Subaru or Mazda?

[grk2012]

We've been loosely in the market for a new (to us) vehicle for a long time. Our '95 and '99 are now literally falling apart around us, and it's time to replace at least one. Can you recommend a Subaru or Mazda? They get far better Consumer Reports ratings than the other things we were looking at.

We have 1 kid and a large dog, and frequently take road trips (2hr-10hr in the car) to visit family. I want something I can put the jogging stroller into easily. Front runners so far are Subaru Outback or Mazda5. TIA!

[dawnyp]

We just test drove a Mazda CX-5 yesterday. Mazda is going to be redoing a lot of their cars in the next year or 2. The CX-5 is the first one with the new frame/etc. Prices on "older" models may be better as they are getting ready to upgrade their line.

[kaylie]

I work with a cult of Subaru people. They're super family friendly and reliable according to them. Also great in the snow.

[Awkward]

My dream car right now is a Subaru Outback, and I don't even have kids, or a dog. A car that goes in the snow, has plenty of space, AND has a great reputation? Sign me up! The yuppie cred is just a bonus.

[rosiedozie]

We have two Subarus (Outback and Legacy) and love them.

[pugz]

I love my Mazda 5. We leave the back seats down and I put my stroller back there (city mini). Actually it will even fit with one of the back seats down and the other up so that 5 people can sit in the car and we can take the stroller.

We get great gas mileage and I love the way it drives. We got the 2012 new for only $18k, a total steal.

[runblondie26]

We have a Subaru Outback and love it. It's reliable and handles well in all types of weather. DH''s mom drove her last Outback until it 315k miles on it. They make a good car.

[Deleted]

I have a Mazda 6 and I like it a lot.

[runblondie26]

We have a Subaru Outback and love it. It's reliable and handles well in all types of weather. DH's mom drove her last Outback until it 315k miles on it. Subaru makes a good car.

[runblondie26]

We have a Subaru Outback and love it. It's reliable and handles well in all types of weather. DH's mom drove her last Outback until it 315k miles on it. Subaru makes a good car.

[Deleted]

Subaru 4 lyfe. I had an Outback in college that is now my cousin's car. It's a '99 and is running perfectly. I have a 2008 WRX now and love it dearly. When I have children it's back to an Outback.

Flip side, my husband's '06 Mazda 3 is crap.

[tripleshot]

I bought a CX5 at the end of May. I like it, but at 4k miles, I got a bunch of warning lights on the highway and made the dealership come get it and give me a loaner car. They kept it for 2 days and were communicating with Mazda Corporate the whole time. It was some sort of transmission problem.

I think the new SkyActive engine is finicky. I won't get another one when this lease is up. If they have cars with regular engines, I'm sure they're ok, but not this new stuff.

[mrs.jacinthe]

We have two Subarus (an Outback and a Forester). Subaru all the way. Reliable, comfortable, reasonable gas mileage ...

[minniebee]

I don't have a Mazda5, but I have a Mazda3 and love it. Previously, I had a Mazda Protege and loved that car too.

Before I bought my Mazda3, I also looked at the Subaru Impreza Outback (it's the 5-door wagon version of the Impreza, smaller than the regular Outback). Before test driving anything, I thought the Subaru was my top choice, but it didn't feel comfortable to me when driving it. It just didn't feel right to me. It wasn't a bad car, it just wasn't the right car for me.

I don't think you can really go wrong with either of those choices. Test drive them, and go with the one that feels best to you.

[car.ramrod]

We are a Subaru family as well. I drive a Tribeca with 140k miles and my DH has a WRX with 160k miles. They are both awesome and amazing in the snow. We have two kids and a dog and can haul all of them. The WRX is snug with the car seats but still fine. We both drive a ton and have had very minimum problems with them. We are hoping to get another 100k miles out of each.

[LoveTrains]

I love, love, love my subaru. they are great in new england and the snow. It's very reliable and it gets good mileage for what it is.

[lys]

We are on our second Subaru - HIGHLY recommend them. Never a problem, very reliable and hold their value.

[Deleted]

We have a Mazda Protege5 (basically a Mazda 3), it's 10 years old and has had zero problems. We'll probably replace it with another Mazda when the time comes.

[downtoearth]

We have two Subarus - and I want the new one (Crosstrek), but we always buy used.

The Outback is great and reliable and doesn't get bad gas mileage. We have 2 (almost 3) kids and a lab and with a box on top and bike rack we can go on 12+ hour road trips with no problem.

We also have a forester and you do sit a little higher, but the back seat is much smaller and so is the cargo space - we like our Outback better for road trips.

[sunny]

subaru lover here

[downtoearth]

Oh I meant to add that we also looked at the Mazada CX-9 since it has 3rd row seating and might get that in a year or so, but I don't know anyone who has one to speak to reliability, repairs, or anything.

[jr009j]

I traded my Mazda6 in for a Subaru Forester. DH ended up getting the Outback a year and half later because he preferred my car so much.

I have a friend who drives a CX7 and her husband drives the Legacy. They both greatly prefer the legacy. Her CX7 is only a few years old (3 maybe?) and she has already had to do some pretty pricey repairs months.

[kate1482]

We have a 2012 outback and absolutely love it! Almost a year later I have no regrets. I do live in the Seattle area so we are Subaru loyalists and everyone seems to drive them around here.

Oh if you do go the Subaru route make sure you get leather seats. My MIL and friend with a chocolate lab both said the cloth hasn't worn as well as they hoped and wished they got leather.

[hokiegirl82]

I have a 2011 subaru outback and absolutely love it. I have the "dog car" (meaning I drive the car that we always lug the dogs around) and for a dog car, it is pretty awesome. It sits up higher like an SUV, but feels and drives like a car. DH drives a subaru impreza sti - it's super sporty and not very comfortable but it's not supposed to be - i far prefer my outback to his car, but his car is still great for the reasons he bought it.

[aurora]

We just bought our 2nd Subaru, an Outback, and sold our 12-year-old Legacy. Love these cars!

[Deleted]

I had a Mazda 626 and hated it but I love my Subaru legacy. I have joined the subaru cult and can't dream of driving anything else.

[midnightmare81]

I think you cant go wrong with either! I have a 2011 Mazda 3 and love it. I looked at Subaru's as well but it was out of my price range. I deff vote the Subaru in the snow, if this is an issue for you...

[dexteroni]

We have two Subarus right now, an Outback and a Legacy, and we love them both. I drove a Mazda 626 sedan for about 10 years before getting the Outback, and I liked it just fine too. I've never driven any Mazda SUV or crossover. The main reason we went with Subaru this time was for the all-wheel drive.

ETA: Definitely definitely get the leather seats. So much easier to clean pawprints and vacuum up the fur.

[SKP82]

We got an Outback recently and love it!

[penguingrrl]

I used to have a subaru and loved it! I don't know if mazda has improved, but the people I know who have owned them (and it's been a while now) had serious problems with theirs starting at like 50K miles where subarus go 250-300K easily. I would not buy a mazda because of that reputation. I also know a few mechanics who all say to stay away from mazda.