Looking for a new(er) car
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Kcee, you now realize it was a HUGE mistake to ask us for car-buying advice, yes? You have 87 posts with suggestions and you're no closer to a decision and possibly twice as confused. It's ponderous! 
KCee Virtually every Subaru has full-time AWD. I have owned an Outback, Impreza and now drive a Crosstrek (I have dogs so I need a hatchback) and they have all been awesome vehicles that last forever. If you want an AWD sedan you should definitely check on the Legacy - frankly if you want an AWD "anything" you should go to a Subaru dealer.
I like Mercedes, BMW, and Audi but the price combined with repair cost has always kept me away. There is a reason they can be bought fairly cheaply after they're out of warranty. If you must, a lease is probably the best way to go.
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eltigrecda Impreza hatch would be #1 on my list. Just not sure anything else looks as good in the same category and has the same amount of hatch space. IMO, the biggest con of small/ish SUV's, is how small the actual trunk space is once the hatch is open with the seats still up!
eltigrecda I had a Subaru Outback years ago that was a hand me down from my wife. It was reliable and awesome in the snow. It was also kind of uncomfortable and boring and slow lol. One of my reps has a newer Legacy and it is a nicer and larger car than the old ones. Sadly I don't really care for any of them. The Legacy is about as dull a car as there is and the Impreza cooler with the hatchback, but too small and slow. I know they're great cars, but I tend to spend about 90 minutes commuting each day and would rather find something nicer. If Legacy came with a hatchback and a turbo on the 4banger I'd be more interested.
Strangely I saw a Buick the other day that I liked. The Regal Sportback. You can get AWD and a hatchback with a turbo 4. It's not bad looking either. It just came out in 2018 though so like the Kia Stinger, there's not much available.
MidwayJ Me too, but honestly the maintenance and repair costs on a Honda/Acura aren't cheap. I have 2 good mechanics I can turn to so not quite as worried about that.
I haven't really thought about leasing that much. I guess I am old school. I tend to keep my cars for 10 years, not 3. I like years 4-10 where I have no car payments lol. That said our mil rate keeps going up and a leased car would be a way around that.
KCee
Agree no car is cheap to repair, but I think Honda and Toyota are more reliable into high mileage. Also, I have always heard parts are a lot more expensive for the Euro brands. Having a good mechanic you trust is a great thing, though.
I've typically been like you about leasing but the older I get I'm thinking of shortening how long I keep cars. I want to try a bigger variety before I kick the bucket, lol.
MidwayJ I think Honda and Toyota are more reliable into high mileage
I agree. I've had 2 Acuras that (knock on wood) have been fairly bulletproof for over 10 years. My dad has had a couple of Toyotas for well over 10 years without major issues either. I think if you take care of a car though it will usually last. I bought a 93 Jeep Grand Cherokee from a buddy with 100K miles on it and drove it for another +80K and only had a fuel pump go at the very end. My wife on the other hand can destroy a car within 60K miles LOL.
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My wife has a 2013 Nissan Maxima. We love that car. Lots of power with a 260hp V6 engine, and a very smooth, comfortable ride. It's a nice 4-dr sports car basically. Although not AWD, it handles well in snow.
