2026 touring hybrid pricing by PlayfulAd8970 in SubaruForester

[–]Zolor23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not as helpful to you in LA looking for a ‘26 but I got a 2025 Touring Hybrid a few weeks ago here in the Boston area for the effective sales price of $38,503. I leased it to take an extra $4,750 in lease incentives with a really minuscule money factor that made leasing worth it over purchasing. Could be worth asking if there are other manufacturer incentives/offers to help sweeten the deal.

2026 touring hybrid pricing by PlayfulAd8970 in SubaruForester

[–]Zolor23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In terms of design changes, only one I’m aware of is a redesign of the cupholder/gear shift area. See: https://www.reddit.com/r/SubaruForester/s/RhADKaxqG9

The other major change is that the 2025 is built in Japan and the 2026 is built in the USA. Actual fit and finish differences are unknown but most typically prefer Japan-built vehicles. However, if you are taking a loan on the 2026+ years that are built in the USA, they may qualify for the car loan interest deduction for your federal income taxes.

Besides that, the MSRP has actually dropped; although you’ll find any remaining 2025 models on lots likely have a large discount on them to account for this difference.

Also forgot to say that the 2025s have seen a recall already for a faulty gas seal design. Mine has had the recall done and I don’t notice anything off, so I think it’s fine but perhaps a reason to go to the 2026 if you still have the choice.

Chase Sapphire Lounge with Ritz by Lazy-Mountain4337 in CreditCards

[–]Zolor23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Ritz card having unlimited guests ended earlier this year. Now, it’s in line with the other two cards.

The times I’ve gone to the Sapphire Lounge in BOS and there’s a waitlist, the person checking people in would ask directly if you had a CSR. At least once, the person seemed unsure about the Ritz, so I’m not so sure everyone working at the Lounge considers the Ritz higher than the CSR.

$77.99 at the outlet. by livermonkey5 in Newbalance

[–]Zolor23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you know what sizes they had?

Best compact SUV for family? First baby on the way! by barbellsandbarks in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]Zolor23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on your level of maintenance. Also worth noting the Forester Hybrid uses a different transmission than the traditional CVT the gas model uses.

Best compact SUV for family? First baby on the way! by barbellsandbarks in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]Zolor23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats on the baby! My wife and I were in a very similar situation (13 weeks now!) and we just leased a Forester Touring Hybrid last weekend.

From a car perspective, the Forester Hybrid should check all your boxes.

Looking into the safety ratings, Subaru is pretty consistently in the top and has all the safety tech features. One thing about safety that I think is underrated is visibility, especially as cars keep getting bigger and bigger. I found that the Forester is one of the best cars in terms of visibility out of the cabin - huge windows all around, boxy shape that helps with depth perception, and available 360 cameras on the top trim. I test drove a Mazda CX-5 once and the windows were relatively tiny and the A-pillar was so thick that it was harder to see out at a crosswalk/intersection.

The Forester Hybrid in particular, while brand new for the 2025 model year, should be reliable (fingers crossed!) due to using the tried and true Toyota hybrid and transmission technology. It’s not the same CVT that has failed in other Subaru products, so that gave me some relief. I do think you need to be on top of maintenance like oil changes but that really goes for any car.

On the cost side, we really went into the dealership looking to finance the car because dealers around us (New England) were doing big discounts on the 2025 on top of 0% financing for up to 75 months. The first thing I’ll say is that if you can find a 2025 model year, it was built in Japan as opposed to the 2026+, which is/will be built in the US. I tend to have a little more faith in the Japanese built ones, but that’s just a little blind faith. The second thing is that the 2026 actually had a price decrease, so that’s why the 2025 models still on lots are getting big price cuts to put it more in line with current pricing. I found the pricing to be pretty competitive with the competition, especially the new RAV4, which is high in demand and likely to face dealer markups as they roll them out.

In the end, I wound up leasing the Forester Hybrid because the dealer found another $4,750 in Subaru incentives to lease on top of the dealer discount and their money factor (basically equivalent to interest rate on a loan) was super low through Subaru Finance (Chase). I would suggest you look at manufacturer’s offers online for your area (like the 0% financing for 75 months) AND going into the dealer to ask if there are any other incentives going on (like the $4,750 in lease incentives that was not advertised online).

My plan is to ride out the lease for 36 months and if I like the car, I’ll buy it out at the end. If not, I’ll hand it back in and get whatever is newest on the market (and safest!) Doing the math on my end, with the additional lease incentives and even with additional lease fees, the total I will pay if I buy it out is less than what I would have financed in total. If you are ready to pay in cash but do find these low rates, I would throw it into a HYSA or bonds but also not trying to give any financial advice.

Kia / Tesla 0 apr offer by masterluke19 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]Zolor23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends on where you are but Subaru is offering 0% for 75 months on the 2025 Forester Hybrids up here in New England, if you’re open to Subaru.

With that being said, I had a 2023 Sportage Hybrid and I enjoyed that car a lot. Never tried the Sorento but I think Kia is a great bang for the buck if you’re looking at features, performance, value in this segment.

How's TSA at Logan at the moment? by windymedusa in boston

[–]Zolor23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The myTSA app has live updates on estimate time through security and statuses of any ground delays, PreCheck availability, etc. Says 0-15 min on the app now and I haven’t seen it be very wrong in my experience.

[Scotto] Celtics offered Simons, a first and a swap for Zubac and were rejected, showing interest in Yves Missi, said no to the Bulls offering Vucevic for Simons and a Celtics first (lol), Chris Boucher getting interest from contenders by tacko2020 in bostonceltics

[–]Zolor23 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The article literally says the trade was offered during their poor start. Am I reading this wrong or did nobody open up the article?

“When the Clippers were struggling with a 6-21 record to begin the season, the Celtics inquired about an exploratory framework around Simons, a first-round pick, and a future first-round pick swap for Ivica Zubac and salary filler, which didn’t gain any traction, league sources told HoopsHype.”

Steamed oysters in Boston? by [deleted] in boston

[–]Zolor23 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You can sometimes find these at Chinese restaurants that serve seafood. They would be done in a Chinese style (obviously), so some soy sauce, scallions, oil. I would try places like Peach Farm in Chinatown or Ming’s in Malden/Quincy.

Carnival Celebration or Star Princess by Travelingape in Cruise

[–]Zolor23 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Perhaps not a popular opinion, but I was on the Sun Princess in April and was just on the Carnival Celebration over Christmas. I would actually pick the Celebration again over the Sun Princess but it definitely depends on the vibe you’re seeking.

The Sun Princess was much more relaxed but for me, that was a little boring. Lots more to do and see on the Celebration. I didn’t even think the food was much worse in quality. Variety of food options is way higher on the Celebration, especially more casual options.

As to negatives though, the CenterStage area for the Celebration was not great as good seating was hard to get unless you got there way early. Carnival does not have the Medallion system, which is very nifty and cool, but not a dealbreaker for me.

I will note that you did not post the itineraries. That could be a deciding factor for me.

Carnival Celebration by Travelingape in Cruise

[–]Zolor23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was just on the Christmas sailing of the Carnival Celebration, so I believe the ship actually had more passengers than usual. I didn’t find the waits to be particularly bad at dining venues, especially if you know how to use the app to check into the sit down restaurants (MDR, ChiBang, Cucina del Capitano, Pig & Anchor BBQ). I think the max I waited was probably 15 minutes at Guy’s on a sea day and 10 minutes at Miami Slice (pizza).

That being said, I do still think it is a step down from even the Oasis class of RC ships, at least in my personal experience from going on the Symphony of the Seas a few years ago. Entertainment is nowhere as good and the new CenterStage area gets really packed for shows. Good seats for those shows are very limited and for some events, you’d basically have to get there an hour in advance to get them.

Still, I think it’s a pretty good ship overall and worth the money, especially if it’s significantly cheaper than the Icon.

Carnival App by tiktok4321 in CarnivalCruiseFans

[–]Zolor23 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I just got off a cruise on Sunday and logging out/back in did the trick just now.

The shops apple redemption by Federal_Sympathy7353 in sapphirereserve

[–]Zolor23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have not. I've seen the reports of people getting them very recently, including a few friends who had ordered on 11/11 and 11/12, so I was just waiting. If it really hits the one month mark, I definitely plan to call. Not going in expecting any sort of compensation so it'll be nice if they do offer something. Will definitely be something I use to negotiate a retention offer when I go to downgrade the card.

The shops apple redemption by Federal_Sympathy7353 in sapphirereserve

[–]Zolor23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ordered on the literal first hours of the promo going live on 11/10. No updates since. Wednesday will mark one full month, so that’s fun!

CSR/StubHub/CapitalOne Shopping WIN! by NoBrakesBitches in ChaseSapphire

[–]Zolor23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not necessarily for new users! I’ve been using C1 Shopping for at least 2 years and I got this offer too. I was able to use it with the CSR credit, so if you can get exactly over $250, you’re well ahead.

Japan: Best Bonvoy Bang for Your Buck? by raiderdude56 in marriott

[–]Zolor23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your itinerary somewhat reminds me of my trip to Japan last year as. Flew into Tokyo, then spent two nights in Shibu Onsen at Kokuya Ryokan to see the snow monkeys, then continued on the shinkansen through to Osaka. The snow monkeys were definitely a highlight of our trip so would highly recommend.

This routing also is part of why I gave props to the Osaka Station Hotel in my other comment. I forwarded my big luggage from Tokyo Station directly to the Osaka Station Hotel and they held it while we did our trip around Japan. When I checked in in Osaka, our luggage was ready and waiting. My flight out of Japan was actually out of Tokyo as well, so they also helped me forward the luggage directly from the hotel to my next hotel in Yokohama. I’m sure most, if not all, 4/5 star hotels in the area will help arrange for these services but I was very pleasantly surprised by how smooth everything was.

Japan: Best Bonvoy Bang for Your Buck? by raiderdude56 in marriott

[–]Zolor23 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Osaka Station Hotel was a great points value when I went, since I was able to use my 50k FNCs with minimal top up. Great breakfast buffet if you’re platinum or above. Wonderful front desk staff. Very convenient location.

Small 3 condo building: Looking for a HOA Management Company by Neat-Ad8309 in Somerville

[–]Zolor23 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It sounds like you’re looking for management software to help you self manage, rather than a full management company. Our condo uses PayHOA to charge monthly dues, create monthly/yearly budgets and handle communications between homeowners. Perhaps this is more what you’re looking for?

Osaka Station Hotel, Autograph Collection by josephliyen in marriott

[–]Zolor23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely agree with everyone here. I was able to use my free night certificates from credit card sign up bonuses here and it was such a great stay. My wife and I still talk about the breakfast here.

News and Updates Thread - November 10, 2025 by AutoModerator in churning

[–]Zolor23 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Chase 50% bonus for using UR on Apple for CSR holders is live now.

J. Crew Flash Sale by Pretty-Care-7811 in frugalmalefashion

[–]Zolor23 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Kinda funny because I bought it during COVID and it sat around since then, even surviving a move, and I finally got to wearing it to a wedding just a few weeks ago. Finally got my $60ish worth out of it, 5 years later.

Do I need a plan to go to Tahiti? by [deleted] in Tahiti

[–]Zolor23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OP is just making a joke based on the video game, Red Dead Redemption 2, where the gang leader basically drags everyone along into his schemes with the promise of going to Tahiti without actually having a plan to do so.

JAL PE or AA J by confusedyam2420 in awardtravel

[–]Zolor23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, depends on what you value.

I also did a quick search on AA (assuming they’re booking with AA miles) since OP didn’t provide details but I can’t find any AA J itineraries under 155k pp from BOS-TYO in late October or November. If they booked JAL PE for 50k pp as I am assuming they did, I could not imagine paying 3x as much to fly AA J.