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View Poll Results: Which car for AKMUNKIE
Honda CRV 1 5.00%
Subaru Crosstrek 9 45.00%
Subaru Forester 7 35.00%
Subaru Impreza 1 5.00%
Mazda CX-5 2 10.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 11-13-2012, 03:17 PM   #1
AKMUNKIE
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Subaru Stars Pick AKMUNKIE's new car

So I now Kiwi is doing this also and he is getting some good feedback from everyone. So I thought I would do it so I am able to get your feedback also. Everyone on here seems extremely knowledgeable and respectable. So I would really appreciate it any feedback from you.

My family situation is that I have a fiance and will be getting married soon. I have a 16 month old son that I will be having part time also. This would be a personal vehicle and not used for work at all. My fiance and I have an active outdoor lifestyle that includes fishing, camping, snowboarding, down hill skiing, and cross country skiing. Budget is something I haven't decided on. With the possibility of buying a brand new vehicle I want to make sure it is exactly what I want, as I will be holding onto it for awhile.

My vehicle history doesn't say much. I have never bought a brand new car. Used to have a 1992 legacy for a little while and before that I had a 1995 Geo Prizm. Prior to the prizm I had a 2001 Chevy 1500. I have always wanted a new vehicle but never purchased one. I have sold off a lot of things and now may be able to get one.

The Subaru is a car I am extremely enthusiastic about. It has about everything I need and want in a vehicle. I put the other ones in the mix as they are a comparable vehicle. My sister has a CR-V and has been impressed with it. But then again she knows nothing about cars. And the Mazda I have in the mix as my best friend owns a Mazda and swears by it.

Expectations of the vehicle are to get good gas mileage as I live in Eagle River and all things I do are mostly in Anchorage. Need cargo room for camping and grocery shopping or for hauling around items needed in the remodel of homes. So looking for some utility in it, but also want some sport to it. Don't want a wimpy vehicle with no get up and go.

Hope that helps in this!

Thank you!!
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Last edited by AKMUNKIE; 11-13-2012 at 04:04 PM. Reason: Chano'd
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Old 11-13-2012, 03:32 PM   #2
chanomatik
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We can't help you unless you tell us more about what you need, your lifestyle, family situation, etc. Also budget. Kiwi had all that, plus explained that his company paid for gas sometimes, while he paid other times. We need expectation of usage. Also, we don't really know your vehicle history. You could start by explaining WHY those vehicles listed are even options.
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Old 11-13-2012, 04:13 PM   #3
edo2000
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Of those choices, I would go with the new generation Impreza or Crosstrek. Both are fairly new technology, winter-capable and economical (and we all know about Subaru reliablility). The Crosstrek would have more space for kids and snowboards.

Congrats on your upcoming nuptials .
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Old 11-13-2012, 04:16 PM   #4
AKMUNKIE
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Thanks Edo! Looking forward to it for sure! Date is in June of next year to be held in Montana
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Old 11-13-2012, 04:37 PM   #5
chanomatik
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Thanks for that update!

I will tell you that for some (including myself) the Crosstrek does not have enough of the expected "get up and go". However, with the Crosstrek and Impreza, they're really meant to be driven a bit aggressively and with awareness. Revving them high will yield the BEST results. Expecting any oomph from down-low will result in disappointment. Utility-wise, they're on point. I think spacing is EXCELLENT, too.

If I were into the outdoors more and had a family and if I weren't considering the Outback I would definitely consider the new Forester. It has tons of utility. Gas mileage should be exceptional. Power delivery should be balanced. It's coming with a 6-speed manual. Foresters generally have an early release date, so I'd expect them to show up no later than 2nd Quarter 2013.

The Yen conversion of the the new Forester XT with CVT was just announced to be about $33k. We assume it'll be much less for the actual USDM model. If I were in your situation, I'd go for the 2014 Forester XT for all-out utility while still keeping the feel sporty. The Outback is nice, but it definitely doesn't feel sporty. The Impreza does most definitely feel sporty, but the Crosstrek and Forester are much better suited for Alaska. All you need is one experience with a crappy parking lot or driveway and you'll be glad you got some more lift out of your vehicle. If you camp then then Crosstrek would be nice since it can actually tow and get hit underneath.

If you're venturing outside of the city often, I wouldn't go for the Impreza.

The Forester moonroof is simply to die for!

The Mazda and Honda vehicles are actually quite nice, but now that Subaru's gas mileage is becoming much more competitive, I'd go for full-time AWD any day over part-time, lop-sided 4WD.
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Old 11-13-2012, 04:42 PM   #6
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I voted the CRV. Been pretty impressed with the Honda Pilot. The CX-5 has crazy mpg so that would be my next choice after a through test drive.
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Old 11-13-2012, 04:45 PM   #7
granny
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If a Forester XT was a choice I would have picked it but out of those I voted Crosstrek.
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Old 11-13-2012, 05:04 PM   #8
AKMUNKIE
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Yeah, I had been looking at the XT also. Sticker price on that was like 34K which I am not sure about but still in consideration. Continental had one that I saw when I was there last.
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Old 11-13-2012, 05:16 PM   #9
AK SloPok
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It's not on the list but I doubt you could make a better choice than the Outback 3.6r
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Old 11-13-2012, 05:43 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AK SloPok View Post
It's not on the list but I doubt you could make a better choice than the Outback 3.6r
+1. I'd go 3.6R if I was going Outback.
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Old 11-13-2012, 06:00 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chanomatik

The Mazda and Honda vehicles are actually quite nice, but now that Subaru's gas mileage is becoming much more competitive, I'd go for full-time AWD any day over part-time, lop-sided 4WD.
After spending sometime with the pilot in winter conditions, I'd have to say the Pilot does better than the Tribeca. The Tribeca had wierd traction control quirks, that other drivers also complained about in various models. The Honda Pilot has had no issues.
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Old 11-13-2012, 06:05 PM   #12
chanomatik
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Yeah, I never considered the Tribeca. The Outback seems to be tried and true, and if he's just going for 5-seats max, the Tribeca just reads fail.

I do like your Honda Pilot and I really like my friend's Honda CR-V. I also like the Toyota RAV-4. However, excluding Tribeca quirks, it's tough to pry away from full-time AWD for most people.

Pilot/Tribeca/Outback sizes might be overkill for him. Forester might just be the biggest I'd recommend for retaining that sporty feel while driving.
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Old 11-13-2012, 07:24 PM   #13
AKHawkeye
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I voted for Forester.

Why? Because I would keep my eyes out for a newer gen XT, they pop up once in awhile, and they're cheaper than buying one new. As a plus, most times (if not all) they're owned by little old ladies that have no idea what they're capable of. And since they're automatic only, there's no huge demand for them. You get to keep the sportiness, and also get to avoid buying new.

If you don't want an XT, then I also notice that CL is full of late gen models (base, and premium) from people who buy them, then decide to leave the state.

Just my .02.
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Old 11-14-2012, 10:38 PM   #14
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Subaru Forester. I've had 2. Wife wanted another CUV so we looked at/drove all the options (which all are listed for the exception of Rav4 and Crosstreck)and we still loved the Forester. I can't say much about the crosstreck but I would and will check that out when I get back.
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Old 11-14-2012, 11:52 PM   #15
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Forester FTW.

What else on that list could carry tons of stuff. I have stuffed a full-size washer in mine and closed the lift gate. I bet you couldn't do that in any of the others.
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Old 11-15-2012, 01:04 AM   #16
AKMUNKIE
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Well I went and test drove the Impreza... Was not impressed with the room in it so that will knock out the Impreza and also the Crosstrek. I sat in the forester and also the outback and will be replacing the Impreza and Crosstrek with the Outback. Liked the Forester a lot, but only test drove the Impreza. Thanks for all the input!! Also looked at the Legacy Sedan and really liked that!!
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Old 11-15-2012, 02:18 AM   #17
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If you want a Forester, and you're buying brand new, you'd be best advised to wait for the 2014s hit the floor.
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Old 11-17-2012, 03:28 PM   #18
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mitshubishi airtek turbo r
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Old 11-17-2012, 06:43 PM   #19
AKMUNKIE
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Can you even get one of those in the US?! It does look pretty sweet... And comparable to the forester in many ways.
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Old 11-19-2012, 05:01 PM   #20
AKMUNKIE
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It's funny now because after going and looking at the different vehicles I have on the list and also doing some research on the top picks.. I like the Outback the most and that isn't even on the list. But I believe the 2.5 will be the one for me since it gets much better gas mileage the 3.6 and also costs roughly 3-4K less... I have not test drove the 3.6 so I might do that sometime this week. Between the Outbacks now, the 2012 or 2013? I know they made a few changes to the 2013 that include slightly stiffer suspension, 2.5 changeup on the motor, timing chain instead of belt, and a little different body style... Thoughts?
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