[Carnerd]

And at that price range you open the doors to lots of great cars like BMW's, Acrua and Audi... It would make it a much tougher decision. Most with free maintenance and longer warranty coverage.

The Outback Premium is great value for money, and yes the XT is a significantly higher price, but let’s not jump to made up facts just to prove a point. The Onyx XT can still be had for just under $40k. The only BMW/Audi you are getting at that price point are their subcompact sedans, which are significantly smaller than the Outback and still less powerful than the Outback XT. Even something like a standard BMW 3-Series or Audi A4 is more like $45k or so when decently equipped. At that price point, both of those cars are still smaller than the Outback and still less powerful than the Outback XT. And no, you are not getting free maintenance on a $45k 3-series. You either pay significantly extra on top or pay enormous amounts for regular maintenance - a BMW is certainly not cheaper to maintain than any Subaru, turbo engine or not.

For like-for-like in terms of size, you are looking at a BMW 5-Series or Audi A6 or their SUV counterparts, which are closer to $70k or higher depending on specs/engines.

I understand not everyone cares about the extra power of the Outback XT or have had cars with far more power before, but you are not buying a lot of other cars in the $38-$40k price range that can do 0-60 in about 6 seconds or less, can tow 3,500 lbs, roomy enough for 4 or 5 adults and has the best AWD system money can buy. In fact, the only car I can think of that has all these capabilities and still as fast if not faster is a Ford Raptor and those things cost almost twice as much as an Outback XT.

 

[subforx]

When I owned my BMW honestly it never needed anything other then oil, tires etc and it ran to 155K with no problems, I have had Subaru's that have failed far sooner- wheel bearings, head gaskets etc so Subaru is not always cheaper to maintain.

Even though I like Subaru vehicles a lot- I have had both decent ones and one's so troublesome they get traded in at 36 months or less.

 

[Gossamer1]

When I owned my BMW honestly it never needed anything other then oil, tires etc and it ran to 155K with no problems, I have had Subaru's that have failed far sooner- wheel bearings, head gaskets etc so Subaru is not always cheaper to maintain.

Even though I like Subaru vehicles a lot- I have had both decent ones and one's so troublesome they get traded in at 36 months or less.

This is a solid post…so many people are blinded by brand loyalty that they don’t want to acknowledge the flaws it has. I’ve owned dozens of cars…and they ALL have had some issues.

 

[Martínez loves tacos]

Resale would suck being a Mazda!!

 

[subforx]

Resale would suck being a Mazda!!
[/QUO

Not really- both models do better then the average vehicle- But really both of them seem decent for resale...

 

[subforx]

Resale would suck being a Mazda!!

And while the Forester does better then the CX-5- its not as bad as one would think: