Subaru Problems

Noises like this can be hard to trace, but you're obviously on the right track and will ultimately establish the cause. Taking the shaft out seems like a good course of action having worked out that it is possibly at the heart of the problem. Good luck.

Without wanting to get involved in a family feud, the best choice is the Subaru Forester. It rides a bit higher like an SUV but is a classy family wagon. It gets The Tick from me and remind her that it's the safest in the class.

Glass is not something that is normally covered by the warranty, but the problem your wife has experienced is not normal. I would expect it's a design or quality issue, a product failure as you say, and should be fixed under the warranty. Go back to the dealer and have them take photos of it and send them to Subaru with the request to have it repaired under warranty.

It sounds like the right time to move into an all-new Forester, to power you across the divide and into retirement. No matter what you do with repairs to the current car, it’s going to be a gamble.

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.

For your needs, I would recommend the Subaru Forester. It is a great country drive, comfortable and safe, and gets The Tick. The Koleos is getting very dated.

The CX-5 is still best in class but a new Kia Sportage has just arrived and promises to be just as good. I’d steer you towards a Subaru Forester or Outback. They drive like a car, are more refined and easily handle country roads.

You should buy what you like, particularly with retirement looming, and the Liberty definitely gets The Tick and will be fine as a long-term purchase.

The Sorento has just been voted the 2015 Car of the Year so it gets The Tick from me. There is an all-new CX-9 next year and a Santa Fe update soon. Today, the order is Sorento, Outback, Santa Fe and CX-9.