I just went through car search and buying, helping my elderly parents buy a new SUV, as my dad recently totaled his 4Runner (he's recovering from what small injuries he had). I've also been considering a new(er) car, as my 2012 Mazda 3 is getting up there, and the clutch is starting to show signs of needing replacement.
I'll try to be brief, but a few general quick takes for anyone looking:
- The dealers with questionable/sketchy sales tactics have gotten even more brazen. So really take note of the few good ones.
- Regarding the sketchy dealer tricks, my mom really wanted a late model CRV EX-L with less than 13K miles. I was concerned about the 1.5L turbo and CVT, especially as they take a lot of short trips in a cold climate. And the salesperson kept doing odd things. For one, he couldn't get the story about the trade straight, especially when it didn't gel with the history. And he kept asking my mom sign "acknowledgments," that she approved the credit check, that he had told her how it would be used, that he said something. Then one of the casual "acknowledgments" to sign he told her the terms was actually the purchase agreement, to which he had added a $995 "Diamond Ceramic Coating Package." After that and a few other things my mom listened to my objections, we left, and she decided not to buy the vehicle. (Good thing, as my dad tried to drive a CRV later and had a lot of difficulty).
- As for the CR-V itself, I was unimpressed. Even the EX-L trim had a lot of road noise, the steering felt vague, and it was just dull to drive.
- At one time I was a good candidate to be a lifelong Honda buyer/driver, having owned two (and putting 240K miles on one), but between the CRV, a couple other Hondas I test drove recently, and then the dealer experience (other Honda dealers in my are are pretty bad, too) I doubt I'll own one again.
- We wound up finding a Toyota Rav4 in excellent shape that had been traded in at a small Jeep/Chrysler dealer, as the previous owner 'had always wanted a Jeep,' according to them. They were pleasant and straight-forward to deal with. And especially made sure my elderly mother clearly understood everything they were asking and having her sign, a nice contrast.
- If you trade/sell a vehicle and had your phone integrated with the system, have the car forget your phone. Between the Carfax and what was left in the SUV my parents' bought, I learned a considerable amount about the previous owner (before deleting and removing the info).
Anyway, for a general vehicle recommendation, I have been very happy with my Mazda 3 and would likely consider a CX-5 if I wanted an SUV. But I wouldn't get a 2026 CX5 with its lack of buttons (I feel like Mazda went with malicious compliance on the touch screen). As for the current Mazda 3s, I test drove a hatch and didn't like it as much, mostly from the lack of visibility.
I've never owned a Subaru but am tempted. As I like mountain biking and am a mamber of IMBA (for over 6 months), I can access the VIP program, which is tempting. But I don't like the screen in the new Subarus, either.
