thanks in advance. jotterman