Help me choose a new car?
Posted by IcyRiver7569@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 7 comments
I'm looking for a new vehicle, and I'm interested in a smaller SUV - Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV are the ones I'm debating between. I won't be living in it full time, but I will be going on a LOT of long solo road trips (cross country multiple times) and I want to be able to sleep in it comfortably. I'd love to hear first hand experiences from those of you who own any of the above vehicles, especially if you have a newer one (I'm hoping to buy something certified pre-owned) How's your experience with it in terms of overall cost, maintenance, comfort, reliability, general ease of ownership, etc? Years to look for or avoid? What do you love and what don't you love? I've had a 2009 Corolla for 14 years, and she has been so good to me that part of me wants to just buy another one so I can stop overthinking, ha! Any advice or input is welcome, thank you!
NoPersimmon7434@reddit
Why do you want a small SUV? I couldn't imagine sleeping in my CX-5, but my Grand Cherokee L is plenty comfortable.
IcyRiver7569@reddit (OP)
I can see that! I personally just prefer a smaller car. Smaller footprint, easy to park, etc. Even a CX-5 seems big to me after driving a Cavalier and then a Corolla for my whole life (I keep cars forever, so I've only owned two in 22 years of driving) If I were going to be sleeping/living in it full time I'd look for something bigger, but in this case I want something that I can be comfortable in on long road trips/camping trips, and still have something small enough to be an easy daily driver. I'm also not a very big person, so that helps, ha! How do you like owning your Jeep? My brother has one, and it seems like it's a billion dollars to fix anything.
NoPersimmon7434@reddit
I love it. I've owned a 2014 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, a 2015 Grand Cherokee Summit, and a 2024 Grand Cherokee L Overland. The Wrangler has the 3.6L Pentastar, and both of my Grand Cherokees were optioned with the 5.7 Hemi.
My Wrangler has never had any issues. It got a 4-inch lift and 37" tires during the first week of ownership, and it's had 0 issues.
My 2015 GC was okay in terms of reliability. I had issues with the head unit, but it started shortly after I drove it through a flood, so I doubt that was a reliability failure. In hot weather, the infotainment system and everything controlled by it would not turn on for a minute or two. My car had the air suspension, which was tempermental. If it was cold enough, sometimes the air suspension wouldn't function. This was a common fault, but not a big deal. The car also loved to eat through thermostats. Cheap and easy fix, but it happened maybe twice a year.
My 2024 GC L has 0 issues so far, but I've only had it for just over a year. I will note that the air suspension on the current generation is much better.
I would get a car with front seats that recline flat, at minimum. A mid-size SUV would be better. I slept in my 2015 GC a couple of times. I'd fold the rear seats down, and the floor would be nearly flat. When I drop the 2nd and 3rd rows in the Grand Cherokee L, the floor gets totally flat, and has enough of space for a party. Honestly, even the 3-row Grand Cherokee L is very easy to drive and park. I take it into NYC all the time, and it seriously is plenty maneurable. It's also short enough that it will very comfortably fit inside any parking garage.
You may also want to consider a minivan strickly for the sake of a flat floor. Or a truck.
IxuntouchblexI@reddit
Depending on how pre owned but depending on pricing in your area and budget..
Mazda warranty is unlimited mileage power train for 5 years.
IcyRiver7569@reddit (OP)
That's good to know! For certified pre-owned ones, it's 7 years/100, 000 miles. I think that's pretty standard for CPO vehicles?
IxuntouchblexI@reddit
No idea, I'm up in Canada. Been with mazda as a dealer tech for about 6-7 years. Good vehicles. Do your maintenance and it's 100% a vehicle you don't gotta worry about.
IcyRiver7569@reddit (OP)
That's great to know, thank you! I'm good about doing regular maintenance. I like that Mazda uses a regular transmission rather than a CVT.