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.
Hey, hopefully a last question, only because I feel like I’ve been falling into a Subaru-yay-or-nay quandary.
Anybody have experience with the Chevy Trax? I’ve seen a few in the mountains around here and they look capable for what that’s worth - and more like a sedan, which is appealing to me. In the Compact SUV category Car & Driver likes it very much. Readers have complained about the wet timing-belt.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a68037852/2025-subcompact-suv-comparison-test/
Don’t do it. I’ve seen a teardown by a mechanic and he was not impressed. If I’m recalling correctly, this is a THREE cylinder turbo-charged engine. There’s the famous wet timing BELT and plastic in major structural parts. I do not think this will be the kind of rugged vehicle you want.
Here’s the review.