granolamama
New member
My dh needs to replace his vehicle, and he's heavily leaning toward the Subaru Outback wagon. We'd like to buy used to save money; we're looking to spend between $10,000 and $15,000 total. I'm wondering if there are any compelling reasons (especially safety ones) to choose an Outback over a Legacy or vice versa. Also, are any model years especially bad or good? I know there was a big remodel in '05, but we probably can't afford to buy one that new anyway.
My dh would be the main driver, commuting about 30 miles each way to work. We get a fair bit of snow in the winter and spring (Colorado front range). He wants to be able to haul "stuff" when necessary. We have 4 kids, and he would likely be driving 2 of them in his car on weekends when we split up to do errands. (Our main family car is an '05 Honda Odyssey.) Reliability is very important, safety is important to me, gas mileage is important but not the main consideration, handling in the snow is reasonably important. A 2nd car that could seat the whole family if needed would be ideal in my book, but I think my dh would prefer not to drive a mini-van due to the fuel economy and image, and not an SUV due to the fuel economy and cost. Our kids are ages 4, 7, 10, and 12; the younger 2 ride in Britax Regents in my car, the 10yo in a backless booster. I would consider letting the 7yo use a high-backed booster in dh's car, since it would just be for occasional use.
Any recommendations? Hopefully I gave enough information to base them on. Thanks!
-Helen
My dh would be the main driver, commuting about 30 miles each way to work. We get a fair bit of snow in the winter and spring (Colorado front range). He wants to be able to haul "stuff" when necessary. We have 4 kids, and he would likely be driving 2 of them in his car on weekends when we split up to do errands. (Our main family car is an '05 Honda Odyssey.) Reliability is very important, safety is important to me, gas mileage is important but not the main consideration, handling in the snow is reasonably important. A 2nd car that could seat the whole family if needed would be ideal in my book, but I think my dh would prefer not to drive a mini-van due to the fuel economy and image, and not an SUV due to the fuel economy and cost. Our kids are ages 4, 7, 10, and 12; the younger 2 ride in Britax Regents in my car, the 10yo in a backless booster. I would consider letting the 7yo use a high-backed booster in dh's car, since it would just be for occasional use.
Any recommendations? Hopefully I gave enough information to base them on. Thanks!
-Helen