Subaru Forester Problems

The CX-3 is the best in the baby class and gets The Tick. It’s not great for value and could be a bit small. You should also check the latest Subaru Forester, which is much improved.

Audi already has the Q3 but the smart choice for someone on a relatively tight budget and who needs some ski-field security is a Subaru Forester.

It depends on the condition and kays of the Volvo. I would expect a 2012/2013 XC60 to have done on average 60,000 to 80,000 km. At that mileage it should still have plenty of life left in it, but it is closer to the end of the road than a new Forester would be. If you chose with your heart you’d take the Volvo, but your head would tell you to buy the Subaru.

You have clearly done your homework, from which you should be able to decide which is best for you. Without knowing what your needs and wants are all we can advice is that the three cars you have honed in on are good choices.

Remember the speed limit is the maximum allowed if the conditions are favourable. If you disregard the Subaru recommendation you are taking a risk, and you could find yourself in trouble with your insurer in the event of a crash.

The XV is underpowered, as well as having a very dozy CVT. If you are that worried I would definitely suggest a brand swap to something with a regular automatic.

As a guide you could expect to get $1500 to $3000 for your Laser. The RAV4 is a sound choice. You could get into a 5-star safety rated 2014 RAV4 for $20,000-$23,000, a similar 2012 model for $17,000-$20,000. You could also consider a Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V, or Subaru Forester.

Your need for low maintenance rules out the Europeans, Jeeps are popular but aren't as reliable as I think they should be, leaving you with the Japanese and Korean brands. The cars I would suggest you look at are the Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V.

There are no hard and fast rules for how fast you should drive when towing, but many companies recommend driving at a lower speed when towing. Subaru say you should not drive its vehicles, including the Forester, at speeds in excess of 80 km/h when towing. It's done for safety.