| jswift2000 |
We have owned our mdx for 3.5 years and it has been one he!! of a car - truly love it. However, with gas prices going up and more fuel efficient cars our there, we are very close on deciding to to sell our MDX :(. We are looking at the new CRV and a 2007 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited.
I posted a lot when I first joined and have criused the forum since. This is a great place and I will continue to visit. If we do sell, I will let everyone know what we do. The CRV decision is based on one thing and one thing only - the cargo room. We have two labs and we need the room :)
Thanks to everyone who've posted - the community here is something that I havent seen on other forums.
Ciao... |
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| wmquan |
| Good luck. What about the new RAV4? It has very good cargo room. If the CR-V's cargo room is similar to the RDX's, then the RAV4 will have significantly more. |
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| eurohazard |
I just rented a Subaru 2.5 wagon on a recent trip to New Jersey. If I had to chose between a CR-V and a Subaru, I would chose the CR-V in a heartbeat.
The Subaru felt very sluggish from a stop, and very weak high up in the RPMs. Mid range felt good, but it was still awfully slow. I also had a very hard time getting my feet in a good comfortable position (both as a driver and passenger). The floorboards are very small, and angled oddly. The inside felt cramped, and reminded me of my old 1996 Civic.
But on the plus side, it rode well, handled sharply, and broke well. |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by eurohazard
... The Subaru felt very sluggish from a stop, and very weak high up in the RPMs. Mid range felt good, but it was still awfully slow. I also had a very hard time getting my feet in a good comfortable position (both as a driver and passenger). The floorboards are very small, and angled oddly. The inside felt cramped, and reminded me of my old 1996 Civic....
The Subaru's base engine is fairly powerful but the vehicle is too heavy for it, and the transmission isn't great. That makes it quite pokey and more for the "value" market.
That's one reason I opted for the XT (which makes it a hoot to drive). Kills fuel economy, though.
There's really no comparison in interior space, as the Subaru is really a compact that is barely a mid-sized wagon. Whereas the RAV4 is more roomy, and the CR-V should be as well. |
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| alphaforcex |
quote:
Originally posted by jswift2000
We have owned our mdx for 3.5 years and it has been one he!! of a car - truly love it. However, with gas prices going up and more fuel efficient cars our there, we are very close on deciding to to sell our MDX :(. We are looking at the new CRV and a 2007 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited.
I'm not exactly sure how much you are going to save on fuel going from MDX to CRV. Assuming you are driving 15000 miles a year, $3/G, 15 MPG on the MDX and 23 MPG on the CRV, we are talking about a $1000 difference ($3000 a year on MDX vs $2000 on the CRV). I'm not sure if it really worths it especially you are starting the depreciation cycle again on your CRV... |
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| EXCALIBUR |
quote:
Originally posted by alphaforcex
I'm not exactly sure how much you are going to save on fuel going from MDX to CRV. Assuming you are driving 15000 miles a year, $3/G, 15 MPG on the MDX and 23 MPG on the CRV, we are talking about a $1000 difference ($3000 a year on MDX vs $2000 on the CRV). I'm not sure if it really worths it especially you are starting the depreciation cycle again on your CRV...
Good point. Also, in going from an MDX to a CRV, there will be less passenger room, hauling capacity, etc. I don't think the "price" is worth the "cost." Anyway, jswift2000, good luck with whatever you decide.:29: |
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| maddawg995 |
Prior to getting the X, I had an '02 CRV and the gas consumption isn't really that big of a differenc. Well for me at least. In the CRV, I was getting about 18/25 and in the X about 14/21. That's with a minimal load. When cargo and passengers are taken into account, both vehicles are almost the same.
Since you're considering the '07 CRV, this is a moot point but Honda's keeping a 4 banger which should yield roughly the same results. |
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| jswift2000 |
Trust me.. these conversations have been taking a place for a month and we're more confused than ever. However, as many have said, we may keep the car b/c of the depreciation and we see where we stand in the spring.
However, for us, every little bit of money matters right now. The wife lost her consulting assignment in April and with a new baby due in November, I think I was beginning to panic.
Okay... I think I'm done with my craziness. :confused: |
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| Tuan |
jswift2000,
You're right about the forums here. It's the best I've seen, and I don't even hang out here much. (Only 30 posts so far.) |
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| JeffK |
Prior to my MDX, I owned two Outbacks and also a third for my son.
All three were bullet proof: No problems at all at 36,000 miles when the lease was done.
As to space: I really disagree: The Outback was surprisingly big inside. Before I got my MDX, I looked at both the Highlander and Lexus RX 300. I took the rubber mat from the storage area in the Subaru and tried to place it both in the Highlander and the Lexus.
It would not fit! That's right - it would not fit!. The cargo area behind the seats in the Outback was bigger than the same area in both the Lexus and the Toyota Highlander.
I did not try either the CRV or the RAV 4, because at that time both were smaller than either the Lexus or Highlander.
Of course the mat fit, with a lot of room to spare, in my MDX.
Gas mileage: On regular gas, open road between 60 and 65 mph I average 23 mpg in my MDX, vs. 26 mpg in the Subaru. Above 65 mph, my MDX drops to 20 vs. 24 in the Subaru. Around town 15 vs. 18 mpg. So on average about 15% better mileage in the Subaru vs. the MDX.
If you drive 12,000 miles per year, that equates to about 90 gallons per year. At $3.00 per gallon, a savings of about $300 per year.
After three years your total savings will be less than $1,000, which will not even cover the sales tax on a new car!
JeffK |
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| Happyowner |
| My parents have been loyal to Subaru over the years, and they currently have a 2006 LL Bean in alantic blue/ over graphite and a 2007 2.5i Limited in the newport blue all same color. I personally must admit i like them alot! My parents had a 2002, and 2005 but the 05 had high mileage since my dad is the primary driver now since of my mom health. The LL Bean was bought for my mom, but its just seems to be a weekend driver. I dont understand why they have 2 cars, but i guess its so they have one with little mileage and one with for potting around town. The last Outback they had was at 50,000 without a problem and the 02 was at 102.300 miles before it was traded in on the 05. My dad had a mercedes prevously, a 2001 E320 4 Matic, and he loves the Outback more. Gas mileage is also great the 2.5 gets around 34.0 MPG (trip computer) on long trips, but he was getting around 28.0 MPG around town. Not bad for a 4 banger, and my aunt is on her 5th subaru, and they have been bullet proof, and she loves them 2. Also after shopping with my dad for a few weeks for a new car, as the Mercedes was at 76,800 miles, and the maintance had run out, also things were starting to break. So after the typical dealerships, (Mercedes, Toyota, Ford) he decided to give my idea of getting another Outback a shot, he liked my moms, but he almost never drove the 02 he had problems fitting in it (He is 6'4" and she is 5"2") so he test drove a 2.5i Limited and fit in it, loved it and took that one home that day. We all know my mom has always wanted a forester because she feels more comfortable in it, but she has always gotten Outbacks because of my dad and size. Even though he almost never drove... So my idea is get an 07, its a great car and u will love it alot! |
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| wmquan |
I agree that the Outback has good cargo room. That was a factor when we purchased it. We didn't want a second mid-sized SUV. The Outback has as much cargo room as some of those mid-sized SUV's.
However, the Outback's passenger area isn't as roomy as true mid-sized sedans (e.g. Accord and Camry), something which kills Subaru sedan sales (and the sedans have very small trunks). Rear seat legroom is limited when you have "normal" sized folks in the front. In the SUV's, the more upright seating position allows for more space. The Outback is also relatively narrow compared to some SUV's.
Interior storage is very weak. The center console is small. The glovebox is cramped. There are no door pockets in the rear.
The Outback is the "right" size for what we wanted as a smaller garagemate to the MDX. But a RAV4 will be bigger inside for most buyers. E.g. in jswift's case, he has two labs and they may be more comfortable with the headroom in the cargo area of an SUV than in the Outback wagon (which simply has a lower roofline)l. Also to note that if you use child carseats, the top tether anchors to the roof in the cargo area. That's a rather silly location that might make it less convenient for the dogs. |
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| Pac8 |
Jswift,
Good to hear from you again. We spoke few times via email when we both got our MDX in 2003. Good luck with whatever you decided to do with your car.
More importantly, congrats and best wishes to your family with the new additon coming in Nov.
PC |
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| pdempsey |
quote:
Originally posted by jswift2000
We have owned our mdx for 3.5 years and it has been one he!! of a car - truly love it. However, with gas prices going up and more fuel efficient cars our there, we are very close on deciding to to sell our MDX :(. We are looking at the new CRV and a 2007 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited.
I
This is similar to my story. 3.5 years MDX owner. I've been waiting for the 07 and I'm really disappointed with the gas mileage. It actually went down while the fuel price has about doubled.
If I'm going to pay almost 50K for a car and only get 16 to 22 mpg, I may as well get an Infinity M and give up a little space.
There is no compelling reason to get the 07 if you've already got an MDX. |
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| jswift2000 |
quote:
Originally posted by Pac8
More importantly, congrats and best wishes to your family with the new additon coming in Nov.
PC
Thanks mate and good hearig from you :2: . I havent really been around a lot - love this place though. Hows the MDX treating you? The 2003 X is solid as a rock, as is every Honda/Acura we've owned (we're up to 5 or 6 combined). My 2000 Honda Accord has 97,000 miles on it and I know it has another 97,000 to go.
I realized that it doesnt make sence to sell the truck now but I think we're going to sell the accord in the spring, buy the outback then and move on with life.... unless Honda comes out with an accord wagon. |
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| Kona |
I'm coming from an 05 Legacy Turbo Wagon to an 06 MDX. At 30,000 miles, the Subaru still runs well, but the shocks are getting a little weak. I don't think the new model will be as bullet proof as the 95 we had before it (just a hunch). Subaru has done a lot of engineering for weight reduction on the Legacy. I hope the durability stays as high as our old one, which at 280,000 Km still had original rad and exhaust.
Our highway mileage has gone from about 25 MPG to 19-20 in the MDX. We drive at about 80 MPH when we can. The cost of taxes and depreciation make buying a new car based on fuel savings not likely to pay off unless you put big yearly miles on the vehicle IMHO. It feels nice to consume less though. |
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