Subaru? Mazda? VW? (rentals, driving record, sedan, brakes)

[NW4me]

Originally Posted by unit731

We never found out what vehicle was the final choice !

Hi, 731.... I won't actually be buying a vehicle until after I move... which is apt to be
a few months away, at least.

[sanspeur]

Forester since 2007...Worst and only breakdown was a burned out headlight bulb....Love the Forester.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by Tominftl

I guess it depends on where you live. I have almost every dealer near me. But no Mazda. Wonder why?

And if people would use the location field by their profile, I wouldn't have to ask my next question: where do you live?

[unit731]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

And if people would use the location field by their profile, I wouldn't have to ask my next question: where do you live?

OP is done for now. Car type/brand will be decided later.

Originally Posted by NW4me

Hi, I won't actually be buying a vehicle until after I move... which is apt to be
a few months away, at least.

[Peregrine]

Yea, I saw that. I was just asking Tom there where does he live that has no Mazda dealers.

[flynavyj]

Midwest guy and big lover of VW/Audi products. I've owned 3 VW's since 2007, an 06' Jetta, 12' Jetta TDi, and 12' Beetle Turbo. All have been pretty solid cars and drivers. The TDi was the fuel miser of the group, netting 50 mpg on many commutes and road trips, while averaging 43 MPG combined city/highway over the 30,000 miles or so I drove the car.

I don't think there's anything wrong w/ the subbie...i'd skip the Mazda, as their craftsmanship has never been anything I LOVED...occasionally their styling is cool, and they make some "fun" looking cars, but when you start driving them, especially if you've driven nicer cars, they sound like tin cans, w/ no soul...despite their "zoom-zoom" earlier years.

Personally, i'd also check for an All-Road audi A4 or A6...and if having a wagon isn't THAT important, throw in any other quattro models of the A4 or A6.

[NW4me]

Originally Posted by unit731

OP is done for now. Car type/brand will be decided later.

More opinions still welcome, though!

[StealthRabbit]

Audi is certainly worth a test drive, sometimes they 'Just Fit'.
I prefer the A3 TDI (no longer available new)

How long would you keep this beast?

[jackmccullough]

I wouldn't narrow it down to those three makes.

You pay a weight and gas mileage penalty with a Subaru, so unless you live where there's a lot of snow it wouldn't be on my list.

Is it too petty to say that I would never want to buy a Mazda because of that juvenile "zoom-zoom" jingle?

For longevity and reliability I would add Toyota to the list.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by jackmccullough

I wouldn't narrow it down to those three makes.

You pay a weight and gas mileage penalty with a Subaru, so unless you live where there's a lot of snow it wouldn't be on my list.

Is it too petty to say that I would never want to buy a Mazda because of that juvenile "zoom-zoom" jingle?

For longevity and reliability I would add Toyota to the list.

Subaru also ranks very high in safety so that is a positive factor for some buyers.