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Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4

617 messages,  Last post on Nov 05, 2008 at 2:00 PM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, SUV

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#523 of 617 Re: Forester on snow and Ice [ateixeira] by p0926 Nov 29, 2006 (1:58 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 29, 2006 1:39 pm) Yeah I've played in the snow and ice too and the tail will definitely kick out under full acceleration but keeping on the gas will pull it back into line. Of course that's in a wide open area with nothing to hit If I were at a light and floored it causing the rear to slide out, then panicked by hitting the brakes... well for sure that would cause a complete loss of control as it would induce the tail to rotate all the way forward into a 180 degree (or more) spin.   -Frank
#524 of 617 Oh yeah by paisan Nov 29, 2006 (2:03 pm)
With subies you need to be on the gas a bit to have the power shift, otherwise you are skidding like any normal car. A bit of power will let the power be shifted to where it needs to go (if the power = zero, there is nothing to shift to a wheel/axle with grip)   -mike
#525 of 617 proactive vs reactive AWD by fjhandir Nov 29, 2006 (7:33 pm)
So i guess the answer is that subys are great on ice if you know what you are doing but they can cause a spin if you press too much gas and then take your foot of the gas in a panic. Honestly, this is a very likely scenario if my wife is driving. How about RAV4 , is there any such downside to them and in what circumstances a proactive AWD is better to have than reactive one?   Thanks. Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Nov 29, 2006 7:46 pm) ateixeira (Nov 30, 2006 11:16 am)
#526 of 617 Re: proactive vs reactive AWD [fjhandir] by kdshapiro Nov 29, 2006 (7:46 pm)
Replying to: fjhandir (Nov 29, 2006 7:33 pm) Are you referring to sheet ice or snow on top of ice? I think the RAV4 has a reactive front wheel biased AWD system. If you press to hard on the gas, the front-end will spin and transfer to the rear wheels. How much spin depends on how much gas and the conditions. Some of the RAV4 models also come with an ESC type system will which help mitigate the spin, but could become annoying. The Forester XT sport also has an ESC type system.   If you are driving on more snow than ice, I don't think there is an issue with any vehicle and proactive AWD will keep the car moving and probably perform better. But I would get a car with an ESC type system.   Driving on sheet ice all bets are off for any vehicle under the sun.
#527 of 617 Re: proactive vs reactive AWD [fjhandir] by ateixeira Nov 30, 2006 (11:16 am)
Replying to: fjhandir (Nov 29, 2006 7:33 pm) Something with stability control might be better for someone like that, but I'd take her to an empty parking lot and have her practice car control just a bit no matter what you end up with.   -juice
#528 of 617 subaru forester or rav4 V6- a difficult call to make by fjhandir Nov 30, 2006 (10:16 pm)
Thanks guys for the input. Just the safety ratings alone make subaru a good buy and these days they have a promotion going on here for the columbia edition which i m seriously considering. Still not sure if the cargo space is enough for the baby stroller(those things are huge these days)RAV 4 seems to have a more cargo space and i loved the space under the mat, perfect for my fishing gear.I didnt get a chance yet to drive RAV4 and now all the ice is melting so dont know if i ll be able to truly test it. you have to understand that i have always driven hondas or toyotas and this is the first time i m considering a subaru so thats why i m a bit hesitant.   A FWD is prone to understeer and a RWD oversteer on very slippery surfaces. Subaru i felt had a mild potential to oversteer kinda like a RWD. does anyone has any experience with RAV4 V6 2007 on ice. undresteers or oversteers? Replies to this message: ateixeira (Dec 01, 2006 9:39 am) sidious6688 (May 12, 2007 2:15 pm) caliberchic (May 13, 2007 11:06 am) sidious6688 (May 16, 2007 2:54 pm) and 10 more... ateixeira (May 14, 2007 6:12 am)
#529 of 617 LSD by kavoom Dec 01, 2006 (2:54 am)
I had an 04 Forester and loved the performance characteristics. I now have an 07 Premium package and since we have snow/ice on our roads I have noticed the limited slip differential improving things even over the 04. You can feel it shifting power back and forth to the wheels. It goes at that "rigid" like nature of the rear wheel response in turns...on icy/snow. It's subtle but distinct.
#530 of 617 Re: subaru forester or rav4 V6- a difficult call to make [fjhandir] by ateixeira Dec 01, 2006 (9:39 am)
Replying to: fjhandir (Nov 30, 2006 10:16 pm) Cargo space on the Forester is actually quite good, given the compact exterior dimensions.   I could fit an Evenflo On-my-way stroller lengthwise, something I could not do in a '98 RAV4 or a '98 CR-V. Later CR-Vs got bigger, and you could slide the back seat up to squeeze one in. The 2nd gen RAV4 could still not fit that stroller, but the 3rd one probably can (without the 3rd row, of course).   So try the Forester, take your stroller with you. The cargo floor is pretty deep, so I bet it fits.   -juice
#531 of 617 subaru it is by fjhandir Dec 02, 2006 (5:58 pm)
ok guys - I am sold on forester - so what if its a bit tail happy. I agree with you guys that it would be fun to drive in the snow and parking lots   How about which trim to get? basic model does not have all 4 disk brakes and Limited-slip viscous type Differential (rear) which the xs does but then xs does not have the moonroof which premium model does. But the price goes up considerably from base to premium models.   Columbia edition has the moonroof and dealers are giving a good deal on it but it does not have all 4 disk brakes and viscous type differential - Do theses feature make a big difference? Replies to this message: terry92270 (Dec 02, 2006 8:37 pm) ateixeira (Dec 04, 2006 12:17 pm) unknown (Dec 05, 2006 4:41 am) and 1 more... kdshapiro (Dec 03, 2006 7:37 am)
#532 of 617 Re: subaru it is [fjhandir] by terry92270 Dec 02, 2006 (8:37 pm)
Replying to: fjhandir (Dec 02, 2006 5:58 pm) I went for the 2.5 X with the Premium Package, which has a MSRP of $2,500, but is had for less.   It will give you the following over base:   Panoramic power sliding-glass moonroof with auto-open/close feature 8-way power adjustable driver's seat with manually adjustable lumbar support Dual-stage heated front seats SIRIUS™ satellite radio capability Automatic climate control system 120-watt 4-speaker audio system with 6-disc in-dash CD changer and MP3/WMA player Auxiliary audio jack for portable media players Perforated leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel, shifter handle and parking-brake handle 4-wheel disc, ventilated front brakes Viscous-type limited-slip rear differential 16-inch 8-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels Heated larger body-color side mirrors with integrated turn signals Windshield wipers de-icer Body-color painted door handles   The only addition I added was the powered sub-woofer & tweeters. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Dec 04, 2006 12:17 pm) unknown (Dec 05, 2006 4:41 am) ateixeira (Dec 06, 2006 11:43 am)

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