I am one to say, the vast majority of the time, never say never. As far back through the decades as I can remember, I never thought that I would ever buy a brand-new vehicle. I am a blue-collar guy and try to be thrifty with my finances. I just could not ever stomach the depreciation.
My how times have changed.
We bought our 2012 Ford Fusion SE 2.5L in the summer of 2015. 2.5 years old with 24k miles. Paid $15k. You can pay close to that same money today, seven and a half years later for a 2012 Fusion. Crazy times indeed.
So, we are considering selling the Fusion (with 172k miles) to our 18-year-old daughter and buying a brand-new vehicle, given the fact that a new vehicle is about the same price as a three-year-old vehicle with 30k miles on it.
My random thoughts, in no particular order. Please correct any errors in any of my statements. Please share your thoughtful comments.
I plan to own it “forever”.
Our Fusion has been an excellent vehicle. I have known and owned Fords my entire life. My grandparents owned Fords, as did my parents and in-laws. However, I am transitioning away, given quality issues.
My wife would like a small SUV.
I am considering a Corolla Cross (CC) or RAV4, an HR-V, or a Crosstrek.
We are both leaning towards the Subaru. It seems to be a great value for what you get. We would both like to have a manual trans while a person can still get one.
I am torn though and sway towards a Toyota, as they have both direct injection (DI) and port fuel injection (PFI). (Is that true of both the CC and RAV)?
Can a person buy a new vehicle that is strictly PFI? What were some of the last vehicles made that had it? Are Ford and Toyota the only two that have the dual DI and PFI?
I am not considering Kicks or Rouge due to concerns about their CVT.
The CC has a CVT, and the RAV has an 8-speed auto. Does one of those stand out over the other? Why?
I am a little scared of the HRV due to rumblings of Honda quality concerns, and fuel dilution.
Do all of these vehicles with automatic or CVT transmissions have start-stop? Can it be "turned off" on each vehicle? (Another reason to consider the Crosstrek with a manual trans; no start-stop).
Really, my only concern about the Subaru (otherwise I would just pick it) is that it is only DI. If a person uses quality syn oil with 5k OCI, installs a catch can, and runs premium fuel; can you run a DI motor without your intake valves getting carboned up? Or just plan to buy your own walnut shell blasting machine and clean your valves every 30k miles when you change the air filter?
I may think of more thoughts and add later.
Thank you!
~
Edit: I would also consider a Mazda CX-30 or CX-5.
My how times have changed.
We bought our 2012 Ford Fusion SE 2.5L in the summer of 2015. 2.5 years old with 24k miles. Paid $15k. You can pay close to that same money today, seven and a half years later for a 2012 Fusion. Crazy times indeed.
So, we are considering selling the Fusion (with 172k miles) to our 18-year-old daughter and buying a brand-new vehicle, given the fact that a new vehicle is about the same price as a three-year-old vehicle with 30k miles on it.
My random thoughts, in no particular order. Please correct any errors in any of my statements. Please share your thoughtful comments.
I plan to own it “forever”.
Our Fusion has been an excellent vehicle. I have known and owned Fords my entire life. My grandparents owned Fords, as did my parents and in-laws. However, I am transitioning away, given quality issues.
My wife would like a small SUV.
I am considering a Corolla Cross (CC) or RAV4, an HR-V, or a Crosstrek.
We are both leaning towards the Subaru. It seems to be a great value for what you get. We would both like to have a manual trans while a person can still get one.
I am torn though and sway towards a Toyota, as they have both direct injection (DI) and port fuel injection (PFI). (Is that true of both the CC and RAV)?
Can a person buy a new vehicle that is strictly PFI? What were some of the last vehicles made that had it? Are Ford and Toyota the only two that have the dual DI and PFI?
I am not considering Kicks or Rouge due to concerns about their CVT.
The CC has a CVT, and the RAV has an 8-speed auto. Does one of those stand out over the other? Why?
I am a little scared of the HRV due to rumblings of Honda quality concerns, and fuel dilution.
Do all of these vehicles with automatic or CVT transmissions have start-stop? Can it be "turned off" on each vehicle? (Another reason to consider the Crosstrek with a manual trans; no start-stop).
Really, my only concern about the Subaru (otherwise I would just pick it) is that it is only DI. If a person uses quality syn oil with 5k OCI, installs a catch can, and runs premium fuel; can you run a DI motor without your intake valves getting carboned up? Or just plan to buy your own walnut shell blasting machine and clean your valves every 30k miles when you change the air filter?
I may think of more thoughts and add later.
Thank you!
~
Edit: I would also consider a Mazda CX-30 or CX-5.
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