More Test Drives

The Subie is getting older and I'd like to have something that tows better. I make it hard on myself because I want that, and I want it to drive like a sports car and I want to spend less than $30k.

It's impossible, but the Cx-5 from Mazda comes close. I've driven the turbo and non-turbo models. I also drove a turbo Ford Ranger. The Ranger is nice, but big and $40k.  The turbo Cx-5 has leather, turbo-lag on top of slush-box lag. I drove it before the Ranger, and I'm sure I like the Ranger because I was ready for it. The Ranger can tow 7000lbs, the Cx5 only 2000. The non-turbo Cx-5 is a great car. Pretty good torque with it's 13:1 compression engine and no turbo-lag. No turbo boost either. It's a little quicker and tighter than the Subie. It's about $29k. The turbo must be bought with every option, so you're looking at $36k+.

Dang. The Cx-5 isn't nice enough an upgrade. The Cx-5 turbo is too much of  a compromise. The Ranger is a truck. With the FX-4 package, it could do real off-road and it can do some real towing.

Screw it, I got the PS working on the Subie. I'm going to get a new windshield and some new struts for it.