Geez. I thought I was wringing these things out for all I could get. '91 Audi as your daily driver. I applaud you, sir. Ugh. I'd like to like the countryman, but can't. It looks like someone took a mini and pumped it up to 10psi. Yes, I'm shallow.
On that note, test drove the CX-5 today. Nice enough interior. Don't like the exterior looks. Do not understand why everyone has to have a start button (and on the mazda, tucked 1.5" behind the wiper stalk), but whatev. Don't see what others see in it, driving wise. Weak, loud engine. Just a 'meh' feeling all around.
Drove the Tiguan. Still like the interior very much. Such a step up from the others (forester, outback, CX-5). Smaller inside, which we actually like- I'd consider it more intimate, and more comfortable as probably a stepping stone from our WRX. Love the pleather seats, the dash, the lack of gimmicks. Wish it was cheaper for what you get (sunroofs are on expensive models only). The drive was fine- nothing terribly special- steering a little light, engine/trans combo not as well matched as they could be. I forgot to drive it in "sport" mode (trans settings) so don't know if that improved the responsiveness. Once it got up, it wanted to go- just not as responsive as I'd hoped. I (apparently I'm alone in this) liked the "bland" styling both inside and out. Just a clean looking vehicle in my opinion. Another downer was the limited cargo space- smaller than our WRX wagon. Surprise there.
Not 100% sold on anything yet. For cost for cost, the Tiguan is in the lead, surprisingly. I think I can get the SE AWD for $27.5 OTD, where the mazda may actually cost the same for similar packaging.
