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

[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.

[Coasting]

I did a lot of comparing today with some wagons and the crosstrek and forester as well as that mazda. Dont think i can give up that ground clearance height i get with the crossover.

Im going to have to go out with the dog i think and compare with her in the back of the vehicle as well.
So the Trax is out it seems. But i still really like that crosstrek. But still have to test drive that one.

My Boyfriends a GM tech and he really likes the idea of the subaru, but its a little hard getting him to come look at vehicles with me lol.

I know i need one with a back cargo area. So a sedan type car wont work either.
I havent used the back seats of either of the trucks ive had as actual seats in years. In my Ram i have now, the one im trying to sell, the back seats stay up and ive shoved a 8"thick piece of foam in the back to make the entire back area a bed for the dogs. I Know my girl is really uncomfortable when she has to sit on an actual seat so thats why the cargo area or cargo plus folded down seats is a must. Now we have driven in the cobalt with the back seats down and allowed the dogs to use that flat area plus the trunk as their bed area while we drove and she was even more uncomfortable.

So its about her comfort. My comfort in the drivers seat. Awd capabilities (ground clearance) they like to not plow around here as well sometimes during the snow haha. Fuel economy.
I feel really uncomfortable being in small vehicles. Ive tried driving cars and wagons. Some like the pontiac vibe is so bad i.get car sick jist driving it, 10x worse when im a passenger in it.

Thanks for the replies so far guys

[Coasting]

Yes i believe he has and his biggest comment about the subarus however is that even on the older ones they never seem to need more then their regular maintainence.

That issue with the crappy AWDs is why subaru was at the top of my list. My brother has an 03 wrx and seems to be happy with it. no issues thus far.
In my mind I wouldnt have totaled my Silverado last winter if i had it in 4x4 but the conditions didnt seem to merrit it as the roads were clear. And i think if i had something with good awd that kicked in on its own, that wouldnt have happened.
Our Pontiac Aztek was great for that. Fantastic awd and did great in the snow. You could feel the awd kick in and help. Since then my mother traded that one in for a Ford Edge and she says its awd is nothing in comparison and she misses her aztek.

[Coasting]

Originally Posted by sphelps

List price on a new one is $67K, that's a lot more than an Audi.

Thats an awefull nice house down payment.

[FishyFishy!]

Originally Posted by Coasting

Thats an awefull nice house down payment.

Yuup! haha, the new jeeps are nice.. but man are they ever expensive.

[reef-keeper]

I think every vehicle out there is way over priced. I paid almost $70,000.00 for my 2007 GMC 3/4 ton

[sphelps]

To be fair the Jeeps do start at $40K which is about right for a full size SUV that actually tow and go off pavement. The catch is if you want the diesel you're forced to go up a couple trim levels. At that point they are in the same class as the ML350, X5d, Touareg and Cayenne and it's the cheapest of the bunch so they do offer good value.

[toytech]

The 2000ish Subarus had head gasket problems so far I haven't heard issues with the new ones.

[Coasting]

Well after all that talk about the Subaru, I ended up with a Mitsubishi RVR. I do like that its a smidge wider, and taller. I'm only 5'6" and kept bumping my head on the visor of the crosstrek with my sunglasses on my head. That and it was $4000 more. Trucks gone But I think I was going to end up putting a transmission in that thing sooner then I would have liked so that's going to save me a few grand right there.
Dogs seem happy even with the seats up. Thankfully nothing with 2 legs that belongs to me will ever fill those back seats! So the dogs can still use it totally flat out, and heck throw some foam in to fill the gap between the front seat and the back ones flat out and I can sleep in it!