2010 Honda Accord Crosstour: I Think I Want One But...

Subaru Outback Limited H6, in a NY minute! It has a far more user-friendly interior space, a more sophisticated AWD, and much better rearward visibility.

...And it can be had for far less than the Crosstour if you opt for the base or mid-level trim level.

I would buy a '08 or '09 Caddy CTS for that money.

For $36k, you'll be able to buy the Audi A4 Avant without the nonsense "sport" package, and get a station wagon that drives and rides well, and has good viability. You'll have less options, but a portable GPS device always works better anyway.

Subaru Outback Limited H6, in a NY minute! It has a far more user-friendly interior space, a more sophisticated AWD, and much better rearward visibility.

Eww no, the H6 engine is garbage, the interior is garbage with EZ-Peel wood trim, the car is uglier than the Crosstour, and you have to deal with Subaru's sub-VW service departments that are always backlogged with WRX owners who mistook their car for something built to handle high performance.

What would I get in the price range?

2009 Ford Ranger FX4 loaded - $28,390
2010 Ford F150 XLT RegCab LongBed 4x4 5.4L V8 slightly loaded - $35,520
2011 Ford F350 XL SRW RegCab LongBed 4x4 Gasser lightly laded - $35,970
2011 Ford Mustang GT Auto - $31,890

just to name four new cars.

As for used its pretty open at that price range.

In Fall 2007 I bought an all options 2005 Corvette with 23k miles on it for $35k. I'm sure today you could pick up a similar 2008/2009 loaded Corvette at the same price. Obviously priorities dictate which car you purchase.

mikeolan says:
"Eww no, the H6 engine is garbage, the interior is garbage with EZ-Peel wood trim, the car is uglier than the Crosstour, and you have to deal with Subaru's sub-VW service departments that are always backlogged with WRX owners who mistook their car for something built to handle high performance."

Spoken by someone who hasn't a clue about Subarus.

The new Outback is selling in record numbers, so there are a lot of folks who are in complete disagreement with you.

...Oh, I've got almost 30K on my second WRX; no mechanical problems with either of them.

I'll sell you my 2005 S4 Avant for way below $36k! Heck, way below $25k!

Black mustang gt with gold tape stripes. Preferably a 2010 model so I can exploit the incentives to get more options and still stay well below 36k.

It's not even that there are tons of other options in this price range, Including most entry level luxury cars. The reason you don't want to buy this car is that it is so horrendously ugly. It looks like a whale on wheels.

The two other Japanese CUVs in this range, the Nissan Murano and the Toyota Venza, are waaay better.

For about $35k I would buy a first owner one-two year old BMW 535xiT (wagon) with manual transmission, better warranty and free maintenance.

In no particular order:

Modestly equipped Audi A3 TDI
Basic equipped Audi A4 Avant
Basic equipped BMW 328xi Touring
Well equipped Mazda 3 5-door
Modestly equipped Subaru Forester 2.5XT
Modestly equipped VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen
Modestly equipped VW Tiguan Wolfsburg 4MOTION

So more than half of the options have AWD and the others don't. And yes, I threw in the Tiguan and the Forester for those that want a crossover, as those are the only ones I would consider getting myself.

Edmunds- In order for that New Car Finder to be even slightly effective, is has to allow options for engine size and transmission type.

I'm probably not the typical reader. My priority is a vehicle that is comfortable and has maximum flexibility to handle whatever I need to do. I'd look at a Crosstour, but I'd probably end up with a new crew cab Silverado/Avalanche or Ram 1500. In today's market, I could get a very nice one for $35K after discounts and rebates.

For $35k, I'd go with an Infiniti G37 or a Nissan Maxima (if it had to be a family vehicle).

Without the family slant - I'd do what I did a year ago: buy a Nissan 370Z.

'08 E350 4MATIC

Not because I should, but because I could (and I actually might)

I live in the Northeast, so my choice is:

NEW Subaru LegacyGT Limiited with Navigation. With dealer discount, under the 36K limit.

"The new Outback is selling in record numbers, so there are a lot of folks who are in complete disagreement with you. "

Record numbers for Subaru that is.......still small numbers compared to the top 5 car companies. So there are even more that dont buy them.

BMW 328 via ED - sport, leather, metallic paint, comfort access, heated seats, xenons, fold down seats, bluetooth. Under 34k and far more fun.

2006 BMW M3.

MINI Cooper S and Ducati Hypermotard.

"Spoken by someone who hasn't a clue about Subarus.

The new Outback is selling in record numbers, so there are a lot of folks who are in complete disagreement with you.

...Oh, I've got almost 30K on my second WRX; no mechanical problems with either of them."

No I owned an 08 Forester, chosen because the new ones are even worse. What a pile of garbage- once the Subaru granola PR wore off (while it was getting its wheel bearings replaced) , I came to realize just about every other car manufacturer has higher product standards. And again, all you ever need to do is pull up to a Subaru dealer's service bay and see the WRX's in line to have their crappy little engines and transmissions worked on.

^ So you've had one Subaru that you didn't like, and because of your one bad experience, blame the whole brand.

Since 1996 we've owned five Subarus (2 Outback Sports, 1 Forester and 2 WRXs) and no problems with any of them. We currently own three Subarus. You can add two more Outbacks if you include my brother-in-law and sister-in-law; so seven Subies in the family total, with no problems. I'll put my (good) record up against your (bad) record any day of the week.

Finally, Subaru has one of the highest owner loyalty records around. Most owners hold on to them till they drop, then buy another. So they must be doing something right.

Why did Honda position the Crosstour above the Accord?

used.
porsche 993 (air-cooled. more rewarding drive over 996)
slightly used c-class
some bmw 6 series convertibles floating around autotrader for that price.... practically any bimmer
audi rs6... yummmm
i'm not biased or anything, but make an awesome, personalized rx7... or s2k...or supra
plymouth prowler...it just looks cool
g8 gt/gxp
saturn sc2- daily driver, more reliable than the sun setting

new.
subaru legacy gt for sure (i'm in northeast ohio)
mazda rx8
forte koup, it's a nice little thing. save 15 grand
vw eos
a4 avant
wait for the nissan juke

1988 Chevy Celebrity
1992 Buick LeSabre
1998 Dodge Neon

Coupe: Bmw 128i nicely loaded
Sedan: Infiniti G37S
SUV: Toyota 4Runner
Truck: Dodge Ram
What ever the hell the crosstour is (and all cars in its category): One of the above 4

To be fair, I think I would be perfectly happy getting a loaded Subaru Impreza WRX and holding on to roughly $10k for other stuff.

Agree that the Crosstour costs too much. For $36k or less as my only car, I'd go with a 2008+ STI again. It's got all the speed and handling I want in a daily driver, plus a relatively comfortable ride, useful hatch, and of course AWD. Just a great car. Runner up would be a CPO 335i coupe, although I don't know if it would be practical enough to be my only car at this point in my life. The 5.0 in the new 2011 Mustang GT would also be very tempting.

I think anyone paying over $28K for an Accord regardless of trim is insane. This is basically a jacked up accord with even more rediculous styling than the sedan. Plus is has less utility than many of the CUVs out there so where is the advantage with this thing?

I got my G37x w/ "premium" package for under $35k, and love smoking those Honda ducks. ;)

An extra $36k in my pocket could land a 128i, Miata plus some new appliances for the kitchen, ...

G37
VW CC
CX-9

I'm with jaction: paying over $28k on any HONDA sedan defies my sense of logic. Honda makes a great CIVIC. They make a pretty good hybrid. The appliance named Accord is wonderful if you also like vanilla ice cream and Ben Affleck movies. But c'mon: there's a zillion better choices to put your money (and soul).