Help me decided between a Subaru Forester (base) & Rav4 (base 4X4 V6)

[gotsmack]

****DECISION MADE****

I'm going with the RAV4 V6 4wd

The main reason is because the gas cap is on the drivers side while the Forester has theirs on the passengers.

It's a small issue but I get gas twice a week and it adds up.

*****New Stuff ********
I've decided that the 2 crossovers I'm considering are the 09 redesigned Forester which has a much improved look IMO or the RAV 4. The price premium on the RAV 4 is going to be $3k, but has a more powerful V6 since I'll have to buy one of the first 09 Foresters off the assembly line (unless my car makes a full recovery).

Is buying a newly redesigned Subaru a good idea or should I expect them to have a lot of first run defects like excess cabin noise and body panels not fitting together correctly?

My initial thought is that I would feel a lot safer waiting for 2 model years to pass to work out all of the bugs. Unfortunately my car most likely doesn't have 2 years left in it.

I would like to hear what your opinions on RAV4 vs Forester and 1st run redesigned Forester issues are.

Thanks

*********Old stuff******
It's about time to buy a new car. My hand me down 88 Volvo is going to kick the bucket, (at the mechanics now for evaluation).

I can afford up to $30k, want to buy new, has to be a hatchback/suv and AWD/4WD. I plan on keeping this car until it dies. I also want to use regular gas so turbos are out of the question.

I was originally going to get the Forester, but my uncle gets a Family discount from the local Toyota dealership.


Price:
Highlander is 7k more, but I don't know if it is $7k more vehicle. RAV 4 is $4.2k over the Forester. For a 2.8k difference is it even worth getting the Rav4 over the Highlander? ***ANSWERED: decided against the Highlander as it might not fit in my garage.

Sex appeal:
Two attractive female co-workers said I should defiantly get the Highlander. Their reaction to the Forester was along the lines of 'meh'

Dunno about the RAV 4

Gas:
I drive 50 miles a day for work, at $3 a gallon and 3 less MPG the Forester will have a savings of $223 per year over the Highlander. Rav 4 is about the same as the Forester.

Maintenance:
Forester: I have the Subaru credit card so can I get about $400 worth a free repairs a year at the dealer.
Highlander: Uncle's Family discount cuts the bill down to 1/3 of the regular price.

So will the cost savings from maintenance on the Highlander overcome the $7k initial price difference and $223 yearly gas premium??

Need opinions on the Rav 4

About me:
I'm single, late 20s and no kids. I live in Northern NJ and have to deal with a few areas that flood every time it rains so the extra ground clearance and AWD/4WD is a must.

I've decided on no sedans because my full sized Volvo couldn't fit an assembled 2 shelf book shelf in the trunk, that pissed me off. Whenever I buy those plastic storage boxes or chairs they have to go in the back seat.

In the car it is just me usually or myself and 1 other person in the car.


******EDIT added Rav 4 for consideration*****

 

[TimeKeeper]

I would think Forester is in RAV4 class, no? (I-4 engine )
I notice Rav4 is actually pretty big already?

But eitherway, I will take Toyota for reliability and resale value.

 

[raildogg]

What about the Honda Pilot? I hear a new redesign is about to appear so the 08 model may go cheaper. Make sure to test drive at least a few cars first before deciding on one.

 

[gotsmack]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper
I would think Forester is in RAV4 class, no? (I-4 engine )
I notice Rav4 is actually pretty big already?

But eitherway, I will take Toyota for reliability and resale value.

My friend has an older model RAV4 and it looked much smaller then the Forrester, but I check the 08s and they are supposed to have more cargo space then a Forester.

I'll have to go take a look.

Since I'm going to keep this forever, resale is out of the question unless it turns out to be a lemon.

 

[alimoalem]

of the two, i'd go with the highlander. i think that 33% family discount'll go a long way so i would think it'd offset the extra cost in the long run. it looks a lot better than the forester, too, imo. it has a lot more power, too, and that's never a bad thing

 

[vi edit]

Two completely different classes.

The Forester is a very small, somewhat rough around the edges quirky little SUV.

The Highlander is enormously more large in the first and second rows and offers almost another full 100HP of performance.

If you EVER have to carry anyone taller than 5 foot in the back seat you will hate the Forester. The Highlander will be like a Limo in comparison when it comes to second row accomidations.

If money were no concern I'd take the Highlander any day over the Forester.

I drive an '05 Highlander as my daily commuter. It's a 4WD and the gas milage is pretty rough. But it's an otherwise very fine vehicle for it's class.

 

[sniperruff]

i'd just forget the forester. if the highlander doesn't cost a lot more than the V6 rav4 then i'd take the highlander.

taking the toyota discount into consideration, buying a toyota is a no-brainer.

i'd look into the FJ as well if its radical styling doesn't put you off, or the new 2009 matrix XRS that will come out in a few months:

http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...rives/articleId=123653

that will save you some gas and doesn't require premium anymore (as did the old 1.8L yamaha engine), and gives you more usable power from the camry 2.4L. although the interiors on the old matrix was disappointing.

 

[dug777]

Highlander=Kluger here?

If so, the Highlander. One of my best mates' folks own one, and they're very happy with it.

Not that I don't like the Forester, but I'd personally take the Kluger/Highlander.

Boo to the RAV4.

 

[rootaxs]

Take note, the redesigned Forester is coming out next year.

Although, if a Hatch is in your sights... how about a Mazda 3? Much better mileage than both and i would assume the sex appeal on that is much better.

 

[iamwiz82]

If sex appeal is your main concern then your choices are not exactly up to par.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
If sex appeal is your main concern then your choices are not exactly up to par.

I think a old SWB FJ would be best here

 

[Throckmorton]

Highlander and Rav4 are chick cars. That's why you female co workers said you should get the Highlander. They don't sleep with you now and they won't sleep with you when you buy a Highlander. They'll be sleeping with the Jeep driver.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Highlander and Rav4 are chick cars. That's why you female co workers said you should get the Highlander. They don't sleep with you now and they won't sleep with you when you buy a Highlander. They'll be sleeping with the Jeep driver.

Pity the Jeep driver is only interested in other male Jeep drivers, and pudding

:laugh:

 

[JulesMaximus]

Sex appeal:
Two attractive female co-workers said I should defiantly get the Highlander. Their reaction to the Forester was along the lines of 'meh'

:laugh:MFAO!!! Sex appeal? SUV? Yeah right...:laugh:

If you think you're going to get more pussy in a Highlander than a Forester I've got a bridge I'm selling that you might be interested in buying.

Do you even need an SUV? If you're driving 50 miles a day and are concerned about fuel costs why not just buy a reasonably fuel efficient car? The Highlander gets about 20mpg...on a good day.

 

[krunchykrome]

How about a CRV? Why aren't you considering that? It lacks in power, but 166HP is plenty for a daily commuter.

 

[IronWing]

Need more info. Spouse/kids/regular riders? Towing needed? Lots of luggage room? Just like to be up high? Do you need 4WD or AWD? Why? Do you perfer car-like SUVs or truck-like SUVs?

If you buy an SUV and you work in a place where folks like to lunch, be prepared to be the chauffeur.

 

[gotsmack]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Need more info. Spouse/kids/regular riders? Towing needed? Lots of luggage room? Just like to be up high? Do you need 4WD or AWD? Why? Do you perfer car-like SUVs or truck-like SUVs?

If you buy an SUV and you work in a place where folks like to lunch, be prepared to be the chauffeur.

answered in the first post with new question highlighted.

 

[dug777]

Sounds like a ute would do you fine

Single cab Hilux 4WD?

Even a 2WD Hilux will give you a reasonable fording depth, and you could always add a snorkel.

EDIT: The SR5 version isn't too 'poverty spec' either, iirc.

 

[IronWing]

The FJ Cruiser can ford 27.5" of water. It can hold a 2 shelf bookcase, though maybe not a 3-shelf bookcase. Straight women* throw themselves over the hood, at least I think that's how they end up there, maybe I need to slow down. It get crappy mileage (19mpg).

Of your options above, if it were me, I'd go with the Rav4 based on size and that Subarus never fit me (6'2").





*Lesbians buy Jeep Liberties.

 

[gotsmack]

Originally posted by: ironwing
The FJ Cruiser can ford 27.5" of water. It can hold a 2 shelf bookcase, though maybe not a 3-shelf bookcase. Straight women* throw themselves over the hood, at least I think that's how they end up there, maybe I need to slow down. It get crappy mileage (19mpg).

Of your options above, if it were me, I'd go with the Rav4 based on size and that Subarus never fit me (6'2").





*Lesbians buy Jeep Liberties.

I was seriously thinking of the FJ when it first came out, but the poor rear visibility scared me off. This is northern NJ where people live on top of each other, I don't want to hit anyone when I back out of the garage. Any comments on the visibility?

The FJ also is going to kill me on gas.

Why do you like the RAV4 better then the Highlander?

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: gotsmack

I was seriously thinking of the FJ when it first came out, but the poor rear visibility scared me off. This is northern NJ where people live on top of each other, I don't want to hit anyone when I back out of the garage. Any comments on the visibility?

Why do you like the RAV4 better then the Highlander?

For NJ, I would think that a smaller vehicle would serve better. Though I just hopped over to Toyota's site and looked at the side by side comparison and the Rav4 isn't as small as I thought it was so maybe the pimp factor of the Highlander wins out.

The visibility of the FJ is limited in three areas. The first, as you mention is the rear. However, if you are used to using the side mirrors then it isn't a problem, sort of like a pickup with a cap. Getting the package with the backup sensor is recommended as the back window is high and short. This has its advantages as tailgaters' headlights don't shine into the cab.

The second blind spot is the enormous front "A" pillars. There isn't any fix for that other than paying attention and leaning forward to make sure there isn't anything hiding there.

The third visibility problem comes from the forward, short windshield. If you pull up to a traffic light, sometimes you have to lean forward to see the light.

Off road, the FJ is like the best pair of hiking boots you've ever owned. On road, the FJ is like dancing in the best pair of hiking boots you've ever owned. I really like it but then I used to dance in Fabiano Alps.

 

[BigSmooth]

I love my '07 Forester XT. From what I have seen of the '09, they have tried to retain some of the Forester's unique character, while enlarging the vehicle to appeal to a wider audience. I am sure rear seat room will improve. It's still nominally smaller than its competitors, although with the addition of some length and a fair amount of height I am concerned that the tossable driving dynamics can't be maintained. Exterior and interior both look pretty good in photos I've seen despite some generic styling cues on the outside. Overall, it looks like it will still be the good value and versatile vehicle it's always been.

I would not be concerned about buying a first-year Subaru vehicle. Foresters in general have always been exceptionally reliable with the exception of some head gasket problems in the first few years of production in the late '90s. The '09 is using a 2.5l engine which I have to assume will be similar to the current engine, so any significant problem like that is highly unlikely. Subaru overall has a very reliable lineup so I feel like their QC would be good on the new Forester as well. The Tribeca has gotten good ratings even in its initial model year ('06) and the Legacy/Outback's reliability saw no dropoff when the model was redesigned in '05 (according to Consumer Reports).

There is no way for me to say the '09 Forester will be better than the current RAV4 (which is an excellent vehicle) but I think it's certainly worth taking a hard look at.

 

[Nyati13]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
It's still nominally smaller than its competitors, although with the addition of some length and a fair amount of height I am concerned that the tossable driving dynamics can't be maintained.

The new frame ( which it shares with the Impreza) is based on the Legacy. Subaru used to be a 2 platform company ( Impreza and Legacy) it is now a 1 platform company with everything based off the Legacy platform.
With that said, the Legacy platform has excellent dynamics, so the Forester should still be very drivable.