hutch300

Defensive much... just saying c300 to those cars is a big jump!

No need to get upset buddy, geez

Enjoy dreaming

mirage15

I sure will.

Enjoy ignorance.

FraKctured

Forester is nice if you don't mind the trim falling off and the ride becoming like a tractor after 75K. I had one and was very glad I bought the extended warranty. CV boots, Air Conditioning, alternator all died long before 100K. And the repairs are pricy, which is ridiculous considering what you're driving.

It was great for 5 years, then turned into a junk heap--rattling all over the place, seats felt like boards, windshield trim fell off, inside trim breaking apart for no reason.

I wouldn't buy another, no way.

imboom

Funny. As a senior member of I-Club, Nasioc, etc, I've barely heard these 'stories' about how trim falls off and feeling like a tractor. We actually have a few guys hitting 150k+ this year on THIS island. Humidity, salt air, dust, and everything. I've heard way worse problems with W163's.

Interior trim pieces? They are found easily and go for ~100-200 for a full set. Plenty of them available from JDM to local parts. Motor? 2000-3500 easy for a great EJ25/EJ20. It costs 15 bucks to replace ONE CV boot, normal for Asian cars. I don't even know what you're complaining about.

85k miles on my hand-me-down to relative 02 GDA WRX. When I had it, it was autocrossed every few weeks on SLICKS, stage 4 12.85s 1/4 ET beast. The car still has it's tuned EM, VF34 turbo, 550cc Injectors, Walboro fuel pump. Still drives like a champ.

The only 2 problems are the driver's window off it's rails when closed since it was a top-frameless for it's doors. $0 Fix. The other ones were my aftermarket STI strut mount clunking. $0 Fix or $200 for a full set of STI Group N top mounts for upgrade.

There is a reason why Subaru was the ONLY company making money in 2008(literally outsold, not cutting costs) and why the 2009 Forester was the SUV of the year for Motor Trend and was the SUV of the year from C&D from 04-06.

rh71

None of those you listed come with 400hp right now. The X5 in the spring (probably deemed the 2011 model) will have the twin turbo V8 currently in the X6, which will give you the 400hp. But you're looking at $75k+ out the door. Not to mention it is already much higher than the other models you listed.

With a kid, you should stay in this segment though. It's not just having a baby, there's a lot of gear that goes with it. And then you'll have no room for anything else. If I were you, I'd go for the X5 35d (diesel) which has tremendous torque (something near 400ft/lb) and even though the hp is rated 265hp, the 0-60 time rivals the 4.8i (350hp). That's where torque helps anyway - acceleration. Look into it, as they have a $4500 eco-credit for diesels going right now. This should get you a nicely equipped X5 for $60k.

Reed19x

Larger, possibly used luxury sedan.

Older (or rumored new model) Infiniti Q45
Lexus GS
Infiniti M (new ones look great)
Mercedes E or S Class

SUV Segment...
Lexus RX
Infiniti FX
Lexus GX
Mercedes Benz M
Audi Q7
BMW X5

That's my long long list, I'll start knockin em off one by one though haha

rh71

DEFINITELY. I drive my other, 14-year old SUV out to the city when I can help it. But I got a bumper bully for when I need it.