[have2ride]

I understand CX-5 is a step up and is considered an SUV, but I have to admit it is amazing. Anyone out there looking for a hatch functionality, but prefer something larger, more powerful and higher quality interior, take a serious look at the refreshed CX-5. I went for a test drive today. It is absolutely perfect in every way. Steering wheel feels exactly like newer Infiniti, interior is almost as good as BMW. The ride is close to perfect sporty/firm, but comfortable. Bose sound system is great, upgraded infotainment system is also very intuitive and easy to use.

Huge trunk, Bose subwoofer is hiding in the spare tire.

Seats are very comfortable, leather is soft and pleasant to touch. Soft leather reminds me of 2004-2008 Acura TSX. Previous generation Mazda CX-5 had terrible narrow seats, my shoulders would not fit into aggressive side bolstering. Now it is gone, but seats still have plenty of support.

2.4 engine is a bit weak for my liking, but it pulls just fine for an everyday driver.

Top of the line CX-5 is around $33k MSRP. Very good value for what it is.

Just one little thing that turned out a big issue for me: my right knee does not have enough room. Mazda did the same terrible design as Lexus - they made a high and wide center console. While it would work for many girls and smaller guys, it does not work for me.

 

[RAITHSKAR]

If I was going to go the SUV/Crossover route, I think that I would personally opt for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek Limited (top trim level). That's about as large of a vehicle as I would want to drive, being the subcompact/compact lover that I am.

 

[have2ride]

If I was going to go the SUV/Crossover route, I think that I would personally opt for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek Limited (top trim level). That's about as large of a vehicle as I would want to drive, being the subcompact/compact lover that I am.

I like Crosstrek, but top trims only come with a CVT. No, thank you. 2019 Acura RDX can be a big win as well. I can't wait to drive it.

 

[davect01]

If I was going to go the SUV/Crossover route, I think that I would personally opt for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek Limited (top trim level). That's about as large of a vehicle as I would want to drive, being the subcompact/compact lover that I am.

Agreed. Seems a great smaller Crossover

 

[SuperchargedMR2]

I bought a new 2017 RAV4 when I bought my 2017 iM. I test drove the 2017 CX5 along with the Subaru Forrester, Honda CRV, and other similar SUV's from Kia, Hyundai, VW and Nissan. My wife and I like the exterior and interior design of the RAV4 the most. Many of these could only be loaded with all the goodies with leather and we don't like leather, we prefer cloth and the RAV4 offered this. Many other brands also didn't offer much of a discount at all and we got a smoking deal on our RAV4. A loaded $32k one for $23500. They killed it for us and that made the final decision even easier. I felt that they all drove pretty nice and we don't drive it like it's a race car as the reviews do, That's the most stupid thing ever. The Mazda CX5 was nice but had 3 issues with it. The leg issue was one, the all black interior looked terrible and couldn't be had with the features we wanted with cloth, and the radio screen looking like it was stuck on top of the dash was horrible. The simple fact that the others cost at least $5k more was the final straw so we went with the RAV4 and we love it. I love the interior design and quality is excellent. The 2 tone grey and black looks 10x better then the all black in many other brands.

 

[davect01]

I bought a new 2017 RAV4 when I bought my 2017 iM. I test drove the 2017 CX5 along with the Subaru Forrester, Honda CRV, and other similar SUV's from Kia, Hyundai, VW and Nissan. My wife and I like the exterior and interior design of the RAV4 the most. Many of these could only be loaded with all the goodies with leather and we don't like leather, we prefer cloth and the RAV4 offered this. Many other brands also didn't offer much of a discount at all and we got a smoking deal on our RAV4. A loaded $32k one for $23500. They killed it for us and that made the final decision even easier. I felt that they all drove pretty nice and we don't drive it like it's a race car as the reviews do, That's the most stupid thing ever. The Mazda CX5 was nice but had 3 issues with it. The leg issue was one, the all black interior looked terrible and couldn't be had with the features we wanted with cloth, and the radio screen looking like it was stuck on top of the dash was horrible. The simple fact that the others cost at least $5k more was the final straw so we went with the RAV4 and we love it. I love the interior design and quality is excellent. The 2 tone grey and black looks 10x better then the all black in many other brands.

Looking to the day when my wife's xB gets replaced, I really like the Rav4

 

[RAITHSKAR]

I just can't get past the front fascia design of the RAV4. That and the C-HR just look hideous.

 

[have2ride]

I just can't get past the front fascia design of the RAV4. That and the C-HR just look hideous.

I agree. CH-R is actually a terrible car, interior is way more cramped compared to iM, roof is super low, windows are tiny. People praise it on Toyota Facebook page, I just don't get it. Another thing is CVT, just a big no. One of the reasons I got my iM was a manual transmission.

 

[have2ride]

I bought a new 2017 RAV4 when I bought my 2017 iM. I test drove the 2017 CX5 along with the Subaru Forrester, Honda CRV, and other similar SUV's from Kia, Hyundai, VW and Nissan. My wife and I like the exterior and interior design of the RAV4 the most. Many of these could only be loaded with all the goodies with leather and we don't like leather, we prefer cloth and the RAV4 offered this. Many other brands also didn't offer much of a discount at all and we got a smoking deal on our RAV4. A loaded $32k one for $23500. They killed it for us and that made the final decision even easier. I felt that they all drove pretty nice and we don't drive it like it's a race car as the reviews do, That's the most stupid thing ever. The Mazda CX5 was nice but had 3 issues with it. The leg issue was one, the all black interior looked terrible and couldn't be had with the features we wanted with cloth, and the radio screen looking like it was stuck on top of the dash was horrible. The simple fact that the others cost at least $5k more was the final straw so we went with the RAV4 and we love it. I love the interior design and quality is excellent. The 2 tone grey and black looks 10x better then the all black in many other brands.

2017 CX-5 was the older model. It drove great, but it was clearly outdated with narrow seats and cheap plastic. That basic stereo is great because it can be easily replaced, since it was a regular 2-DIN slot in 2017. 2018 CX-5 is amazing though, especially with white seats, but sure thing no one will give such a great deal on a new redesigned model. RAV4 is due to be replaced next year, so good deals will keep coming on the outgoing model. Overall, RAV4 is a very solid small SUV. It has enough room, good visibility, decent comfort and handling. I hope redesigned version is not going to have this "cockpit" thing Toyota did on 2018 Camry. Absolutely ruined the car for me. Interior quality is great, but I can't stand how cramped front area is in 2018 Camry.

 

[SuperchargedMR2]

2017 CX-5 was the older model. It drove great, but it was clearly outdated with narrow seats and cheap plastic. That basic stereo is great because it can be easily replaced, since it was a regular 2-DIN slot in 2017. 2018 CX-5 is amazing though, especially with white seats, but sure thing no one will give such a great deal on a new redesigned model. RAV4 is due to be replaced next year, so good deals will keep coming on the outgoing model. Overall, RAV4 is a very solid small SUV. It has enough room, good visibility, decent comfort and handling. I hope redesigned version is not going to have this "cockpit" thing Toyota did on 2018 Camry. Absolutely ruined the car for me. Interior quality is great, but I can't stand how cramped front area is in 2018 Camry.

And the deal I got on my nearly $32k RAV4 for $23500 made it even better although my wife and I liked it more then other models from an interior/exterior design.

Funny about the Camry. I test drove a new 2018 XSE and loved it. The design looks fantastic and the interior is excellent I thought. I love the cockpit feel but it still feels huge, too big for me. I love smaller cars that feel more nimble and less large! My MR2 has that cockpit feel and that was the thing I loved about it when I first sat in one back in 1985!

 

[B91SUPRA]

And the deal I got on my nearly $32k RAV4 for $23500 made it even better although my wife and I liked it more then other models from an interior/exterior design.

Funny about the Camry. I test drove a new 2018 XSE and loved it. The design looks fantastic and the interior is excellent I thought. I love the cockpit feel but it still feels huge, too big for me. I love smaller cars that feel more nimble and less large! My MR2 has that cockpit feel and that was the thing I loved about it when I first sat in one back in 1985!

Since you have been getting this good deals... Would you mind sharing the dealership where u got your car from? Because I would just go there to avoid the headache...

Thanks

 

[GTI]

Since you have been getting this good deals... Would you mind sharing the dealership where u got your car from? Because I would just go there to avoid the headache...

Thanks

**** I want to know that too......my dealership was not that generous, after hours of negotiations they gave me a nearly couple grand breake on my 2017 iM, but they gave me a little more than expected for my trade, but still, your deals are steals!!!

 

[SuperchargedMR2]

Since you have been getting this good deals... Would you mind sharing the dealership where u got your car from? Because I would just go there to avoid the headache...

Thanks

**** I want to know that too......my dealership was not that generous, after hours of negotiations they gave me a nearly couple grand breake on my 2017 iM, but they gave me a little more than expected for my trade, but still, your deals are steals!!!

I have listed it before and another person bought one from them from AZ. They flew up to WA and drove their new iM back down to AZ. Just contact Joy Silva at Toyota of Olympia. Her contact info is below. They have taken car of quite a few people since I bought my iM. This was her reply to me when I built my car on line and sent in a price request to them. I also was able to get an additional $750 grad rebate on both of our new cars!

Hi Jim,
It was a pleasure speaking with you today. I have attached the build sheet to the 2017 Toyota Corolla IM I discussed with you. Your sale price on this vehicle with the $2000.00 Toyota Cash Incentive is $14,310.00 plus TT&L and fees.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions of concerns. I am looking forward to meeting you tomorrow.


Joy Silva
Toyota of Olympia
6969 Tyee Drive SW
Tumwater, WA 98512
(360) 539-3939 ext 219

 

[RAITHSKAR]

I have listed it before and another person bought one from them from AZ. They flew up to WA and drove their new iM back down to AZ. Just contact Joy Silva at Toyota of Olympia. Her contact info is below. They have taken car of quite a few people since I bought my iM. This was her reply to me when I built my car on line and sent in a price request to them. I also was able to get an additional $750 grad rebate on both of our new cars!

Hi Jim,
It was a pleasure speaking with you today. I have attached the build sheet to the 2017 Toyota Corolla IM I discussed with you. Your sale price on this vehicle with the $2000.00 Toyota Cash Incentive is $14,310.00 plus TT&L and fees.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions of concerns. I am looking forward to meeting you tomorrow.


Joy Silva
Toyota of Olympia
6969 Tyee Drive SW
Tumwater, WA 98512
(360) 539-3939 ext 219

Dealerships in general suck mostly, and the Toyota ones here in AZ are just awful. I had to go to Colorado Springs, CO to buy the white 2015 Yaris SE with manual transmission that I wanted. They refuse to order/sell them in the state of AZ, and acted like I was crazy for wanting one.

 

[B91SUPRA]

I have listed it before and another person bought one from them from AZ. They flew up to WA and drove their new iM back down to AZ. Just contact Joy Silva at Toyota of Olympia. Her contact info is below. They have taken car of quite a few people since I bought my iM. This was her reply to me when I built my car on line and sent in a price request to them. I also was able to get an additional $750 grad rebate on both of our new cars!

Hi Jim,
It was a pleasure speaking with you today. I have attached the build sheet to the 2017 Toyota Corolla IM I discussed with you. Your sale price on this vehicle with the $2000.00 Toyota Cash Incentive is $14,310.00 plus TT&L and fees.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions of concerns. I am looking forward to meeting you tomorrow.


Joy Silva
Toyota of Olympia
6969 Tyee Drive SW
Tumwater, WA 98512
(360) 539-3939 ext 219

ok thank you.... yes, I too is Ok on goin to different state to buy a car if it means saving $6k

 

[SuperchargedMR2]

I just can't get past the front fascia design of the RAV4. That and the C-HR just look hideous.

I love the front design, that's one of my favorite parts of the RAV4 when it was redesigned for the 2014 model year. Almost every other competitor has a boring front end design and they all look similar. I've always thought that the design looked rugged and tough.

 

[im_drifttrikerider]

Supercharged, it's weird my wife has a Rav4 also. A 2016 Rav4 SE. We opted for the Premium Audio with JBL speakers. She actually likes the black Soflex with the red stitching. I wanted the black and orange interior but she thought it was too much. I added the Mugen Style window visors and TRD plate covers. Stock rims are already nice.

 

[SuperchargedMR2]

Supercharged, it's weird my wife has a Rav4 also. A 2016 Rav4 SE. We opted for the Premium Audio with JBL speakers. She actually likes the black Soflex with the red stitching. I wanted the black and orange interior but she thought it was too much. I added the Mugen Style window visors and TRD plate covers. Stock rims are already nice.

We drove a RAV4 XLE with the all black interior like yours except in cloth since we don't like the Softex. Then we saw the black/gray combo and fell in love with t. I just loved the gray on the dash, seats and doors trimmed in with the black. The 2 tone was very sweet looking to both of us. I also liked the ride of the XLE more with the 17" wheels and I actually liked the style of the XLE wheels the most. It just never happens like that where I got what I wanted in the less expensive model!

 

[im_drifttrikerider]

Lol we have different preferences. But I agree, I prefer the 2 tone combo and its awesome they have it in cloth, and you got the cheapest deal! I recently had a 2017 XLE as a rental car because my IM radar needed to be recalibrated after a windshield crack and it took the dealer a week because my car was lowered. I was miserable driving that car and preferred the stiffer suspension on the SE. I also like the 18s on the Rav4. To each their own!! The thing about cars is we all have different tastes and I like how no one here trash talks someone elses style. Its usually a comment like not my flavor or imo and I respect that. Pretty cool we have the same cars and were both active on this forum haha. I started subscribing to all the posts I?m connected to.

 

[cranesinthesky]

Just one little thing that turned out a big issue for me: my right knee does not have enough room. Mazda did the same terrible design as Lexus - they made a high and wide center console. While it would work for many girls and smaller guys, it does not work for me.