Honda CRV EXL or Subaru Forester Touring
 

My wife and I are looking at purchasing a new Honda CRV EXL or Subaru Forester Touring. I was wondering what recent experience anyone has had with purchasing from Honda or Subaru dealers within 100 miles of The Villages. I'd also be interested in what people thing of 2023 Honda CRV EXL or Subaru Forester Touring trims if they have either of the vehicles.

According to KBB.com, the fair value for both of those vehicles is about $500 less than the MSRP. If I were buying one, I would get a copy of the window sticker for an acceptable vehicle on the lot, subtract $500 from the MSRP, and then add the sales tax (6 percent plus $50) and the title and tag transfer fees ($125). It wouldn't matter what dealer I went to, they could accept that amount or not. Why bother engaging in the dealer games, deceptions, worthless options, and bogus dealer fees?

I've owned both, go with the Honda. Subarus have great marketing but very, very, very, bad maintenance issues. I have had two head gaskets go out, $4,200 each and one transmission module $2,200. My Honda's....lets see, gas and tires, that's about it. Hondas last forever, and they ride really well.

As a former VP of sales I have zero patience with dealerships. When I buy a car, and I have bought dozens, I call or go online to the dealership, tell them I am willing to pay MSRP (or what the current market price is not to exceed msrp) and all appropriate taxes, and NONE of the bull****, If they want to sell the car under those terms contact me. It will be a cash deal. Works every time. Last purchase of a 2023 Honda CRV took less than 15 minutes in the dealership.

I've had three Subarus (2 foresters 1 impreza) loved all three. No problems I kept all for 10-12 years. Got rid off them because I wanted a newer cars. Honda is also a very nice car. But what ever you do shop outside the villages area. The Subaru dealer in Leesburg has the worst sales dept. I pay cash and keep my car for 10-12 years. The salesman was arguing with me that a lease would be better. When I finally got a price it was over sticker. I call Subaru in Ocala, gave him the vin# almost $2500.00 less.

The dealers really don't like cash buyers as they get a kick-back from the financial institutions that they use for the loans. A friend of mine that sells Cadillacs told me not to mention I'm paying cash until the final price is signed, a few times over the years they asked me in advance so I simply told them 20% down and I'll finance and then after the deal was done I just wrote out a check for the entire amount which they didn't want to accept but they did.

I hate buying cars also so I do some research and have a final figure in mind, I make them an offer for $200 less than I'm willing to pay out the door and tell them you have 15 minutes or I'm walking, they always come back for more so that's when I give them the other $200. I only had to walk out one time over the years.

I’d recommend CarMax if you don’t mind a slightly used one. Save some $$$

Check Costco car buying service. Will give you a starting point for pricing. Do Not use anyone in Leesburg unless you enjoy a painful experience

Clermont Honda was decent to deal with a few years ago
[url=https://www.headquarterhonda.com/]

If you live here in Florida or winter here you perhaps don't need the 4 wheel drive of the Subaru and are able to purchase the Honda in a front wheel model. The price of a 4wd might make the difference. The model of Subaru I looked at only came in a 4wd but perhaps the model you are looking at is available in 2wd.

I don't agree with that strategy. I am always upfront, honest, and polite with the dealer. I believe that trying to deceive the dealer will not get you a better price. Why stoop to their level? I always tell them in advance that I am paying cash and there will be no trade in. That is the honest and best way to buy a vehicle.

Everyone has a different strategy dealing with dealerships, my procedure is to , tell the salesman what car, model ,color and options, I stay with my trade-in so they can't hold it hostage, get the out the door price, then go to 2-3 other dealerships, telling all what I intend and will be back if they have the best price, if that changes I walk, no argument

Had many Subarus over the years, my last one was a 2008 Forester. Sold it in 2015 to my mechanic with over 160,000 miles for a very good price. At the same time my wife bought a 2008 Honda CRV, which has 170,000 miles. We are giving one of our kids the CRV. We were looking at the Forester Premium, and pretty much decided on that. But, we stopped at Jenkins Honda, and to make a long story short, we bought a 2024 CRV EXL.
Yes, we did have problems with the Subys as they got older, but very little with the CRV.

I bought a 2019 Certified Honda CRV Touring All wheel drive with 6000 miles. Buying certified gives you an additional 1 year warranty. I love my Honda with all the bells and whistles. Don't buy close to TV, they all try to scalp the old folks. I got mine in Ocala, don't think I'd buy from them again, they s crewd me on the trade in. Just sayin.

Which one Subaru or Honda is simply a personal decision. From personal experience and research, I can say both are excellent SUV’s. Drive each and make a decision. The dealerships are equal too. Good luck.

I have a Honda and have had no problems. I agree with the other posts, do not buy from a dealership close to the Villages. They try to get you to pay much more than you should. Go outside of the bubble as far as comfortable for you. The dealers in Ocala and Leesburg are well aware folks from the Villages use them to try to save money. They too will try to trap you into paying higher prices. Wherever you choose do not tell the salesperson you live in the Villages.
They see $$$$ with that information. If they need an address give one of your relatives. Just my experience of living in the Villages for 20+ years. People seem to think we are all millionaires.

I owned a Honda CRV before. I sold it right away because of excessive road noise in cabin due to poor design. On the highway you can't even use phone hands free speaker phone due to the road noise.

I have had a Subaru forester since 2015. Have NO problems with it. disagree with Robbb's answer. Love my Subaru....whoopdedoo!

Harleyman
 

We just got a 2023 crv touring. It’s our third crv. The difference in this with the new style is unbelievable. From the seats to the steering wheel to the performance of the hybrid. I really couldn’t believe it. Obviously the reliance of the Honda brand speaks for itself. You would not be disappointed I can assure you.

I have owned both and don’t think you would go wrong with either. I noticed the Subaru reliability with its engine has not been the same in recent years as it had been in the past. On the bright side, they offer excellent customer service and if your buying new and maintaining it regularly I don’t suspect you will have many problems. I would never be comfortable buying a used Subaru tho. The Honda CRV I feel is the better vehicle for the price. Ultimately which one do you and your wife like best. I think you will be happy with your choice regardless.

Forester
 

My son move to CO 2 years ago. When we go to visit him it seems like everyone out there has a Subaru (and a dog). I asked him that when you move to CO is that standard issue items the state makes you get. I don't have a Subaru but have driven Honda Accords all my life and some went 300,000 + miles before I sold them.

I did test drive both but ended up buying a Hyundai Tucson Limited from the Clermont dealership.You pay MSRP plus taxes and some small options. It is a beautiful car with so many advanced features. However, I will probably end up trading within a year or two unless it starts growing on me. Lots of tech to learn..

I could be wrong, but it sounds like bad tires. I once bought a new vehicle that I thought was too noisy. But, when I replaced the tires with Michelins, it was a tremendous improvement.

Slightly off topic, but it is legal for a dealer to replace the tires on a new vehicle before selling it. Now, when I test drive a vehicle, I take a photo of the tires to ensure that the dealer doesn't switch them. Also, I look at the Federal DOT number on the tires. The last 4 digits of the number indicate the week and year that they were made. So, "1122" would mean that the tire was made in the 11th week of 2022.

We’ve bought two cars (one new CR-V and one used Fit) from Honda of Ocala. I can’t say enough about how pleased we’ve been with their sales and service staff. It’s been a total pleasure working with them. The distance is a bit long but we find it well worth it.

We recently test drove a Forrester Sport, and Honda CRV hybrid both 2023. Still waiting for the recession/depression to hit so prices might drop and continue to drive a Honda Odyssey. Like the Honda better.

I have had 4 Subaru’s back to back. Switched to Honda in 2020. Best car I ever had!

Actually, a tire DOT code of "1122" would identify the tire as being made in June 2011. 4-digit DOT codes (used post 2000) are read as the year (1st two digits), followed by the week of the year (2nd two digits).

In past years, you could usually take about 3 percent off of the MSRP and add the sales tax and about $125 for a title and tag transfer. But, today, it looks like you may need to pay the MSRP or slightly less than that. I would never pay a dealer fee or doc fee or for worthless options like nitrogen in the tires or fabric or paint protection. One dealer quote I recently got included a $400 electronic filing fee. To me, these are just ripoff charges.

Test drive a Mazda CX 5 before you decide. Dealer is in Ocala.

My original example was not correct, but I think the correct answer is that "1122" means that the tire was made during the 11th week of 2022, not June 2011. My current tires, which I bought a few years ago, are "1219" which means the tires were made in 2019. I think the first two digits are the week and the second two digits are the year.

Purchased my 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited from Bill Bryan Leesburg. It has a great service department. I would definitely recommend this dealership for its sales and service departments.
Stay away from Jenkins VW. Their service department tied to rip me off. But I was wise to refuse their suggestions. Also they never installed the cap on one of my fluids snd I nearly blew an engine. .

Finance kickback anecdote
 

Had no idea about such things but somehow ran into a situation at the end of a quarter and the dealership apparently needed to sell just "a little bit more" for the deal to "kick in" at the end of that month. Drove a fair distance for this "too good to be true" offer. Even got them to explain to me why it was being offered. Turned out that I did have to finance it and make one payment before paying it off. :-) For this naive, pitiful excuse for a "businessman", it was quite the eye opener.

Our next car, within the next few months, will be a Tesla. BTW they are building a Tesla store/service in Clermont. Ordering a new Tesla - custom order or new in stock (or a certified used one at Tesla) is a 5 minute online task. No haggling, one price, no pressure. Pick up the car - NO hassling from a finance guy or upsell. The way of the future. Without a doubt, 'car dealerships' are on their way out. I would foresee within 10 years, that the vast majority of car sales will be the Tesla model.

Are they still all station wagons? :-)

Fascinating. And, yet, you remain up-front and honest with the dealership.

Yes. To me, the important thing is to know the fair value of the vehicle, make a firm "take-it-or-leave-it" offer to the dealer, and convince the dealer that it is the only offer they are going to get.

Suvs
 

The Subaru is the better choice. Superior in many ways. On You Tube you will see reviewers praising the Subaru overwhelmingly. It is the top in its class.

Actually the Toyota RAV4 is the best choice. Next I would go with the Subaru and Honda last. We have owned all three.

I totally agree. Love my CR-V. My sister has a Subaru that has been nothing but problems. The engine in her car had a recall that they never told her about. Luckily she was told about it by her mechanic. Got the new engine, with a hassle, and just days before the recall was expiring.

I have a Ford Escape, which has been an excellent vehicle and was less expensive than Honda, Toyota, or Subaru.

Both husband and I have had outback’s since 2015. Prior to that I had a Forester. Never had any problems with any of them. Before purchasing I did a lot of homework cause I needed a car to travel for work in all kinds of weather. Also asked my trusty mechanic about reliability and he gave a very positive review of them. We’ve only used the Subaru dealer local to TV for oil change when we aren’t up north for the lifetime free ones we get. Was happy with them for this but obviously can’t comment on buying experience.