Dear Tom and Ray:

I'm about to purchase a new vehicle, primarily for my wife's use. She has no interest in being involved in the purchase decision, but will be the first to let me know if I've made a mistake after the fact! She'll be using the vehicle for basic commuting, but the route she takes is hilly and gets very icy during the winter. My primary concern is getting her a car that will get her safely to work and back. Also, my wife is short, and is a somewhat insecure driver. She's the type of driver who travels below the speed limit, makes turns very slowly, and generally annoys the hell out of everyone else on the road. I've narrowed the choices down to a Suburu Impreza Wagon since it's small and has "all wheel drive," and a Toyota RAV4, which is also "all wheel drive" and is higher off the ground and might give her better visibility. I have to decide if the extra $2,000 is worth it for the Toyota. What do you think? -- Tim

Ray: Well, I think either one will do the job, Tim. And we can suggest two other cars in the same class and price range; the Suburu Forrester (which is based on the Impreza) and the Honda CRV, which is similar to the RAV4.

Tom: All of those vehicles are considered "all wheel drive." That means that they have center differentials, which allows their four-wheel-drive systems to be engaged all the time. That's safer and more effective than a "part time" or "on demand" four-wheel-drive system, which you have to decide when to turn on and off.

Ray: They're all relatively small, so your wife, who's small, should feel comfortable maneuvering and parking any of them.

Tom: And they're all probably above average in reliability, although a significant edge in that area would have to go to the Toyota, which makes perhaps the world's most reliable cars, and Honda, which is right up there as well.

Ray: But at this point, your wife really has to get involved in the purchase decision. You've narrowed it down as far as you can without her. Now you have to ask her to drive a couple of these cars and see which one she feels most comfortable in.

Tom: She may find the height of the RAV4 intimidating, and may prefer the more "car-like" feel of the Impreza. On the other hand, she may instantly fall in love with the RAV4, because she's sitting higher up and can see right over the Honda Civics in front of her. Or she may like the Forrester, which is right about in the middle.

Ray: Personally, I'd get the RAV4. We've been testing one for almost a year now, and it's been absolutely perfect. We haven't had a single problem with it, and it's been fun and practical in all kinds of situations.

Tom: I'd like to agree, but my brother decided to demonstrate its practicality about six months ago by hauling a load of manure -- and I haven't been able to test drive it without gagging ever since.

Don't get stuck with a lemon. Be an informed shopper. Read Tom and Ray's guide "How to Buy a Great Used Car: Secrets Only Your Mechanic Knows." To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1998 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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