CUV's

[Matt]

I've always been a Subaru guy too, but the CX-5 is a nice looking vehicle with good ratings. The 6spd manual FWD version has me interested as well... 35 mpg and easily below $25k out the door. This vehicle is going to fill the void of a 2001 Accord DX (small engine, no power windows, no power locks, no options at all), so anything is a huge step up.

Once the dealerships open up this morning my son and I are going to check out both, get a few quotes and go from there.

[06JeepXKHEMI]

Id go subaru, I used to work at a Mazda/Nissan dealership in college when those first came out. I never liked the cheap looking and feeling interior, the only thing i did like was their stereo. My friend is Pittsburgh has a new forestor and its real nice. You know how winter gets in Pitt and it performed ridiculously easy going through the back hills in almost a blizzard.

[Matt]

Definitely a Subaru lover here too (had a 2009 Legacy for a while... had to get rid of it due to rear facing car seat fitment). And I've seen how much snow those things can handle first hand up in Vermont.

Not that those features aren't helpful in posturing the Forrester over the CX-5, but having the XK in the garage somewhat offsets the benefit in that department.

Styling and the ability to customize the CX5 a bit more than the Forrester, plus the lower price tag is giving the CX5 a good vibe in my book



At the same time, I know multiple people who drive Subaru's for 200k miles and then get a new one. They don't get rid of them because of issues, but because they're just ready for a new car. So the proven reliability of the Subaru is a huge plus as well.

It's definitely going to be interesting test driving these vehicles today!!

[lekmedm]

Are you looking for new or used? When we got our's, it was dealer-driven with < 5,000 miles on it. It is top-of-the-line and came at probably $7000 less than invoice.

Here are some relatively new Foresters from that dealer < $25k.

http://www.bkcars.com/all-inventory/...odel=Forester&

[Matt]

Looking at new. Im leary of used vehicles in this region from Sandy and used prices arent that much lower than new.

I have to admit I was not impressed at all with the Forester yesterday. It wasnt a bad vehicle.... but Subaru has really cut back on the interior quality . I was expecting it to be like our base model 2009 Legacy 2.5... as soon as I sat in that vehicle I knew we were buying it because the interior made you feel like you weren't cheaping out lol.

I was also expecting more interior room but it really didnt (it might have more cubic feet on paper but thats gotta be hidden in head room not real cargo space)