Technical > Automotive > New Car

New Car

I love my Subaru Outback, I was considering getting my wife a Legacy when she finally lets me get rid of her Audi A4.

I'm also considering a Toyota Camry XLE V6 -- though clearly this would not have AWD so it would not make your list.

I'm looking at the Legacy, but people say it has only average reliability. I looked at the Camry, beyond the fact it doesn't have AWD the last time I test drove one (2010) the ride was disconnected at best, it was too soft, and the steering to imprecise.

Just for further clarification I'm not looking for an SUV or truck with 4WD since I need to be able to park in the city on a very regular basis (like daily).

I bought my Subaru because everyone I know who has owned one swears by them and their reliability... but if this one should prove otherwise then it will be a one-time experiment probably :-P

I agree that the Camry's ride is pretty disconnected and soft. But she won't let me buy her a Lexus IS or another Audi.

reply to sk1939
Avoid the Ford Taurus - which isn't really a Taurus any more, IIRC. People whom I know who own Fords (and I used to be one of them, many, many years ago) constantly tell me that they wish they'd never bought them. In the five years that I owned it, my own "genuine" Taurus was in the shop every six months or so for something stupid but expensive. Ford as a company is quite profitable, but it accomplishes this by playing patent games with many of their parts - meaning that these are vastly overpriced (think $1000 instead of $100), and no other alternatives are available. As their customer you will eventually pay through the nose for this.

reply to Count Zero
I've heard that, but everyone I talk to hasn't bought a Subaru since the dawn of the new millennium. The newest one in my pool is a 2004 WRX, which is still 8 years old.

You could ask her about an Infiniti, and the G35's are quite cheap used I know.

reply to scross
I remember that it used to be the Ford Five Hundred not all that long ago.

Given what you have said, it looks like I'm going to cross the Taurus off of my list then.

reply to sk1939
I've put over 200k on 3 Taurus's.....Sis in laws is about to push 400k on its origional driveline. Fords are good cars IMHO.....

However, my 71 year old mother just came home with a brand new 2012 WRX. I hate the bitch!!! (and Yes I am a Son of a Bitch!!!) Uts Beauteemas!!!!!!!!

Go take the Subaru's for a ride!
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Protect your right to keep and arm bears!

reply to sk1939
The ride on the new Camrys (2012 is new generation) is quite a bit tighter than the previous generation.

I put 400 km on a 2012 XLE V6, and it was absolutely not disconnected or soft.

The Venza has 4WD in either 4 cyl or V6, perhaps that is an option...
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The talented hawk speaks French.

Is it? I haven't tried one of the newer one's.

I'll take a look at it, but I think it's rather ugly, and I ruled out most crossovers because of size.

Some background:

I don't drive a whole lot, so I would say I put on about 17k miles a year in mostly long distance and city driving if that makes a difference. My last car was a 2010 that just passed the 25k mile mark before »Re: 40A Drop

reply to sk1939
My doctors assistant loved her Taurus...got t-boned in it about a month ago and her insurance totalled it....so she turns around and bought herself a new Taurus...told me she loves that as well.....she drives approx 60 miles round-trip each day.

I wouldn't be so quick to scratch it off your short list....I would go test drive each vehicle and if you can wait until spring the all new Taurus will be out.....

»www.ford.com/cars/thenewtaurus/

which also means you should be able to get a new one on the lot today for a great deal the nearer it gets to spring.

I'll test drive it and see.

Can't wait that long sadly, have to buy it this week so I can drive back to DC.

Well then go to the nearest Ford dealer and see whats sitting on the lot. With the economy the way it is deals are to be made...especially on new domestic vehicles sitting on the lots.

lolwut, car market is doing better than like ever...

reply to sk1939
I would go with Infinity if choose between any. Had 2003 i35 and loved it. Bought used with around 30,000 and made another 90,000 in 4 years - no problems. In 2009 family gets bigger and get a 2007 qx 56 - still have it and love it.

Other will be Infinity again.

Good luck with your selection.

I've narrowed it down between the Infiniti and the Subaru; I test drove the Taurus today, and it felt like I was driving a land yacht. It feels too big and unwieldy to me (I'm used to small, nimble cars).

Then test drive a Fiesta or Focus, they are more to the size of your liking. Taurus is the largest passenger sedan vehicle ford makes now

reply to sk1939

reply to guppy_fish
I won't consider either because they don't have AWD options, so there is no need to test drive either.

reply to sailor
I liked it, it was large and plush for my taste. Road noise was considerably dimished from what I was used to, and overall fit an finish was good.

I did have some issues with visibility however, I found that the back windscreen was a little narrow for my taste. The Sync systems was unique, but the digital controls make me think of the cost should something go wrong.

The car overall had decent grip, and it handled itself pretty well, but steering felt heavy (at least to me). Also, it was incredibly hard to find a parking place in Chicago that I could comfortably fit it into with the visibility issue (it sits higher, and the back windscreen is also higher).