Which CSUV to buy? RAV4 V6 Sport AWD or Forester 2.5X Limited AWD

[csuv]

Both are nice CUVs. While RAV4 provides better performance and comfort, Forester scores higher in AWD, Traction control, and off-road driving experience. Prices are alomost the same. Really don't know why I'm comparing a V6 car with V4 one? Help!!!

[nornet]

And how much off roading do you plan to do? If that is even a consideration than scratch the Toyota and substitute Jeep.

[csuv]

Well, not that often. 2, 3 times a year, especially to the western camp sites, or south of the border ones. Some of them are located well away off the roads. So RAV4 can't handle all these pits & pools?

[Avatar]

Both are for country road. Definitely not offroad.

Not sure which model you are going to get. The basic Forester is not much of a fun/value. And be prepared for the famous head gasket problem down the road.

I'll opt for a V6 Rav4.

[nornet]

The Subaru head gasket problem was cured around 2000. Many Sub owners use the Outback for offroading not the Forester. Check some Sub forums. www.outback.org. Forget the RAV for any offroading. I've used both a Jeep and an Outback (which I own) and can tell you I am very impressed with the Patriot, especially considering the deals you can get these days.

[new_vr]

The Subaru head gasket problem was cured around 2000.
Cured is a strong word for it. And the problem continued till 2003.

[ES_Revenge]

Both are nice CUVs. While RAV4 provides better performance and comfort, Forester scores higher in AWD, Traction control, and off-road driving experience. Prices are alomost the same. Really don't know why I'm comparing a V6 car with V4 one? Help!!!
You mean H4 ;)

As for these two cars, I say the RAV4 V6 for sure. It's 270-odd hp will dust the Subaru! Much better performing vehicle. Subaru will boast about it's "better" AWD, but trust me on the automatic models it's not all it's cracked up to be anyway.

As for the Forester "scoring higher in traction control", I'm not really sure where you got that from but today they don't really rate those things as they tend to be universally fairly equal. Of course some are more intrusive than others and Toyota is known for that (along with their systems not fully defeating even when you deactivate them) but that's a bit of a different story. In terms of effectiveness I seriously doubt there is any difference.

[csuv]

Thanks for the info!
You mean H4 ;)
Of course, H4 or L4 per say. :razz:

As for these two cars, I say the RAV4 V6 for sure. It's 270-odd hp will dust the Subaru! Much better performing vehicle. Subaru will boast about it's "better" AWD, but trust me on the automatic models it's not all it's cracked up to be anyway.

As for the Forester "scoring higher in traction control", I'm not really sure where you got that from but today they don't really rate those things as they tend to be universally fairly equal. Of course some are more intrusive than others and Toyota is known for that (along with their systems not fully defeating even when you deactivate them) but that's a bit of a different story. In terms of effectiveness I seriously doubt there is any difference.

So you'll opt for RAV4 for its agility against Sub's domino-like robustness.

[nornet]

Cured is a strong word for it. And the problem continued till 2003.

I was careful not to say in 2000, the problem was addressed first in 2000 for the most part and a few engines continued to experience it until 2004 not 2003, in any case that is long ago. Head gaskets were covered by an extended Subaru warranty.

[new_vr]

I was careful not to say in 2000, the problem was addressed first in 2000 for the most part and a few engines continued to experience it until 2004 not 2003, in any case that is long ago. Head gaskets were covered by an extended Subaru warranty.

Well, I just think if, say, GM had done the same thing, people would be a lot quicker to jump all over them

[nornet]

Well, I just think if, say, GM had done the same thing, people would be a lot quicker to jump all over them

? People, especially owners dumped all over them, the internet is full of misleading information on this. I have 3 Subs 2000 Forester (no HG issues, 2007 Outback no issues at all, 2008 Legacy no issues at all). I'm certainly not saying a Sub is for everyone and I think the AWD drive is a little bit of marketing but they do have ground clearance and are built for moderate offroading unlike the Toyota. Now if you were to talk about rear bearing issues that would be another matter (also solved). When Sub had the HG issues, Ford was building terrible vehicles (except for the pickups) and look at them now. Times change.

[ES_Revenge]

Thanks for the info!

Of course, H4 or L4 per say. :razz:



So you'll opt for RAV4 for its agility against Sub's domino-like robustness.
Emphasis added.

You know I don't think I've ever heard that expression before :confused:

But yes, I'd take the RAV4 V6 over the Forester, anyday. :)

[new_vr]

? People, especially owners dumped all over them, the internet is full of misleading information on this. I have 3 Subs 2000 Forester (no HG issues, 2007 Outback no issues at all, 2008 Legacy no issues at all). I'm certainly not saying a Sub is for everyone and I think the AWD drive is a little bit of marketing but they do have ground clearance and are built for moderate offroading unlike the Toyota. Now if you were to talk about rear bearing issues that would be another matter (also solved). When Sub had the HG issues, Ford was building terrible vehicles (except for the pickups) and look at them now. Times change.
Actually, I would talk about paint issues first anyways...they really failed at paint class. My Impreza has the worst paint I have ever seen. If anything touches it, it scratches

[hotweiss]

Forester of course. Better engine and AWD system.

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-4999142340359932162

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooQRxlChvMw

[new_vr]

Forester of course. Better engine and AWD system.

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-4999142340359932162

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooQRxlChvMw

Ok..I really don't like toyota's, but please explain how the Forester engine is better then the V6 in the rav? I was under the impression that it was actually pretty good with the v6 in it.

[ES_Revenge]

I can't watch videos at work but if those^ are those #*(&ing ******** Subaru propaganda vids again, I will flip out!!! :mad: LOL

[tonychau]

Get Forester, RA4 is everywhere.

[hotweiss]

Ok..I really don't like toyota's, but please explain how the Forester engine is better then the V6 in the rav? I was under the impression that it was actually pretty good with the v6 in it.

I was comparing the 4 cylinder engines. The V6 is a fantastic engine...

The OP should just drive them both and then make a decision.

[B0000rt]

Actually, I would talk about paint issues first anyways...they really failed at paint class. My Impreza has the worst paint I have ever seen. If anything touches it, it scratches

Toyota paint isn't better either..

[ES_Revenge]

Toyota paint isn't better either..
Serious??? I can't imagine it getting much worse than Subaru paint...

[new_vr]

Toyota paint isn't better either..

I have a black corolla and a black impreza that tell me differently.

[B0000rt]

Serious??? I can't imagine it getting much worse than Subaru paint...
I doubt it's worse, but isn't much better...

I have a black corolla and a black impreza that tell me differently.
My RAV4's paint is pretty bad

http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-detailing/64926-toyota-paint-pretty-thin.html

[nornet]

Actually, I would talk about paint issues first anyways...they really failed at paint class. My Impreza has the worst paint I have ever seen. If anything touches it, it scratches

Subs bad paint seems to be isolated to the Impreza from what I've seen. I couldn't believe how bad some of those Imprezas were in the showroom when I pick up my Legacy (orange peel).

OP Test these three vehicles. See if you can find a road with a few potholes in it. Then let us know how you think how the Sub and Jeep stack up against the Toyota. I drove a Forester and Outback thru a construction site and both did equally well except the Forester was a little firmer. I think that is the main difference between them. The Toyota was good on paved roads but didn't fare well on gravel or potholes.

[ricky13579]

IMO
v6 >>>>boxer
5 speed >>> 4 speed
T's 4WD << S's AWD
0% 36 month Finance >>>>3.9%

[csuv]

IMO
v6 >>>>boxer
5 speed >>> 4 speed
T's 4WD << S's AWD
0% 36 month Finance >>>>3.9%

Well, that's a simple logic: T' has more >>> than S'. So go with T'. I'll put down my offer tomorrow. Thanks all!

[hotweiss]

Well, that's a simple logic: T' has more >>> than S'. So go with T'. I'll put down my offer tomorrow. Thanks all!

Drive them both before you choose one. What you see on paper will not generally correlate with your driving experience.

[csuv]

Drive them both before you choose one. What you see on paper will not generally correlate with your driving experience.

Well, you are right. Here are my experience of test-drive. I asked my wife to sit in the rear-seat to test cuv's stability when it got into a ramp.

(1) RAV4 V6 Sport:

Startup & accelerating quiet and fast
Picked up every unevenesses on the road
Wife swayed sharply when I turned into the ramp
Average insulation against road/wind noise on highway


(2) Forester

Startup & accelerating noisy and a bit slower than RAV4 V6
Picked up some unevenesses on the road
Wife didn't feel like to leaning when I turned into the ramp
Good insulation against road/wind noise on highway



Of course, weather now outside didn't allow to test it's Traction control and AWD. Anyone had tested that in the winter?

[new_vr]

As much as I am not a fan of my impreza, it's is fantastic in the snow. For what you pay for it, subaru's AWD system is great.
The traction control worked fine. The stability control, I didn't find useful. When I tried to drift around corners, it would kick in, but not till I was about 3/4s of the way around the corner. It would end up being more inconvenient then helpful.
I did find snow tires were important, probably moreso then on a FWD. I drove in the snow without them a few times, and accelerating was not an issue. I could still go through deep powder without any real issues. They were important for two reasons:1. It's so easy to get going, you might forget it's hard to stop. 2. If you keep on the gas going around corners, the car really wanted to oversteer. If you didn't drive like a maniac point 2 was less of an issue.
I don't know much about the Rav system. I think it's more of a fwd system with awd when you need it. I doubt this will give the same handling as a normal AWD system, but for getting you unstuck, it should be more then adequate. One of my friends got a rav this year, and he said he made it through all sorts of stuff he wouldn't have made it through with his car (realistically unplowed roads and driveway were as extreme as his, and most peoples suv's will ever see)