200,000 Miles in My Honda CR-V, I Regret Missing Out on 2024 Subaru Forester Test Drive Due To Initial Safety Concerns

When Torque News senior Subaru Editor Denis Flierl published the story of Subaru production dropping across all car lines and its significance for Subaru buyers, Dan Martin, a Torque News reader, shared with us a very interesting comment discussing how he regrets missing out on the 2024 Subaru Forester test drive, but nothing is lost, and he has a question.

Martin Writes.

I went to look at and test drive a new 2024 Subaru Forester last month. This was the time when the IIHS report was just coming out. I was concerned about the 'safety factor' so I didn't even stay at the dealership long enough to test drive the Forester. Now I have learned that the Forester has passed the IIHS test with the best test result over the competition.

I currently drive a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Limited with only 18,000 miles on the odometer. My other vehicle is also an almost daily driver Honda CR-V EX with 207,000 miles. This vehicle has only had two repairs after being purchased new in 2009. A typical A/C compressor failure and the dreaded cooling tube that connects from the thermostat housing output to the firewall inlet. I performed this repair on my own with excellent results despite zero part availability at any Honda dealership. I had no other choice than to buy the Chinese-made part from Amazon. I am not worried about the reliability of this vehicle because it has been meticulously maintained and is still in complete working order. However, I may regret having to replace this vehicle if it suddenly fails for any reason.

I understand that now is a historic time for Subaru and I have decided that I will never own another Honda. My experience with the 2019 Honda Civic Hatch Sport firmly cemented that decision for me. This was due to an unrepaired dealership engine misfire with only 23,000 miles and two years on the new vehicle. Thankfully, Carvana upped their offer to $3,200.00 above my Vroom and Honda dealership offers! This offer was more than I had paid for the vehicle when I bought it.

My issue now is that I live in Michigan and I would like to take advantage of my Costco Auto Buying Program Affiliate Offer on a new 2024 Forester. I don't understand why there is no Costco Auto Buying Program Affiliate in this state.

Congratulations on the research, Martin! The 2024 Forester's top IIHS rating is impressive and a great reason to reconsider the test drive.

I'd say, go to the Subaru dealership and take another looks at the 2024 Forester and ask to test drive a second time. Take advantage of the top safety rating and see how the Forester compares to your Crosstrek in terms of features and driving experience.

Regarding The Costco Auto Buying Program in Your State

It is surprising that there isn't a Costco Auto Buying Program Affiliate in Michigan, especially considering the program's national presence. Here are some ways we can approach this:

1. Contact Costco Auto Buying Program: Reach out directly to the Costco Auto Buying Program and inquire about availability in Michigan. They might have plans for expansion or alternative options for your state.
2. Explore Nearby Affiliates: Check if there are any Costco Auto Buying Program Affiliates in bordering states like Indiana, Ohio, or Wisconsin. While not ideal, it could be an option if the distance isn't prohibitive.
3. Negotiate Directly: Since you're interested in a specific model, the 2024 Forester, consider negotiating directly with Subaru dealerships in Michigan. Mention your Costco membership and inquire if they can offer similar pricing or incentives.
4. Alternative Programs: Explore if there are any other car-buying programs available through your Costco membership that might extend to Michigan.
5. Wait and See: If the lack of a local Affiliate is a dealbreaker, you could wait and see if the program expands to Michigan in the future.

I recommend calling Costco first to get the most accurate information. In the meantime, you can also research Subaru dealerships in Michigan and potentially find deals without the Auto Buying Program.

Dear readers, have you been in similar situations? What would you recommend Dan do if you were in his shoes? Please, click the red link below to write your comment and join the discussion.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.