Author Topic: Need Advise: 2008 Toyota RAV4, 2008 Honda CRV or 2009 Subaru Forester (Read 16662 times)

Uncledan · « **on:** March 24, 2008, 11:30:31 pm »

Hi all,

I am new to this forum, and I plan to trade in my 2006 Honda Civic to a SUV. Since a new baby is coming, and I think my civic is not big enough for a family of 5 (both of my parents+me+my wife+a new baby). As we all know, if you bring a baby for shopping, you have to carry many things including a baby bag and a stroller.

Usually, my parents do not go out with us and my wife and I will use this SUV for work, I think a van will be good in my case, but I don't want start to drive a van at Age 28. hmmm... Anyway, 2008 Toyota RAV4, 2008 Honda CRV or 2009 Subaru Forester, which is a better choice?
thx

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2008, 11:36:51 pm »

Quote

Usually, my parents do not go out with us and my wife and I will use this SUV for work...

Then what's wrong with the Civic? We have at least one member on this forum whose family vehicle (two parents and a young one) is a Mini Cooper... I highly doubt any of those compact SUVs will be big enough for the rare times you have five when the kid is in a car seat. If you're dead-set on something that will carry all five of you comfortably, look for something with third-row seating...

1TSX · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2008, 11:38:40 pm »

IMO...if there are 5+ passengers at once, a minivan is best.

How about the Mazda 5? It seats 6, but I am sure you can fold down the extra seat for cargo space.

Arctic_White · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2008, 03:46:04 am »

It's an easy decision, and you'll have to decide:

CRV for looks
RAV4 (V6) for power
Subaru for AWD.

What do you prefer? I'd get the Honda myself.

sailor723 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2008, 05:52:49 am »

There are very few 5 passenger vehicles around that will comfortablely seat 4 adults and a baby seat. If you've been OK without AWD up until now I'd look at something like the Kia Rondo or Mazda 5 etc...not quite a van...maybe more of a UUV (Urban Utility Vehicle)

airbalancer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2008, 07:50:43 am »

are you sure those SUV's or CUV's have more room then your Civic, I believe they are room inside
What wrong with a mini van at 28

Have you driven one?
We had one in our 30's and it was great
A '80 Dodger Aspen wagon could hold 6 adults and 4 kids in car seats and a couple of strollers

UmroAyyar · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2008, 08:52:42 am »

I traded in my 2002 Corolla for 2007 Camry due to similar reasons, partly. (safety/features/space).

With the size of baby seats, its not comfortable for two adults to sit side by side in the rear seat in compact cars, its not very comfortable in my midsize car either, but its manageable. The small SUVs will give you a bit more cargo room to maneuver things around but not much seating space. These small SUVs will be good for your back (if that concerns you) for installing the baby seat and then seating the toddler later on.

The SUVs are not a requirement per se, as I see it. Whats the priority here? seating people or more cargo room?

Only you can decide, if you don't want a big vehicle like a minivan, do look at Mazda5 or Kia Rondo, you might be surprised, no harm in checking these out as well the small SUVs.

carcrazy · « **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2008, 09:09:54 am »

I have a similarly sized vehicle (07 Mitsubishi Outlander) and a similar type of family and I can tell you that 4 adults and a car seat are fine in any of those vehicles for short trips and medium to small build adults ONLY.
Cargo space is very good (the Outlander has a tiny little bit more cargo with the seats up than the others - 1-2 cu ft.) for your purpose in any of these too.

In regards to your list of vehicles, well it's a matter off preference 100%. They are all good vehicles and they will serve you well for sure. Pick whichever you like unless you have specific “wants”.
Just out of curiosity, have you looked at the Outlander yet? What about Nissan Rogue? The Rogue has a significantly smaller cargo though which may not be good for you.

ggweci · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2008, 11:53:34 am »

Quote from: Arctic_White on March 25, 2008, 03:46:04 am

you'll have to decide:

CRV for looks
RAV4 (V6) for power
Subaru for AWD.

What do you prefer?

Agreed, except for the CRV I would say overal package and fit & finish. Looks are subjective for any vehicle.

If Honda pops the diesel in the CRV, then it'd be a no brainer for me.

Craig · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2008, 08:26:37 pm »

Quote from: Arctic_White on March 25, 2008, 03:46:04 am

CRV for looks

What the hell have you been smoking?

I like Hondas in general, but the new CRV is not winning any beauty contests.

Arctic_White · « **Reply #10 on:** March 25, 2008, 09:31:20 pm »

Quote from: Craig on March 25, 2008, 08:26:37 pm

Quote from: Arctic_White on March 25, 2008, 03:46:04 am
CRV for looks

What the hell have you been smoking?

I like Hondas in general, but the new CRV is not winning any beauty contests.

I prefer the CRV's interior to that of a RAV4.

rrocket · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2008, 09:34:52 pm »

The 260+HP V6 in the RAV4 is pretty sweet....and gets about the same fuel mileage as the 4 banger...

Uncledan · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2008, 11:39:20 pm »

I just went to Toyota and Honda showroom today (and waiting for Subaru to release Forester in April), the interior, especially the driver seat, looks and feels better in CRV. My wife like RAV4 more, b/c of the price (RAV4 4WD = around $27000 vs CRV 4WD LX= around $29000) and RAV4 has a bigger cargo.

For the back seats, you guys are right, they both are pretty much the same as my current car, Honda Civic. This makes me wonder why I have to change my Civic to a compact SUV. I believe my Civic cargo is big enough to put a stroller in it, but do I have to change my car for a new born baby? Since it is my first child, so I have no idea what is going to be happen in Oct when the baby born. I want to get everything ready (including my car) for my baby arrive and don't want to rush at the last second.

Also, do you guys think a Camry or Accord will be a better choice? My budget will be around $35000, I have cash in hand but maybe I should use the 0.9% finance.

More information, usually, my parents does not go out with us very often, less than 10% of time all people will sit in the same car. Also, I want a low road noise, confort, reliable, safe and low maintance cost car.

Any suggestion?

UmroAyyar · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2008, 11:46:32 pm »

Uncledan, I have a 2007 Toyota Camry and I am in a similar situation, I had a 2002 Toyota Corolla, I really appreciate the extra room in the Camry to maneuver the child around and two adults can sit side by side, the seat is in the centre.

IMO, you should not rush this decision, you don't need a bigger vehicle, your current car will fulfill your needs, I used to carry a giant Graco stroller and go grocery shopping without much problem in the smaller car, bigger boxes won 't fit in the trunk, you'll have to use the seat. Your car has a bit more room than that.

One thing to test, when you get a child seat, install it in the centre and try sitting next to it with the doors closed. It won't be comfortable but manageable. I think you'll have a better idea then whether to go through the buying exercise at all.

rrocket · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2008, 11:47:12 pm »

Why not got for a wagon-type car? Like the new Matrix? Side and curtain airbags are available IIRC. Or is 4x4 a MUST? Or go for the WRX/Impreza..AWD, hatch space..etc..Otherwise, the Mazda5 is a pretty cool unit if a van is more of what you need. Sounds like the SUV is a bit overkill for what you need....

1TSX · « **Reply #15 on:** March 25, 2008, 11:48:23 pm »

I still think the Mazda 5 would be perfect for your situation. It is marketed to "young" families who still want to look hip and cool. I love the looks of the GT trim line.

Leviathan · « **Reply #16 on:** March 26, 2008, 12:39:41 am »

Quote from: 2hondas on March 25, 2008, 11:48:23 pm

I still think the Mazda 5 would be perfect for your situation. It is marketed to "young" families who still want to look hip and cool. I love the looks of the GT trim line.

And 0% financing for up to 60 months makes it even tougher to overlook. Hell, a Tribute @ 0% starts looking good too.

Ice · « **Reply #17 on:** March 26, 2008, 12:45:59 am »

Definitely have a look at the 08 Accord (and Camry). The space in these vehicles is almost unreal...its really quite large. May or may not work for you but worth considering.

Also I have to agree with some of the other posters...the Mazda5 and the Kia Rondo are two vehicles that are in an unusual category of being "microvans". They have some of that SUV/minivan versatility but more sporting. The new 2008 Mazda5 is quite the looker actually...based on a stretched version of the Mazda3 with the same engine setup so its got some sporting capabilities underneath.

airbalancer · « **Reply #18 on:** March 26, 2008, 07:00:23 am »

Where is the old B210, you could fit 3 car seat across the back
28 years ago , the car seats were smaller

Rear facing car seat , what are those

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #19 on:** March 26, 2008, 09:26:03 am »

Quote from: rrocket on March 25, 2008, 11:47:12 pm

Why not got for a wagon-type car? Like the new Matrix? Side and curtain airbags are available IIRC. Or is 4x4 a MUST? Or go for the WRX/Impreza..AWD, hatch space..etc..Otherwise, the Mazda5 is a pretty cool unit if a van is more of what you need. Sounds like the SUV is a bit overkill for what you need....

The new Matrix is offered with AWD.