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 (

 

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?

 

For 2k more I would get the RDX over the Forester and not think twice about it.

 

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.

 

By the way tucson is not Japanese.

 

okay, then consider my statement: Japanese/Korean

 

we prefer "car-like" attributes, which is partially how we arrived at this shortlist after test drives

 

<p>Don't want to join the 90%er's and get a CRV / Rav4?</p><p>I'll admit my wife is in the latter.</p>

 

CRV / RAV4 - nah, just too boring

 

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.

 

Are there any differences between the 2013 and 2014 RDXs?

 

Forester is a tank. If you want to keep it for a long time, go with Forester.

 

^^ 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

 

RDX is the best looking of the bunch in my opinion.

 

What about the Highlander?

 

Need to stay under 182" in length, or close to it.

 

CX-5 comes with manual trans. is that something you want?

 

I think so.

 

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

 

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.

 

Only with the 2.0 Sport, not available with the 2.5
I drove an auto 2.0 Sport....slooow.

 

I see, thanks! Didn't realize the different engines are mated to different tranny.


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

 

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.

 

If I'm going to keep it forever, I would go with Toyota RAV4 as well.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Dodge Durango R/T or Limited AWD /thread

 

HR-V? My friend has one. She can fit her bike in the back with the wheels on if the seats are folded. Not bad looking. Might be slow though.

 

might be slow?

 

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 drove the new Fit earlier this year with the manual trans, not a race car, but had decent pep to it.
Not nearly as slow as the 5MT XV Crosstrek I drove last year.

 

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

 

You will end up with a RDX. Your wife>you.

 

I just saw my first CX3 Grand Touring ... Laws it's hot.

 

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.

 

I think the 2014 RDX would be a better choice!

Or buy my 2010 RDX and save a much of $$.

 

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).