- #592 of 617
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Re: forester in the mud [jerseymom8285]
by jerseymom8285
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Jun 18, 2007 (8:14 am)
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Replying to: jerseymom8285 (Jun 18, 2007 7:58 am)
Wow~I just saw the other replies. Thanks to all of you who replied so far. I have not test driven them yet, but will this week. We went last Saturday to look, sit in them talk to the salespeople, etc. I was recently in an accident and just started driving this past Sunday morning.
Now we will go back to test drive after researching to see what seems to fit better for me.
I'm coming from a Windstar Mininvan which I loved, (We had purchased it for moving the kids back and forth to college and for aging parents as well)it that saved my life. So, I'm sure I will have to adjust to the smaller size with either car. But for some reson the Rav seems a bit higher? maybe my imagination?
Thanks again.
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- #593 of 617
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Re: forester in the mud [jerseymom8285]
by p0926
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Jun 18, 2007 (2:08 pm)
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Replying to: jerseymom8285 (Jun 18, 2007 8:14 am)
But for some reson the Rav seems a bit higher?
No the driving position is higher in the RAV4. So you have a slightly better view of the road (good) but then you also have a higher center of gravity (bad).
-Frank
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- #594 of 617
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Re: forester in the mud [jerseymom8285]
by sidious6688
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Jun 18, 2007 (2:31 pm)
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Replying to: jerseymom8285 (Jun 18, 2007 7:58 am)
We bought the Sport - in between the base and Limited. Wife really likes the Flint Nica color, only available on Sport. I was not a fan of the sideways as opposed to the upwards lifting rear door on the subaru, but now that I have it, I don't mind it. I also hated the idea of the rear tire hanging off the back, but again now that I have it, it does not bother me. I'm 6'1," back seat leg room fine when seat in front set for my height. Simply shocked by the rear leg room.
I believe the cover for the rear spare tire depends on the trim level you get; base, sport or limited. The sport comes with a hard case that has a elastic sort of grip om the back of the tire. Sounds lame but actually works quite well. I think the limited may have some sort of clamps, but does not actually lock to my knowledge.
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- #595 of 617
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Re: forester in the mud [kdshapiro]
by sidious6688
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Jun 18, 2007 (2:33 pm)
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 17, 2007 4:11 pm)
The back seat of the new RAV4 is larger than the subaru BY FAR.
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- #596 of 617
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Re: forester in the mud [kdshapiro]
by sidious6688
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Jun 18, 2007 (2:38 pm)
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 18, 2007 4:46 am)
The turbo is a tremendous performer, no question. I was pretty stunned by the acceleration the one time I drove one. I'm not a turbo fan, don't like the delay. This is just my preference though. Also, no premium gas needed in Toyota. Don't get me wrong; I loved my 2001 Subaru forester. I was disgusted that subaru did not have a new vehicle that met my needs, I would have bought another without hesitation. I don't understand why subie makes the outback, legacy and forester all with the same size rear seat. If the rear seat size is not an issue, I would recommend a forester without hesitation. That said, now that I own the Rav4, I think its a better vehicle. This probably isn't fair though, its a newer design. when the new forester comes out, I'll probably think thats even better.
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- #597 of 617
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Re: forester in the mud [sidious6688]
by thecat
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Jun 18, 2007 (5:17 pm)
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Replying to: sidious6688 (Jun 18, 2007 2:31 pm)
The spare tire cover on the Limited is a hard shell with a clamp. The way it's designed, you can't (or would have a very hard time) release the clamp with the rear hatch door closed. No, it doesn't lock but if you can't get to the release mechanisim ... it's all the same. Nothing is thieft proof. If they want it, they're going to get it. I was recently told by a service guy at the dealer, that wheel locks only stop you from changing a flat easily .. they don't stop thieves. He's probably right.
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- #598 of 617
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Re: forester in the mud [sidious6688]
by kdshapiro
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Jun 18, 2007 (6:35 pm)
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Replying to: sidious6688 (Jun 18, 2007 2:38 pm)
I understand. I don't have to haul around car seats and babies. While neither back seat is cavernous, the size of the Forester just suits my needs. It's small enough to be a very tight handling vehicle, given what it is in the first place. The handling of the Rav4 is just okay in my opinion, something to consider when looking at these two vehicles.
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- #599 of 617
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Re: forester in the mud [kdshapiro]
by jerseymom8285
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Jun 18, 2007 (8:45 pm)
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 18, 2007 6:35 pm)
Thanks everyone. We saw a RAV on the road today (I was going with my daughter somewhere~I'm still not driving, I know I have got to get going on that) The RAV really looked sharp on the road and my 21 y.o even appproved!
But for me~especially now, safety and comfort is first and foremost.
The back seat is a sometimes issue. We only go out all together in one car once in a while now that the kids are older. But since my son is tall, I wanted to make sure he would be comfortable~thanks for the info on how the back seat feels.
Mostly the car will be for me and then Hubby on w/e's and for when he skis in the wintertime. But during the week I only go to the gym, grocery shop, doctor appts, etc. Usual errand stuff. I am a low mileage driver~my lifesaving minivan was almost 7 years old and had 32K miles on it.
One other question that came up today~is the back door able to be ordered with opening to the left or right? Or does it just open to the left? We could have sworn we saw one that had the tire on the left side which would mena the door would open to the right, right???
Need to get these decisions made. And thanks to all of you this site is really helping!
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- #600 of 617
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Re: forester in the mud [jerseymom8285]
by cbmorton
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Jun 19, 2007 (12:56 pm)
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Replying to: jerseymom8285 (Jun 18, 2007 8:45 pm)
The back door on the RAV4 only opens one way - it swings out to the right.
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- #601 of 617
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Re: forester in the mud [jerseymom8285]
by p0926
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Jun 19, 2007 (1:57 pm)
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Replying to: jerseymom8285 (Jun 18, 2007 8:45 pm)
For many people, the number one short-coming of the Forester is its rear seat room. You could actually equate the Forester with a 2-door coupe, it works fine for transporting kids, occasionally takings co-workers to lunch, or adult family members on short trips but if you regularly haul 3 or 4 adults then you'll want something bigger. Another thing the Forester has in common with a coupe is its handling  (at least compared to most other SUVs/CUVs)
One other frequently over looked fact, the Forester's combined front & rear legroom is actually pretty good. So unless you're a tall driver and need the front seat all the way back, there should be sufficient rear legroom for most passengers.
-Frank
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