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Post by chaosisapony on Jan 2, 2021 19:41:31 GMT
The time to buy a new car is approaching. My Toyota Yaris is 15 years old and still going strong, I love that little car. But, I am tired of being smaller than everyone else on the road. I'd like to step up to a small SUV.
For years my plan has been to get a Rav 4. But recently the Subaru Forester and Crosstrek have been grabbing my attention. They are also a little more affordable. The biggest downside to a Subaru for me is the distance I would have to drive to a dealer for service and that does concern me since it always seems like there are issues with cars the first couple years I have them. I don't want to be spending 1.5 hours one way driving to the dealer for service.
So, if you have or had a Subaru what was your experience like?
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jan 2, 2021 19:50:48 GMT
I drove a Forester for about 13 years and loved it. There was another woman at my gym who looked like me also in a Subaru Forester. BFF used to wave at her all the time. We do look a lot alike and in the same car. Mine would rurn on a dime and was easy to park backwards or forwards. It was the Momobile.
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Post by giatocj on Jan 2, 2021 19:52:16 GMT
We are on our second Subaru. We got a new Outback in June and absolutely love it...I don’t think we’ll ever own another brand of car.
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Post by katiekaty on Jan 2, 2021 20:24:28 GMT
Would not own any other car/SUV than a Subaru! I love my Forrester!
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samantha25
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,894 
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Post by samantha25 on Jan 2, 2021 20:27:23 GMT
My DH drives Subaru WRX and Outback. He said the Crosstreck is difficult to see out the windows. Forrester is really good. Many of my friends drive them.
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Post by Skellinton on Jan 2, 2021 20:31:20 GMT
I just got a Forrester in February, was thinking about the RAV4 but went with the Forrester based on price and safety features. I love it so far! I had only had Toyotas before and was sure all that I would ever own.
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Gennifer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,991
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 2, 2021 20:31:27 GMT
They’re suuuuuper popular here in Utah, and, as a result, suuuper expensive. At one point I was the only person in my family of 9 that didn’t have one.
I still don’t, they’re not my jam, but everyone else in my family seems to really like theirs.
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Post by compeateropeator on Jan 2, 2021 20:36:04 GMT
I have a Subaru Forester. I very much like my car, but for very specific reason and it might not be for everyone. It is not extremely zippy or really smooth riding, but it is steadfast, handles snow extremely well and has a high clearance. Not sure if that has changed in newer models. Up until the pandemic, it was not really an option to not go in for my job during snow storms. And I was driving home after midnight when roads and my hilly drive were not plowed.
The other thing is I drive 2 hours to a dealership, but I do have one 20 minutes from me. It is worth it as I trust them and like them and hate the place close to me (where I actually bought the car). However to be fair we have a camp around that area and I try to do scheduled maintenance from spring to fall. And in a worst case scenario I can go to the one close to me if it is an emergency and stormy.
Anyways, I do love my car and will get another Subaru but I am not blind to it’s deficiencies. It was between the Subaru and a Mazda, and I got a better deal with more options on the Subaru. But I think I would have been happy with the Mazda also. We also have a lot of Subarus in the family. It is now an an older car - 2016. 😄 My parents have had 4, the latest is a 2019 (maybe a 2020?)
Good luck, I hate buying a car.
ETA - I am in Vermont where Subarus are very popular. Toyotas would be a close 2nd.
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Post by ntsf on Jan 2, 2021 20:41:07 GMT
we have two subarus.. and they haven't needed much since we bought them in 2016 and 2017. my mother in law is 94 and drives a forester.. has for years.. drives in the snow and rain a lot and does fine. has been in a couple of wrecks.. and came out without a scratch. (not her fault wrecks)..
I think you can't go wrong with a subaru. I take it to my local garage unless something needs to be done by dealer.
my mechanic likes them too.
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Post by littlemama on Jan 2, 2021 20:51:04 GMT
Love my Forester! AWD is standard on almost all Subarus (idk about the sporty ones), and their safety ratings are excellent.
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Post by gorgeouskid on Jan 2, 2021 20:59:18 GMT
I test drove the Outback and the Forrester and didn't like either. Surprisingly, I didn't like the technology in the Outback (GIANT iPad-y thing instead of buttons/knobs). They felt cheap to me. When I asked on my FB, the Mazda CX-5 got rave reviews from my friends, along with the Outback and the RAV-4.
I ended up with a Volvo XC40 (which does have a touchpad, but still has a few buttons and a knob).
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Post by chaosisapony on Jan 2, 2021 21:08:28 GMT
Love my Forester! AWD is standard on almost all Subarus (idk about the sporty ones), and their safety ratings are excellent. I don't know much about AWD. A friend told me that means that when you replace tires you always have to replace all 4. Is that true? Currently sometimes I replace in pairs only due to the cost of tires. |
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Post by chaosisapony on Jan 2, 2021 21:10:30 GMT
I test drove the Outback and the Forrester and didn't like either. Surprisingly, I didn't like the technology in the Outback (GIANT iPad-y thing instead of buttons/knobs). They felt cheap to me. When I asked on my FB, the Mazda CX-5 got rave reviews from my friends, along with the Outback and the RAV-4. This is interesting, thank you for mentioning this! One thing I have noticed looking at interior shots is all the buttons. So many buttons everywhere. I get the feeling going from a base model 15 year old economy car modern technology is going to be quite an adjustment. Tbh, I'd prefer my future car to be more on the simple side. Fewer things to break. |
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Post by ntsf on Jan 2, 2021 21:17:56 GMT
the technology is easy to use and I love love love the variable cruise control. the ipady like thing is easy to use.. and you can see maps easily. I can plug in my iphone.. and it all works together. and has voice control it is easier to push a button on the screen than use a knob.
yes, with all wheel drive you have to replace all 4 tires at the same time (though I have gotten a nail in a new tire and was able to replace just one.
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Post by chaosisapony on Jan 2, 2021 21:24:31 GMT
yes, with all wheel drive you have to replace all 4 tires at the same time (though I have gotten a nail in a new tire and was able to replace just one. That gives me hope then. I get nails in my tires all. the. time. It's infuriating. |
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,363
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Jan 2, 2021 21:25:24 GMT
I currently drive a 2018 Outback and my daughter now drives my 2009 Forester. My Forester has had a few problems along the way but I honestly just love that car. I always said that it’s cute and quirky, like me.
The Outback is a bit of a step up, and I love it.
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Post by shessoaverage on Jan 2, 2021 21:42:18 GMT
I'm on my second Forester. I've loved them both!
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Post by busy on Jan 2, 2021 21:49:30 GMT
They’re affordable and reliable. If you like them, they’re a solid choice. We’ve looked at them a couple times when car shopping and quickly remembered they’re not a match for us.
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Post by Alexxussss on Jan 2, 2021 22:55:28 GMT
I love my Forester! Try some test drives and see what you like.
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Post by Skellinton on Jan 2, 2021 23:57:26 GMT
the technology is easy to use and I love love love the variable cruise control. the ipady like thing is easy to use.. and you can see maps easily. I can plug in my iphone.. and it all works together. and has voice control it is easier to push a button on the screen than use a knob. yes, with all wheel drive you have to replace all 4 tires at the same time (though I have gotten a nail in a new tire and was able to replace just one. Not necessarily. Here they can shave the new tire to match the others. |
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Post by myboysnme on Jan 2, 2021 23:59:40 GMT
I have had 2 Subaru vehicles. They are very highly rated well made cars. I think Honda and Toyota are better, but they come in 3rd.
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Post by threegirls on Jan 3, 2021 0:00:55 GMT
I have two Subarus (both Outbacks). My first one is almost 21 years old and my 18 year old daughter drives it. She loves it despite the rust spot. My family could be in one of their commercials. It's the car we used to bring her home from the hospital when she was born.
My other Outback is a 2008 and I love it. I bought it used from my brother. My next car will definitely be another Outback (although I don't need one right now).
I've only taken my Outback to a dealer once for work on it. Maintenance is done at a local repair shop.
I think I would be happy with any of the Subaru models.
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Post by tenacious on Jan 3, 2021 1:53:55 GMT
Our teenagers drive a 2016 ? Forester. It is great for them, reliable, has great visibility/gas mileage, and amazing in the snow. I liked driving it so much that I test drive the Outback for me. Liked it a lot, but, felt like it lacked a little pep for me, and with all the bells and whistles it was coming in at about 40k...so, I wasn’t sure I could get that excited about paying that much for a Subaru.
I am still thinking about it, though. The way it handles in snow is unbeatable, IMHO.
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Post by chaosisapony on Jan 3, 2021 2:22:11 GMT
Do you guys find they are a comparable cost to insure as other similar vehicles?
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Post by gorgeouskid on Jan 3, 2021 2:41:58 GMT
I test drove the Outback and the Forrester and didn't like either. Surprisingly, I didn't like the technology in the Outback (GIANT iPad-y thing instead of buttons/knobs). They felt cheap to me. When I asked on my FB, the Mazda CX-5 got rave reviews from my friends, along with the Outback and the RAV-4. This is interesting, thank you for mentioning this! One thing I have noticed looking at interior shots is all the buttons. So many buttons everywhere. I get the feeling going from a base model 15 year old economy car modern technology is going to be quite an adjustment. Tbh, I'd prefer my future car to be more on the simple side. Fewer things to break. My totaled car was a luxury coupe but 16 years old, so no real modern technology. DH did upgrade my stereo to Bluetooth a few years ago so I could at least connect my phone. DH's work car has Apple CarPlay, so that wasn't totally new to me. The Volvo interface is pretty intuitive. (I didn't find the Outback interface intuitive at all, and I'm VERY techie.) |
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paigepea
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Jan 3, 2021 2:43:32 GMT
We had a wonderful experience with our Subaru forrester. The interior was a bit small on ours but the newer ones are bigger inside. The car drove like a dream in snow or bad weather. We preferred it to the rav 4, which we also test drove.
We drove it for more than 10 years. I used it with dd 1 and when dd 2 came along. But when we started carpooling more dh inherited the forrester and I got a mini van.
Dh wanted to drive a sports car but the Subaru was in great shape. He drove it for a few years and then sold it to buy a sporty sedan. We will always miss the forrester.
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Post by coloradocropper on Jan 3, 2021 3:05:57 GMT
We have an Outback and love it. I love it more than the Honda I had. The Honda didn't feel solid and the Outback is all that and more.
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Post by Skellinton on Jan 3, 2021 3:17:16 GMT
Do you guys find they are a comparable cost to insure as other similar vehicles? Depends on safety features. Mine has all of them so insurance was better then the RAV4 I was looking at. |
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Post by hop2 on Jan 3, 2021 3:17:39 GMT
I know many people who love them, but my niece got a crappy one and it made it 9 months and then has been constant problems since. It’s always in the shop getting warranty repairs. Various warning lights are constantly on, even right after it’s ‘repaired’. It’s been a nightmare.
Due to her experience I’d never buy a Subaru, they haven’t exactly been very helpful with it. Customer service has been lacking. And the lack of a solution for the same issue over & over again is driving her crazy. There’s 2 dealerships within reasonable distance for her and they both suck so check out the quality of dealer near you before you consider one.
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Post by alsomsknit on Jan 3, 2021 3:47:08 GMT
We have an Outback. The heated seats are the bomb. Both DH and DS like the Bluetooth feature for music. It’s held its value very well at 5 years old.
I haven’t driven it enough to make a determination other than the sound system sucks.
MY car is a 2003 Escape. I love that car beyond reason. The sound is awesome. I enjoy a solo drive, music turned up, and it simply isn’t something I would find possible in the Outback.
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