2006 Subaru Forester 2.5XT (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123)

Equipped with the leather seating package, the tab for the Forester 2.5XT climbs to $38,695, which is about 36 grand more than I paid for my '86 wagon back in 1991. Since Subaru sells this vehicle as a sport-utility, I can think of plenty others that are better-equipped, more practical and better-looking than the XT. Of course, Subarus are usually well-built, solid, powerful and include their ever-improving all-wheel drive system. You can ease the pain by opting for the 2.5X for $27,995, which now comes with 173 horsepower for 2006.

Still, if blowing the doors off sports cars at stoplights is your kick, I can't think of a more subtle machine than this 2.5XT to do so.

I have to run; I got another Chinese Fire Drill to call.

What I liked:
Jewel of an engine
Solid construction
Lots of features to help us through our hard winters

What I didn't like:
High price
Fuel consumption
Not a beauty

CLICK HERE to view the 2006 Subaru Forester 2.5XT's specifications.