Subaru Problems

Fitting non-factory accessories by dealers is normal practice, so I'm not surprised that the dealer did that on your car when you asked to have a camera fitted. You assumed it would be a factory camera, but you should have asked and specified that you wanted a factory one fitted. Still, the camera they fitted should be covered by a warranty and if it is malfunctioning you should be able to have it repaired or replaced.

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.

You are choosing from a good line-up as all three of your contenders get The Tick from me. My personal ranking puts the Passat ahead of the Outback but there is no reason not to go ahead with the Subaru.

Boxer engines are known to use oil because of their design and the Subaru mechanic we spoke to said the consumption you are claiming isn't alarming. He isn't aware of a problem with oil consumption, but told us that it is important to have the car serviced as per Subaru's schedule and to use the recommended oil.

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 Sorento is a long-term CarsGuide favourite and one of the best things is the basic package is so good you don't have to spend big to get a car that will work well for the long haul. It definitely gets The Tick.

An Outback with the four-cylinder petrol engine has a private price guide between $19,500 and $22,000. At 50,000 km yours has done less than the average, so it would most likely come in at the higher end of the range.