Hi, has anyone compared these head to head? I like the idea that the Forester has an available manual transmission. The Mazda looks reliable and very fun to drive. The frontend/grille looks kinda stupid.

We’re in very rural northern Vermont with quite a few dirt roads, usually but not always pretty well maintained.

Car dealerships aren’t close by. The Subaru dealer is just under an hour drive, the Mazda/Volkswagen dealership just over an hour and a half each way. Locally we have Ford, GMC/Chevy, and Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge.

I’d probably buy new this time although I’ve had good luck buying ‘certified’ used cars off of leases, most recently a 2015 Audi A3 off of a 36-month lease cancelled after 24 I think? so pretty close to new - with manufacturer + dealer warranties; someone else having eaten the depreciation; low mileage, and full confidence that scheduled maintenance has been adhered to, prior to my taking ownership. Comfort and tech, of course reliability, and ease of third-party servicing and parts are all considerations for me.

Reasoned opinions very welcome; TIA for any thoughts at all. Buying is hard.

  • Blaster M@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    3 months ago

    If that is the case, it would be a problem on the old EJ25 engines… the F series engines have equal length headers.

      • misterred@feddit.onlineOPEnglish
        1·
        3 months ago

        The details about CVT length headers are beyond my scope of concern but I do appreciate everything you’ve said, thanks very much.

        • artyom@piefed.socialEnglish
          1·
          3 months ago

          The CVT is the transmission. All you need to know is that they’re basically disposable. That I can say with certainty. This applies to the Subaru and Honda. Although I’m sure you can get the Subaru with a manual trans. The Mazda uses a standard hydraulic trans.

          • misterred@feddit.onlineOPEnglish
            1·
            3 months ago

            I realize we’re talking about transmissions, and one of the reasons I’ve tilted toward the Mazda is that it does have an available manual. The Subaru model(s) I considered do(es) not. I just don’t know enough about CVT technology to compare vehicles based on their length headers, but it’s all good!

            • artyom@piefed.socialEnglish
              1·
              3 months ago

              The headers are exhaust equipment and not at all related to the transmission. Sorry if I’m misunderstanding.