Any Subaru or Mazda owners present?

[dess1313]

I am looking at buying either a subaru or mazda vehicle.  For several reasons must be a small SUV.  The Subaru outback, or Mazda CX5 are my main choices.  something like the forester is too small.  I'm planning on driving it for 15+ years as possible so it will be fairly new when i get it. 

So my question is, are there any long term Mazda owners or subaru owners out there that can comment on the longevity and reliability of their respective vehicles?  Even if its a car or other model of mazda or subaru i'd love to hear how it has handled or not handled the years of wear and tear.

[yuka]

I am looking at buying either a subaru or mazda vehicle.  For several reasons must be a small SUV.  The Subaru outback, or Mazda CX5 are my main choices.  something like the forester is too small.  I'm planning on driving it for 15+ years as possible so it will be fairly new when i get it. 

So my question is, are there any long term Mazda owners or subaru owners out there that can comment on the longevity and reliability of their respective vehicles?  Even if its a car or other model of mazda or subaru i'd love to hear how it has handled or not handled the years of wear and tear.

You'll probably have to defend two things before this thread can get off the ground, so you may as well get to it now, in the hopes that all future discussion will focus on your question, and not someone else's.

• Why do you need an SUV? Many people think them essential, and showing them that that is not the case is, especially in this exact product category, is a specialty of this site. I've never seen a job that a compact SUV could do better than my compact car, and you might find that you are drawing your line based on an incorrect assumption.
• Why not just get a 10 year old car now, and switch to a "new" 10 year old car when needed? Then someone else takes the big depreciation hit, and you get to keep the comparatively cheap functional miles.

[Bellatrix]

I have a Subaru Forester.  I like it.  I feel safe driving it during the winter and it is good for transporting dogs and cats.  My car is now 10 years old and still works fine (I bought it new). The first 7 years or so, I didn't really have much in terms of repairs.  However, over the past 2-3 years, I seem to spend like 2k a year on repairs. Hopefully all the major repairs are done  now and I won't have anything more to do for the next 5 years or so.   I will probably buy another subaru when this car dies. 

[Mongoose]

I have both but they are already older.

I have a 1993 Mazda Protégé with 270,000 miles on it. It has lasted really well. Bought it used in 1998 and it is driven daily by DH on his epic clown car commute. Great gas mileage but it is a manual transmission and I have no idea if the newer models/automatics are as good. It is still mostly original parts.

I have a 2001 Subaru Outback with 318,000 miles on it. Bought it used in 2006, also a manual transmission. Overall it has been fairly reliable. We have replaced brakes, a universal joint and some other minor bits and pieces. A few things: I have a colleague with a Forester and I wouldn't consider my Outback bigger. Perhaps they've changed the size? It is not very roomy on the inside and it a total PITA for kids in car seats if that is an issue. One was fine, sort-of, except the slope of the interior makes it hard to maneuver a wiggling toddler into a rear facing seat. Two car seats in the back barely leave room between them for a 15 pound dog. The car still drives great despite the high miles. You do have to watch the engine seals on Subarus though. They say the issue has been fixed but the valve cover gasket etc have a tendency to leak and on the boxer engines that mixes the oil and coolant and then bad things happen to the engine (I'm not a mechanic so please don't hold me to the technical details).

We like the Mazda better. It gets way better gas mileage, is bigger on the inside (if you count the trunk), and has needed fewer repairs. But it is a small sedan-type car that they don't make anymore. I can't comment on any newer models.

[Kris]

I don't understand why you said a Forester is not an option. A Forester is larger than an Outback, no?

I have had both a Mazda and two Subarus. I liked them both.  I would say that the Subaru was better in snow driving, but overall, unless you live in a very challenging weather climate, I think the Mazda is a better deal and will be cheaper to maintain. 

[Uturn]

I'm actually looking at both of these cars.  Why an SUV? 

* I often carry things that are too tall to fit in a trunk and too wide to fit in the back seat, but not heavy enough to justify a truck.  I've torn too many seats carrying servers and such for work.  I also woodwork and build for family/friends.  Not sure how I would deliver a coffee table in a compact car

* I camp a lot.  SUV just more convenient than car.  No, I'm not giving the up, even it it adds a few years to FIRE

* Except for camp trips and moving wood, most of my miles are paid for by the company, making mpg less of an issue

I am looking at these two SUV's because they get some of the best mileage out there, have good longevity records, and can tow 1500 lbs.  Although Excursion and Outback are both called SUV, only one is silly.

[cheddarpie]

I have a Subaru Impreza "sport" -- the old mini-outback that they don't make any more. Mine is a 2005 with 90k miles. My roommate has a 1998 Outback with 220+k miles on it. They both are holding up GREAT. Sure, there is some maintenance and replacements needed along the way, but generally they are reliable and durable and awesome.

When it comes time to replace my car, depending on my lifestyle needs/wants I will likely either get an Impreza wagon or a Crosstrek -- they are both the same body, but Crosstrek has higher clearance. If I'm at a point in my life where I spend significant time hiking and driving on bumpy, unpaved Forest Service roads (like now), I'll get the Crosstrek because the clearance will actually make a difference. If I'm commuting via car (I'm not now, but may change jobs), I'll get the Impreza for its better gas mileage.

If you're looking at an Outback, check out the Impreza or Crosstrek too -- they are smaller, zippier, and have surprisingly large cargo room. I can fit two bikes, two adults, and a dog inside my Impreza.

[innkeeper77]

I had a 2007 Impreza wagon for a while. If you live in the rust belt, be careful. If buying used (recommended) make sure it was owned in states without rust problems. Wash your car often, and look into rustproofing. I drove it in the midwest for seven years, and didn't take very good care of it. It got to the point that I traded it in (I didn't want to sell it to some unsuspecting craigslist person) for a 2006 scion.

Salted roads, not washing it much, and never garaging it meant the rust was ridiculous, even interior metal pieces were rusting. The engine also started having trouble, and other little issues popped up as well- it only had 99k miles. I am learning to maintain my own cars now, but now I have one that has nearly no rust.

We also bought a 2013 Outback 6MT. It is a colorado car with a ton of highway miles. I carefully inspected it, and it had no rust. My experience with the old one rusting so much more than many other brands has now made me paranoid about it.

The main reason we got the outback was the 2700lb towing capacity compared with 1500 on the Forester. The old impreza had a 2000lb capacity, which we regularly maxed out.. the mileage isn't great, but not bad. When I am driving it gets 30, when the BIL drives it gets 25ish. With the 6MT it gets BETTER mileage than my old impreza, and it is a BIG vehicle.

[Goldielocks]

I have a 2006 mazda3.

We bought it because of the protege extreme record for minimum maintenance.  I don't think the 'zoom zoom' upgrade helped, and it is not quite as robust as the older cars.

In particular, plan to get winter tires for a Mazda.  I am particularly disappointed from the start with the all season tire performance on the Mazda, compared to other compact cars.

Recently needed to replace thermistor on it, the tire pressure sensor went out and needed replacement, and recently the power windows only work half the time.  Transmission is a bit rough out of 1st, and there is a vibration at 100 km per hr, but that is not unusual after 8+ years for a compact.

Routine repairs otherwise.. Battery, shocks/ struts, etc.

I will keep it for another 5 years, as it does not cost much, even now.

[Retired To Win]

I am looking at buying either a subaru or mazda vehicle.  For several reasons must be a small SUV.  The Subaru outback, or Mazda CX5 are my main choices.  something like the forester is too small.  I'm planning on driving it for 15+ years as possible so it will be fairly new when i get it. 

So my question is, are there any long term Mazda owners or subaru owners out there that can comment on the longevity and reliability of their respective vehicles?  Even if its a car or other model of mazda or subaru i'd love to hear how it has handled or not handled the years of wear and tear.

We've owned 2 Subaru Foresters on which we have logged over 220,000 miles with minimal mechanical problems.  The present one is a 1998 Subaru Forester which we bought used with about 60,000 miles; it now has over 240,000 miles on it.  We sort of expect it to keep on going "forever."

[dess1313]

I scuba dive, and i have to carry heavy 30in tall tanks.  each is 40-50 pounds.  sometimes up to 4 or 5 of them.  A forrester for example does not have a long enough hatch space for them.  Its shorter than the current outback.  By the time you throw in a camping tent bag, mattress, scuba gear, sleeping bags its too tight.  i can barely fit in a can of beans after i'm done packing and i've been massively limiting myself right now.  So i need a SUV with the heavier shocks and such that can carry that sort of weight.  Its also got good towing capacity.  That limits me to the CX5 or outback.  I've eliminated several other brands due to safety, reliability or other features not present. 

I've tried doing this with just 2 tanks, and camping gear and I currently drive a 18yr old corolla.  It was dragging its muffler all the way to the lake.  I've already had to replace the shocks on it once, but im going to ruin them entirely again if i keep this up.  As a single person it is very difficult for me where i live to have 2 vehicles.  I do live in a salty city, and will be considering undercoating it and will be for sure putting on winter tires.  i have them right now and love it on my car.  saved me a few times.   I've also had tons of problems carrying something as simple as a 2x4, or a small coffee table and i HATE my car trunk.

[Duchess of Stratosphear]

I have an 08 Impreza. It's my third Subaru. I really like it, but it's already having some oil leak issues (head gaskets?). My understanding is that this is a problem with Subarus but that they are generally very reliable otherwise.

[dess1313]

And as for used debates, I have been looking in the markets but they are not as popular around here so the available vehicles are limited.  Most are imported from salt belt regions like ontario at the end of their leases.  Quebec cars don't report their accidents well do you don't know what you're buying, and its a big salt belt region as well.  Or they've been in accidents, or in 3 years they have 90k+ kms on already.   etc etc etc.

If i had found a good one i would have jumped on it. I sure don't plan on paying full price, i am hoping to find a good end of year sale and see what deals are available.  If i can't knock 15-20% off the price before i end negotiating im not buying.

[Blatant]

I have a Crosstrek. I assume you've tested an Outback? It's gotten pretty big over the years. The Crosstrek is surprisingly big inside. I commonly take weekend trips with me, my wife, two 100-pound dogs, two mountain bikes and all our stuff.

Subarus tend to hold their value quite well and most folks can get a ton of mileage/use out of them.

[Uturn]

So i need a SUV with the heavier shocks and such that can carry that sort of weight.  Its also got good towing capacity.  That limits me to the CX5 or outback.  I've eliminated several other brands due to safety, reliability or other features not present. 

Have you looked at the Mitsubishi Outlander?  It has about the same tow rating and mpg as the ones you are looking at, but a bit less $

[TheSecondLaw]

I have an 2009 Subaru legacy. I actually hate it! It blew a head gasket at 49k miles which is totally unacceptable. It ended up being covered under warranty but I had to march into the Subaru service department shop (6 mo pregnant by the way) and demand that they check into the coverage because they had no problem trying to charge me thousands for the repair. Also  they had all sorts of things they insisted needed to be done when it was on my dime. When it was warranty the fix list got a whole lot shorter. Imagine that?

Mostly I hated their service department. Maybe not an issue if you won't get a car with a warranty and have the time/expertise/equipment to fix issues on your own.

[dess1313]

i hadn't tried the mitsubishi dealer, there's very few here.  the hatch might be too short on that model but i'll check them out.

Tried the toyota rav, hate it.  Would have loved to stay toyota.  Dont like the nissan rogue, its visibility is horrible in the back.  Very few other brands have the safety things like auto electronic brakes that are in the subaru, and a few other similar things in the mazda.  I've seen too many car traumas to dismiss those features as too expensive.  Mazda and subaru have some of the best mileage i've seen in cross overs that size.  Also looked at the lemonaide car book, as well as consumer reports when i was sorting through options

[Goldielocks]

Psst, hey buddy.. Not to Hound you or anything, but our second car is a 2006 Toyota Highlander.

Great price,(used),  rugged as hell, that scuba scenario sounds familiar to us, except for adding a couple of camping teenagers and pulling a utility trailer for more capacity to the use description.

The only maintence out of schedule has been the catalytic Converter, which was very pricey and because we hit a rock 4x4 ing.  ( there really are users of 4x4 out there).

Otherwise, need to consider pricier truck tires and they need a timing belt change.

[James]

I've looked at both of these vehicles recently. The CX 5 is certainly more "sporty", and saves a small amount on initial cost. The Outback is a much more refined and comfortable vehicle, not as sporty, but more of a feeling of space and comfort. To be honest, the CX 5 is much better comparison for the Forester, which is 2 inches higher and 6 inches shorter than the Outback. People think of the Outback as being smaller than the Forester, but really it's not. It is 2 inches lower, but 2 inches wider and 6 inches longer. It feels a lot bigger, despite getting better mpg, I wouldn't consider the Forester. The Forester also feels a bit cheaper, more on line with the CX 5. That isn't to say cheap, just not as refined as the Outback.


So I came down on the side of the Outback, I am driving an Outback currently with 164k miles on it, and will be upgrading to a newer version soon simply because I can, the current one is rusting and has a lot of damage from a couple accidents, is white which I don't like, has some engine and other troubles in the past year, and just isn't what I want right now. I don't consider that a mustachian move to upgrade it, just a choice I am making at some point soon. The whole idea of an SUV is definitely not mustachian, so for anyone pointing that out I would absolutely agree. None of these vehicles are mustachian, I have driven a front wheel drive vehicle for 11 years in northern WI without ever having a problem, you don't need this sort of vehicle. But it's something some of us might decide to do, much like a bigger house than needed, etc. It will delay my FIRE date and I'm ok with that.

[dess1313]

thanks goldielocks.  Yeah there are some of the bigger SUVs out there, but i was trying to keep to the ones with better mileage which usually means the crossovers.  I was hoping to not have to go that big of a vehicle

I'm trying to consider long term reliability and value for $ spent.  I've been spoiled driving my corolla for years and how reliable it has been.

I was probably getting the forester mixed up with the crosstrek now that i'm looking at everything.  and i agree with you james.  no its not mustachian but i am going into this eyes wide open. 

[Cwadda]

I think you could go with either, I think both companies have a good history of reliability. Have you also looked into the Honda CRV and Toyota Highlander?

I'm biased because I have a Mazda3 that I love, but I know Mazda has been doing Skyactiv technology for the newer models, which lets the CX-5 get 30-35ish MPG highway. Not too sure how that stacks up against other manufacturers.

[James]

The CX 5 only gets better mpg in the 2.0 engine on the base model which is really not fun to drive, not fair to compare that to the 2.5 on the Outback. With the 2.5 the Outback gets better mpg due to CVT, but close enough that it doesn't matter much. (The 2.0 CX 5 front wheel drive (not awd) is certainly the most mustachian choice of the two)


Highlander much more expensive, way worse mpg, and just too big.


The Crosstrek is small, no more room than our Prius (which gets the majority of our driving). To be fair the prius with a tiny trailer or roof rack would be the mustachian option.

[gecko10x]

We have a 2013 CX-5 AWD 2.0 with 55k miles on it.

We like it. It drives nicely; good feel, handles really well, fun but not super zippy. We've had no issues with it; very reliable. Gets fantastic mileage: in a very hilly area we average about 27, and have gotten up to 35 on highway.

[brotatochip]

I have a 2004 wrx that I bought used in 2005 and I still love it!  Other than routine maintenance and a couple of clutches the only thing I had to replace was a radiator and a few small things here or there.  Not great on gas but a hoot to drive and I've have never been stuck in the snow.  I am paranoid about the Subaru headgasket but they have seemed to straighten out the issue. 

[milesdividendmd]

I have a 2010 CX9, and a 2009 Mazda 5 and I like them fine.

When I was in the market I came to the conclusion that Mazda was definitely a value play, just much cheaper for the same quality/size when compared to its competitors.

[horsepoor]

We have a 2011 Outback and it is a great car.  It's the 4 banger and gets about 29 mpg most of the time.  We actually bought it after DH totaled his 6 month old Toyota RAV4.  He considered getting another RAV but felt like the Subaru had the slight edge.  It is awesome in ice and snow - he takes it up skiing many times each year.  Being a "car" instead of an "SUV" it has amazingly little body roll and can corner like nobody's business.  It only has about 35K so far, so can't really comment on reliability, but so far, so good.  It's nice and roomy and comfortable.

[Tjat]

I have a 2007 Mazda 3s 4-door. At this point I really only use it for short commutes to and from mass transit. Maybe 3000 miles a year.

However, I used to drive it fairly regularly in city and highway traffic. Repairs recently have been non-existent, but I did go through a clutch @ 30K miles due to poor driving habits and I replaced all the rotors already (though likely due to a dishonest mechanic). Other than that, oil changes are it.

[hybrid]

Mazdas we have owned....

• 1991 Protege, 247,000 miles, donated it after 19 years great service
• 1996 B2300 (really a Ford Ranger), still own it, 175,000 miles, solid as a rock
• 2001 Protege, totaled by a tractor trailer in 2005, was a great car, died long before it's day
• 2005 Mazda 3, 128,000 miles, still own it, solid as a rock, nice upgrade from the Protege
• 2010 Mazda 3, 67,000 miles, my everyday car. Just love the 5 door hatchback

Of my 5 Mazdas, all had great reliability records and all were fun to drive. There is a great reason we stay with them. I would love to go five years without having to replace one of the three we still own (the truck is our work mule and is driven only 2,000 miles a year or so, the other two are what we drive to our work). When we do, I am going to look very hard at used Mazdas.

There are three drivers in our family with jobs in three different parts of Richmond, thus our need for so many Mazdas. I really am not a big car fan and hate how much we spend on cars, but I have never hated owning a Mazda, not for a minute.

[dess1313]

I think you could go with either, I think both companies have a good history of reliability. Have you also looked into the Honda CRV and Toyota Highlander?

I'm biased because I have a Mazda3 that I love, but I know Mazda has been doing Skyactiv technology for the newer models, which lets the CX-5 get 30-35ish MPG highway. Not too sure how that stacks up against other manufacturers.

CRV yes, but my mechanic says they're pain in the asses to fix, the electrical system is super complicated.  i decided to leave them on the side line.  he's my main fixer and actually suggested the subaru to me

We have a 2013 CX-5 AWD 2.0 with 55k miles on it.

We like it. It drives nicely; good feel, handles really well, fun but not super zippy. We've had no issues with it; very reliable. Gets fantastic mileage: in a very hilly area we average about 27, and have gotten up to 35 on highway.

awesome!!!

I have a 2010 CX9, and a 2009 Mazda 5 and I like them fine.

When I was in the market I came to the conclusion that Mazda was definitely a value play, just much cheaper for the same quality/size when compared to its competitors.

yeah the interior finishes seem really good on it.  i was disappointed in the toyota.  they didn't have any electronic safety features like  blind spot monitoring, etc etc when i was looking and seemed really high priced for plastic looking junk

Mazdas we have owned....

• 1991 Protege, 247,000 miles, donated it after 19 years great service
• 1996 B2300 (really a Ford Ranger), still own it, 175,000 miles, solid as a rock
• 2001 Protege, totaled by a tractor trailer in 2005, was a great car, died long before it's day
• 2005 Mazda 3, 128,000 miles, still own it, solid as a rock, nice upgrade from the Protege
• 2010 Mazda 3, 67,000 miles, my everyday car. Just love the 5 door hatchback

Of my 5 Mazdas, all had great reliability records and all were fun to drive. There is a great reason we stay with them. I would love to go five years without having to replace one of the three we still own (the truck is our work mule and is driven only 2,000 miles a year or so, the other two are what we drive to our work). When we do, I am going to look very hard at used Mazdas.

There are three drivers in our family with jobs in three different parts of Richmond, thus our need for so many Mazdas. I really am not a big car fan and hate how much we spend on cars, but I have never hated owning a Mazda, not for a minute.

both sides of the camp seem to really love their respective cars with only the few exceptions! im very torn between the two

[milesdividendmd]

I think you could go with either, I think both companies have a good history of reliability. Have you also looked into the Honda CRV and Toyota Highlander?

I'm biased because I have a Mazda3 that I love, but I know Mazda has been doing Skyactiv technology for the newer models, which lets the CX-5 get 30-35ish MPG highway. Not too sure how that stacks up against other manufacturers.

CRV yes, but my mechanic says they're pain in the asses to fix, the electrical system is super complicated.  i decided to leave them on the side line.  he's my main fixer and actually suggested the subaru to me

We have a 2013 CX-5 AWD 2.0 with 55k miles on it.

We like it. It drives nicely; good feel, handles really well, fun but not super zippy. We've had no issues with it; very reliable. Gets fantastic mileage: in a very hilly area we average about 27, and have gotten up to 35 on highway.

awesome!!!

I have a 2010 CX9, and a 2009 Mazda 5 and I like them fine.

When I was in the market I came to the conclusion that Mazda was definitely a value play, just much cheaper for the same quality/size when compared to its competitors.

yeah the interior finishes seem really good on it.  i was disappointed in the toyota.  they didn't have any electronic safety features like  blind spot monitoring, etc etc when i was looking and seemed really high priced for plastic looking junk

Mazdas we have owned....

• 1991 Protege, 247,000 miles, donated it after 19 years great service
• 1996 B2300 (really a Ford Ranger), still own it, 175,000 miles, solid as a rock
• 2001 Protege, totaled by a tractor trailer in 2005, was a great car, died long before it's day
• 2005 Mazda 3, 128,000 miles, still own it, solid as a rock, nice upgrade from the Protege
• 2010 Mazda 3, 67,000 miles, my everyday car. Just love the 5 door hatchback

Of my 5 Mazdas, all had great reliability records and all were fun to drive. There is a great reason we stay with them. I would love to go five years without having to replace one of the three we still own (the truck is our work mule and is driven only 2,000 miles a year or so, the other two are what we drive to our work). When we do, I am going to look very hard at used Mazdas.

There are three drivers in our family with jobs in three different parts of Richmond, thus our need for so many Mazdas. I really am not a big car fan and hate how much we spend on cars, but I have never hated owning a Mazda, not for a minute.

both sides of the camp seem to really love their respective cars with only the few exceptions! im very torn between the two

That's a good position to be in. You can probably just go with the cheapest option now. You can let the bottom line be your final judge. Either way you will be happy.

[RWD]

I don't understand why you said a Forester is not an option. A Forester is larger than an Outback, no?

The Outback is bigger than the Forester. Comparing 2015 models, the Outback is 8.7 inches longer, 1.7 inches wider, and 0.3 inches shorter than the Forester. It is also 297 lb heavier.

We have owned a 1995 Legacy Outback, 2005 Legacy GT, and 2013 BRZ. My parents have owned a a 1995 Legacy and 1998 Outback. Overall we have experienced minimal issues.

[RetiredAt63]

I've driven a Subaru Outback (I miss the higher clearance and 4WD), presently driving a 2010 Mazda 3 Sport hatchback.  Both do better with winter tires in areas that go below 7^oC consistently in winter.

Hatchbacks are so much better than sedans, I assume that is where you are heading?  I still prefer station wagons, they don't slope so fast, but no-one seems to make them now.

The smartest thing I did was take the dog crate to the dealership and make sure it fit in the car when the back seat was up.  When I carry rough stuff I put a big heavy piece of cardboard down in the back - bags of stinky mushroom compost, pallets for compost bins, my car is fine.  So if you want to carry specific things, the easiest/best way to get the proper vehicle is do your test drive with what you want to carry.

[dess1313]

Yeah i've already been down to the dealership with my measuring tape which gave me some strange looks.  I forgot it once, and asked the guy to borrow one.  He gave me a strange look and rattled off the cubic feet measurement from the book.  I said no, not cubic feet, i need the length.  he still didn't get it  *facepalm*

its how ive been able to eliminate several models simply that way.  I'll bring a couple of the extreme items when i am sure on what i will be getting and go in to barter for real.  The outback is neat, in the fact that its so much longer even though it doesn't look like it

[TravelJunkyQC]

I had a 1998 subaru impreza - back when they had a ton of room (WHY are they making them smaller and smaller with bigger engines now?). She had over 275,000 miles before she retired on my sister's farm last year and was then traded for a pick-up truck. Coincedently, my sister still has the old 1997 subaru outback, with approximately the same mileage, and apart from regular upkeep for a car that age, it still works fine. I'm very much a fan of subarus - their mileage, upfront cost, and maintenance are all quite decent for the kind of car you get in my opinion.

[sleepyguy]

Owner/Owned

Mazda 3 hatchback (2005) - Didn't own it for too long, but never had an issue.  Good room and performance was pretty good.  reg gas which is nice on the wallet.  Got it up to 120k km before letting it go for a good deal.

Impreza 2.5ts hatchback (2003) - Currently drive, has about 200k km.  Has a 'stick' issue but that's a common issue.  No major issues, drives fine but is "noisy".  Fairy roomy and great winter driver and daily 'beater' car.  Rear wheel arc rust issues as most of these model generally get, but I don't really care... I'll drive it til it's dead.  Not great on gas, but you get that with awd.  Super fun to drive in open cottage areas with lots of mud :)

Forester (2007 & 2009) Ltd. - Currently drive (09), has about 100k km.  Zero issues, decent on gas for a small SUV and takes reg gas as a plus.  Awd does drink the gas though unlike Fwd.  Great size for a family of 4 (us).  We sold the 07 as we didn't really need the space at the time, got an amazing deal on it.

I don't see us changing our 2 car subaru setup for a LONG time.  Unless I have to commute more to work I'll get a used Honda FIT or something.

[captainawesome]

Love Mazda's. I think they are often overlooked. My wife drives a 14 Mazda6 which gets around 35 mpg and she has a terrible lead foot.  I owned a Mazda3 which we only sold to get her car (had 0 issues) Great on gas, most are fun to drive, look good, come well equipped etc.  They seem to be fairly reliable, both older and newer models.  I think I would love a newer body style mazda 3 hatchback, but in a few years.  Subarus in the past head a head gasket issue and seem to have a cult following.  While I like subarus, I had plenty of friends who stuck with them in the past simply because they were "bulletproof" even if they were replacing head gaskets every 30k miles after 100k. Personally, I don't live in a weather environment that necessitates me to have a subaru, FWD does just fine for us.

[NorCal]

I drove a Miata for about a decade.  The alternator went out once, but it was otherwise issue-free the entire time I owned it.  I currently drive a newish Mazda6.  I had some issues with the electronics, but they were covered under warranty.  I've been very happy driving Mazda's.  I recommend them.

I test-drove the Crosstrek a few years back when it first came out.  It had such horrendous under-steer that I actually felt unsafe.  Maybe they've fixed that by now.

[Jack]

I had a 1998 subaru impreza - back when they had a ton of room (WHY are they making them smaller and smaller with bigger engines now?).

Crash safety. Bigger crumple zones are safer, but reduce interior volume and require more metal. More metal (and more airbags, etc.) in turn requires a bigger engine to push around the increased weight.

That's also why new cars are harder to see out of, with their thick pillars and high window sills.

[Fishindude]

Big fan of the Subaru's here.
Wife, son and daughter all have Outbacks, as well as my brother.

Great mileage, they go good in the snow, easy to park in small spaces, etc. , and still has some hauling room.

A friend had 250,000 miles on his Outback before trading for another.

[TrMama]

I swapped my 2006 Corolla for a 2008 Mazda5 this summer for reasons similar to yours. It had 118,000 km on it when I bought it I now regret the decision. The Mazda5 is a bucket of bolts. I had to replace the clutch last month. It's now throwing a side airbag error. It squeaks and groans  like crazy. The upholstery is worn. The foam in the drivers seat is crushed. The previous owner replaced the struts just before he sold it.

My old Corolla had none of these problems. The clutch was still going strong at 170,000 km, it never threw nuisance errors and the upholstery looked pristine, even after having carseats belted into it during it's entire lifespan.

I'm giving the 5 the benefit of the doubt and assuming it was driven a lot harder than I realized. However, I'll never buy another mazda.

Does it need to be an SUV? Have you considered a minivan?

[jeromedawg]

I swapped my 2006 Corolla for a 2008 Mazda5 this summer for reasons similar to yours. It had 118,000 km on it when I bought it I now regret the decision. The Mazda5 is a bucket of bolts. I had to replace the clutch last month. It's now throwing a side airbag error. It squeaks and groans  like crazy. The upholstery is worn. The foam in the drivers seat is crushed. The previous owner replaced the struts just before he sold it.

My old Corolla had none of these problems. The clutch was still going strong at 170,000 km, it never threw nuisance errors and the upholstery looked pristine, even after having carseats belted into it during it's entire lifespan.

I'm giving the 5 the benefit of the doubt and assuming it was driven a lot harder than I realized. However, I'll never buy another mazda.

Does it need to be an SUV? Have you considered a minivan?

Wow, what an unfortunate experience. I've been considering the Mazda5 for some time now but probably won't jump on anything until my Camry dies. We currently have a Rav4 and it's OK for transporting our newborn. But the Mazda5 seems like it would eventually be a better fit - I like the appeal of it being an even more compact mini-van lol. But your experience scares me... maybe it's a lemon or as you said "driven very hard" ? My brother has a 5 and really loves it. Of course, it's manual speed too... I wonder if there's a big difference in terms of manual vs auto transmission burnout. What year is your 5? I wonder if older is better than newer or vice-versa...

[dess1313]

I swapped my 2006 Corolla for a 2008 Mazda5 this summer for reasons similar to yours. It had 118,000 km on it when I bought it I now regret the decision. The Mazda5 is a bucket of bolts. I had to replace the clutch last month. It's now throwing a side airbag error. It squeaks and groans  like crazy. The upholstery is worn. The foam in the drivers seat is crushed. The previous owner replaced the struts just before he sold it.

My old Corolla had none of these problems. The clutch was still going strong at 170,000 km, it never threw nuisance errors and the upholstery looked pristine, even after having carseats belted into it during it's entire lifespan.

I'm giving the 5 the benefit of the doubt and assuming it was driven a lot harder than I realized. However, I'll never buy another mazda.

Does it need to be an SUV? Have you considered a minivan?

Nope not looking at minivans, they're huge and not so great on gas usually.  its mostly just me and equipment or camping gear.  A van would be overkill

[eostache]

I have a 2001 Outback wagon. I've had it for 8 years. I got it cheap in a private sale, $4600 with 110k on it, because it has a bad paint job (paint cracking under clear coat) and they thought it needed a new cat conv (CEL is on most of the time). It looks fine from the drivers seat, and hasn't really needed a cc yet. I have 150k on it now. I drive <5000 miles/yr. This car also developed an issue with the manual trans, it makes noise in reverse. My good mechanic says it's a loose reverse fork and it hasn't gotten any worse in 5 years. I'm not really planning on getting it fixed unless it gets worse. With this tranny issue and the bad paint the resale is pretty low on this car so I'll just keep driving it myself. It's very reliable otherwise. I plan to keep it maybe another 5 years, hopefully. It has no rust, cars just don't rust here in the desert.

This is my 3rd Subaru. My last one, a 1991 Legacy wagon I bought for $5000 and drove for 8 years, til it was 17 years old, with no problems. I only sold it when I got a deal on the Outback in 2007.

[ShortInSeattle]

I have a Subaru Forester.  I like it.  I feel safe driving it during the winter and it is good for transporting dogs and cats.  My car is now 10 years old and still works fine (I bought it new). The first 7 years or so, I didn't really have much in terms of repairs.  However, over the past 2-3 years, I seem to spend like 2k a year on repairs. Hopefully all the major repairs are done  now and I won't have anything more to do for the next 5 years or so.   I will probably buy another subaru when this car dies.

We had a Forester for 8 years and sold it to go car-free. It was comfortable, reliable, roomy, cheap to maintain, and did well in all weather conditions. It also held it's value pretty well.

My only two complaints were:
- Road noise
- AWD system requires all tires be worn equally (according to dealer & an independent repair shop.) When one tire failed midway through the lifespan we had to buy a whole new set. TWICE.

If we were buying a car I'd get another Subaru.

[jeromedawg]

I swapped my 2006 Corolla for a 2008 Mazda5 this summer for reasons similar to yours. It had 118,000 km on it when I bought it I now regret the decision. The Mazda5 is a bucket of bolts. I had to replace the clutch last month. It's now throwing a side airbag error. It squeaks and groans  like crazy. The upholstery is worn. The foam in the drivers seat is crushed. The previous owner replaced the struts just before he sold it.

My old Corolla had none of these problems. The clutch was still going strong at 170,000 km, it never threw nuisance errors and the upholstery looked pristine, even after having carseats belted into it during it's entire lifespan.

I'm giving the 5 the benefit of the doubt and assuming it was driven a lot harder than I realized. However, I'll never buy another mazda.

Does it need to be an SUV? Have you considered a minivan?

Nope not looking at minivans, they're huge and not so great on gas usually.  its mostly just me and equipment or camping gear.  A van would be overkill

Surprisingly the Mazda5 is pretty nice. I think the big upside is for those who have kids and want the benefits of sliding doors (albeit manual sliding doors) but in probably the smallest form factor out there. It's a minivan in a not-so-minivan sized package lol. It makes our Rav4 feel like somewhat of a bulky mess.

[jeromedawg]

I have a Subaru Forester.  I like it.  I feel safe driving it during the winter and it is good for transporting dogs and cats.  My car is now 10 years old and still works fine (I bought it new). The first 7 years or so, I didn't really have much in terms of repairs.  However, over the past 2-3 years, I seem to spend like 2k a year on repairs. Hopefully all the major repairs are done  now and I won't have anything more to do for the next 5 years or so.   I will probably buy another subaru when this car dies.

We had a Forester for 8 years and sold it to go car-free. It was comfortable, reliable, roomy, cheap to maintain, and did well in all weather conditions. It also held it's value pretty well.

My only two complaints were:
- Road noise
- AWD system requires all tires be worn equally (according to dealer & an independent repair shop.) When one tire failed midway through the lifespan we had to buy a whole new set. TWICE.

If we were buying a car I'd get another Subaru.

Subarus are nice cars. Except, my coworker's recent experience has left me with doubt... he has an Outback (not that old) that started having transmission problems amongst other things. I think his car was at the dealership for at least a month before they were able to get the right parts for it. Between then he was given a loaner and or carpooled with people. I guess he was OK with the experience given the fact that he had a loaner. But I don't think he was too happy about how long it took to get the thing fixed. Sounds like it was a big headache. One of the dealerships in my area stinks too - terrible customer service and I just never got a good vibe from them the times I've visited to look at some cars.

[Turkey Leg]

Zoom-zoom. Love our Mazdas...2008 Mazda3 and 2014 CX-5.

Fun to drive. Nice to look at. Hold up well. The CX-5 is surprisingly good on snow, which is why we bought it.

[daverobev]

One-step-removed comments:

Mazda 3s rust like crazy
Mazda 5s have suspension issues

Sources: friend and SIL.

[Goldielocks]

thanks goldielocks.  Yeah there are some of the bigger SUVs out there, but i was trying to keep to the ones with better mileage which usually means the crossovers.  I was hoping to not have to go that big of a vehicle

I'm trying to consider long term reliability and value for $ spent.  I've been spoiled driving my corolla for years and how reliable it has been.

I was probably getting the forester mixed up with the crosstrek now that i'm looking at everything.  and i agree with you james.  no its not mustachian but i am going into this eyes wide open.

Yeah, we only drive it 10k miles per year, family road trips and hauling so mpg is not as big of a deal...it is so much better than the minivan was for mpg.  Teenagers needed more leg room.  The older highlanders are smaller than the recent versions.