Nice discussion on global petro-politics, er...I mean towing. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'll go on record as siding with those that think gasoline is under-priced in the US (given the negative societal impacts from it's mass use that don't get factored into it's price). I look at what's happening with cigarette smoking here as a sign of things to come...people are wising up to the fact that there's a huge burden placed on society from it, the cost of which is being put back into the product via increased taxes. The US will come around. Now that "normal" means $2+/gal., dealers can't move large trucks/SUVs to anyone but those that truly need them or can afford not to care. The US auto industry is hurting because most of it's recent sales revenue has come from truck/SUV sales. Change will happen, we'll all become more responsible one way or another. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As for towing, I've been driving Subaru's since the '80's (GL, Legacy, Impreza). They've all towed the Sunfish we just sold without issue, and I expect the same for the cat we'll be getting this winter/spring. You take a hit on the full-time AWD in terms of MPG, but they're not horrible, and they're as reliable as the work-day is long. Now that our daughter's graduated from college, we're once more considering a new car...Forester most likely, maybe an Outback for the H6.