I had made a few threads on this board as I researched my potential next car purchase. My Escape had 170k miles on it and ran as good or better than new with good tires, no other maintenance needed until 200k but the AC was weak so I was planning on picking a vehicle now and then watching for a good deal and hopefully buy something next summer. I was going to buy used and save some $$.
My requirements were no DI, no CVT and hoped to find good MPGs and maybe AWD if the opportunity presented itself. Of course the late model Foresters immediately popped up on my list but they had the CVT. So I ruled it out. I looked at Elantras, Cherokees, Escapes, Rav4, CRV, Camrys, Chrysler 200, Fiesta, etc. I initially thought I wanted a commuter car with great MPGs. I really liked the Fiesta and Elantra but my wife talked me out of it.
A few months ago I think I had dialed in on a Cherokee with the 2.4L and AWD. It was nice and drive great with decent MPGs. Then at the end of the test drive I popped the lift gate and the cargo area was just a no go for me. No way would golf clubs fit unless a seat was laid down and I have 3 kids. I always have 2 car seats in the back. Just not going to work.
Then a few weeks ago the t-stat went on my escape. The heater core plugged and needed flushed out. Then a random compressor casing crack dumped compressor oil in a big puddle on my garage floor. On top of that, the windshield randomly cracked and I don't know where or why it started. I always got chips sealed so they wouldn't spread and there was no sign of a chip along the crack. My brother laughed and said "the escape really wants you to find it a new home."
Five days later I went to the Subaru dealership I had emailed a few times with over the summer to give them a chance to sell me. I came home with the last brand new 2018 Forester they had on the lot.
I really wanted to wait and go used but waiting was becoming less of an option. I compared the 2017 and 2018 Foresters and the updates for the 2018 (especially colored gauge clusters) made me rule out a 2017. Waiting for a used 2018 to get to the price range I wanted might take a couple years. If i was going to buy used 2018 any time soon, they were hardly any cheaper than the new 2018 that was left. Then on top of that, the used car rates are high enough that getting 0% interest loan on a new was actually worth something significant. It really didn't make much sense for me to go used anymore at this point and finding a new 2018 was clearly going to be difficult. I pulled the trigger.
I really like the Fozzie. It is a dark gray metallic 2.5I premium with cold weather package, sunroof and eyesight. I would never have paid for a sunroof or eyesight if I had my choice but I didn't. I gotta say, though, that I really do like the adaptive cruise control that comes with the eyesight. I absolutely love driving this thing. I'm constantly looking for reasons to get out of the house and drive, even if just to the grocery store. So far I'm averaging right at 32 MPGs in winter with winter gas. I can't wait to see what summer brings.
Now I just hope I didn't get an oil burner and all my joy disappears!
My requirements were no DI, no CVT and hoped to find good MPGs and maybe AWD if the opportunity presented itself. Of course the late model Foresters immediately popped up on my list but they had the CVT. So I ruled it out. I looked at Elantras, Cherokees, Escapes, Rav4, CRV, Camrys, Chrysler 200, Fiesta, etc. I initially thought I wanted a commuter car with great MPGs. I really liked the Fiesta and Elantra but my wife talked me out of it.
A few months ago I think I had dialed in on a Cherokee with the 2.4L and AWD. It was nice and drive great with decent MPGs. Then at the end of the test drive I popped the lift gate and the cargo area was just a no go for me. No way would golf clubs fit unless a seat was laid down and I have 3 kids. I always have 2 car seats in the back. Just not going to work.
Then a few weeks ago the t-stat went on my escape. The heater core plugged and needed flushed out. Then a random compressor casing crack dumped compressor oil in a big puddle on my garage floor. On top of that, the windshield randomly cracked and I don't know where or why it started. I always got chips sealed so they wouldn't spread and there was no sign of a chip along the crack. My brother laughed and said "the escape really wants you to find it a new home."
Five days later I went to the Subaru dealership I had emailed a few times with over the summer to give them a chance to sell me. I came home with the last brand new 2018 Forester they had on the lot.
I really wanted to wait and go used but waiting was becoming less of an option. I compared the 2017 and 2018 Foresters and the updates for the 2018 (especially colored gauge clusters) made me rule out a 2017. Waiting for a used 2018 to get to the price range I wanted might take a couple years. If i was going to buy used 2018 any time soon, they were hardly any cheaper than the new 2018 that was left. Then on top of that, the used car rates are high enough that getting 0% interest loan on a new was actually worth something significant. It really didn't make much sense for me to go used anymore at this point and finding a new 2018 was clearly going to be difficult. I pulled the trigger.
I really like the Fozzie. It is a dark gray metallic 2.5I premium with cold weather package, sunroof and eyesight. I would never have paid for a sunroof or eyesight if I had my choice but I didn't. I gotta say, though, that I really do like the adaptive cruise control that comes with the eyesight. I absolutely love driving this thing. I'm constantly looking for reasons to get out of the house and drive, even if just to the grocery store. So far I'm averaging right at 32 MPGs in winter with winter gas. I can't wait to see what summer brings.
Now I just hope I didn't get an oil burner and all my joy disappears!