My previous car, a 1999 Nissan Altima, had given me 9 years of reliable service, but it was time to upgrade to a newer car with all-wheel drive. Last winter’s storms had made it difficult to get around with a conventional front-wheel drive vehicle. Enter the 2008 Subaru Outback. Now I’m sure I’m going to hear ridiculous comments such as, “Isn’t that a lesbian car?” or “Why would a single guy own a station wagon?”, but the truth is this car is more suited to my lifestyle and living in the Pacific Northwest. It has the all-wheel drive, Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC), lots of cargo room for camping gear, and roof racks for kayaks and bikes. Plus, it has leather seats and a moonroof.