Subaru Forester Problems

I doubt your neighbour’s diagnosis. Take it to a suspension specialist, specialist Subaru mechanic, or a Subaru dealer.

Unless you’re spending the winter months in alpine areas use 5W-30.

It’s hard to say one over the other, both appeal. The Forester is well built, it has all the features you want, and would be reliable. The Volvo has the style, the features, and would also be reliable, in the sense that there is nothing of a serious nature that could bite you on the backside down the track. As they’re both three to five years old they shouldn’t be expensive to service, particularly the Forester, which has capped-price servicing. I would go with your head and choose the Forester, but you have to like what you drive, and I could equally understand if you chose the Volvo. You wont go far wrong with either of them.

An SUV would seem to be the best choice given your concerns about getting in and out of the car. Most carmakers now offer FWD versions as well as all-wheel drive models, and without knowing what your budget limitation is I would think an SUV like a Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester or Kia Sorento would fit your needs well.

All three are capable off road if you aren’t planning to go rock climbing, and they are reliable enough to get you to 250,000 km. CVTs are quite reliable now, but how far they will go is anybody’s guess at this moment in time. I would go for a Subaru, either the Forester or the Outback.

More could come on to the market as owners upgrade to the new model, but I wouldn't expect any significant shift in the price of older models.

The diesel will do your towing easier, and will be more economical as well.