Hi, has anyone compared these head to head? I like the idea that the Forester has an available manual transmission. The Mazda looks reliable and very fun to drive. The frontend/grille looks kinda stupid.

We’re in very rural northern Vermont with quite a few dirt roads, usually but not always pretty well maintained.

Car dealerships aren’t close by. The Subaru dealer is just under an hour drive, the Mazda/Volkswagen dealership just over an hour and a half each way. Locally we have Ford, GMC/Chevy, and Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge.

I’d probably buy new this time although I’ve had good luck buying ‘certified’ used cars off of leases, most recently a 2015 Audi A3 off of a 36-month lease cancelled after 24 I think? so pretty close to new - with manufacturer + dealer warranties; someone else having eaten the depreciation; low mileage, and full confidence that scheduled maintenance has been adhered to, prior to my taking ownership. Comfort and tech, of course reliability, and ease of third-party servicing and parts are all considerations for me.

Reasoned opinions very welcome; TIA for any thoughts at all. Buying is hard.

  • artyom@piefed.socialEnglish
    1·
    14 days ago

    It’s my understanding the unequal length headers are directly responsible for the common issue with ring lands on (I believe) cylinder 3. Could be wrong on that.

    • Blaster M@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      14 days ago

      If that is the case, it would be a problem on the old EJ25 engines… the F series engines have equal length headers.

        • misterred@feddit.onlineOPEnglish
          1·
          13 days ago

          The details about CVT length headers are beyond my scope of concern but I do appreciate everything you’ve said, thanks very much.

          • artyom@piefed.socialEnglish
            1·
            13 days ago

            The CVT is the transmission. All you need to know is that they’re basically disposable. That I can say with certainty. This applies to the Subaru and Honda. Although I’m sure you can get the Subaru with a manual trans. The Mazda uses a standard hydraulic trans.

            • misterred@feddit.onlineOPEnglish
              1·
              13 days ago

              I realize we’re talking about transmissions, and one of the reasons I’ve tilted toward the Mazda is that it does have an available manual. The Subaru model(s) I considered do(es) not. I just don’t know enough about CVT technology to compare vehicles based on their length headers, but it’s all good!

              • artyom@piefed.socialEnglish
                1·
                13 days ago

                The headers are exhaust equipment and not at all related to the transmission. Sorry if I’m misunderstanding.