Dmaxdmax

jrasero

Well financially always buy used. But hard to say, what is your budget? or what trims are you looking at? Both cars will have nice residuals, Subaru probably better but obviously with a lower MSRP to kind of offset it. It also depends on what year and how many miles are on the CPO and how many you tend to drive.

If you keep your cars for that long car values become mute at that point, but rather true cost of ownership which you can calculate on Edmunds. A 2016 Acura RDX AWD Advance used is $33127 cash* which a five year estimate of $48331 with 15K miles a year driven. A 2016 base RDX AWD $29980 cash* price with a $46498 5 year true cost over five years. A 2018 Outback 3.6 Limited $37181 cash price with a true cost of $46295, or 2.5i Base $28158 cash price $37036 true cost over 5 years. So yeah anyway you cut it the Acura will be more expensive to own if you pay cash over the span of 5 years from top trim to base model. I guess the fairest comparison is a CPO RDX AWD Base versus a new 2018 Outback 3.6 Limited since they have the most similar TCTO.

My opinion is a brand new Subaru is probably the safer bet since you get more features and less miles on it.

kurtatx

Subaru. My opinion will likely change when the 3G RDX starts selling used, but right now that AWD on the Subaru is a lot better than a 2G RDX along with what jrasero said.

thoiboi

Subie..

chickdr

Based on my experience with a 2016 RDX Advanced(currently at 47,500 miles in 2+ yrs) I would strongly suggest the Subaru. I expect you will get better reliability and less headaches. I just picked mine up from my dealer this morning. My SA was telling me his girlfriend drives a Pilot rather than an RDX/MDX due to better features and reliability. He sees all kinds of issues with the RDX. Her Pilot has been flawless. Personally, no more Acura's for me. As others have said, having a brand new car where you know the history is worth some money too. Full factory warranty as well.

Dmaxdmax

Thanks, everyone!

If the plan becomes getting a car every 3ish years then the Subaru is the likely "winner". If, on the other hand, we think we'll keep the car for a long time I will continue researching. The two we have now, '02 Ody and '05 Prius were both supposed to be 3 year cars but obviously that isn't what happened. The Subaru might still come out on top but I need to investigate Toyota and maybe even a 2-3 year old Lexus. Our prius has required nothing other than wear and tear items over 160,000 miles and the same was true for the Camry that preceded it.

Obviously the Lexus is a whole 'nother level of money but if we keep it for 10 years I can justify the expense. Probably. I recently rode in an 8 year old RX300 (?) and was blown away by how good it looked and rode.

I'm just starting the hunt and I know that a number of models will drift in and out of the picture but I'm sure that an Outback will be in it until the end. I've admired them for years.

Carbon2008RDX

Dmaxdmax, Drive both thoroughly. That's the real key and pick the one you're more comfortable with. I have a 2016 RDX Advance. My aunt bought new a 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R top of the line. I admit both are really nice vehicles but there are differences. Yes, you can save a ton of money buying the Subaru. But, a CVT trans (barf) not for me. Ride quality and luxury not up to par of the RDX. The tech is pretty good in the Subaru. I know it's got an awesome AWD system. Sadly when it snows my aunt just hibernates and doesn't take it out for "fun"! I'd be like snow! Woohoo! The RDX AWD system in my 2016 RDX honestly hasn't let me down past two winters. It's not bad.

Dmaxdmax

chickdr

The Subaru is definitely the more car like of the two IMHO. My nephew just got an 18' Subie Outback 2.5 limited. A very nice ride.

Carbon2008RDX

Yes, the Subie is probably more car like but the 2nd gen RDX is very, very close.

Dmaxdmax

kurtatx

Well, the Outback and the CR-V aren't really comparable, either. The Forester is the CR-V equivalent. I personally think the 3G RDX looks like a game changer, but currently, I would stick with a Subaru or the CR-V right now.

Dmaxdmax

in '01 I bought the game changing '02 Odyssey for MSRP
in '04 I bought the game changing '05 Prius for 500 above MSRP
In '04 I swore that I'd never again be on the bleeding edge of new models.
Probably

Al Dente

Are you saying that your Subaru SA sees all kinds of issues with the RDX? Just asking.

chickdr

Not getting where you are coming from. I never said I had an Outback....

Froid

No, you didn't, except you said something like your "...(Subie) sales associate's girlfriend had all sorts of reliability issues with her RDX."
That's a sales pitch line if I ever saw one!

Froid

This says it pretty accurately. One thing for sure: the 2.5 Subie engine is a total dog.
The 3.6 brings it closer to the 2G RDX, performancewise, but the Acura will still blow the doors off the Subie.
The OP should get the Subie if he wants to be like Carbon's aunt.

chickdr

What I said was my Acura SA's wife bought a Pilot rather than an RDX as they are more reliable and have better tech. He mentioned he sees a lot of issues with the RDX.

Froid

chickdr

Won't be buying a Subaru either, but that doesn't stop me from sharing info about the cars I know about.... My next car will be an X3. I am on the forum to balance out some of the fanbois posts

Al Dente

Let's not be too hasty, just in case Acura and Subaru SA's see all kinds of problems with the X3.

chickdr

You are a real comedian. You should take it on the road, seriously.....

Comfy

ronsteve2112

I cross-shopped Outback and RDX, and once you got into the Outback Limited (similar equipment to RDX) they were fairly comparably priced even though the RDXs went for a few grand more new!

In the 2-3 year age range, a CPO Acura can be a relative bargain because of lease returns, but a Subie almost has to be bought new because gently used ones are so rare on the market. I ended up going with a '15 RDX in large part because it was easier to get my hands on a good one!