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Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4
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Comments
I also have all the service records and receipts, plus a clean CARFAX report I got, MPG records, the works.
I'll be pretty impressed if I can get $5 grand for it, given I only paid $19k 9 years ago. :shades:
Price was $5550 but he made a typo, and I was not gonna fuss over $50.
I only have the Miata now, so we'll be using my wife's car a lot until I find something new. Still waiting for the 08 Tribeca to show up in dealers, so far we've only seen manufacturer's plates on those.
If I don't love it, I think I'm just gonna throw in the towel and get a minivan. :sick:
My wife has a Legacy now but she wants a new Forester. I told her hold up! It's my turn for a new car.
Plus, there will be a new Forester soon, and I'd prefer to wait for her to get one of those. :shades:
do you have info that new Forester is due in 2008?
I spoke to a regional rep that was hosting a VIP event for Tribeca shoppers. I had registered on-line and they just sent me an invite. We checked out the 08s, which should be in dealers next week.
We also spoke about the new Forester. She said they are moving it up and will have it out by February 2008. I'm not sure if she means it'll debut at the Chicago show in February, as the Forester has twice in the past, but even then it should be in dealers before summer 2008.
My wife now wants to trade her Legacy in for a Forester automatic, but I'm going to make her wait to see the new models. Especially since I have to get my new car first.
I'v e heard that I should use synthetic oil, and I'm really looking for some help on whether I should try the rip...
thanks so much
It is NOT a good idea to switch to fully synthetic oil in an older vehicle. The very slippery synthetics can leak past the seals and result in losing oil rapidly when under load. Foresters have somewhat of a problem with oil seal leaks and the synthetic may bring one on or make an existing one worse. Regular oil of the appropriate grade might be best and it would probably be a good idea to put in a fresh batch before leaving. Inspection of brakes, tires, hoses and belts would also be a good idea, as would making sure that all fluids have been changed when recommended and topped up before leaving.
I took Bob's trailer (dry weight ~ 700 lbs) from DC to Ocean City with a few beds in it, and it was fine. Came back with some other furniture.
Gas mileage was terrible (17 or so mpg) but the vehicle towed it just fine.
-Frank
If you look at a globe, you will note that your entire trip is downhill
- hutch
The 3.5l is nice, eh? Dual variable valve timing and Direct Injection, too. 2 weeks so far, 2 trips to the beach, and I'm averaging 24mpg. :shades:
We decided the Tribeca just wasn't big enough. 2 kids, a nanny, a dog, and the occasional car pool made my practical side choose a minivan.
I can't believe you left the Subie fold.
hutch
The Tribeca was close, very close. The new 3.6l H6 is very nice and really makes it a lot more fun than the van.
But...remember I also have the Miata. So we were looking for a family/trip car. I was outvoted 3 to 1.
I think if I had to drive just one vehicle, I would have picked the Tribeca. It's smaller, more nimble, more fun around town. The van would feel clumsy in city traffic.
But I don't - I have the Miata to commute in the city. So getting a van was the practical choice for suburbs/highway driving only.
Don't tell anyone, but it's not so bad, I actually like it!
Drove to the beach and the wife sat in the back seat with the kids, watched The Sound of Music on a 12" DVD screen we had put in.
I had total peace and quiet the whole way. :shades:
Bob
The changes to the 08 Impreza are very encouraging - longer wheelbase, ultra-compact rear suspension, and nicer interior. If the 09 Forester gets similar upgrades that's what will replace the Legacy.
I live in Texas and wont be seeing any snow; however, I will be crossing some mud, water, and unpaved roads. I am considering the 2007 Forester X.
Any experience with this car offroad?
by the way...this is my first post here, although I have been poking around for a few days. I have got lots of great info. so thanks!
Also...anyone know if a large size plastic kennel fits in the back of the forester with just one or none of the seats down?
Thanks again,
Aaron
The cargo area is nice and boxy, though, so unless you have a Great Dane I bet it will fit.
I was one of the few that took my Forester off pavement, and it was fine in the sand. Only did light trails, mostly farm roads and stuff like that, no boulder hopping.
I think as long as your expectations are realistic, it will do fine. The angle of approach is not that good - there is a long front overhang and your bumper may scrape if the terrain has lots of ups and downs.
I've been off road "as you described" and my Forester's have been great.
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a28/Kavoom/
They are not, however, heavy duty off road. If you are worried, there are modifications starting with the pretty inexpensive differential protector (bout a hundred bucks) and under plates that can further enhance your experience.
Try Forester.org if you want to ask serious questions.
I can tell you I drove mine through some ridiculous stuff and never got stuck. Just don't high center it .. and you're fine. Drove mine on the beach near Ocean City MD in very soft sand with a little air let out of the tires .. and some absolutely absurdly deep snow .. did fine.
- hutch
If you want some detailed answers w/pictures, head over to subaruforester dot org or offroadsubarus dot com (sorry, but it's generally been a no-no to paste links to other forums on this message board). Both of those are great sources of information and everyone is usually extremely helpful and friendly.
Doug
-Frank
I would like a small SUV, love the Tribeca and Murano but they seem too big and too pricey. So we have so far narrowed it to the rav and the Foresster.
Can anyone who has recently gone through all this give me a better idea of the cars and which and why they chose it?
I have to make a decison in the next week or so as for right now I am car less. My beloved minivan saved my life in a car accident a few weeks ago. So for now I am begging for rides everywhere I need to go.
Thanks so much~Happy Dad's Day.
1. AWD on Subaru is awesome. Better than Toyotas.
2. Forester is noiser than RAV4.
3. Forester and RAV4 have 4 speed transmissions, except for the V6 on the RAV4, which has a 5 speed.
4. Forester XT is a hoot to drive and fast as all get go, lack of a fifth gear compared to the RAV4 V6 will result in worse gas mileage. Forester can be had with a manual transmission if that is your bent.
5. IMO, the Subie handles far and away better than the RAV4. More confident and surefooted.
6. Sunroof is awesome on Forester.
7. Subaru Forester has been getting good crash grades for years.
8. The RAV4 options are more upscale than the Subaru.
9. Unless you need 7 seats in the RAV4, there should be plenty of room in both cars. RAV4 back seats are diminutive.
Good luck.
- hutch
I just went thought this. We bought A forester brand new in 2001 and just sold it. The forester was very reliable, likable, comfortable and was probably the best car buying decision we had made to date. Recently we had a baby, the subaru was pushing 100,000 miles with no trouble but the subaru has one serious flaw with kids; the backseat is not deep enough! These car seats take up a lot of room. The only way to fit a rear facing car seat in a subie is to put it in the middle of the back seat and have it intrude between the two front seats. I did a TON a research and tried out the RAV$ - we have been delighted so far. This car allows you to put the car seat directly behind a front seat with plenty of rear leg room and front room. I think the Rav4 has 38.3 inches in the back seat vs, 33.7 for the subie. In general the car is much roomier. Also, the V6 is not offered in the subie and gets only 1 mile per gallon less than the 4 cylinder. If the rear seat room issue is not a factor, than buy which ever you like better; you can't go wrong. But I suspect from your name you have kids, so I'd get the rav4.
Mike
Don't need a V6 with the turbo.
Thanks for your input. It means alot. While I don't have any car seats in my life right now~the leg room in general is I'm gathering you purchased the limited? That is what we are thinking of as when our family is all together~our son visiting, he is 6ft tall and with the ability to move the seats back, I think there would be enough leg room.
One other question; Does having the full spare bother you in any way? I love the idea that the rear opens like a door rather than a van door as I have a very bad back, thus we are also going for the lumbar support. I have heard you can either get or it comes with a hard shell that is lockable to prevent theft or damage?
Thanks again. My family is leaning towards the RAV, now I just have to test drive them one more time and make a decision.
Now we will go back to test drive after researching to see what seems to fit better for me.
I'm coming from a Windstar Mininvan which I loved, (We had purchased it for moving the kids back and forth to college and for aging parents as well)it that saved my life. So, I'm sure I will have to adjust to the smaller size with either car. But for some reson the Rav seems a bit higher? maybe my imagination?
Thanks again.
No the driving position is higher in the RAV4. So you have a slightly better view of the road (good) but then you also have a higher center of gravity (bad).
-Frank
I believe the cover for the rear spare tire depends on the trim level you get; base, sport or limited. The sport comes with a hard case that has a elastic sort of grip om the back of the tire. Sounds lame but actually works quite well. I think the limited may have some sort of clamps, but does not actually lock to my knowledge.
But for me~especially now, safety and comfort is first and foremost.
The back seat is a sometimes issue. We only go out all together in one car once in a while now that the kids are older. But since my son is tall, I wanted to make sure he would be comfortable~thanks for the info on how the back seat feels.
Mostly the car will be for me and then Hubby on w/e's and for when he skis in the wintertime. But during the week I only go to the gym, grocery shop, doctor appts, etc. Usual errand stuff. I am a low mileage driver~my lifesaving minivan was almost 7 years old and had 32K miles on it.
One other question that came up today~is the back door able to be ordered with opening to the left or right? Or does it just open to the left? We could have sworn we saw one that had the tire on the left side which would mena the door would open to the right, right???
Need to get these decisions made. And thanks to all of you this site is really helping!
One other frequently over looked fact, the Forester's combined front & rear legroom is actually pretty good. So unless you're a tall driver and need the front seat all the way back, there should be sufficient rear legroom for most passengers.
-Frank
I have noticed that as well - the front seat rails have quite a bit of travel, so if the occupants of the front seats take more than their share, it leaves almost none for those in the back seat.
Granted, I prefer a far less... casual... seating position than many drivers, but I am 6' and have no problem placing a child seat directly behind me. That stated, I do think rear leg room is cramped - more so on the new models. I never felt it was a problem on the first generation Forester or Outback.
I assume all the doors open the same way. In any case, mine opens to the right.
So, do those of you that have a RAV 4 like them and are glad you made the decision to buy it? We are test driving tomm. I think.
Just watch out for the puddle that forms in the license plate tray. I doused myself a couple times with my old Outback. :surprise:
Room is tight with some bigger baby seats, but with boosters it raises the kids up so they actually have more room from their legs to the floor.
I think a Forester is fine for 2 kids, more than that and you should get something bigger.
Or it may be OK if the car seats are smaller. My experience has been with the big Britax seats.