Anyone owned a recent model? What are your likes, dislikes, any major issues.
The wife is leaning toward one since we gave her vehicle to our son when his crapped out on friday.
Anyone owned a recent model? What are your likes, dislikes, any major issues.
The wife is leaning toward one since we gave her vehicle to our son when his crapped out on friday.
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Tom
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I'd lean towards to earlier ones before the got so big but that's me. When we go back to 2 vehicles I'll probably get a Forester for Barb's primary car.
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Chris in Florida
Tom (April 24th, 2016)
I share the same opinion, but I haven't driven the newer models. The slightly older models had GREAT visibility out of the rear and side windows. I think that would be 1998-2007 (maybe early 2008 models).
Tom (April 24th, 2016)
just got rid of a 2012 Forester and got a 2013 Xterra. The Forester was cool, but it's a compact 4 cyl. SUV and it is what it is. Great interior space, uncomfortable seats for long trips. Odd seating position, you always have your foot / calf flexed. The engine was underpowered in the mountains, on cruise control it would redline itself and go into a weird safe mode. I would definitely get the turbo model and manual transmission. We tried offroading it, Moon Gulch was the hardest and they are NOT off road vehicles. Awesome on snowy streets, that's it's best environment. For around town I'd get one.
Tom (April 24th, 2016)
Well the Suburu is out. After talking to two independent mechanics both said Suburus were over rated and very good for their business. (eg they require lots of repair) and that we should be looking at Toyota or Honda.
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Tom
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Personally I would gladly drive a Subaru again. Our 3 Foresters had minimal problems over the time we had them, and each had well over 200k, one was at 300k. One car got a replacement u-joint in the rear driveshaft (from Bill at Englewood). The other needed a replacement CV. I can't think of anything else we had to do. I think the biggest money maker for mechanics when it comes to Subaru is head issues. People either overheat them and blow the gaskets, or more likely they snap the t-belt due to neglected maintenance. Both will cost a pretty penny, as my buddy can attest. In either case, you can't blame the car but rather the owner/driver. Lastly, my 2001 Forester with the 5 speed manual tranny got 29mpg in mixed driving, but I drove it pretty easy. That was hard to complain about.
I have never had a Honda, but obviously Toyota makes a fantastic product. The only reason I don't still drive a Forester is that it can't go where my 4Runner can go.
toy gets my vote.
they are reliable and hold the value.
Honda is a good one as well, yet the transmissions on them are very pricy to fix we are looking at $2800 to do the auto in Therese Honda accord!
the Nissan has poor ratings in just about every segment.
I agree and have owned Toyota since my first one in 1973, never a significant issue.
Barb likes Honda and we did replace the tranny in her Accord which was a bummer.
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Chris in Florida
We bought a HiLux like this one - same color too.
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Chris in Florida
Sorry to be off topic, but that is a sweet classic Toyota truck! That was a big part of Toyota making their name for reliability.
My dad had a 1974 Ford Courier (built by Mazda) for about 10 years in the late 70's into the 1980's. Total rust bucket, but matching color to yours. It was just like this one.
I well enjoy my Honda Accord wagons!
1991 EX (sunroof / aluminum wheels) and 1993 LX (no sunroof / steel wheels)
The only maint was spark plugs, front brake pads (rears were checked but never needed replacement), a muffler or two, and timing belt/water pump under routine maint. I hear newer engines are going timing chain to reduce maint.
1991 Honda Accord EX Wagon
Purchased 6/1/1995, $12,200, 34550 miles
Sold 6/1/2005 (coincidence), $1515, 275229 miles
22 to 27 MPG (with a rare occasion above 30)
2200 cc multiport fuel injection
fuel cost min $0.67/gal, max 2.26/gal
Calculating just on the above numbers
Dollar cost for fuel for those miles $11,742
Approx cost per year (vehicle and fuel only) $2242
1993 Honda Accord LX Wagon
A buddy, on his drive to work, called and said "I'm driving by your car and it's for sale".
At the time, the 91 had over 1/4 million miles. I wasn't looking for a different vehicle (and was
holding the thought of shooting for 1/2 million miles) I figured I could purchase this replacement,
sell mine, and have close to the same vehicle with vastly fewer miles for a nice cost.
It happened. I miss the sun roof of the EX but also enjoy the driver's right armrest of the LX.
Purchased 12/20/2004 $4900 @ 37989 miles
As of 04/2016 245000 miles (with a desire to keep it)
I loved my Subaru, it was a 2005 legacy sedan. I would definitely drive a forester XT from that year or earlier.
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Chris in Florida
Independent mechanics wouldn't likely have seen a late model Subaru, they get a basic 3 year bumper to bumper warranty and a surprisingly inclusive 7-10 year powertrain, many people buy the upgraded ones too. they must be talking about 2007-8 or older, pre-Toyota's ownership. Toyota bought shares over 2007-8 and after that the quality went up. I researched it before I bought it with JDPowers, Edmunds, CR, all rated Subaru the best- not that that means much, no one would ever own a Samurai or Wrangler if it meant much, it's really about how you drive and maintain things... We got rid of ours because it wasn't that comfortable for long trips and it couldn't hang offroad, my wife needed something with more power and comfort, but mechanically it never went to the shop from new to 35k for anything but oil changes. It did kill tires quickly, 21k on OEM Bridgestones, and they put new ones on at the dealer when we traded it in at 35k.
Tom (April 26th, 2016)
So after a lot of thinking and test driving every crossover on the market except for the Nissan we made a decision. Just drove home with a brand new Toyota Rav 4 LE awd with 6 speed auto. Burnt orange in color.
It seems to get harder and harder to decide about vehicle purchases these days. Me thinks it was much easier years ago when there weren't so many choices.
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Tom
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Congrats!
Pic?
Tom (April 28th, 2016)
Glad that you found something you like. I am sure the Rav4 will be a great vehicle for you. They obviously have a good reputation.
Tom (April 28th, 2016)
Tom (April 28th, 2016)