And yes, I keep reading very good things about the recent CX-30 - including its top ranking for compact SUVs by Car & Driver so I’m reconsidering it strongly also. It could be the car with the ability to get me to move from sedan to (entry-luxury) SUV and thank you very much.
(Reviewed in 2024; why not more recently? Don’t know.)
https://www.caranddriver.com/mazda/cx-30-2024
Hey, hopefully a last question, only because I feel like I’ve been falling into a Subaru-yay-or-nay quandary.
Anybody have experience with the Chevy Trax? I’ve seen a few in the mountains around here and they look capable for what that’s worth - and more like a sedan, which is appealing to me. In the Compact SUV category Car & Driver likes it very much. Readers have complained about the wet timing-belt.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a68037852/2025-subcompact-suv-comparison-test/
I realize we’re talking about transmissions, and one of the reasons I’ve tilted toward the Mazda is that it does have an available manual. The Subaru model(s) I considered do(es) not. I just don’t know enough about CVT technology to compare vehicles based on their length headers, but it’s all good!
The details about CVT length headers are beyond my scope of concern but I do appreciate everything you’ve said, thanks very much.
I should say I’m not specifically looking for a manual and am also more likely to buy new than used this time. Some models might be allocated but I don’t envision many shortages this time of year. Really wondering what people would do with my rather vaguely stated set of considerations for options and features, mostly, traction/clearance/cost-of-ownership/cargo-space/drives like a car not a van/reliability/performance/tech/and I’d like a sunroof. I’m probably going to miss my A3 but its time is nigh. Maybe there’s no perfect car for me and I should stop feeling like there ought to be. But as nice as the 2025-6 Forester ‘Limited’ trim package looks to me (including some recent drivetrain improvements beginning in '25 I think) some of you with a notable exception appear to be persuading me away from the mfgr. Continuing to read and research. Thank you all so much.
Currently reading:
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2026-subaru-crosstrek-hybrid-first-drive-review
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2026-toyota-corolla-cross-first-drive-review
And I hear that sales are poor for the Mazda 3 at least the hatch version, and they might be considering ending its production after the model year. I don’t think that should inform my purchasing decision (should it?) but it may tend to push prices down (would it?). This has really caught me eye.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/2025-mazda-3-price/
This is a concise and useful impression. Thank you. If I should consider anything beyond these two, I’d welcome any such suggestion. Leaning to the 2026 Mazda3 Hatchback 2.5 S Premium.
I loved my Mazda 323, the early model then known as the Protege, of which Mazda made versions for both Mitsubishi and Chevrolet. A very successful and durable model in my opinion. And like @[email protected] I’m cynical about Subaru reliability. I know a couple different mechanics - around here where Subarus are totally ubiquitous - who curse them for being in their shops so repeatedly. But I do like AWD, if not CVT (having no experience with the latter).
Yes, I’ve been thinking a little about the Crosstrek for years. And in terms of the deliberate cross between hatch and compact SUV, I read some appealing things about Toyota Corolla Cross. Nobody has much experience with that car yet, though. And there are others, from Kia, a new Honda Civic variant, etc. I’m interested but also getting shopping fatigue.
She needed to have directed the defendant to effectuate the man’s return rather than merely facilitate, the latter being more along the lines of hope and prayer.
The first word I’d remove is “Deported”. Reporters, editors, citizens should stop using the crimebosses’ lingo & framing. Mr. Abrego García is a (noncriminal) US resident. He wasn’t deported. He’s a first-generation American, #ABDUCTED by thugs, #TRAFFICKED by armed mercenaries, to a FOREIGN #tortureprison for profit, #slavery, #disinfo and #disruption.
I thought Comcast [/Universal/NB frickinC] gave Don a million for the inaugural, no?
Okay, I had a lengthy chat with the mechanic for my Audi A3. He’s asking me to consider most strongly the Mazda CRV or Toyota Corolla Cross. He loves the Honda.