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Comments
"SUV" is an image. A mystique. A way to drive a station wagon or minivan, while pretending you are not -- "No, son, that...that is a SUV!" How many times does a varition on these words appear in these boards: :"I didn't want to drive a minivan, so I bought a ________."
Better let Forester into the club, because people who drive beat-up Jeeps, and Broncos, and Scouts and modified Toyota pickups are laughing at all of us little "SUV" owners.
The seats are lower, but the 2003 gets a ratcheting height adjustment. Plus, it's easier for folks to climb in, or lift infant seats into. The cargo lift over is also at a back-saving low height.
I broke 30mpg on one trip. A couple of owners have exceeded 33mpg!
Throw out the tape measures - and hit the trails. I've driven my Forester in the Outer Banks, and on unimproved sand/mud roads in the Pine Barrens, plus a few farms. Basically, more than 99.9% of owners will ever need. It's never, ever even hinted at lacking traction. I have extensive photos of my trips, if anyone doubts it.
-juice
juice - I know we had a dialog on this a couple hundred posts back on this thread. Maybe "buzzy" is the wrong word... but, it tends to have a rough idle. I test drove both the Outback and Forester and noticed the same thing.
Consider doing a fuel system service. They force pressurized solvents through the fuel system to clean out any gunk. It made our 626 a lot more responsive.
Make sure the tire pressures are okay, and check them regularly. Also, don't carry unneeded stuff in the vehicle, they just serve as ballast.
Just my 2 cents'.
-juice
I freely admit that I am used to a much noisier (and thirsty) vehicle.
As far as putting a dog in the Santa Fe I have a 70 lb. standard poodle who is comfortable in the cargo area. I am going to have hooks installed on the ceiling behind the seat so I can attach the existing cargo net so he can't jump the seat.
I might have gone with the 2002 CR-V, just because it is a Honda, but I didn't think it could pull my camper. The Honda dealer's attitude was "oh those towing capacity ratings don't mean much. I'm sure it can tow it" before I even told him how much the camper weighed.
Filling the tank more slowly seems to keep the pump cut off from happening prematurely, which helps you get more accurate numbers. I don't think it really helps improve the mileage.
-Jason
jaserb... I only have 2300, so yeah, I am not in despair yet, and the MPG is creeping up like I said. As far as the color goes.... ... maybe I can just slowly paint it into Merlot by ordering 2500 bottles of touch up paint. The parts dept would love me!
MAD
Any suggestions?
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Why? Very low step in, low lift over for cargo, roof rack you can actually reach without a ladder, low cowl, and excellent visibility. She can wear a skirt and climb in easily. Tilt steering is standard, and the seat base is tilt adjustable front and rear.
Adjustable pedals are neat, but on mostly pricey SUVs until now. They should spread soon, though.
-juice
Some new trucks have powered running boards that pop out when you open the door, kinda neat.
-juice
Powered running boards? They sound like they would break off easily. I'd rather go simple and not bother with any boards. By the way, what is the deepest snow that you have gone through with your Forester?
-juice
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291862949
Any one of these sport/cutes would probably manage, depending on the tires chosen. The front bumper would basically be a snow plow on fresh, unplowed roads, but I bet they'd manage.
-juice
I really don't expect anything to get through that much snow, but I thought I would ask. I understand that CalTrans, etc. had to use snow cats to rescue the people from the over 100 cars stranded on the freeway, because the 4x4s couldn't get to them!
With 30", you're better off staying home, no matter what you buy!
-juice
And yes, once the Wrangler was stuck in the street, I went inside, called work, and enjoyed an unexpected day off!
-Frank P.
I'd be curious to know if Ford developed a true manual for that V6, given the Mazda 6 will share that engine block and it'll offer one.
Also, when is the hybrid coming?
-juice
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
* 219hp engine from Mazda 6 with S-VT (3.0l Duratec block)
* 5 speed manual with the V6
* longer warranty, 5/60 at least
* some upgrades in materials
-juice
A 5/100 warranty or match Dodge's 7/100
I second the 5 speed V6 and better materials
I'd definitely look at one!
In December of 2001, we developed a burning smell from the front of the car. When describing the symptoms over the phone the dealer correctly diagnosed the problems as a leaking front engine crank oil seal. He told me this was quite common and after replacement we could expect the seal to last 100,000 miles or more because the dealer installed seal lasts longer than the factory seal. Immediately following this work we heard a constant squeal from the engine, which was diagnosed as a defective alternator. Having just spent over $400.00 on the car, I now faced spending another $250.00.
What I anticipated from Subaru was well over 100K trouble free miles. The replacement alternator, a factory authorized rebuilt was defective from Day One. The squeal was worse than the original. Once again, I brought the car back in for more service. Again the diagnosis was the alternator, which was replaced under the parts warranty. Within a week the car died in traffic on a very busy highway stranding me with an out of town guest. We had it towed to the dealer: diagnosis- defective alternator cable.
I had 57,000 trouble free miles. The warranty is 60,000 miles. At 63,000 miles the car began to fall apart. I exceeded the Subaru recommended service interval by 100%.
In the first 70,000 miles I changed the oil 18 times.
Not one month later while on a vacation trip, the car stopped running stranding my wife on the left shoulder on a very busy 75 MPH interstate at 11:00 PM 500 miles from home. Taken to a local dealer the diagnosis was a rod through the block. Destroyed engine.
Needless to say, I am not happy. I had anticipated reliability equivalent to my 30 years of experience with similar vehicles. What I have is a car that has cost me $3,300.00 in repairs when I consider it to be barely broken in. I selected this car based on its reputation for reliability. Myth: A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology. A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal
Looking at the Edmunds website, I see numerous mentions of the odor that presaged the complete failure of my engine. I hope I can warn those Subaru owners before they learn the same expensive lesson I learned.
The Outback is a nice looking wagon by the way..
Good luck..
The OBS has ugly itchy interior cloth and no side bags available.
Well... I finally checked out the new CRV and all the features for 22K!!! Comfortable seats...rear seats recline! lots of storage...deep area in back! Arm rests are vinyl (the way they should be). Bumpers are unpainted even on the top model which is a plus for New York (no scratches to worry about).
Now I almost forgot about Subaru!
But wait.... the Mitsubishi Outlander is coming...
Bob
This guy is a troll, I've seen dozens of exact copies of that post and not one follow-up, a clear sign of trolling.
Gary: $22k can buy a WRX wagon, which has side air-bags and will blow away anything even close in price.
-juice
I purchased a late 2001 Escape XLT V6 with tinted glass, step bars, 4whl ABS, console, every options but the moonroof to say the least, 6CD changer Mach system.. For 22K!! Granted I had a $500 Ford coupon also.. 22K is way too much for a CRV...
We bought a Legacy L for under $18 grand, minus some fancy equipment but with ABS, AWD, PW/PL/PS, cruise, and keyless.
-juice
Well at 5041 miles on our Pine Green Santa Fe GLS 4WD V6, its time for an objective review. So here goes:
Catastrophic (life threataning) problems: none. I'm still alive!
Major problems (engine/tranny internals): none.
Significant problems (parts peripheral to the drivetrain):
At 469 miles the car began to run very erratically. It never stalled (hey, its not a Tribscape!), but to be safe and not to void the warranty, I had it towed to the dealer. (Hyundai roadside assistance worked fine, by the way).
Problem was a "throttle position sensor". One day at the dealers; fixed with no hassle. (Fred Beans in Doylestown, PA, I'd recommend them to anyone).
Minor problems: Slightly rust-stained left rear wheel hub, replaced with no hassle by Fred Beans.
Annoying things:
STILL not REALLY enough driver leg room (I complained about it on my Lumina too!). With the seat all the way back and at max height, its "OK". The dealer said he had not heard of the seat rail lengthening thing, so if anybody has info, please let me know....thx
The "brow" of the window sits low and I have to bend my head to look at red lights when I'm first in line at the light! (I guess I'd better run more yellow lights!). Otherwise, head room is fine.
The 12V power adapters run ONLY when the ignition is ON. I'm sure this is a safety feature, but so much for charging the cell phone in the car at night!
Slight dash creak in colder weather (below 60 F) and on bumpy roads (which in PA is most roads!).
Slight whistle at very high speeds ( &) to *) MPH....encrypted to avoid state police spies!
;-0 ).
City gas mileage between 17-18, but it seems to be getting better. Hopefully, it will hit that 19 mark! Highway mileage (23 w/4WD) is right on, and maybe a bit conservative.
Cool things:
Rear cargo area is great. YES, I know the seats don't go totally flat...stop knitpicking! (oops). We've hauled a coffee table (aka the Truckville commercial!) and a 6 ft dogwood tree and will be going on vaca soon. Can't wait.
V6 is relatively quiet at cruising speed which is why I wanted it. Power output is acceptable for the 4WD.
LOVE the light thing...you can leave the lights on and when you turn the ignition off the headlights go off and when you open the door the dash light turns off. When you get back in, it all goes in reverse. Like having daytime running
lights. A cool, unadvertised feature.
Seats are comfortable and firm (needs more legroom, didn't I mention that?!).
Interior is the BEST-designed of all the mini-SUVS, not boring like the CRV or Trib. Yeah, a bit plasticy, but still cool (and, hey, we looked in a Volvo with an all leather interior and it looked plasticy!).
Exterior is a tad overdone but not ugly. In fact the mean-looking prow and the smooth curvaceous rear add a mixed-personality to the vehicle. Very interesting styling.
4WD and ABS functioned VERY well in the only snowstorm we had a chance to ride in. I'm looking forward to winter (especially with it being near 100 F today!)! I wonder how
the SF will do on the BEACH!
All in all, we really like this car. Reliability-wise it has been no worse than any American car we have owned, although I doubt it will come up to a Honda...but then you don't have the 3-month
wait, the ridiculous prices for underpowered vehicles, the bland styling and the arrogant sales and service, either! I say its still
the Hyundai gamble (lots of miles to go yet!) and we will see how it works out, but so far, I'm impressed...just a bit nervous, that's all!
I hope this helped anyone looking. Happy Independence Day and God Bless America! (and Canada, and Korea, and Brazil and Japan, and
China, and India and Kenya and...I'd better stop).
Minor problems - Tailgate/glass was squeaking. Fixed myself.
LIkes - Very powerful V6, responsive. What I feel to be the best powertrain/engine combo in this segment.
Dislikes - Its common knowledge the interior could be upgraded a bit. Although the plastics are no worse nor better than a RAV4 or CRV. Major upgrade on interior coming for 2003 and this issue will be done..
Overall I am really enjoying my Escape. I have towed my two jet skiis with no problems. Took a trip to Southern Oregon and loaded the Escape down with 2 bikes ontop and two in the tow hitch along with gear. Averaged 24.7MPG at average speed of 70mph. A very reliable vehicle. Would recommend this vehicle to anyone..
The Escape/Trib are not as problem prone as you want so badly for everyone to believe. There are thousands upon thousand of satisfied Escape/Trib owners on the net in other chat rooms and clubs.
The Santa Fe is ugly. Its styling is always in question. I see VERY few of these on the road. I see mostly CRV's, RAV4's and Escape/Tribs. I see more Saturn VUE's than Santa Fe's!! Heck, the 4cyl RAV4 beats the V6 in the Santa Fe! LOL! and the CRV with its new 2.6 makes it even worse for the Santa Fe.. I chose an Escape and at 12,347 miles with NO problems, I am 100% satisfied and would recommend one to anyone.. See ya!
I once again challenge all to read the Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape problems board board and see scape's cavalier treatment of those suffering from the Tribscape stalling problem.
Truth is, scape, if that review were posted by anyone other than you I wouldn't have given it a second thought. But your timing was VERY curious and your agenda...is well, is whatever your agenda is! (I'm still guessing union given your comment a couple months ago about Korean wages!).
I wish everyone the best, regardless of what their purchase is!