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Need 2 new cars - please help

16 messages,  Last post on Oct 13, 2009 at 12:12 PM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Honda Fit, Subaru, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, Hatchback, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 2

#7 of 16 Re: Need 2 new cars - please help by overhear

Sep 25, 2009 (9:52 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 25, 2009 9:43 am)
I must say, I won't miss my Saturn SL1's steering radius. There is just nothing subtle about executing a 3-point u-turn in heavy traffic.

#8 of 16 Re: Need 2 new cars - please help [overhear] by ateixeira

Sep 25, 2009 (10:23 am)

Replying to: overhear (Sep 25, 2009 9:52 am)
Funny thing is our 1998 Forester was not good. Our 2009's is much tighter despite a longer wheelbase, so that was a nice surprise.
 
Thing is, you use that all the time, parking, U-turns, etc.

#9 of 16 Honda Fit by grahampeters

Sep 26, 2009 (2:02 am)

G'day
 
I think the Fit is a great idea. They are fun to drive and are like Doctor Who's Tardis - carry an extraordinary amount of stuff and seat folding is very clever.
 
If you are at the soccer mum stage, it might be worth having a look at one or two of the smaller SUV which have seen seats.Whilst some of them are bulky, they are frequently shorter, although wider and higher than station wagons. That makes manoevering them easier. The Forester is a little unusual in that it actually looks bulkier than it is. A very nice drive and quite appealing
 
Cheers
 
Graham

#10 of 16 Jetta vs. Forester? by overhear

Sep 28, 2009 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: overhear (Sep 25, 2009 9:52 am)
Well, I took the Forester out for another spin and I really did like the way it drove.
 
Now I'm getting prices. So far I've just heard from one dealer -- $21,700 for the base model in automatic and $24,322 for the premium. Ideally I'd also like the all-weather package.
 
One last thought: Does anyone have thoughts on how the VW Jetta compares to the Forester? Apart from still not caring for the Forester's looks, I'm a little concerned about its reliability rating in Consumer Reports (just "good").
 
Thanks again for any thoughts...

#11 of 16 Re: Jetta vs. Forester? [overhear] by backy

Sep 28, 2009 (12:47 pm)

Replying to: overhear (Sep 28, 2009 12:02 pm)
Jetta SportWagen: Very good handling, but a small wagon vs. SUV and FWD vs. AWD. Much different kind of vehicle than the Forester.

#12 of 16 Re: Jetta vs. Forester? [backy] by xwesx

Sep 28, 2009 (1:46 pm)

Replying to: backy (Sep 28, 2009 12:47 pm)
I am surprised to hear that you shied away from the Forester due to size! I suppose it is a matter of perspective, but I find my new Forester to be quite compact. The seating position can be upright and "commanding," depending on how it is adjusted, but very comfortable. My other car is a Fort Escort, which sits very low to the ground and feels small, but its overall size really isn't all that much smaller than the Subaru. In terms of space, the Forester packs quite a punch. A friend of mine who has an '08 Impreza rode in my Forester for the first time today. He immediately commented on how roomy it felt. Parked next to each other, there is very little difference width/length between the two models.
 
As Bob stated, though, if you are not looking for a manual and fuel economy is high on the list, the Outback's CVT is a very efficient bugger.

#13 of 16 Re: Jetta vs. Forester? [overhear] by ateixeira

Sep 29, 2009 (10:27 am)

Replying to: overhear (Sep 28, 2009 12:02 pm)
Funny thing is they're about the same length!
 
I'd consider a Jetta TDI Sportwagen, sure, the diesel variety.
 
Thing is, I've known a lot of VW owners, and they fall in to 2 camps:
 
* rabid VW fans that will never buy another non-European car
 
and
 
* VW lemon owners that will never own another, even if it were free
 
Pretty scary (to me) all-or-nothing experience.
 
A friend just traded a Passat for a Honda Ody because it was rarely running. She put more miles on her loaner Ford Five Hundred (comfy, huge car) than she did on the Passat she owned.

#14 of 16 Finally took the plunge by overhear

Oct 12, 2009 (11:38 am)

We finally bought a Subaru Forester. I held my ground and insisted on the premium model (which has a sunroof) against gentle but unmovable resistance from my husband.
  
I thought the pricing situation might interest others. The deal was just about as good as I could get altho I'm not sure it's a bargain. I called every dealer in Westchester Co (NY) where we live and couldn't get anyone to sell the car below $25,700, which is $300 under the sticker price of $26,000. Apparently Subaru had banner sales in September and inventories are very low in the northeast. (I thought I'd found the car in NJ for $24,100, but it was missing the all-weather package and turned out to be a manual.)
 
Finally, after checking the inventory of every dealer in NY state I found one within reasonable distance that had the right color, all-weather package, and 2 additional options (cargo tray and mirror compass) in a demo car with 1,400 miles on it. We negotiated a price of $24,256.
 
That was all great, altho when the car came home last Friday we did hit a minor snag: My husband had not noticed that the cargo tray was missing. I emailed the dealer immediately (Friday) and heard back today (Monday) that (contrary to my original conversation with the dealer and to the online inventory page which is still on the web) that the tray is "not included with this model."
 
Hopefully we'll resolve this last bit peacefully, and without a 2nd drive upstate.
 
Thanks to everyone for assistance with the decision!

#15 of 16 Re: Finally took the plunge [overhear] by xwesx

Oct 12, 2009 (11:51 am)

Replying to: overhear (Oct 12, 2009 11:38 am)
I held my ground and insisted on the premium model (which has a sunroof) against gentle but constant resistance from my husband.
 
Good choice!
 
While it was not one of the factors in my choosing the Premium, I cannot say enough good things about it. I am flat-out sold on that huge moonroof! I hope you really enjoy your Forester.

#16 of 16 Re: Finally took the plunge [overhear] by ateixeira

Oct 13, 2009 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: overhear (Oct 12, 2009 11:38 am)
Congrats.
 
I read about the missing tray in another thread, but didn't realize it was you who made that purchase.
 
It's under $50 but I think they owe it to you. Print out the list of equipment from the web site, call the dealer back, and remind them that you have yet to fill out the satisfaction survey.
 
If they don't agree, call 800-SUBARU3 and explain what happened. Be nice, I bet they take care of it. I can't believe a dealer would soil a relationship with a customer over such a minor item (their mistake, too).
 
The price sounds good. Supply is indeed very tight right now and 1800 miles is nothing, it's just barely broken in.
 
Enjoy it!

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