Anyone own a 2013/2014 Subaru Crosstrek or Chevrolet Trax? - Page 2

Coasting · #1 07-23-2014, 03:25 AM

Well in the first post i said i have a truck
That will be sold before i buy anything.
2013 gently used crosstrek, forester or chev Trax is 21,000 - 23,000.
Ive all ready spoken to my financial institution. Ive all ready been pre approved for the amount I need, over 5 years, just have to wait for my truck to sell and decide what vehicle i want to purchase.
I know my budget and i know what payments i want to work with and i know whats possible. Im looking at 250-300 a month with what im asking for which is perfect.

The bmw and audis are nice but wayyy out of my budget even used.

reef-keeper · #2 07-23-2014, 03:28 AM

If you want good fuel economy have you looked at the diesel cars. My buddy in Ontario has a Volkswagen gets on average 1000 km a tank. He drives from Sudbury to North Bay every day for work.

Coasting · #3 07-23-2014, 03:34 AM

Just cant do a car too small.
No Tiguan diesels available here either, not to mention those are a few thousand more.
Yeah havent seen any compact suvs in diesel but trust me it was on my list.
I know a few folks that get 1200km easy on their vw cars.

Coasting · #4 07-23-2014, 03:37 AM

Another big thing is how i sit in the vehicle. I find a lot of cars awkward for me. The forester, crosstrek and trax were very comfortable.
The outlander was a bit weird with how the glass angled for me. I hate my dads pontiac vibe. My moms ford edge feels awkward. Boyfriends cobalt again that typical car feel, uncomfortable to drive. The santa fe felt a bit off but wasnt bad. But i really liked how i sat in those first 3 i mentioned.

reef-keeper · #5 07-23-2014, 03:40 AM

Sorry I should have mentioned his drive is 122 Kms one way.

reef-keeper · #6 07-23-2014, 03:42 AM

My son bought a used Audi A4 and with a very small DP his insurance cost more per month than his car does.

Coasting · #7 07-23-2014, 03:54 AM

Yeah i try and do my insurance per year vs monthly to get it out of the way.
But i totaled my last pickup on black ice so ive got a nice 75% surcharge for at least the next 4 years, thanks icbc.
SO having to get collision as well as the base insurance on the vehicle because its financed will suck....

toytech · #8 07-23-2014, 06:49 PM

Get a Japanese car , better parts , better engineering I work for Toyota and own a Subaru and a Suzuki they are better cars then a gm could ever be . Our used car guy works next to me so I see all the domestic stuff that traded in and you wold be shocked at how much is wrong with a car with only 40k km . audis are great cars but expensive to maintain and repair . Buy used if you can , save the taxes . Why don't you look at like a 2010 4cyl rav 4 , bullet proof cars and it would save you a bundle to buy something a little older .

sphelps · #9 07-23-2014, 07:11 PM

If you think a car is too small just for fun compare interior space. For example the Trax you're considering is smaller inside than a Mazda 3 hatch back which is I would consider a very small car. The 3 has more cargo volume with seats up and down compared to the trax along with more leg and side room in both front and back. The only advantage the trax has is an extra inch or so in head room which realistically means nothing unless you're well over 6 feet tall. This again is typical of so called compact SUVs, they are actually small cars with a little extra ground clearance and headroom. Now I'm not saying buy a mazda 3 but I bet it's cheaper and has better options plus a better sales and track record. By pursuing only these compacts and making assumptions that cars are just too small you're really limiting yourself to small selection of vehicles which only offer clever marketing. Since you're use to a truck most vehicles won't feel natural at first but people have the ability to adjust and adapt. It goes the other way as well, people use to smaller cars may find trucks uncomfortable at first as well.

Also if your truck has value left in it why not buy a car a little older, perhaps eliminate your loan requirement all together. A ford focus can very economical, a 2013 base can be found for around $13K, that's up to $10K less than you expect to pay for a compact of the same year. Again the focus is basically the same size inside as the trax.

Coralgurl · #10 07-23-2014, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

If you think a car is too small just for fun compare interior space. For example the Trax you're considering is smaller inside than a Mazda 3 hatch back which is I would consider a very small car. The 3 has more cargo volume with seats up and down compared to the trax along with more leg and side room in both front and back. The only advantage the trax has is an extra inch or so in head room which realistically means nothing unless you're well over 6 feet tall. This again is typical of so called compact SUVs, they are actually small cars with a little extra ground clearance and headroom. Now I'm not saying buy a mazda 3 but I bet it's cheaper and has better options plus a better sales and track record. By pursuing only these compacts and making assumptions that cars are just too small you're really limiting yourself to small selection of vehicles which only offer clever marketing. Since you're use to a truck most vehicles won't feel natural at first but people have the ability to adjust and adapt. It goes the other way as well, people use to smaller cars may find trucks uncomfortable at first as well.

Also if your truck has value left in it why not buy a car a little older, perhaps eliminate your loan requirement all together. A ford focus can very economical, a 2013 base can be found for around $13K, that's up to $10K less than you expect to pay for a compact of the same year. Again the focus is basically the same size inside as the trax.

Totally agree with this. I had a Mazda 3 4 door, no hatchback, but it had a ton of room. I drive 500 kms a week - cost me $40 - $60 every 2 weeks to fill up (depending on season). I got 8.5L/100 in the city and 6-7 on the highway. Was a standard 5 speed, bought a set of winter tires (full set with steelies for $1,000) and had no problems getting around. I LOVED that car. I don't get SUV's personally. Don't like trucks. My husband drives a mini van and its worse on gas than his truck. I now get 13.3 L/100 city driving (summer), still 500 kms/week and it costs me $75-$100 per week to fill. Talk about blowing cash....

If you are set on an SUV - I'd go for the Rav 4 as well. Old boss had one and loved it - you can't go wrong with a Toyota.