Forester / CX5 / RDX/ Tucson
#1
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Forester / CX5 / RDX/ Tucson
Hey guys,
Looking for an AWD commuter with good MPGs, that could be used as a multi-purpose car on the weekends. Will drive it until the wheels fall off. Really can't make up my mind here. It will be a one-car-fits-all for the next year or two, at which point, we will pay this down, and lease a nicer, second car.
Weekend use includes hiking trips, home reno trips, dog runs (lab), etc. We calculated about 2,000 miles a month for the first six months, then 1,300 miles a month thereafter. Sticking to Japanese only.
Considering the following:
2016 Tucson Limited Ultimate New - $35k (negotiated to $33k)
2014 RDX Base AWD CPO (
Looking for an AWD commuter with good MPGs, that could be used as a multi-purpose car on the weekends. Will drive it until the wheels fall off. Really can't make up my mind here. It will be a one-car-fits-all for the next year or two, at which point, we will pay this down, and lease a nicer, second car.
Weekend use includes hiking trips, home reno trips, dog runs (lab), etc. We calculated about 2,000 miles a month for the first six months, then 1,300 miles a month thereafter. Sticking to Japanese only.
Considering the following:
2016 Tucson Limited Ultimate New - $35k (negotiated to $33k)
2014 RDX Base AWD CPO (
Last edited by ThermonMermon; 09-10-2015 at 09:02 AM.
#2
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Sorry this got cutoff...
2016 Tucson Limited Ultimate New - $35k (negotiated to $33k)
2014 RDX Base AWD CPO (< 30k miles) - $29k
2014 Forester 2.5i Touring CPO (< 30k miles) - $27k (loaded, just w/o the better XT motor, as it takes premium and has lower MPG)
2014 CX5 Grand Touring CPO (< 30k miles) - $25k
I love the Forester, but she thinks it's hideous. Unfortunately, the car will be used by her 90% of the time for the first 2 years. Then I would use it as a hauler/beater/"train-not-working-due-to-snow" car thereafter.
Thoughts? Deterrents?
2016 Tucson Limited Ultimate New - $35k (negotiated to $33k)
2014 RDX Base AWD CPO (< 30k miles) - $29k
2014 Forester 2.5i Touring CPO (< 30k miles) - $27k (loaded, just w/o the better XT motor, as it takes premium and has lower MPG)
2014 CX5 Grand Touring CPO (< 30k miles) - $25k
I love the Forester, but she thinks it's hideous. Unfortunately, the car will be used by her 90% of the time for the first 2 years. Then I would use it as a hauler/beater/"train-not-working-due-to-snow" car thereafter.
Thoughts? Deterrents?
#4
Moderator
We tested a CX5 last year & I really liked it, wife not so much. She thought it drove too 'car-like' for her.
Our HR manager had an RDX & never had an issue with it.
The new Tuscon looks nice as well.
Forester, yes with the XT, otherwise, meh IMO.
Our HR manager had an RDX & never had an issue with it.
The new Tuscon looks nice as well.
Forester, yes with the XT, otherwise, meh IMO.
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#9
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#10
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Thread Starter
The Tucson, we both love. But she wants payments at $400/mo, with $5k down, no trade in. This would be closer to $500/mo.
RDX she likes for obvious reasons
Forester, she finds really ugly and not that "special" driving in.
Personally, for $2k less, we could get a Forester with all the options, vs RDX with no navi, etc. The Forester has awesome AWD, the dog could beat it up a little, we could scale mountains for cool hiking trails, and the cabin is super airy with a pano roof (my top priority).
CX5 was thrown in there as a cheaper alternative to all, without any major faults.
Maybe this will come down to a fight between Mr and Mrs...
Just curious if there were glaring reasons that we should knock some of these off the list. We have heard that the Forester has not so great seats for some people and causes back pains. And the RDX has strut issues.
RDX she likes for obvious reasons
Forester, she finds really ugly and not that "special" driving in.
Personally, for $2k less, we could get a Forester with all the options, vs RDX with no navi, etc. The Forester has awesome AWD, the dog could beat it up a little, we could scale mountains for cool hiking trails, and the cabin is super airy with a pano roof (my top priority).
CX5 was thrown in there as a cheaper alternative to all, without any major faults.
Maybe this will come down to a fight between Mr and Mrs...
Just curious if there were glaring reasons that we should knock some of these off the list. We have heard that the Forester has not so great seats for some people and causes back pains. And the RDX has strut issues.
#12
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
Forester is a tank. If you want to keep it for a long time, go with Forester.
#13
Safety Car
Thread Starter
^^ thanks...this is good ammo for the argument with the misses.
You think the Forester would fair better than the RDX over a long term hold?
Trying to build a stable here. This will be the hold to own car, with the second car under a 3 year lease rotation
You think the Forester would fair better than the RDX over a long term hold?
Trying to build a stable here. This will be the hold to own car, with the second car under a 3 year lease rotation
Last edited by ThermonMermon; 09-10-2015 at 02:54 PM.
#14
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
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RDX is the best looking of the bunch in my opinion.
#15
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
What about the Highlander?
Last edited by ggesq; 09-10-2015 at 03:03 PM.
#17
CX-5 comes with manual trans. is that something you want?
#18
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
I think so.
#19
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Thread Starter
so anyone actually have/had the current gen Forester?
What I have heard so far are poorly bolstered seats, and frequent oil changes...otherwise, bulletproof
What I have heard so far are poorly bolstered seats, and frequent oil changes...otherwise, bulletproof
#20
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
I never had a Forester. Some of my friends have the previous and current Forester and Outback. Never really have any issues. It's pretty much bulletproof with a lot of cargo room and solid drivability for the money.
I personally have no idea how their seats are and what frequent oil change issue is.
Good luck.
I personally have no idea how their seats are and what frequent oil change issue is.
Good luck.
#21
Moderator
#22
Before our Lexus CT, we test drove the Mazda5. It came in manual trans (lower trim), and GT, Touring was auto. But all had the same motor.
Appreciate the info
Motortrend really liked the Forester XT
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t/viewall.html
Last edited by 2012wagon; 09-10-2015 at 06:05 PM.
#23
In the Mid-South meow
iTrader: (2)
RAV4 3.5L 4x4 but then again I'm biased lol. But ours is a blast to drive, gets good MPG, has proven to be reliable and was a bargain.
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00TL-P3.2 (09-11-2015)
#24
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
If I'm going to keep it forever, I would go with Toyota RAV4 as well.
#25
Team Owner
used RX350? for the purposes you listed.. i think it is the perfect car, especially since that is your wife's car for a while.
#26
Turd Polisher
iTrader: (1)
Why not a E90 BMW 323i w/ BMW performance exhaust? Saintor can't get rid of it.
Out of all of your choices, I'd check out the V6 RAV4 as well.
Out of all of your choices, I'd check out the V6 RAV4 as well.
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charliemike (09-11-2015)
#29
Team Owner
might be slow?
#30
Ex-OEM King
lol.
I'll throw the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Renegade into the mix. Both are awesome to drive with great interiors. If you ever want to leave the pavement, either of these will go much further than any of the ones you have listed. Also, I would put the interiors of both on par with Acura.
I'll throw the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Renegade into the mix. Both are awesome to drive with great interiors. If you ever want to leave the pavement, either of these will go much further than any of the ones you have listed. Also, I would put the interiors of both on par with Acura.
#31
Moderator
Not nearly as slow as the 5MT XV Crosstrek I drove last year.
#32
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Thread Starter
thanks for the comments, guys.
Still a toss up between the RDX and Forester between wife and me. As many have said, there are pluses and minuses between the two. For a more apples to apples comparison price wise, we will likely continue to cross shop:
2013 RDX AWD BASE CPO - $27k; will just add HIDs for $100, since the car comes with projectors; the navi is kinda dated, and we would probably override with smartphone anyhow. Maybe it doesnt make sense to pay $2k for Tech package in a commuter car, with a really dated system from 2013
2014 Forester 2.5i Touring with Eyesight/HID - $27k (less luxury; but just about all features minus a power passenger seat)
Wife wants label, I want substance
Still a toss up between the RDX and Forester between wife and me. As many have said, there are pluses and minuses between the two. For a more apples to apples comparison price wise, we will likely continue to cross shop:
2013 RDX AWD BASE CPO - $27k; will just add HIDs for $100, since the car comes with projectors; the navi is kinda dated, and we would probably override with smartphone anyhow. Maybe it doesnt make sense to pay $2k for Tech package in a commuter car, with a really dated system from 2013
2014 Forester 2.5i Touring with Eyesight/HID - $27k (less luxury; but just about all features minus a power passenger seat)
Wife wants label, I want substance
Last edited by ThermonMermon; 09-14-2015 at 11:35 AM.
#33
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
You will end up with a RDX. Your wife>you.
#35
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Thread Starter
aint that the truth. Long term, I am hoping an RDX purchase will just be the end of that conversation for awhile, and down the road I could get what I really want: Forester XT/Jeep Wrangler/LR4. Nothing beats ascending up the Appalachians for a day hike with my Lab. Would eventually like to get him a friend too. So two Labs, and an off-roader that could take some abuse. Manual 2-door wrangler with a netted cargohold for the dogs would be amazing.
Last edited by ThermonMermon; 09-14-2015 at 01:07 PM.
#37
I may be fat but I'm slow
My wife has a 2015 RDX AWD Tech, and though I wish we waited for the refresh (height adjustable pax seat) it really is the perfect SUV for the suburban yuppy wife. Even has decent power (better pickup than my 2.4L TSX or 2.0L S2000).
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