Better than a Forester?

In looking for a new kayak carrier. So far I'm thinkin' Subaru Forester but my FIL has an AWD Volvo wagon coming off lease that he's not interested in keeping (kinda slow for me). Any opinions/suggestions? Anybody got a lo mi 2006 Forester STI or similar that they wanna sell? I like cars that go.

ruben

Volvo has been having tranny problems... Subi's are great! There is a toyo pick up in classifieds you could fix up for the same $$$....

Subs are great cars. Safe too. Easy to work on too.

I have a tdi sport wagon that gets up and moves pretty good. 40 mpg hwy with boat on top. Chip it for $500 and it'll fly, 170 hp, 320 torque. They claim the mpg won't change once it's flashed, we'll see. I was surprised how sporty and how well it handles. I just wish it was a bit bigger. 2 cents. Mike

We just got our 2d outback wagon.  2013.  first one is non-op till my boy gets his license.  It's a 2000 and still runs totally strong. 

The new one is 6 cyl. and what a difference!! It ZOOMS.  Plus it has the Harmonn-Kardon 400 watt stereo system in it so my wife is very happy.

Had it for 5 months now, I have driven it exactly once.

I have a tdi sport wagon that gets up and moves pretty good. 40 mpg hwy with boat on top. Chip it for $500 and it'll fly, 170 hp, 320 torque. They claim the mpg won't change once it's flashed, we'll see. I was surprised how sporty and how well it handles. I just wish it was a bit bigger. 2 cents. Mike

Mike, is that an AWD? I need AWD for places like TC and for winter trips to Oregon

ruben

Test drive an outback, forester, CRV and RAV 4. They are best of class. The premium on the forester is the sweet spot IMO as far as value. I will probably be up for your tourney in November and you can take it for a drive.

Scott

I have a TDI sportwagen too. No AWD in US yet. It is a great car though. Great mileage, comfortable, and surprisingly sporty. I tow my kayak on a trailer (Yakima Rack'n'Roll) behind the wagon. the only downside is the hitch sometimes scrapes on certain driveways. Other than that, there's nothing not to like.

Matt

As Matt mentioned no AWD. I went from a Kia Sorento AWD 270hp. The car was good n sporty but mpg suk'd. I make a lot of salt trips and I wanted something that didn't empty my wallet. As for TC I have no problems getting n and out. I don't know, the car really fit the bill for my needs as a yak carrier. The sunroof is huge!

 Ps - $35 in gas from sac to TC n back. What!!!

Ruben, I'm in the Subie camp on this one too.  Looked all over for a used Subaru Forester or Outback and found a decent used 2005 on up with under 100k was going to cost me around 13k.  My wife and I ended up test driving a new Forester and we fell in love the car.  After sleeping on it for a few days, we pulled the trigger on the new one.  It's her daily driver and I haven't had my yak on it yet.  We got a loaded Limited package with the leather heated seats, nav package and back up camera.

Bret

I'm another Subaru fun. IMHO: Forester has classical roofrails so you can play with Thule or Yakima. Outback has innovative roof that serves me well, but it would hold only one kayak unless you go with stacker's.
MPG is good and overall quality/comfort level is great - Also I'm enjoying little feature as "hill assistant".

Before you sink money into a volvo, call around and see what the local shops get per hour to fix them.  Buy them a box of donuts before you go.  You are going to want to be in a good relationship with these guys, because you will get to know them well.  Read forums on Volvo's.  Look around at how many Volvo's are still going strong from that model year, now look at the Subaru's.  I shy away from Euro stuff as the repair parts kill you.  See how much a car battery goes for a Volvo vs a Subaru.  Thats the first shock, when I worked for Sears and Montgomery Wards Volvo/European batteries were twice the price of American & Japanese batteries.  Tires tend to be funky metric sizes that are not always easy to find.

I work on Volvos for a living, all I can say is buy a Subaru!
 Volvos are over priced,expensive to fix and have not been any good since ford bought them in 1998. Actually the Ford issues didn't screw them up till about 2002.
Still want a Volvo? For cool factor I would get a 122 wagon from the 1960's! for a reliable cheap tank,1989-1993 240.

I work on Volvos for a living, all I can say is buy a Subaru!
 Volvos are over priced,expensive to fix and have not been any good since ford bought them in 1998. Actually the Ford issues didn't screw them up till about 2002.
Still want a Volvo? For cool factor I would get a 122 wagon from the 1960's! for a reliable cheap tank,1989-1993 240.

Damn, truth hurts sometimes...

I've got the Outback Sport (small wagon) and love it.  Hope I never need to replace it!  BUT if I did, tdi sport wagon would probably be at the top of my list.  After seeing Jim Gosc's ride, and hearing about the power and speed, yet much better gas mileage than my Subaru, I was totally impressed!  Always wanted a old GTI to play with too.