Subaru Liberty Problems

Try a sound system specialist; they are doing that sort of thing all the time. Another possibility is Mordialloc Auto Parts, they specialize in Subarus.

You don’t say what makes it hard to get in and out for you, so I’m taking a stab in the dark. There are a couple of possibilities, one being that the doors are too short and don't open wide enough, another is that it’s too low. A move to a mid-size hatch like a Mazda6, Honda Accord or Subaru Liberty would probably address the first, while a high-riding SUV such as a Kia Sportage, Hyundai iX35 or Mitsubishi ASX would help with the second.

The XV will be fine around town but is very small in the boot, and the same goes for the CX-3. If you want a similar cabin and boot space to the Liberty then go for the CX-5, but also have a look at the new Kia Sportage.

Until this week I would have said the Passat was fine but I've just run into a problem with a VW test car. I would now punt for the Liberty, which has just been updated and gets The Tick.

Yes, I agree that SUVs are a good choice of vehicle for older drivers; as you say they afford you a good view of the road ahead and your surroundings, and they're easier to get in and out of. They are, however, larger and that can make them awkward for older drivers who have a greater tendency to bump into things. If you choose an SUV the CX-5 is a good one. Should you decide against the SUV you could look at the Mazda 6, Subaru Liberty, Toyota Camry, Kia Optima or Honda Accord. All are good cars. Another to think about is the Subaru Outback, a high-riding version of the Liberty.

Your budget limits your choices, but the Liberty is certainly worth considering. You could also look at a Mazda3 MPS, a Honda Accord Euro, or a Mini Cooper.

The fact is we don't have the same clout as Americans do, that's because our consumer laws are weak. Your best course of action in the short term is to talk to your dealer about the problem, and have them do an oil consumption test to establish the actual oil usage. If the test proves your assertion that it's using too much oil you will then have good grounds on which to ask Subaru to do something about it.

The Suzuki is the best bet, by far. Avoid the older Audi, it's likely to be too costly in terms of service and repairs, the Impreza is a good car, so too is the Liberty, but the best is the Suzuki.

I've just driven the latest Liberty and Forester and can report Subaru's CVT is vastly better than past versions. The cars are also a step up in quality and refinement. I recommend getting the EyeSight safety package.