You will find it extremely hard to find a 3.8l commo pre vz on gas as there is not a factory gas set up for these engines. Falcons on gas are a dime a dozen.

WHATEVER YOU DO DO NOT BUY AN ADVENTRA!!! The awd on these cars is so industrial it is ridiculous and they chew up so much juice you will have to sell the house just to cover the petrol bill. They are nuggets!!! I know from experience.

I would be going with the Subaru. Yes they are a bit pricey and you SEEM to get more in a commonwhore, but there is a reason they cost more and that's because the build quality is so much better. Also the resale value on them are awesome, especially if you go the liberty wagon or outback. Instead of the car being worth 5-7 grand if your lucky in 5 years, as is the case with the commonwhore, it will be worth double that.

My 2 cents.
Trav