What would you choose?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Under-30K Subaru Foresters and Outbacks would be excellent choices......so would the new Hyundai Santa Fe.
Keep one thing in mind, though....especially if you are used to the tire-burning power of a RWD GS400. AWD vehicles with lower-powered engines will seem sluggish in comparison...especially the non-turbo ones. The weight and drag of AWD gives great winter and bad-weather traction, but takes its toll at the gas pump and in 0-60 times, even with car-based crossover systems. However, IMO it is worth it....especially with the Subaru AWD, which, IMO, is the best of the car-based systems.
The new Santa Fe is a real gem.....well-built, refined, smooth, quiet, high-quality materials, and with an excellent warranty. But it is primarily a straight-line vehicle. It tends to be unresponsive, lean some in turns, and is not particularly agile......you won't mistake it for a BMW M-car.
Keep one thing in mind, though....especially if you are used to the tire-burning power of a RWD GS400. AWD vehicles with lower-powered engines will seem sluggish in comparison...especially the non-turbo ones. The weight and drag of AWD gives great winter and bad-weather traction, but takes its toll at the gas pump and in 0-60 times, even with car-based crossover systems. However, IMO it is worth it....especially with the Subaru AWD, which, IMO, is the best of the car-based systems.
The new Santa Fe is a real gem.....well-built, refined, smooth, quiet, high-quality materials, and with an excellent warranty. But it is primarily a straight-line vehicle. It tends to be unresponsive, lean some in turns, and is not particularly agile......you won't mistake it for a BMW M-car.
Last edited by mmarshall; Sep 28, 2007 at 12:39 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: CA
The RDX will run with my L-Tuned GS430, and that's saying something. No, it's not a racetrack superstar, but what SUV is?
The FX is attractive, but I would only consider it in FX45 form. And even so it is tiny inside, poorly assembled, and at the end of its product cycle.
The FX is attractive, but I would only consider it in FX45 form. And even so it is tiny inside, poorly assembled, and at the end of its product cycle.
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