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Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Santa Fe vs Jeep Liberty vs Ford Escape vs Saturn Vue

4943 messages,  Last post on Sep 15, 2011 at 10:43 AM

You are in the Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Liberty, Ford Escape, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Saturn VUE, SUV

Messages Page 432 of 495

#4309 of 4943 Re: Forester vs. Outback vs. Liberty [mtngal] by jbye

Nov 05, 2004 (11:39 am)

Replying to: mtngal (Nov 05, 2004 9:13 am)
These are all fine vehicles with somewhat minor differences. It's just a matter of which fits your individual needs the best.
 
I researched all very carefully and drove each multiple times before eventually buying a 2005 Forester LL Bean (which is essentially an XS). I live in the Cleveland area so snow is a factor, but I mostly commute on interstates and a little off-roading.
 
The Outback was really nice but a little too pricey for my purposes (about $5K more) and probably not as good off-road due to the long overhangs front and rear.
 
The Liberty would be my choice if I was going to do extensive off roading, but on the highway it seems a little tippy and rough for my commute.
 
One factor I haven't seen mentioned here is that the Forrester comes with very marginal tires as original equipment (Geolandar H/T G900) which does have an impact on ride and traction. This may be what you were feeling on the test drive. The XT may have different tires, but I'm not sure on that.
 
Why Subaru would put such inferior tires on this vehicle is a mystery too me. Out of 68 tires rated on Tirerack's customer survey, these came in 55th. See
 
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?typ- e=HAS
 
for details.
 
The Hyundai Tucson also looks promising but it came out too late and I didn't drive it, although the Santa Fe was respectable as well.

#4310 of 4943 by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Nov 05, 2004 (1:15 pm)

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#4311 of 4943 Escape towable? by a2jimw

Nov 08, 2004 (8:33 am)

Anyone know if the 2005 Escape is towable all wheels on the ground behind a motorhome??

#4312 of 4943 by ateixeira

Nov 08, 2004 (9:51 am)

paisan: Autoweek says 4700 lbs of Hummer for that I-5 to haul. It won't be quick.
 
david6: that Forester might have had too much pressure in the tires. They tend to only deflate them at delivery.
 
The X and XT have the same suspension, even tires.
 
-juice

#4313 of 4943 Re: [ateixeira] by jbye

Nov 09, 2004 (2:07 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 08, 2004 9:51 am)
Agreed on the tire pressure. My Forester came with over 40 lbs in every tire. I reduced it to about 30 and it smoothed out the ride considerably and handling didn't seem to suffer.

#4314 of 4943 Mileage by a2jimw

Nov 20, 2004 (5:47 am)

I just purschased a 2005 XS to replace my 2001 Saturn to tow on the round behind my motorhome. The Saturn did not accumulate towed mileage. The dealer told me that the XS WILL accumulate. I accepted that and went ahead. Anyone know if true and if so is there a solution?

#4315 of 4943 The battle is over for me... by dc_driver

Nov 21, 2004 (9:12 am)

After much debate and numerous test drives, I finally pulled the trigger on a 2005 4WD Mazda Tribute with package 3 (leather, moonroof, heated seats, 6 disc changer, etc), side airbags, and auto dimming mirror w/compass. I could not be happier with my purchase since before taxes I paid $21,888!! This price includes 3000K in Mazda rebates as well as $1000 rebate for financing through Mazda.
 
  I really struggled with this decision, and truth be told I would have preferred to have bought the 05 Subaru Outback XT or H6 wagon, but could not justify the additional $8K+ and much higher care payments.
 
  I originally test drove the 04 Tribute several months ago, and was not nearly as impressed as the ride that the 05 offered. A few things that I noted were the new placement of the shifter (hated the 04's stalk shifter!), and much quieter ride. The interior is not quite on par with the Outback (as it probably should not be due to the difference in price), but is better than most that I drove. The radio is actually pretty good, and I thought the acceleration and braking were above average.
 
  Had a great dealer experience and they actually gave me a very good price on my trade-in (although it took me going back and forth about 4 times). Bought the Tribute at Browns Mazda in Alexandria VA, and negotiated the price via the Internet beforehand. I think this made a big difference
 
  My thoughts on this thread are this:
If you have 30K to spend, get the Outback, but if not, the Tribute/Escape are bargains for all of the features that they offer. The Forester was a strong contender as well, but both me and my wife did not like the exterior styling as much as the Tribute, and felt the interior was just slightly better (again, could not justify the additional cost of the Forester, when the Mazda had as many, or more features for less money).
 
  Other thoughts: the VUE was not even close to be a contender because of the electric steering. What was GM thinking? I also thought the Mazda's interior and road noise was far superior (and yes this was a 05 V6 VUE that I drove). Same with the Equinox.. Hated the steering and thought the engine was loud..
 
  Liked the Honda CRV, but had a TERRIBLE dealer experience at several local Honda dealers. The CRV also did not have as many features as the Tribute, and the seats were uncomfortable.
 
  I would be happy to share more thoughts with anybody who would like them, and wish all of you luck who are facing a similar decision..

#4316 of 4943 by turksteritis

Nov 21, 2004 (6:48 pm)

I hope they fixed those trannies. I had a 01 & an 03 Trib AWD V-6 & just traded to a V-6 AWD Vue. I toasted both trannies in both Tribbies! My Vue is quieter, smoother, way more powerfull & 3-4 mpg better then both Tributes I had. I have 3 buds with Tributes...1-01, 1-02 & an 04 & guess what...two out of three blew Trannies..the 02,s went twice!!!! My 03 ES did have a lot better AWD system tho...I will give you that!!!

#4317 of 4943 Re: [turksteritis] by scape2

Nov 21, 2004 (7:50 pm)

Replying to: turksteritis (Nov 21, 2004 6:48 pm)
Fixed trannies?? what?? I cruise the net and visit many other chat rooms for Escape/Trib. Never, ever have I heard about "blown trannies" on Tributes. I own an 01 Escape with almost 50,000 miles and my transmission has been fine. I also tow 2 water craft, and visit skii and fishing spots in the Cascade range of mountains. My transmission gets worked hard.

#4318 of 4943 Re: The battle is over for me... [dc_driver] by scape2

Nov 21, 2004 (7:56 pm)

Replying to: dc_driver (Nov 21, 2004 9:12 am)
DC, congrats on your choice, you made a good one. My wife and I own both an 01 Escape XLT V6 4WD and an 04 Mazda Tribute ES V6 4wd. We are extremly happy with both of these vehicles. Just remember to regular maintenance on this vehicle and it will last you many miles. Change oil every 3K, change transmission fluid at 30K, rotate tires ect....
Your going to find people that just plain hate Fords/Mazdas. These are great vehicles and are reliable. Check www.msn.com and visit their reliabiltiy area. Even the 01 Escape rates very well for longterm reliability. Zoom, Zoom!

Messages Page 432 of 495

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