So I'll be able to get a car at the beginning of next summer. I'm looking for the following:

Practicality
Performance
Reliability
AWD
Style (not top priority)

To make a long story short there's a 99% chance that I'll end up with another Subaru.

So I'm torn between the Outback XT
http://www.subaru.com/servlet/resear...mmand=features

and the Forester XT
http://www.subaru.com/servlet/showro...mmand=overview

The Forester has better performance, but the Outback has better styling. Another thing is that if I got the Outback I could either get the 5 speed auto with sportshift or I could get a manual. If I got the Forester, I'd definitely go with the manual. Right now I have no practice in a manual, but I think I'd like to be able to control my gear positions. Sometimes I like being lazy too, so if I got the auto then I wouldn't have to worry about learning a manual.

 

Why not a standard Legacy instead of the Outback? Less $$, better performance, not classified as a "truck" by the NHTSA.

If it were between the two you listed, it would have to be the Forester. The Outback is just so... LL Bean. In a bad way.

Too bad they won't sell you this Forester:



T.

 

Ditto, why an Outback instead of a Legacy GT? You really need that extra 1" of ground clearance and don't mind giving up superior handling?

The Outback is a poseur pseudo-SUV (and always has been), the Legacy GT Wagon is a true sports wagon that doesn't sacrifice handling capability for useless appearance fads! Get the Legacy GT Wagon.

Regards,
Gordon