Should I buy a Forester???
I knew you would do that when you got the right price bracket!!
I am going to take a random punt and say he wont be driving it to the snow - he is bailing on us and moving to Harvey Bay!
Come Dan tell em what you want the car for… He likes looking at this stuff!
Normal car capability off road but no chains needed in snow, smaller interior than the others.
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=SSE-AD-1120331&Cr=7
But going to need a timing belt by the time you drive it to Harvey Bay!!
AT the age range you are looking at you want just over 100,000km (and having done that major service at 100,000)
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=SSE-AD-1129692&Cr=6
Spend a little bit more to get the next years model (like you said in an earlier post Dan)
Good but Km high i think?
http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=SSE-AD-1085292&Cr=9
While I am an advocate for the imprezza I think Dan (being the same height as you) would like a bit more interior space…
Hmm I suppose the 140,000 mark for a 9 yo car is average. It not high and its not low.
(can you tell I listen to everyones advice 18mths ago when i purchased my imprezza! I also knew that the car i have currently i woudl have never paid full price for! But i love the beast now - cause it was so cheap)
If Dan is my height he may seriously not like Subaru’s unless he’s after 2008 and later models which are out of the price range. Prior models are pretty small but I guess it depends on what you’re used to. I took a few 04/05 XTs for a spin when I was looking and felt cramped but then the VE Holden range I was used to is at the total other end of the scale. My Ranger is smaller inside than the VE but still larger than the Suby.
Seeing as he has zero chance of driving to the snow on a regular basis buy a fast Ford or Holden to keep yourself interested. Hervey Bay is likely hot and steamy, not fantastic conditions for a turbo 4 cylinder car in terms of intake temps and resultant retardation of performance.
Oz I like cars, well cars that interest me or are of interest to people I know at any rate.
Dan is about 7’ tall.
Closer to 6’6” from memory - whenever we catch up I am reminded of how tall he is due to my neck strain to look him face to face and I’m almost 6’.
Oz I like cars, well cars that interest me or are of interest to people I know at any rate.
I know which is why i knew if we gave you the right parameters you would add heaps of value to the convo 
Seeing as he has zero chance of driving to the snow on a regular basis buy a fast Ford or Holden to keep yourself interested.
I currently have a Ford G6E hire car until my new Foz arrives, and it is the biggest bucket of bolts I’ve ever driven. Yes, it goes like shit off a shovel, but the ergonomics are terrible. I’m not a big guy but even I struggle to stick my head out of the side window without bumping it, and the top of the windscreen seems to be trying to mate with my forehead. The controls are also very poorly laid out.
Weird that you say that Mud, my one bugbear with Subies has always been despite the performance, across the entire range from imprezza to liberty, the interior feels very hyundai-ish.
Fittings are the difference between expensive and affordable cars.
Plastic, cotton and vinal is much cheaper than Al, leather and moleskin.
If Subies where fitted out like Lexus you would pay for it.
Weird that you say that Mud, my one bugbear with Subies has always been despite the performance, across the entire range from imprezza to liberty, the interior feels very hyundai-ish.
Yeah mate I agree although they have improved a bit in the latest iteration. I was referring more to the terrible ergonomics of the Ford than the quality of the plastics.
I know what you’re saying Spaz, the latest Subies have definitely improved but I remember getting in the top of the range Liberty and just being really underwhelmed especially for the $70K pricetag. In comparison I have found the local offerings have always been ok in this regard, no blanked out switchgear and more integrated centre consoles amongst other things. If I could set myself and my gf up with cars I would like her to have like a Foz or a Disco and I would have a Maloo or and F250 or something.
Wow, thanks for all the comments and links to cars (checked them all out).
I’m too buggered to write a detailed post (been packing up my whole house tonight - driving up to HB early Fri morn 
).
My previous car was an 02 SS Commodore, was such a fun car…
But since having the Forester I really like how much of a good all rounder it is. It’s great for long drives, driving in the city, hugs the road well, can pack heaps in, good for camping in Nat parks and a bit of off roading, good for snow trips (yes, sadly I don’t think I’ll be taking it to the snow for awhile… also good for my height (well the newer one is - I once briefly drove an 02 model and I think it felt a bit smaller but can’t really remember - so I’m assuming it can’t have been that bad). Only downside is it’s a bit under powered. But I’ve heard it’s not so bad if you get a manual (plus a lot of the manuals seem to have low range which is cool).
And yeah probably 04-05 I’m thinking.
I’m also considering buying the car in QLD (Brisbane probably). Not that I’ve looked into it, but I assume that will be easier as I won’t need to change rego and crap over from NSW to QLD then…
For sure Dan, buying QLD local will be way better, are you going to spending time in Brisbane area because from the Goldy to Sunny Coast has probably the highest concentration of cars for sale in Qld. Hervey Bay is about 2.5hr drive from Brissy I think.