I am thinking of buying the Max SE and wanted to get your feedback on a couple of things.

1. I have read a lot about this strut issue and shimmy issue. If I test drive the car I am going to buy and go between 45-65 many times during the test drive and it does not shimmy is it safe to say this car will not have it?

2. How does the Max do in the snow and wet roads, I live in the New England and it snows alot here in the winter. If the MAX has trouble in the snow I was thinking about going with the 2005 Subaru Legacy with the WRX STI turbo for about the same price with AWD or the G35X.

3. How is the Max for reliability and quality issues?

Thanks for your help...

 

1. Yes it would be safe to say that. I found that I had the shimmy, but when I rotated the tires it disappeared. So it's most likely balance related in my case.

2. It does fine for me way the heck up here in northern Ontario. As long as you get a set of 17" rims & snow tires like me, you'll have no troubles at all.

3. Only time will tell.

 

I don't know if this is much help, but...

1) I agree, if it isn't there then you are probably safe. I bought mine in April of 03, and I have never had a shimmy.

2) I live in Phoenix, AZ, so they snow question is not something I can address. We get really slick roads when it rains, and a lot of standing water. I have not had a problem in either.

3) In 13 months and 25K miles, I have had to get the gauge cluster replaced (the gas gauge stuck) and the floor mat replaced, the eyelet came off. That is it so far for me.