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u/aharecharjyo

r/mazda6 r/mazda r/whatcarshouldIbuy r/UsedCars
Image 1 — Got my first car
Image 2 — Got my first car
Image 3 — Got my first car
Image 4 — Got my first car
▲ 233 r/mazda6

Got my first car

Hey guys,

So I bought this 2018 MAZDA 6 GTR at 85k miles clean, no accidents, with an impressive set of records from Carvana a couple weeks back.

Any advice on how to take good care of her so that she lasts a lifetime?

u/aharecharjyo — 5 days ago
▲ 2 r/mazda

Looking for an AWD daily in Madison, WI under $19k: CX-5 vs CX-9 vs Legacy (detailed breakdown after pulling full history reports)

Looking for a reliable, winter-ready AWD daily in the Madison, WI area. After weeding out some rebuilt-title traps at local curbside lots, I’ve narrowed the search down to three clean-title candidates in the $16k–$18.5k range.

I pulled full CARFAX and AutoCheck reports on all of them, and each has distinct pros, cons, and hidden history items. Would appreciate a sanity check from folks who own or wrench on these platforms.

Option 1: 2019 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD

  • Price: $17,308
  • Mileage: 98,540 miles
  • Powertrain: 2.5L NA 4-cyl (Skyactiv-G) + 6-speed auto
  • Trim Perks: Leather, Bose sound, power moonroof, power liftgate, factory Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
  • The Good: Naturally aspirated engine is historically bulletproof—no turbo, no cylinder-head cracking risk. 30 recorded service visits on CARFAX with frequent oil changes (every 3–4k miles).
  • The Catch / History:
    • Owner 2 put on 27,200 miles/year in Ohio (classic rideshare / delivery pattern with monthly Take 5 quick-lube visits).
    • Had a minor cosmetic accident reported in 2021 (no airbags, no structural damage).
    • Repossession reported in late 2025, and it has been sitting on the dealer lot since early April (over 5 months of lot sitting).
    • Due for standard 100k maintenance (spark plugs, diff/trans fluid, check front lower control arm bushings).

Option 2: 2020 Subaru Legacy Premium AWD

  • Price: $16,464
  • Mileage: 103,811 miles
  • Powertrain: 2.5L Boxer 4-cyl + Lineartronic CVT + Symmetrical AWD
  • Trim Perks: Heated front cloth seats, power driver seat, 11.6" Starlink tablet screen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
  • The Good:
    • Zero accidents or damage reported on AutoCheck (Score: 92).
    • Spent its entire life in Florida until summer 2026—completely clean, salt-free undercarriage and subframe (huge plus for Wisconsin winters).
    • Modern platform, great crash ratings, and 35 MPG highway.
  • The Catch / History:
    • Was a single-owner corporate fleet vehicle.
    • Only 3 oil changes reported through commercial networks (likely serviced under corporate fleet accounts that don’t report lines).
    • Reaching the 105k-mile mark means spark plugs, CVT inspection, and differential fluids are due. Early 2020 11.6" screens are also known for occasional software lag.

Option 3: 2018 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD

  • Price: $18,568 (Listed at Schoepp Motors)
  • Mileage: 91,766 miles
  • Powertrain: 2.5L Turbo 4-cyl + 6-speed auto
  • Trim Perks: Top-tier luxury trim with Auburn Nappa leather, genuine rosewood interior, 360 camera, heads-up display, 3 rows of seating.
  • The Good: Dealer already installed 4 brand-new tires and brand-new brakes all around, saving $1,200+ out of pocket immediately.
  • The Catch / History:
    • Early 2.5T engines (2016–2018) are known for a technical service bulletin regarding cracked cylinder heads causing coolant leaks behind the turbo. Needs verification that the engine runs clean with no coolant loss.
    • Lower fuel economy (~22 combined MPG) and larger footprint to park.

Current Leaning

Leaning toward offering $15.8k–$16k on the CX-5 by leveraging the repo history and 5-month lot age, or going with the Subaru Legacy at ~$16k for the rust-free Florida chassis and accident-free record.

Which of these three would you pull the trigger on for long-term ownership in the upper Midwest?

reddit.com
u/aharecharjyo — 1 month ago
▲ 2 r/UsedCars+1 crossposts

Looking for an AWD daily in Madison, WI under $19k: CX-5 vs CX-9 vs Legacy (detailed breakdown after pulling full history reports)

Looking for a reliable, winter-ready AWD daily in the Madison, WI area. After weeding out some rebuilt-title traps at local curbside lots, I’ve narrowed the search down to three clean-title candidates in the $16k–$18.5k range.

I pulled full CARFAX and AutoCheck reports on all of them, and each has distinct pros, cons, and hidden history items. Would appreciate a sanity check from folks who own or wrench on these platforms.

Option 1: 2019 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD

  • Price: $17,308
  • Mileage: 98,540 miles
  • Powertrain: 2.5L NA 4-cyl (Skyactiv-G) + 6-speed auto
  • Trim Perks: Leather, Bose sound, power moonroof, power liftgate, factory Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
  • The Good: Naturally aspirated engine is historically bulletproof—no turbo, no cylinder-head cracking risk. 30 recorded service visits on CARFAX with frequent oil changes (every 3–4k miles).
  • The Catch / History:
    • Owner 2 put on 27,200 miles/year in Ohio (classic rideshare / delivery pattern with monthly Take 5 quick-lube visits).
    • Had a minor cosmetic accident reported in 2021 (no airbags, no structural damage).
    • Repossession reported in late 2025, and it has been sitting on the dealer lot since early April (over 5 months of lot sitting).
    • Due for standard 100k maintenance (spark plugs, diff/trans fluid, check front lower control arm bushings).

Option 2: 2020 Subaru Legacy Premium AWD

  • Price: $16,464
  • Mileage: 103,811 miles
  • Powertrain: 2.5L Boxer 4-cyl + Lineartronic CVT + Symmetrical AWD
  • Trim Perks: Heated front cloth seats, power driver seat, 11.6" Starlink tablet screen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
  • The Good:
    • Zero accidents or damage reported on AutoCheck (Score: 92).
    • Spent its entire life in Florida until summer 2026—completely clean, salt-free undercarriage and subframe (huge plus for Wisconsin winters).
    • Modern platform, great crash ratings, and 35 MPG highway.
  • The Catch / History:
    • Was a single-owner corporate fleet vehicle.
    • Only 3 oil changes reported through commercial networks (likely serviced under corporate fleet accounts that don’t report lines).
    • Reaching the 105k-mile mark means spark plugs, CVT inspection, and differential fluids are due. Early 2020 11.6" screens are also known for occasional software lag.

Option 3: 2018 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD

  • Price: $18,568 (Listed at Schoepp Motors)
  • Mileage: 91,766 miles
  • Powertrain: 2.5L Turbo 4-cyl + 6-speed auto
  • Trim Perks: Top-tier luxury trim with Auburn Nappa leather, genuine rosewood interior, 360 camera, heads-up display, 3 rows of seating.
  • The Good: Dealer already installed 4 brand-new tires and brand-new brakes all around, saving $1,200+ out of pocket immediately.
  • The Catch / History:
    • Early 2.5T engines (2016–2018) are known for a technical service bulletin regarding cracked cylinder heads causing coolant leaks behind the turbo. Needs verification that the engine runs clean with no coolant loss.
    • Lower fuel economy (~22 combined MPG) and larger footprint to park.

Current Leaning

Leaning toward offering $15.8k–$16k on the CX-5 by leveraging the repo history and 5-month lot age, or going with the Subaru Legacy at ~$16k for the rust-free Florida chassis and accident-free record.

Which of these three would you pull the trigger on for long-term ownership in the upper Midwest?

reddit.com
u/aharecharjyo — 1 month ago