Your last sentence didn't make much sense, but I think I know what you
are trying to say. Don't expect better gas mileage if you're looking
for a Subaru. If you want superior handling, function, AWD, and
performance, then, by God, go out and get an Impreza, Outback, or
Legacy. Forget the WRX, you'll just hate spending money on premium
gas. If you want a driver's car, get an Impreza. It's not made for
passengers behind the seat (too small). But I didn't buy my car for
rear passenger comfort. If you do decide to get the Subaru, you will
not be disappointed. The AWD is tremendous; you will be amazed how far
you can take the car in extreme weather. Considering what you're
moving from (Accent), I think you'll be astonished at how much
horsepower is available to the wheels. A TDI will get you 1,000 km per
tank; Subaru will lucky to get 60% of that value. You can't compare
Jetta to Impreza; it's two different types of cars. One is a boring
passenger car and the other is an exciting drivers car, built from the
same Rally-inspired heritage it came from.

My 2c.

Stoneman

If your experience was as mine was in shopping for a late model used
Subaru, you may find newer used ones hard to find as Subaru owners
tend to be a "cradle to grave" lot that drive the living crap out of
them until they're too embarassing looking to drive, and then hand
them down to a family member.

Given how little they seemed to depreciate relative to other vehicles
in their first years, the ones I could find were still damned
expensive.

So I bit the bullet, did th feel good math on a cost/year or ownership
and purchased my first new vehicle ever.  So far so good!

The Suabarus's do very well in crash tests and once you feel the sure
footedness of AWD in the snow, you won't go back.  

According to Consumer Reports, the years to avoid in recent Subie
Outbacks are 2000 and 2001 given the head gasket issues of the 2.5L H4
engine.  My car knock on wood has been very reliable, however.  ABout
the only trouble spot has been the timing belt tensioner which is loud
and has been replaced on my car about 5 or 6 times (only one of which
was outside of warranty however).   I'm am keeping an eye on my
coolant consumption though.

Enjoy the hunt!

--
Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4
Chicago, Illinois USA

Yep. You don't want a used subaru. As far as fun is concerned
07 rex placed in the 5th place in the recent $20k-$25k c&d funster
comparo. So you can't have a cake and eat it too.
What's more important, fun on snow and locomotive motor?
Then rex is for you. If you can forego awd there there
are plenty of far better choices for all around fun
(including dry summer fun).
If good fuel consumption is very important take a good hard
look at honda fit. If you can guzzle a bit mazdaspeed 3
and GTI should fit the bill. Civic Si is sandwiched somewhere
in the middle of the fuel thriftiness / outright hooliganism
spectrum.
If you can wait for 08 rex maybe FHI has managed to put their crap
together. Who knows.

I bought my used Outback from a dealer.  It was a promotional car.  It
has very few extras, which is okay by me. Also, do not accept the firt
price, wait until they are reduced.  I bought a 1 year old well
maintained clean car  for $20,000 when the new were 26,000.  Dealer
also tend to load up on options you do not need and I did not have
time to wait for a special order, so this worked well for me.
Check out consumer reports at you local library if you want the real
scoop on gas mileage.  Consider the toyota RAV4 also.
Glycine