Subaru Forester best SUV?

What do you think? Motor Trend magazine picked the 2009 Subaru Forester as its SUV of the year. Supposedly, it won based on its value, roominess, versatile powertrains and fuel efficiency. Anyone have one or plan to get one? Best SUV of the year is a big honor I would say.

I do not own one but my neighbor does. Subaru makes most of the least expensive AWD vehicles sold in North America. Their quality is consistent and gas mileage is better than many vehicles. If I lived in Chicago or some other place with harsh winters, I would definitely drive a subaru.

Subaru Foresters are nothing more that a Japanese based small station wagons with AWD. The mileage for the size of vehicle is poor (AWD). They have a huge following of liberal minded folks who think they are good for the environment (tree huggers). They are mistaken when they think they need 4 half shafts tuning all at once on dry pavement. They are totally useless unless you live in the northeast bordering Canada for 4 months out of the year. I live in NY and drive a FWD Buick Rendezvous (seats 7 and gets better MPG) with snow tires on all 4 for winter and can go anywhere a Subaru can. I have pulled them out snowed in driveways with my 4WD Chevy S-10 pick up. Their parent company is Fuji Heavy Industries. Can you say, US -big three almost bankrupt?

What is best for one individual is not always best for everyone. The Forester is best suited for driving on city streets and interstate, the type of driving that 90% of Americans experience. If you want to drive off-road or earn cash pushing a snow plow, buy a 4 x 4 with higher ground clearance.

My neighbors love their Subaru Forester. They are definitely not liberals and did not vote for Obama. He mows his grass every week, and his garden is well maintained, but I have never seen the man or his wife hug a tree.

By the way, my neighbor also drives a Chevrolet S-10 pickup. In his garage he is building a Ford race car with a big block Ford engine.

Japanese vehicles have become popular for many reason. One reason is that the Japanese asked consumers what they wanted then built the type of cars that American car companies refused to build.

American car companies continue to lose market share. They might cease to exist within 10 years if they refuse to change with the times. Just for the record, I have purchased eight new cars over the years and seven were Fords products. In my driveway sits two Ford Escorts and my new 2009 Ford Focus SE.

I am neither a redneck nor a liberal tree huger. I do plead guilty to being a Ford man. And my neighbors are not bad people because they love their Forrester.