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Comments
After including taxes (6% in my area): 25,952.00 + 1557.12 =$27,509.12
If I had that money I would definitely choose the Pathfinder over the top of the line Liberty.
Bob
Get rid of the tires and buy some Goodyear AT/S.
($500)
Put a bug deflector on and you will have the best looking rugged vehicle for the $$.
You will not be getting stellar MPG though
A good alternative to the Pathfinder. I have done the above and am VERY happy with my choice, after looking at the various choices in the title of this section! (remember- Limited Slip and ABS are standard on X, options on Liberty).
If it weren't for the poor build quality on the new Trailblazer, I would choose that over the Pathfinder.
of course, all this is assuming that I can afford any of the above mentioned SUVs, lol.
The Pathfinder is just too expensive. I want something under $22K.
You know, we can find a complaint about every vehicle...how about...
"You know, those Dodge Vipers sure are lacking in ground clearance. And they don't even have 4 wheel drive. That's my complaint."
Bob
The Liberty belongs with the Isuzu Rodeo and Nissan XTerra- for true comparisons.
Although I do unerstand that cross shopping the carbased and truck based SUVs is necessary if you are not really sure of you future usage of the vehicle.
Good luck...
We know that the Santa Fe offers 77.7 cubic ft vs. Forester's 63.3 cubic ft (seats down). However, what we need to know is the WIDEST, TALLEST, and LONGEST hard object that can truly fit into each of these vehicles... taking into account wheel well intrusion (width), slope of back hatch (length), height of the hatch opening (height), and the not-quite-flat folded rear seat. We're hoping that the Forester can accommodate something up to 60" long, 32" high, and 38" wide (typical dresser dimensions).
We are NOT "SUV drivers" at all - and the appeal of the Forester is that it's the most car-like of anything we've tested. We did drive the Tribute and the Highlander as well, but threw out the Trib because of its somewhat checkered infancy and the Highlander because of its high price. We're also not really interested in a "commanding driving position" or off-roading... but... for lack of a better term, "haulability" with a car-like ride and economy.
The acid test: Does the Forester have enough cargo space for us? Any information, advice, or answers would be much appreciated.
Thanks
BUT- if I were you, I'd choose the Subaru.
The resale will be much higher is you decide to get a new Foreester in a couple of years (or upgrade to an XTerra- just kidding).
If the space is an issue- consider a couple hundred bucks for a hard shell car top carrier- they are gas- friendly and waterproof and may make the difference in getting an Okay vehicle (S.F) and a really good one (Subaru).
Just my opinion.
Bob
If you are dead set on the SUV, take a tape measure to the dealerships and measure it out.
Safety was a concern for us so we ordered ABS and we were glad to hear Vue scored well on the crash tests. We feel very safe and happy with our Big Red.
But I'd use the roof rack. Indeed, I have. We bought an extra deep (21" instead of the standard 17") DOUBLE-dresser, four drawers tall, and carried it home on the roof, no problem. It's enormous, probably much more so than anything from an antique shop.
The Pathfinder is a bit long in the tooth, and the sweet V6 is powerful but has the misfortune of both poor mpg AND a premium fuel requirement. I paid $19.2k for my Forester L, so they're not even in the same ball park.
The XTerra has good low end grunt, but it runs out of steam too soon. The Forester is faster (and far more efficient). The new SC models also guzzle premium fuel, and the press reviews show they aren't much quicker.
But if you want a truck-based SUV, I much prefer the more refined Liberty. It makes the XTerra seem 2 generations older. The XTerra has a solid reliability record, though, and both have cool styling IMO.
-juice
The XTerra, Escape/Tribute, Santa Fe, and Liberty have nice sized cargo holds, too.
-juice
I like the fact that I can actually reach it without a ladder or even a step stool. The Liberty's was way up there in the nose bleed section. ;-)
-juice
Maybe it's because those models don't have as beefy side rails as the Forester does?
Bob
The Forester has cross beams connecting each pillar, and the roof rails certainly are part of the unibody structure, probably welded right on to those beams.
Remember something - the Forester is the only "car" here, so only it has to be able to withstand 150% of the weight of the vehicle on its roof.
The others may or may not, but they are not required to meet that safety standard.
-juice
Bob
I TOLD you so. The Forester is probably based on the hearse used in Princess Di's funeral. Next time you see that footage, look real closely, then look at the Forester. H-E-A-R-S-E!
Is everything european that much smaller? ;-)
-juice
Princess Di was after hitting that wall!
If manufacturers made them any stronger, people would be tempted to put heavier stuff on top and cause the car to tip over.
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Where does this come from?
I witnessed an old Jeep CJ rolling over backwards, but that's not fair because he was on Flipper Hill, off road.
-juice
**Here is what I think about my roof rack! You can store most of the stuffs on this roof rack and they would lay in the center; there are walls cover ever corners; what I mean it is like a box and you lay stuffs in the box***
Did you install it, or did a shop do it for you?
Beefy looks do not necessarily mean large capacity. The XTerra's beefy looking rack cannot match the Forester's capacity. It's more show than go.
-juice
-mad