Anyone own a 2013/2014 Subaru Crosstrek or Chevrolet Trax?

[sphelps]

If you think a car is too small just for fun compare interior space. For example the Trax you're considering is smaller inside than a Mazda 3 hatch back which is I would consider a very small car. The 3 has more cargo volume with seats up and down compared to the trax along with more leg and side room in both front and back. The only advantage the trax has is an extra inch or so in head room which realistically means nothing unless you're well over 6 feet tall. This again is typical of so called compact SUVs, they are actually small cars with a little extra ground clearance and headroom. Now I'm not saying buy a mazda 3 but I bet it's cheaper and has better options plus a better sales and track record. By pursuing only these compacts and making assumptions that cars are just too small you're really limiting yourself to small selection of vehicles which only offer clever marketing. Since you're use to a truck most vehicles won't feel natural at first but people have the ability to adjust and adapt. It goes the other way as well, people use to smaller cars may find trucks uncomfortable at first as well.

Also if your truck has value left in it why not buy a car a little older, perhaps eliminate your loan requirement all together. A ford focus can very economical, a 2013 base can be found for around $13K, that's up to $10K less than you expect to pay for a compact of the same year. Again the focus is basically the same size inside as the trax.

[Coralgurl]

Originally Posted by sphelps

If you think a car is too small just for fun compare interior space. For example the Trax you're considering is smaller inside than a Mazda 3 hatch back which is I would consider a very small car. The 3 has more cargo volume with seats up and down compared to the trax along with more leg and side room in both front and back. The only advantage the trax has is an extra inch or so in head room which realistically means nothing unless you're well over 6 feet tall. This again is typical of so called compact SUVs, they are actually small cars with a little extra ground clearance and headroom. Now I'm not saying buy a mazda 3 but I bet it's cheaper and has better options plus a better sales and track record. By pursuing only these compacts and making assumptions that cars are just too small you're really limiting yourself to small selection of vehicles which only offer clever marketing. Since you're use to a truck most vehicles won't feel natural at first but people have the ability to adjust and adapt. It goes the other way as well, people use to smaller cars may find trucks uncomfortable at first as well.

Also if your truck has value left in it why not buy a car a little older, perhaps eliminate your loan requirement all together. A ford focus can very economical, a 2013 base can be found for around $13K, that's up to $10K less than you expect to pay for a compact of the same year. Again the focus is basically the same size inside as the trax.

Totally agree with this. I had a Mazda 3 4 door, no hatchback, but it had a ton of room. I drive 500 kms a week - cost me $40 - $60 every 2 weeks to fill up (depending on season). I got 8.5L/100 in the city and 6-7 on the highway. Was a standard 5 speed, bought a set of winter tires (full set with steelies for $1,000) and had no problems getting around. I LOVED that car. I don't get SUV's personally. Don't like trucks. My husband drives a mini van and its worse on gas than his truck. I now get 13.3 L/100 city driving (summer), still 500 kms/week and it costs me $75-$100 per week to fill. Talk about blowing cash....

If you are set on an SUV - I'd go for the Rav 4 as well. Old boss had one and loved it - you can't go wrong with a Toyota.

[sphelps]

Another option for something new is the FIAT 500L, bigger than you might think as it's comparable to the crosstek or even a bit roomier. Would offer some good fuel economy with an Italian heritage. The good thing about Chrysler too is I know from experience the major dealers compete on volume and you simply look at the dealer invoice price and offer them 5% below that and get a deal, especially on last years inventory.

Next if you really want to save money on fuel there's the Prius V which I've been told will actually do 4L/100km so basically runs for free. Did I mention it's also in the same size range you're looking at

[sphelps]

Has your boyfriend worked on a Subaru before? The flat engine design means nothing is easily accessible and thus a real pain to work on. It's one of the main reasons I don't like them so much.

If AWD is a requirement then most of my suggestions are pretty useless although keep in mind that some of these compacts aren't really AWD, they are front wheel driven with a tiny shaft that sends about 5% of the power to the rear and there's no intelligence behind it. Basically just uses more gas than anything else.

[WarDog]

We have a 2013 Venza V6 awd. Huge amount of cargo space for our two dogs. The awd is great with snow tires, however this thing drinks gas. It does come in 4 cyl, but I don't know the L/100. My folks just bought a new Rav4 and they are very happy with the space and milage. I stopped buying domestics eons ago, they are just garbage IMO. Japanese cars are only second to German made, but as toytech stated, are expensive to maintain... I still don't trust Korean cars yet, but they look like good value.

[Slick Fork]

Originally Posted by WarDog

... I stopped buying domestics eons ago, they are just garbage IMO. Japanese cars are only second to German made, but as toytech stated, are expensive to maintain... I still don't trust Korean cars yet, but they look like good value.

I've always had great luck with Domestics, lots of miles and I'm not really gentle with them. Maybe I've been lucky. I've also found them to be typically more feature rich for the same price point than imports. Toyotas in particular have been having a rough go of it lately as far as quality control goes, judging on the amount of recall stories you'd hear in the news the last few years.

[FishyFishy!]

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

I've always had great luck with Domestics, lots of miles and I'm not really gentle with them. Maybe I'issuee been lucky. I've also found them to be typically more feature rich for the same price point than imports. Toyotas in particular have been having a rough go of it lately as far as quality control goes, judging on the amount of recall stories you'd hear in the news the last few years.

Toyotas recalls are nothing short of standing by their product. There has been nothing major, and 95% of the recalled vehicles dont have any issue with the "defective product".

Ive worked for many different dealers. And i'll stand by a Toyota product before any domestic. Chevy and ford simply mask their issues and after warranty, you're completely screwed. When I worked for ford, I would have 10 appointments a day with the same problem. Ford recognized the issue but never did anything about it. Toyota on the other hand, realizes an issue big or small, and offers customers support. Better than most other companies for sure.