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-   -   Buying, Owning, Driving and Maintaining a car in North America (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/international-automotive-scene/7893-buying-owning-driving-maintaining-car-north-america-101.html)

I have a Forester, a 2009 model. I love a lot of things about the car, but if I were to pick things that I don't like, that would be the 4 speed auto tranny and the trashy engine. Other than that, it is great value for money, I used to live in New England and now in Chicago, and for the bad weather days, it is a very dependable car. My wife drives it mostly and finds the visibility out of it extremely good. The car is very practical, the second row is spacious and you have good room behind the second row for carrying stuff. The panoramic sunroof is nice. Interiors are typical subaru fare, simple, not much of style but more of function. If the prospective buyer is in California, then I would not see why they should get a Subaru, unless they drive up and down the mountains to lake tahoe and up every other day :).. In that scenario, the turbo engine is a better option because it gives you less loss of performance in high altitudes. PM me if you want more details.

I have a 2011 Subaru Legacy done 15000 miles. My wife drives it mostly. Things that we dont like are not many and we knew them before we bought the car. The engine is thrashy at high RPMs as everybody already mentioned.
The interiors are functional but not flashy,I am not a big fan of CVT that my car has.
The positives are many but the most important thing is it is an honest car, its not a Korean which is trying to be a Jap or a jap which is trying to be European.
AWD is certainly the best in business, the space is quite good both rear seat and boot.
I plan to keep the car for a long time, this coming from some one who has changed his other car thrice in last yearstupid:, says alot about Subaru.

Hi!!

A quick update-
Today got my Illinois driving license. Got it the first time. The driving test was comprehensive. The instructor made me drive around atleast half of the city.
The whole thing was a piece of cake compared to India . And dint have to pay the agent :)

A good experience.

Naj

Good for you! Wish you many a happy mile ahead.

Was it you who emailed me a long time ago with a few questions around your proposed migration to the US?

<<And dint have to pay the agent>> A simple remark that shows the gap in the system, the mentality and the process, doesn't it.

Just a passing tip, do not try to bribe the cop if you get pulled over. It will get you in a bigger mess :) Have fun driving!

I have come across this before too that CVTs are extremely boring to drive. But sadly, every manufacturer seems to be going towards CVTs.

Congratulations!
When i got my NH license, it felt good because it was the first time i was getting a driver's license based on actual tests!

I don't know of any but try looking on www.kijiji.ca - I'm sure you will find something!

Yes did that and found tons of them!! Spoilt for choice but the one that i have shortlisted has hardly any reviews.
Trying to decide between BetterService (http://www.better-service.net/home.html), Royal Stays (http://royalstays.ca/site/) and Whitehall (http://www.whitehallsuites.com/about_us.php)

Where in IL are you at? I have an IL license, but the only driving test I have ever given was in CT. The license has just always been transferred - to TX, to RI and now to IL.

All these places are around the same area. I'm sure they're all quite good. I'm guessing you are looking only in the Mississauga area?

I am not very picky about area. Would have preferred Toronto Downtown but obviously that is somewhat beyond my budget. Missisauga looks like a good tradeoff. And its not as if its a village either!!

No its a good location for sure...

Thanks Ninad Joshi!! It was indeed me who had written to you. So finally moved at last.

I was a little scared as in a previous post one of our members did not make it the first time. As I see now not every one drives to rule. Out of 10, I have found about 3 to 4 drivers who are very aggressive.Some Others follow so close that you get some how feel pressurized mentally ,even when you are adhering to speed limits.

I am at Decatur IL, which is close to Bloomington. Its a small rural city, but ok.

Thanks- naj

Hehe. Here in New Hampshire, no one adheres to the speed limit. Even if you are driving 20 above, you will find people driving faster than you. Important thing is to find the middle ground, and the middle lane!
As for tailgaters, the rules are pretty clear about what to do with such people. Move over! Or even take an exit if that does not work.

Believe it or not, I got my Indian license after a driving test & NJ license after just an online test :D

I was in the same boat. I was scared too for my driving test. But like you, I too passed in the first go with flying colors. The officer wrote "Nice Job" with a smiley on the marksheet :). I made only one minor mistake where I made an unnecessary stop.

But I can see how this elaborate driving test can be problem for people who are not used to driving defensively and according to rules in India. That's why most people don't make it the first time. Actually a friend of mine did so bad in the test that they suspended his temporary license and gave him instruction permit.

I practically learnt driving in the US back in 2007, so the test turned out a cake walk in the end.