Interesting read Terry. Your profile sounds very much like our own experience in the Forester. I like Subarus. I owned two and had good experiences with both of them. IMO, if Subaru came up with a Forester with the HSD and the same engine unsed in the TCH, or an Atkinson cycle version of the Boxer then there would be no contest and no decision to make. It is feasible becasue Toyota owns a big chunk of Subaru. I can't wait for them though becasue at 180K the old one is starting to cost some maintenance dollars.

Round 4 to the MMH, and I am starting to lean to the Merc rather than the FEH based on the feedback on packages.

Round 5 -- There is a lot published on the web about Toyota's technology, and I beleive that to really drive a car efficiently, you must first understand it -- completely. Information abounds about the PSD and the HSD in general. But published data about the Ford technology, and in particular the eCVT is not so easily found. There is lots of conflicting stuff published about Ford licensing technology from Toyota, but its Ford developed. What is the eCVT technology? Is it PSD like?: belt arrangement like the Honda? (I think not); Dual Cone and Roller?, What? They publish a lot of general stuff, but I have not found a true technical discussion of it anywhere yet.

It is the ignorant among us that will eventually destroy us all.