***UPDATED: BOUGHT the 2001 Lexus GS300*** thanx for ur help! pics, 56k warning

[jda]

yeah ive actually gave it a hard thought at that
but fuel efficiency will be compromised for AWD and if i want to keep the engine at around 200hp, subaru's 175hp looks nice but how is its 4 speed automatic?

also is it a bit small?
it looks like its got a compact interior

Not sure about the 175hp never tried that one.
I own an older version with 168hp and I wouldn't call it speedy by any means.
I dont think the fuel consumption will affect you too much since you only drive 35000km in 5 yrs?
Also, since you are so concern with safety, all wheel drive will be an added bonus for extra traction in wet and snow.

[Ride-On]

Who cares how you drive? The TDI saves $ on fuel.Period.
Yea the camry is bigger but have a look around.

Errrrnk (buzzer sound) - wrong. Well, okay, part marks. TDI vs. gas = more fuel efficient. However, unless you rack up miles, you won't break even with the TDI purchase. Keep in mind that you have to make up for:

a) the premium in cost of TDI (in the neighbourhood of 1500-3000 bucks)
b) the extra maintenance costs of the TDI (need special oil ($), diesels require more frequent and religious oil changes to ensure durability

And this my friend... is coming from someone who really wanted to buy a TDI.

[McLaren]

IMHO, that's hardly a good reason to buy a different car. Save your money and go take a defensive driving course.

No driving course will prevent a drunk driver run a red light and hit you dead on from the side at 60+km/h

Sorry about your friend, but ***** happens... it could've happened in any vehicle.

Yeah sh*t happens... when someone close to you passes away I'd like to see you say that in the eulogy.

[seftonm]

b) the extra maintenance costs of the TDI (need special oil ($), diesels require more frequent and religious oil changes to ensure durability

And this my friend... is coming from someone who really wanted to buy a TDI.

You must not have done much research. The oil change interval of the 1.9 TDI is 16000 kms. Some owners are pushing that to over 30000 kms with higher quality oils such as Mobil Delvac.

[sg1138]

the jetta or passat drives better than the camry. At least the former isn't an econobox!

[konfusion666]

ONLY OLD PEOPLE DRIVE CAMRY'S.

a statement which is 100% pure hyperbole, 0% pure fact -- easily confirmed by standing at any intersection in the GTA, and watching the drivers of Camry's as they pass you by...

[Ride-On]

You must not have done much research. The oil change interval of the 1.9 TDI is 16000 kms. Some owners are pushing that to over 30000 kms with higher quality oils such as Mobil Delvac.

Actually, I've done loads of research... hello Fred's TDI Club ... the problem, or risk rather, lies in the fact that diesels run at much higher compression ratios than gassers (even turbo charged) -- translating to more stress = higher degree of risk from missing or delaying oil changes. And as far as oil is concerned, the PD-TDI is more finnicky than the older TDI, though Fred's now lists 3 standards for the PD... still, the PD's oil is a bit more expensive than normal.

[Evil Techie]

ok i think i should consider the passat and the subaru legacy now
see how the subaru drives and how it compares to the new passat

[turanuk]

Keep in mind that the 2.5i Ltd is the only way to get leather on a Legacy in canada (while still staying within your price range), which I assume is important to you.

[Evil Techie]

Keep in mind that the 2.5i Ltd is the only way to get leather on a Legacy in canada, which I assume is important to you.

nah
i can do without leather
gf doesnt want me to get leather which results in more animals getting hurt...

ill have to go visit my local subaru and learn about the features and models they have to offer, i dont know much about their current line ups and innovations

all i know is their old forester is butt ugly but all of their cars performs well with the standard AWD
just want a fuel efficient car too though

how is the reliability of the new legacy though?

[sg1138]

how is the reliability of the new legacy though?

I read this article and it showed subaru has best reliability after lexus.

[blizzah]

gf doesnt want me to get leather which results in more animals getting hurt.

Now you can get teh leatherette!

[M-e-X-x]

owning an impreza 2.5i sport wagon, the 4-banger 173 hp engine 4 speed auto isn't too bad.. picks up pretty well and the AWD kicks.. although you probably won't need it at all in vancouver.. fuel economy is pretty good.. on the sport wagon i'm estimating around 500 km a tank for now (bound to increase), but the legacy is heavier, so i'd say around there overall

[frogger]

Camrys are for people not interested in cars. Its the maytag of vehicles.

[konfusion666]

get the Camry SE V6, with the engine from the ES330, so you can blow smoke in the face of all the people whining about it being an appliance... plus it's got those side airbags you wanted so that it's side-test rating is more than 3 stars.