Author Topic: Decision Time: Rav4 vs. Forester (Read 9019 times)

saint_satan · « **Reply #20 on:** January 03, 2011, 04:57:02 pm »

Terrain is horrible looking. I like the Equinox. The V6 is a little out of the price range at $34K for the V6. This is one big rig - 4000 lbs. The close to worst in class showing of the Terrain in CR reliability scares me a bit. I also see the Escape has also slipped.

carcrazy · « **Reply #21 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:01:55 pm »

What's your take on the Outlander V6?

saint_satan · « **Reply #22 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:21:13 pm »

Interesting vehicle, not nuts on the styling, but OK. I still remember when Mitsu made (terrible) engines for Chryco. I'm sure their fine, but there's nothing to pull me in off the street. I know that resale could be better.

EV Dan · « **Reply #23 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:38:28 pm »

Does your brother's Sorento(s) have a V6? I had one for a test drive not long ago (see the truck and SUV thread) and came away impressed. The good thing about Kia is you get virtually all necessary options in the base trim, which is not so easy with the Toyota. It is bigger and more stylish IMO and I bet one can get a better deal on it. Resale could be lower than the T but likely better than Chrysler.
I wouldn't tow anything with a 4cyl and will always prefer a V6 for its noise and TQ, but it's just me.

johngenx · « **Reply #24 on:** January 03, 2011, 05:52:15 pm »

Quote from: saint_satan on January 03, 2011, 03:41:44 pm

I don't want to completely mislead. Here's how I came to $4K difference.

Just got back.

My dealer says that SOC has $2K on the hood for cash buyers, but as for them pitching in another $2K, they're thinking on it. I made them an offer that equates to a little over $4K off ($24,750 including GST and all fees). (I think they're a little chuffed that I won't negotiate, and just left when they countered (at sticker minus SOC's $2K). They have my number...

Loudpedal · « **Reply #25 on:** January 03, 2011, 08:52:29 pm »

Between those two, I'd go RAV4 V6. Also, with a child in the picture, the back hatch will now be used virtually all the time. Make sure you can live with a door (vs. hatch). Also, you might want to check and compare ingress/egress to the rear seat, as you'll be accessing it a lot.

In that range, I'd also consider a Ford Edge. Not sure how much a Ford store would deal on a 2011 however...

airbalancer · « **Reply #26 on:** January 03, 2011, 08:58:07 pm »

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/104-2010-2011-subaru-outback/29840-canadians-buying-importing-us-car.html

How close are you to the boarder?

EV Dan · « **Reply #27 on:** January 03, 2011, 09:47:55 pm »

Quote from: Loudpedal on January 03, 2011, 08:52:29 pm

In that range, I'd also consider a Ford Edge. Not sure how much a Ford store would deal on a 2011 however...

Ford has such an annoying discount scheme. It goes like this: one substantial cash discount (makes sense, if you don't borrow at "0%" you should pay less. But then there is 1000 for being with Costco (wtf, how does that make me any more special), something for having somebody work for Ford; something loyalty - I guess they don't like ppl who had chosen smth else before; and the cake icing is the ludicrous cash for clunkers discount up to 3300. I get it, 300 they get back from ON govt, but why should someone pay from their own pocket a subsidy to let a "clunkerer" behind the wheel of a new Ford??? After all that crap you realize you could be getting another 5-6 grand off if you "qualified' and the deal doesn't seem so good any more. Am I the only one who finds such practice unfair?

saint_satan · « **Reply #28 on:** January 03, 2011, 09:56:38 pm »

I'm 2 1/2 hours from the US border. I'm going to have to finance 55-60% so I'm not sure that would work. I'm intrigued by the idea, however.

Ford does have a weirdo pricing scheme. I sat in an Edge with a sunroof and my head was rubbing badly (6'1). I wonder if a regular roof would be that much better. Like the style, probably light on capability. Also I think they are a bit more moolah....

carcrazy · « **Reply #29 on:** January 03, 2011, 10:02:28 pm »

Quote from: saint_satan on January 03, 2011, 05:21:13 pm

Interesting vehicle, not nuts on the styling, but OK. I still remember when Mitsu made (terrible) engines for Chryco. I'm sure their fine, but there's nothing to pull me in off the street. I know that resale could be better.

The V6/6AT powertrain is very solid and it works very well; it has nothing to do with the past Mitsu powertrains. Besides, it's been proven to be quite reliable too (see recent CR ranking).
If you keep the car 7+ years, the resale value shouldn't matter much. Plus the long warranty comes in handy in this case.

If your heart is set on Forester or RAV4, they both are fine choices; you cannot go wong with either.

1TSX · « **Reply #30 on:** January 03, 2011, 10:38:02 pm »

Between the two, I'd get the Rav4 V6 since you're towing.

tortoise · « **Reply #31 on:** January 04, 2011, 10:47:04 am »

Yeah, but he's towing a boat that's less than a thousand pounds, the Forester should be fine.

I haven't been too impressed with the Rav4's I've been in.

What about the Honda Element?

Also, 1 kid doesn't take up much space. We've been getting along just fine in our P5. If more kids are along the way then I can see more room being needed (like Careener said).

safristi · « **Reply #32 on:** January 04, 2011, 11:31:44 am »

...................

johngenx · « **Reply #33 on:** January 04, 2011, 02:25:53 pm »

Well, my dealer is confident that the $2K SoC cash is more than enough to move the remaining 2010 models, so they say "sticker less the $2K" AND they have padded the price with a bunch of BS charges, making the true discount off the MSRP actually about $1300. I told them to pound sand.

As for the Scoobaru 4AT, it lacks a fifth speed, but it's a proven reliable unit. For those of is that keep our beasts past 250K, that is a serious consideration. The days of a <$1K AT rebuild are long gone, and a trans replacement today can be a "toss the car" event.

blizzard35 · « **Reply #34 on:** January 04, 2011, 02:49:46 pm »

Quote from: tortoise on January 04, 2011, 10:47:04 am

Yeah, but he's towing a boat that's less than a thousand pounds, the Forester should be fine.

I haven't been too impressed with the Rav4's I've been in.

What about the Honda Element?

Also, 1 kid doesn't take up much space. We've been getting along just fine in our P5. If more kids are along the way then I can see more room being needed (like Careener said).

Honda Element has been discontinued.....maybe pick one up for a great price just to get remaining models off the lot? Not sure about the reliability and it is certainly not the most attractive thing on 4-wheels now is it?

blur911 · « **Reply #35 on:** January 04, 2011, 02:54:19 pm »

Quote from: johngenx on January 04, 2011, 02:25:53 pm

As for the Scoobaru 4AT, it lacks a fifth speed, but it's a proven reliable unit. For those of is that keep our beasts past 250K, that is a serious consideration. The days of a <$1K AT rebuild are long gone, and a trans replacement today can be a "toss the car" event.

QFT

I'd rather have a transmission that lasts than more gears.

carcrazy · « **Reply #36 on:** January 04, 2011, 03:05:22 pm »

Quote from: blur911 on January 04, 2011, 02:54:19 pm

I'd rather have a transmission that lasts than more gears.

What about a transmission that lasts AND it has more gears? It's doable as proven by other manufacturers.

The numbers of gears in the Forester should not be a deal breaker, but "proven reliability" shouldn't be an excuse for Subaru for not updating the transmission on the new Forester (2008) not to mention on the 2011 revised car.

johngenx · « **Reply #37 on:** January 04, 2011, 06:15:03 pm »

Quote from: carcrazy on January 04, 2011, 03:05:22 pm

...It's doable as proven by other manufacturers...

Barely. Almost everyone has had teething problems with their five (or more) speeds, and they are just recently becoming reliable.

sidman · « **Reply #38 on:** January 04, 2011, 06:54:57 pm »

I figure i'll chime in and add to at least look at the FJ Cruiser. I think it hits all the things you are looking for in a vehicle but its a bit over 30k. It tows 5000 pounds and the Prado platform is solid. It is also extremely safe (look up the crash test videos), thing is built like a tank and will last 10 yrs no problem.

I dunno about most of you but when I took the Forester out for a test drive, I was extremely disappointed in the noise level from the engine and road, interior quality, shoddy seats and overall harshness of the transmission. It wouldn't be in my top three pick in this segment. On the other hand, I found the RAV4 to be extremely smooth and handled well with lots of power.

Like you mentioned, I was a big fan of the Suzuki but the price is too high for what your getting, and the lack of V6 is a deal killer. If you wanted the V6, you could probably find a 2010 laying around with a discount. I'll tell you though, within the class your looking for, I found the FJ to be by far the best, most solid driving truck out of the Jeeps, Subarus and the CRV after I drove all of them one after another a couple weeks ago. The Forester was a tin can compared to the FJ.

inco · « **Reply #39 on:** January 04, 2011, 07:09:03 pm »

FJ is another option I guess, but if I recall it's also a little porker on gas. In order to tow that 5000 lbs it needs some heft to it.Someone also suggested an Element - friend has one and kept it at the end of his lease - he likes it that much.

Back to the 10 or 11 Forester, another thought to throw out - the newer one will have better resale because of the updated engine. Not much but a buyer looking for a high mileage vehicle might chose the engine that needs less work.