Topic: Poll: What Should Make My Test-Drive Short List?

[Brigitte]

a real spare if you need it far from home.

Nice.  Foresters used to as well.  I hate that Subaru now installs a mini spare.

Miss Jetta has a full spare, too.

I have CAA Plus.  No worries about being far from home, anymore.   

[kenm]

Was the Suzuki Grand Vitara mentioned?  I've always liked these and you can get a solid deal on a used one.

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/Suzuki/Grand%20Vitara/BRAMPTON/Ontario/5_12617333_ON20071022111213670/

I like!  But, much like the RAV, not sure about the left-handed rear hatch.  Will toss it onto the pile, though.  I'm starting to think that I've really got my work cut out for me.  When did buying this type of vehicle become so complicated?   

I had a friend who had an '07 GV V6 and it was a bit fuel thirsty, so she traded it in on the current Elantra. I personally liked the GV a lot. I don't know if the 4 cylinder versions are any better or not.

There were some major updates on the '08 GV's, so it would be better to look for one of those.

[rrocket]

What about the new Kia Sportage, Brigitte??

[Trainman]

Wow, what have I missed here!

My thoughts are for first choice, of course is a 2009 Forester Touring if it can be had for the budget.  I use mine extensively in the woods for my forestry consulting business so I know it's off-road ability is good.  Also has lots of room for 4 adults, plus gear.  2008 and earlier Foresters are very tight in the back seat, so may not work for your needs.

My experience with mine is such:

Interior functionality more important than esthetics: Check.  Lots of room as we have shown with our move and when we go canoeing.  Split rear seats, cup holders etc work well.

Relatively decent on gas.  Miss Jetta runs at 10L-ish/100km.  I drive about 15,000 kms per year, so not a huge concern.: Check.  Averaging 9.3 l/100 kms on all-terrain tires.  Based on almost 90,000 kms in 3 1/2 years.

Reasonably reliable – I drive my cars until they start costing me stupid amounts of money to fix: Check.  No issues in 90,000 kms.

Automatic only.  The knee is done with clutching.  I'm sorry, already – now stop whining: The Forester 4 speed AT is OK, but not as good as some of the newer 5 speeds.  But I really like the manual mode, easy to use and works well.

Loads of cargo room for activities as indicated above: Check, as noted above.  The design allows for lots of big stuff to be carried in the back.

Nice to Have
4WD or AWD on demand.  Full time may make it a gas pig:  According to real world fuel consumption numbers from Consumer Reports, the Forester with full time AWD does no worse than a CR-V, RAV4 or any other CUV in its class.

V6 - max.  Or Forester XT   

Roof rails and Heated seats: Forester Touring has this standard (Canadian model only, roof rails on US versions was different, same with heated seats.  Touring also has heated windshield wiper rests that work very well.


Ground clearance is excellent in the Forester, as are the approach and departure angles.  When you are looking at your test rides, get underneath and see how they have packaged the stuff like mufflers and other bits.  I was very impressed with how little really hangs down in harms way with a Forester.  Compare to a X-Trail or older CR-V for example and how the muffler is very exposed to potential damage, especially when backing up.

Also, lots of after-market stuff for the Forester like skid plates and decent mud flaps.

I estimate mine will go to about 90% of the places my Pathfinder went; and the big hold back is the lack of a low range (but then none of the CUV's you are looking have a low range).

a real spare if you need it far from home.

Nice.  Foresters used to as well.  I hate that Subaru now installs a mini spare.

I have fitted a full size spare into mine, the well holds it just fine:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f72/09-full-size-spare-fitment-41797/

Happy test drives!

[johngenx]

With both gens of Foresters (98-08 and 09-), the shape of the cargo room is great for outdoor enthusiasts.  The upright rear window allows gear to be packed high.  We looked at the Lexus RX, and while the passenger compartment is large, the cargo space is highly compromised by the sloped rear window.

The 09- Foresters have slightly larger cargo spaces than the first gen, and substantially more rear seat legroom.  They also have more ground clearance.

Perhaps my only lament with the 09- models is the loss of the rear LSD.  Subaru added standard traction/skid control that uses individual wheel braking to act in a similar fashion, but I'd prefer to have that and LSD.

The turbo models are sweet, but reliability of the turbo is not on par with the aspro engines.  But, the extra ponies are nice and the delivery is awesome, with no lag and lots of grunt.  The AWD system on the XT's is also the VTD, which is sportier than the standard system.  Not sure about in Ontario, but in Alberta, resale of the XT's would have you think the cars were made of gold.  They seem to be listed for a serious premium over aspros.

Trainman nailed it with noting underbody packaging.  Subaru really pays attention to this, keeping everything tucked in.  I've appreciated this many times on rough roads.

[Brigitte]

Yeah, I think I saw an 08 or earlier on my way home today.  I hope that the newer gens have much more ground clearance.  I ain't looking for a wagon. 

[johngenx]

Clearance on the 98-08's is ~7.8" (which ain't bad..!) and 8.7" on the 09- models.

[Brigitte]

Okay, saw a newer Foz parked right next to a Chevy Equinox in my building's lot tonight.  They are surprisingly close in size and ride height.  It's all good.   

[Trainman]

Yeah, I think I saw an 08 or earlier on my way home today.  I hope that the newer gens have much more ground clearance.  I ain't looking for a wagon. 

Remember that there is more than just the number that the manufacture publishes, it is also about how the under-body is packaged.  And just to let you know, the "low" point on the 09 Forester non-turbo is where the exhausts come together under the motor.  I know this as I had to cut a notch into the skid plate I got as it was for the turbo that has a bit better clearance as the exhaust system is routed differently.

And you can put slightly taller tires on the Forester for a bit more clearance or there are lift kits as well if you really need to get up in the air.  Max is 4" I believe but that causes all sorts of issues with CV joints, but 2" is very doable 

Here is a 1" kit: http://www.subtle-solutions.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_24_29_52&products_id=106

[Brigitte]

Whatever it is that I am getting, it is NOT getting modded... Good grief!   

[mrthompson]

Unimog.

[Weexy]

Brig, what's happening here??  Time's a wastin' !!

[Brigitte]

Patience, grasshopper.   

[articsteve]

What colours in the Escape have your eye?

[Mike]

When do we start calling you Hammy?

[mrthompson]

Bridgey.   

[CanuckG35]

When do we start calling you Hammy?

 

[Weexy]

When do we start calling you Hammy?

That sounds like a smite'n. 

I didn't laugh, i swear..

[Brigitte]

What colours in the Escape have your eye?

Anything but silver or gold - same for all the vehicles.  Given a choice, I'd likely pick something sagey-green or white.

When do we start calling you Hammy?

I already stated (somewhere) that I'm not pulling any triggers until April.  So, all of you need to keep your pants on and shaddap, already.   

I keep hoping to have a free Saturday to do some test drives, but it hasn't been happening.  Are dealerships even open on Sundays?   

[wing]

Usually they are not. 

New Escape does look really nice...