l commute from Buffalo to Rochester for work 3 days a week, so I'd like something thats all-wheel-drive with decent gas milage.l need it to be dependable even after it racks up a lot of milage and has to be an automatic.l do not really wanna spend more than 25K, and I am looking at either new or under 15000 miles.

Definitely look at the Kia Sportage

kia.com/sportage/index.php

On the Subaru line up, I'd recommend the WRX or the Outback.

If you're considering more traditional looking SUV is as well, you can get these within your criteria as well:

Ford Escape
Ford Edge
Honda CR-V
Chevy Equinox

Cars:
Ford Fusion - the 2007 model has AWD

check out the chrysler 300, the dodge charger(they both have awd options) the chevy trailblazer, the Mitsubishi Montego are also two good choices

l bought a Saturn VUE yesterday and they are great with great service.

Check out the Hyundai Tucson or Santa Fe.

l think that your choice is good, because Subaru Forrester is well made and worth it is prise!

If u want something that is dependable , reliable, safe, handles well & one of the best AWD systems out there, good on gas & great resale value. l would recommend the Subaru Legacy or Forester. You have made the right choice. You can probably get some great deals on '06 models or demos. Even one that is used '05 u should be able to negotiate a good price. l have owned Subarus since 1986 & l love them. l also like to research cars. l have worked for different car stores in service & sales before my accident. Stick with the maintenance schedule & the car will last for a long long time.

1. Subaru Forester/Legacy/Outback
2. Saturn Vue
3. Toyota Rav4
4. Honda CRV
5. Dodge Caliber

Stay away from Kia.

Check out the Mercury Mariner

l went in looking for a Forester, fully expecting to buy one. l had been driving a Honda Accord for about 8 years, though, & l found the Forester & its short wheelbase to be a bit TOO much like a small truck for my tastes. l really wanted a small wagon/SUV to carry band equipment & other things, so l was kind of sold on the IDEA of a Forester. As l was headed into the showroom to talk price, l noticed an Outback sitting there with all the doors & the hatch open. It has virtually the same cargo capacity (1 sq ft less than the Forester), but the thing is SO much more like a car that the Forester. l drove it & decided that this was much better suited for me. l bought a 4-cylinder Outback for $24,512. :-) It gets about 28-30 MPG on the highway, so you'd be happy with that. It is very comfortable. l suppose u can get a Legacy wagon with the same 4-cylinder, 2.5 liter engine for quite a bit less money & l suppose it would ride just as well, but l was looking for that extra little bit of ground clearance. Not to mention. u do not have to bend over so much to load an Outback & the seat is higher off the ground making entrance & exit just a bit easier for my aging knees.

In any event, as long as u r shopping Subaru, please drive a Legacy wagon or an Outback wagon & compare them to the Forester. To me, the Outback is sort of a stealth SUV.

My neighbor has a RAV4 & it seems very nice, but the price on them can add up pretty quickly.

If u buy a Saturn VUE, please be aware that the ''good'' engine in the Honda-made 3.0 liter V-6 engine. The rest r GM products & that is not exactly a plus in my book.

l was going to get a Forester back in 2002, but realized that there is hardly any rear seat room. We then looked at the Honda CR-V, which we ultimately purchased. The Honda has plenty of power and seats five comfortably.

You can also find a jeep cherokee, or grand cherokee within ur price range, that is either 4WD part time or 4WD all time, which will suite ur needs beautifully. l own a 96 Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD with the inline 6 engine (do not get a V8 they will suck gas). l average 24-28MPG city & highway mix driving every day 30 miles to work & 30 miles home. My Jeep is full time 4WD which uses sensors to find wheel slip & actuates the 4WD without the driver having to do anything. My jeep has 190,000 Miles on it & it still runs & drives great ( l also offroad with my jeep occasionally & have not had any major problems other than the starter finally died about 188,000 miles & the radiator failed at about the same time. Both of which have been replaced & the vehicle put back into operation.

l do all scheduled maintenance by the severe use guide, meaning oil changes & filter change every 3,000 miles, air filter change every other oil change, & transmission service every 55,000 miles. Plus if something is wrong with the vehicle it is taken care of immediatly or the vehicle is parked until the problem can be fixed. This avoids further damaging any other components.

stay away from kia. also, alan M is an numbskull.

u have a lot of options actually
toyota rav 4
toyota harrier
mitsubishi outlander
mitsubishi shogun pinn

good luck!

how abot the subaru sport wagon ( small suv like subaru ) l forget the name sorry!i think its the outback sport.

You can go to edmunds.com and compare up to 5 vehicles side by side. l have had 3 Subarus and have loved all of them, including my 01 Forester. The automotive press and consumer magazines love the Subaru and it is a great quality vehicle that you should be able to get several hundred thousand miles out of.

l would probably not get a Forrester. what about a ford escape, Mazda tribute, Honda crv, Toyota rav 4 or highlander. l own a 2007 outback, unless you live in a cold snowy climate or do some off-roading than l wouldnt get one