# Forester XT vs V50 T5 AWD **URL:** \ **Category:** Buying/Selling\ **Created:** [December 31, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-xt-vs-v50-t5-awd/131751 "2018-12-31T20:53:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Weareminotaur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5fc32e/32.png) [@Weareminotaur](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Weareminotaur)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-xt-vs-v50-t5-awd/131751/1 "2018-12-31T20:53:36Z")
I’ve narrowed my car search to a 2006 Subaru Forester XT with 70k miles, and a 2007 Volvo T5 AWD with 100k miles. Both seem to be in good shape and have basically the same features and options. Looking g for people’s opinions and experiences with either of the cars, reliability will be a major factor in my decision ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 8:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-xt-vs-v50-t5-awd/131751/2 "2018-12-31T20:57:02Z")
> [@Weareminotaur](#): > > reliability will be a major factor in my decision A used Volvo that is at least 11 tears old and reliability do not go in the same sentence . An all wheel drive Subaru could also be costly at this age . Do you really need AWD ? At the very least pay a mechanic to inspect which ever one you want. ---
**Author:** ![Weareminotaur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5fc32e/32.png) [@Weareminotaur](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Weareminotaur)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-xt-vs-v50-t5-awd/131751/4 "2018-12-31T21:06:33Z")
Depending on the right car I may not _need_ all wheel drive but I live on top of a steep pothole riddled Hill in new England and have occasionally had to do a little soft roading for my work, so it would certainly be well appreciated ---
**Author:** ![madRiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@madRiver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/madRiver)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-xt-vs-v50-t5-awd/131751/5 "2019-01-01T15:58:37Z")
Flip a coin. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-xt-vs-v50-t5-awd/131751/6 "2019-01-01T16:00:43Z")
what do you drive now? been living there long time? ---
**Author:** ![Weareminotaur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5fc32e/32.png) [@Weareminotaur](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Weareminotaur)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-xt-vs-v50-t5-awd/131751/7 "2019-01-01T17:50:37Z")
Just moved to a new place in new England a few months ago after living in Chicago, was driving an older VW but it got totalled after someone rear ended me. I’ve been wanting something more practical that I feel comfortable driving up a mountain or to a lake, but still fun and zippy, which is why I gravitated towards these little sports wagons. My available parking is tiny ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-xt-vs-v50-t5-awd/131751/8 "2019-01-01T19:31:12Z")
Thought I’d be practical but you are new to location. I vote for subie. ---
**Author:** ![Weareminotaur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5fc32e/32.png) [@Weareminotaur](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Weareminotaur)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-xt-vs-v50-t5-awd/131751/9 "2019-01-01T19:49:47Z")
Just out of curiosity what was your suggestion going to be? I did grow up in a similar place to where I’m at now, but my first car was an Audi Avant so I’m just really familiar with how AWD feels and heavily prefer cars & wagons to crossovers ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/forester-xt-vs-v50-t5-awd/131751/10 "2019-01-01T21:05:16Z")
> [@Weareminotaur](#): > > reliability will be a major factor in my decision That would work in favor of the Subaru, especially if the cost of repairs is considered.