I picked up the car. Our salesman said they were down to 14 CX-5's in inventory.
They had 70 the start of day Friday.
They said half of what were on-site were 'less desirable' exterior/interior color combinations.
They're getting more delivered mid-April.

Checked with Grok. Looks like CX-50 is the only Mazda model made in the U.S.; but if parts come from other countries could still be affected by tariffs.

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
I picked up the car. Our salesman said they were down to 14 CX-5's in inventory.
They had 70 the start of day Friday.
They said half of what were on-site were 'less desirable' exterior/interior color combinations.
They're getting more delivered mid-April.

The CX-5 is Mazda's best selling model...that's why they didn't discontinue it when they introduced the CX-50...and the turbo really matches the sporty suspension tuning.

Our local Mazda dealer is doing a landslide business in CX-5s with folks trying to beat the expected price increases due to the tariffs.

I'm driving a CX-30 Turbo (same size class as the Kona) which has the same engine as the CX-5 Turbo. I didn't go for the CX-5 only because we already have two...a 2016 (daughter) and a 2022 (wife). I drove a loaner CX-50 for a day and didn't care for it...seemed more "detached". I was looking for a used Porsche Macan, but could find one with the engine I wanted in my price range.

Picked up my newly leased 2025 CX-5 Signature 10 days ago. I got $1100 in equity applied to the new lease for turning in my 2023 Signature. The 2023 is probably worth more now due to the pending tariff but the selling price for the 2025 would also be higher.

All in all I'm happy. Email negotiated with several dealers to get the best price. They say that 1.25% of the MSRP with zero down is a good monthly payment on leases these days, and my new payment is 1.16% of the 2025's MSRP.

I've been looking at Subaru Foresters the last couple days and really like the size, the visibility (i.e. not a tall beltline and big windows compared to most SUVs) and the not-to-tall height (I really dislike the look of some of these SUV's that appear almost top-heavy tall) and would love to hear about them from the members here that own one.

My one sister has an Outback which is more station-wagony than I'm looking for but she raves about it. My BIL did tell me he was told that all 4 tires always have to be replaced at the same time due to the AWD system?

Sigforum Forester owners; give me your insight and opinion on them if you would. Thanks

The Subaru synchronous AWD system is different from the other systems, and as most know, is full-time. Therefore, the tires have to be turning at a very similar rate as to not put undue stress on the system.

I haven’t had a flat on either of my 2 Foresters. If the tires have relatively a little wear, it can be replaced by the same make/model tire. If more wear, then either same make/model tires has to be replaced all around or that tire has to be shaven down to older tires’ tread depth.

I’ve seen many people not adhere to any of this and just replace it, not worrying about it.

As I have said elsewhere, I’m always monitoring the TPM, which is center between my gauges. I always want to know what’s going on with my tire pressure. If you don’t care, I wouldn’t recommend purchasing a Subaru.

To add, if you wait until this fall, this next generation Subaru Wilderness will be available. It has more off-road capability than the standard Subaru.

Wife has a 2001 Forester. I didn't want it. I have come to the realization that it was the best choice in that class of vehicle. Was going to get the Highlander, but Toyota refuses to address the wind noise issue at driver side.

OK, I have my final list that I'm going to stick with and do research on and would like to hear the good and the bad for any of these 3 vehicles from the members here.

-Will be 2023-2025 model
-Will be an AWD
-No Turbo or Hybrid

In order of how I *think* I'll likely go:

1. Subaru Forester
2. Honda CR-V
3. Mazda CX-5

I really, really like the big windows/glass all around on the Forester and the lower beltline and the not-to-tall stance. The high beltline and tiny windows on the CX-5 give me some concern and I'm reading on various places that it doesn't have the best visibility for a SUV this size/class. The Honda is well a Honda and I know it will last freaking forever.

Hit me with all the good and bad you've experience and seen on these 3!

Thanks!

My sister has a new [2023 or 24] CR-V Sport. FWD I think.
She loves it, good space for her & her 2 kids & sometimes the dog. She traded in an Accord for it & is happy with the switch.

My other sister had bad luck with a couple older 2nd & 3rd gen CR-V. But those issues wouldn't be present on a newer one.

I think it's hard to go wrong with any of the 3, but I'm a big Mazda fan, so I'd be looking at the CX first, then it'd be a toss-up between the Honda & Subaru.
I'd possibly even take a gander at a CX-30, but we have an Expedition Max for family hauling, and I don't need the crazy space for a commuter [hence my DD being a Mini].

We had our 2015 CX-5 for 10.5 years without a single problem of any kind (always kept up with scheduled maintenance).
That, and the handling were why we replaced it with another.

I've never had any issue with visibility.

My daughter is driving my wife's older 2016 CX-5 and it's been reliable during her years in college...driving in SoCal traffic. My wife is now driving a 2022 CX-5, that she got to replace the 2016, because she liked it so much. Wife and daughter are both just over 5'3" and haven't had any issues with visibility.

I do have a 2024 CX-30 as a DD, because I like the Mazda handling and don't need the room of the CX-5.

I've driven the current CR-V...used to have a 2nd Gen... and never felt they were very stable. You do pay a lot for the Honda name....that's why we got our 2016 CX-5

The Forester is a nice car...I don't even mind the label that goes with owning one. What threw me off was that the bed wasn't a long as the Outback...for sleeping when out hiking...and you had to replace all 4 tires at the same time because of their AWD system

quote:

Originally posted by oldbill123:
Wife has a 2001 Forester. I didn't want it. I have come to the realization that it was the best choice in that class of vehicle. Was going to get the Highlander, but Toyota refuses to address the wind noise issue at driver side.

Sorry 2021 not 2001

Other than the positives of its AWD system and ground clearance, the Subaru Forester is known for its safety. I can attest to the safety aspect after a truck tractor tried squishing us against a cement barrier.

The negatives can be the nagging safety features, but they can be easily deactivated.

As said, the AWD is full time. Therefore, you have to monitor the air pressure more. That is easy with the real time TPM. Also, if your tires are worn pretty good, you may have to replace all 4 or have new one shaved.

Also already said, Subaru is the tip of the Consumer Reports’ list of auto manufacturers. I think the Crosstrek is the tip top, and the Forester is just the SUV version of that.

Again, I have the Wilderness version, and if I could have waited, I would have gotten the next gen version coming in the fall. It is more off-road capable than the first gen, but not by much.

Also, any Forester with AT tires will get most people where they want to go. The X-Mode off-road traction control really does a great job.

We have had 5 subies in the family since 2000[ 2 OBs, 2 Foresters, 1 Imprezza],...youngest son will get a crosstrek at end of May. Crosstrek is the "SUV" version of the Impreza not the Forester.

The Wilderness models are fine if you like the styling and hit to the mileage for better "off-roading" but it's mostly a marketing gimmick. Face it...you're not running MOAB in it.

All the Subies were bullet proof and well maintained - the 2000 OB had a recurring head gasket issue at 100,000 mile intervals [3 changes there] and it got donated to the Salvation Army at 365k. I still see it rolling around town! Lifespan so far:
2000 OB - donated at 365k
2005 Imprezza - sold at 180k
2009 Forester - sold off at 220k
2012 OB - 155k - wife's car
2018 Forester - 140k - my car

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sgalczyn,

quote:

SUV-Type Vehicles

It’s ok to just call it a crossover.

quote:

Originally posted by sgalczyn:
We have had 5 subies in the family since 2000[ 2 OBs, 2 Foresters, 1 Imprezza],...youngest son will get a crosstrek at end of May. Crosstrek is the "SUV" version of the Impreza not the Forester.

The Wilderness models are fine if you like the styling and hit to the mileage for better "off-roading" but it's mostly a marketing gimmick. Face it...you're not running MOAB in it.

All the Subies were bullet proof and well maintained - the 2000 OB had a recurring head gasket issue at 100,000 mile intervals [3 changes there] and it got donated to the Salvation Army at 365k. I still see it rolling around town! Lifespan so far:
2000 OB - donated at 365k
2005 Imprezza - sold at 180k
2009 Forester - sold off at 220k
2012 OB - 155k - wife's car
2018 Forester - 145k - my car

The Forester is based off of the Impreza/Crosstrek, and it was put to me the Crosstrek is considered a crossover while the Forester is an SUV.

The Crossover term came out when the majority of SUVs were still built on truck chassis and only a few were on car chassis. Now, only about 10% of the market are traditional SUVs built on a truck chassis.

quote:

OK, I have my final list that I'm going to stick with and do research on and would like to hear the good and the bad for any of these 3 vehicles from the members here.

-Will be 2023-2025 model
-Will be an AWD
-No Turbo or Hybrid

In order of how I *think* I'll likely go:

1. Subaru Forester
2. Honda CR-V
3. Mazda CX-5

So you don't want a turbo or hybrid, but you want a Honda CR-V where the only way you can get one is with a turbo or a hybrid?

quote:

Originally posted by DanH:

So you don't want a turbo or hybrid, but you want a Honda CR-V where the only way you can get one is with a turbo or a hybrid?

Yes I understand the only gas engine CR-V has a turbo by default.

I just meant I wanted to go with each model’s stock engine I guess

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by DanH:

So you don't want a turbo or hybrid, but you want a Honda CR-V where the only way you can get one is with a turbo or a hybrid?

Yes I understand the only gas engine CR-V has a turbo by default.

I just meant I wanted to go with each model’s stock engine I guess

If you're willing to consider a turbo motor, that would put the Mazda CX-5 head and shoulders over your other considerations

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I've been looking at Subaru Foresters the last couple days and really like the size, the visibility (i.e. not a tall beltline and big windows compared to most SUVs) and the not-to-tall height (I really dislike the look of some of these SUV's that appear almost top-heavy tall) and would love to hear about them from the members here that own one.

My one sister has an Outback which is more station-wagony than I'm looking for but she raves about it. My BIL did tell me he was told that all 4 tires always have to be replaced at the same time due to the AWD system?

Sigforum Forester owners; give me your insight and opinion on them if you would. Thanks

I work a part timer in which we have had CRV’s, Mazda C5 and now the Foresters. Of the three, IMO, the Forester is the best hands down for the reasons you mentioned. We could not get more than 50K out of the CRV’s even though they were properly maintained and while the Mazda is a nice car, I would take the Forester over all of them.