this post was submitted on 01 Oct 2025
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Cars - For Car Enthusiasts

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Hi, has anyone compared these head to head? I like the idea that the Forester has an available manual transmission. The Mazda looks reliable and very fun to drive. The frontend/grille looks kinda stupid.

We're in very rural northern Vermont with quite a few dirt roads, usually but not always pretty well maintained.

Car dealerships aren't close by. The Subaru dealer is just under an hour drive, the Mazda/Volkswagen dealership just over an hour and a half each way. Locally we have Ford, GMC/Chevy, and Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge.

I'd probably buy new this time although I've had good luck buying 'certified' used cars off of leases, most recently a 2015 Audi A3 off of a 36-month lease cancelled after 24 I think? so pretty close to new - with manufacturer + dealer warranties; someone else having eaten the depreciation; low mileage, and full confidence that scheduled maintenance has been adhered to, prior to my taking ownership. Comfort and tech, of course reliability, and ease of third-party servicing and parts are all considerations for me.

Reasoned opinions very welcome; TIA for any thoughts at all. Buying is hard.

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[–] ShankShill@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I have a 2015 Mazda3 automatic that's been pretty great for 252k miles. Full list of repairs beyond typical wear parts has been the rear camera and camera wiring, rear camera switch, infotainment screen (all under warranty btw), and the accelerator pedal.

It has also had about $5k of repairs from the wife hitting a curb at 55mph. One bunch of suspension parts and a new engine cradle later...

Still runs and drives like new.