Topic: Interesting Comment from Toyota Salesman re RAV4 and Forester

[Trainman]

Both my wife and her mom have been shopping for new vehicles.  The mother in law pulled the trigger on a 2011 FWD CR-V for $25,000 all in, plus her 1998 Olds.

I was taking a look at RAV's at the local dealer and was discussing with the salesman what we would be using it for, ie taking the canoe/kayak to local lakes; maybe the Dempster Highway, camping etc.  I got to the dealer in the Forester and his comment was it would be better to use it than a RAV as the Subaru is better suited for those types of tasks.  He clarified it by saying the RAV could do it, but the Forester would be better.  I was actually pretty impressed with him as he did not once slag the competition, but focused on the good points of the RAV.  This is in contrast to most other salespeople I have dealt with.

Hmm, V6 RAV       Too bad about that silly swinging rear door   

[ktm525]

Both my wife and her mom have been shopping for new vehicles.  The mother in law pulled the trigger on a 2011 FWD CR-V for $25,000 all in, plus her 1998 Olds.

I was taking a look at RAV's at the local dealer and was discussing with the salesman what we would be using it for, ie taking the canoe/kayak to local lakes; maybe the Dempster Highway, camping etc.  I got to the dealer in the Forester and his comment was it would be better to use it than a RAV as the Subaru is better suited for those types of tasks.  He clarified it by saying the RAV could do it, but the Forester would be better.  I was actually pretty impressed with him as he did not once slag the competition, but focused on the good points of the RAV.  This is in contrast to most other salespeople I have dealt with.

Hmm, V6 RAV       Too bad about that silly swinging rear door   

No doubt. Why Lexus kept the swing gate on the GX is beyond me. It swings the wrong way to boot!

[life in the slow lane]

Both my wife and her mom have been shopping for new vehicles.  The mother in law pulled the trigger on a 2011 FWD CR-V for $25,000 all in, plus her 1998 Olds.

I was taking a look at RAV's at the local dealer and was discussing with the salesman what we would be using it for, ie taking the canoe/kayak to local lakes; maybe the Dempster Highway, camping etc.  I got to the dealer in the Forester and his comment was it would be better to use it than a RAV as the Subaru is better suited for those types of tasks.  He clarified it by saying the RAV could do it, but the Forester would be better.  I was actually pretty impressed with him as he did not once slag the competition, but focused on the good points of the RAV.  This is in contrast to most other salespeople I have dealt with.

Hmm, V6 RAV       Too bad about that silly swinging rear door   

No doubt. Why Lexus kept the swing gate on the GX is beyond me. It swings the wrong way to boot!

You have to remember the swing gates are designed for use in Japan, where the rear door opens to facilitate loading safely from the curb.
IMHO, Toyota/Lexus cheaped out by not reversing the swing for NA. (but I guess that would add cost to production that they were not going to spend money on.) Sort of reminds me of the main instruments being mid dash (Prius and last generation Echo)instead of in front of the driver.

[EV Dan]

He is either extremely honest or a very good salesman. If the latter, then he knew better not to say the "RAV is just as good in AWD" because to a Subie owner it would sound like a bad joke. Instead, while accepting that his product is not as capable in this particular application, he gained your trust, and in business often it is more important. I once had a similar conversation with a GM guy, and even though I didn't buy anything, he will be the first guy I'll talk to if I decide to upsize to a 'burban