quote:

Originally posted by Speedbird:

what happened to the Acura? $? That looks the sweetest and good specs.

Yes way too much for what it is which is basically a fancied-up Honda HRV with a few more HP. All the reviews I saw said it's not worth what they are trying to charge.

Haven't Toyota and Mazda combined efforts on hybrids?

https://mazdatoyota.com/drivin...o-hybrids-at-a-time/

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Alright...final list of 4! I Promise

Mazda is on its' last legs and I plan to get a replacement car by October-November, hopefully after they cut rates again here.

I added a Hybrid as I do drive 1 hour each way to work each day about 40 miles each way and the hybrid may work for me. My commute is sometimes highways but a lot of back roads too as I have to deal with a perpetually jammed up highway I avoid like the plague due to asshole drivers and constant crashes.

Would really like to get some feedback from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owners here about how they like them. It looks to me if going hybrid then Toyota is the way as they really have perfected them. Mazda and Honda more like hybrid wannabees in comparison.

Will be 2022-2024. All would be AWD (I know that's standard on the Subie) Not buying anything brand spanking new as new car prices are freaking insane:

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Not interested in the regular gas one)
Subaru Forester
Honda CR-V
Mazda CX-5

Go look at the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. It has the power necessary. The AWD system is really advanced (S-AWC). It can torque vector side to side and front to rear and is literally an evolution, of the Mitsu Lancer Evolution’s AWD system. It’s been called the SUV/CUV rally car which is really saying something. Interior is extremely high scale if you get the top trim. And they deal fucking hard on them. The MY2025 gas only version (a hair underpowered) has been updated and they now offer a 1650 watt Yamaha sound system that is got damn incredible. Concert hall on wheels with a lot of sound dampening, and acoustic glass up front. I looked at it, and test drove it for the missus as her lease is up in the Spring. It’s built in Japan and feature rich. Interior looks like a $90k automobile. They haven’t done the MY2025 gas updates (steel hood migrating from aluminum due to hood flutter, Yamaha sound system, 12 speakers 1650 watts, and steering changes to provide more feedback) to the PHEV version yet. That’s expected for 2026.

Just letting you know because I’ve researched vehicle replacements for her and I heavily favor built in JDM. Automotive Press (Youtube) has done a lot of reviewing of the thing. Here is one, not going to embed it.
https://youtu.be/s4WdmdBTAnA?si=2xNVRNieD-QZiGJR

And it’s a lot of vehicle for the money. Mitsu deals on them really hard, new. So used, you may find one for a steal. The PHEV version gives you 38/39 EV range but if you use the battery as a hybrid, we’re talking 62 MPG. Something like that. The PHEV has more power and uses the gas engine as kind of generator to the electric motors. It’s the sleeper in this space nobody knows about. You can steal one if willing to travel some for the right deal. I just wish the 2025 PHEV version had the same updates as the all gas version. I’m a musician and that new Yamaha sound system, best sound system I’ve ever heard from a JDM vehicle, ever. Paint quality and panel gaps are straight Japanese since it’s built there, perfect. Build quality 2nd to none. If the missus decides she wants another CUV, that’s what we will be getting. 2026 PHEV version with the updates. I have found them heavily discounted in my parts. If one was willing to expand to several states you might get a steal on your hands. I’d take it over the RAV4 or anything in the class, the PHEV version anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I added a Hybrid as I do drive 1 hour each way to work each day about 40 miles each way and the hybrid may work for me. My commute is sometimes highways but a lot of back roads too as I have to deal with a perpetually jammed up highway I avoid like the plague due to asshole drivers and constant crashes.

With that kind of commute you're not really going to see most of the advantage of the hybrid powertrain. The hybrid shine in in-town driving

quote:

Would really like to get some feedback from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid owners here about how they like them. It looks to me if going hybrid then Toyota is the way as they really have perfected them. Mazda and Honda more like hybrid wannabees in comparison.

Just got back from a 1200 mile trip driving a buddy's wife's RAV4 Hybrid between CA and Utah. It held up very well and had plenty of power, but the handling was a bit dead compared to the CX-5.

The worst part was all the "safety features that come standard on the RAV4...you can turn them off in the infotainment screen, but you have to do it each time you start it up. The cruise control is excellent and was a must to keep my speed from creeping toward 90 when I wasn't paying attention to speed

quote:

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Not interested in the regular gas one)
Subaru Forester
Honda CR-V
Mazda CX-5

For my money and handling and styling of the Mazda CX-5 still put it head and shoulders over the others on your list.

BTW: I believe Hondas are more expensive to insure is because they are more expensive to repair and sustain more damage when impacted...that's what my local body shop tells me

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
More surprisingly is that the Honda CRV is the most expensive to insure of all of these cars, it’s not significantly more but it’s noticeably more, I don’t know why that is. Is it stolen more often?

My 2017 Honda CRV costs about 10% more to insure than my 2022 Mazda CX-5, despite it being worth about half as much and being over twice as old (both in years and mileage).

quote:

Originally posted by 9mmepiphany:
BTW: I believe Hondas are more expensive to insure is because they are more expensive to repair and sustain more damage when impacted...that's what my local body shop tells me

That would make sense. When my girlfriend was in a fender-bender in the Honda last year, I was shocked that it was nearly totaled by what appeared to just be minor-to-moderate cosmetic damage. Ended up with like $15k worth of repairs.

RAV4 GR Sport got announced this week. I rectify my recommendations with Outlander PHEV vs. RAV4 GR Sport.

OK, wife had to use my car last weekend and told me "wow, you need to get a new car like now, that thing is rough!"

I have decided to go with a Subaru Forester and the Subaru dealer near me has 4 of them on the lot in my year and price range of 2023 and $30,000 or under. Planning to go there this weekend.

The issue is, I know nothing about these trim levels and he's got one of each:

Sport
Touring
Wilderness
Premium

Can any Forester owners here give me an idea of what they have and like? I do see the Sport models all over and they *look* pretty nice but I'm not sure which one here. I DO know that it's a commuter car and will never be used for any sort of hauling or camping or off-roading type stuff. Just a Point A to Point B car.

Forester is a pretty good option IMO. I've had a couple older Foresters, ridden in newer ones, and drove my sister's Crosstrek a good bit. I'd think you should be able to find a new base to mid level Forester or Crosstrek for around $30K.

For commuting and short trips they're excellent but 2 things I don't like about them for longer drives are road noise and the seat bottoms seem a little shallow and not that comfortable.


edit Looks like I'm wrong re new Forester price. The place I've shopped here has 2026 Forester Premiums discounted to around $33.5K.
https://www.jenkinssubaruwv.co...99709bf629c8a41f.htm

The pimped up Wilderness and Touring are more.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

The issue is, I know nothing about these trim levels and he's got one of each:

Sport
Touring
Wilderness
Premium

Can any Forester owners here give me an idea of what they have and like? I do see the Sport models all over and they *look* pretty nice but I'm not sure which one here. I DO know that it's a commuter car and will never be used for any sort of hauling or camping or off-roading type stuff. Just a Point A to Point B car.

Premium: 1 step up from base model
Sport : Mostly cosmetic, probably similarly equipped to a Premium
Touring: Top/luxury trim, most features & leather interior
Wilderness: Off-Road oriented, usually with an all-terrain like tire, maybe slightly lifted, may have revised traction modes for off road use.

Me, I'd lean toward the Sport, nice blend of features & without the upcharge for the Touring.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

Premium: 1 step up from base model
Sport : Mostly cosmetic, probably similarly equipped to a Premium
Touring: Top/luxury trim, most features & leather interior
Wilderness: Off-Road oriented, usually with an all-terrain like tire, maybe slightly lifted, may have revised traction modes for off road use.

Me, I'd lean toward the Sport, nice blend of features & without the upcharge for the Touring.

Thanks. I do like the Sport and will look at those this weekend.

Just purchased a 25 Crosstrek Wilderness 3 weeks ago. Love it so far. That being said, several things you should know.
The computer/info/radio interface is not the fastest. Also, the forward facing cameras that are used for lane assist protrude down into your field of view. A good test drive is essential.
Not a huge fan of the CVT, but only transmission available. Had a 77 wagon back in the day.
Amazing to see how far they have come.

Have you checked out Ciocca Subaru in Allentown?

They have 23 2025’s, mostly all in stock.

4 Ltd’s, 11 Premiums, 2 Sports, 4 Tourings, and 2 Wilderness’.

They also have 37 2026’s listed, and most of them are showing as “In Transit”, so you may be able to leverage a better price on a 2025, especially on one of the Premiums.

quote:

Originally posted by Cookster:
Have you checked out Ciocca Subaru in Allentown?

That's where I think I'm headed along with Steve Moyer Subaru near Reading

Alright, finally pulled the trigger here and got a 2024 CPO Subaru Forester Limited in Horizon Blue Pearl with dark gray/light gray leather seats and a ton of bells and whistles. 13,000 miles, this thing seriously looks like it was never even driven.

And the dealer (Steve Moyer Subaru in Leesport, PA) actually treated me very well and at no point did I feel like I was being taken advantage of, they could not have been nicer actually.

I think I got a great deal. This car is like $39,000-$41,000 brand new. Paid $31,499

I’m off to be fitted for my new nose ring and and then off to the hairstylist for a blue hairdo

Congrats, hope it serves you well.
Make sure to get all the liberal cause [PETA, Coexist, etc] stickers for the back
Just make sure it's the dead bunny, People Eating Tasty Animals, version.

Congrats! Great vehicles in snow and dependable too.

Although, brace yourself for the onslaught of lesbian Subaru driver jokes like this...

Congrats on the acquisition! We are now at the point where...



Oh, and if I may, a Bumper Sticker suggestion for your new-to-you Subaru Trust me on this...You'll blend right in!

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I’m off to be fitted for my new nose ring and and then off to the hairstylist for a blue hairdo

Don't forget the comfortable shoes.......................


Welcome to the sister...er....brotherhood..........

Congratulations! I’m sure you will be happy with your new ride.

Again, best to drive with real time air pressure showing since it is so important. Maintain it it as best you can, and it will get you WAY down the road.

The one thing I’m hearing is that Subaru has a pretty strict 6,000 mile oil change interval due to the design of the engine?

I’m used to that anyway as I was doing 6,000 mile changes with my Mazda since it was so old and high miles, I figured it was cheap insurance, owners manual said 7,500 miles.