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Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4

617 messages,  Last post on Nov 05, 2008 at 3:00 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

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

Messages Page 61 of 63

#596 of 617 Re: forester in the mud [kdshapiro] by sidious6688

Jun 18, 2007 (3:38 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 18, 2007 5:46 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.

#597 of 617 Re: forester in the mud [sidious6688] by thecat

Jun 18, 2007 (6:17 pm)

Replying to: sidious6688 (Jun 18, 2007 3:31 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.

#598 of 617 Re: forester in the mud [sidious6688] by kdshapiro

Jun 18, 2007 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: sidious6688 (Jun 18, 2007 3:38 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.

#599 of 617 Re: forester in the mud [kdshapiro] by jerseymom8285

Jun 18, 2007 (9:45 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Jun 18, 2007 7:35 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!

#600 of 617 Re: forester in the mud [jerseymom8285] by cbmorton

Jun 19, 2007 (1:56 pm)

Replying to: jerseymom8285 (Jun 18, 2007 9:45 pm)
The back door on the RAV4 only opens one way - it swings out to the right.

#601 of 617 Re: forester in the mud [jerseymom8285] by p0926

Jun 19, 2007 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: jerseymom8285 (Jun 18, 2007 9:45 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

#602 of 617 Re: forester in the mud [p0926] by xwesx

Jun 19, 2007 (4:31 pm)

Replying to: p0926 (Jun 19, 2007 2:57 pm)
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.
 
I have noticed that as well - the front seat rails have quite a bit of travel, so if the occupants of the front seats take more than their share, it leaves almost none for those in the back seat.
 
Granted, I prefer a far less... casual... seating position than many drivers, but I am 6' and have no problem placing a child seat directly behind me. That stated, I do think rear leg room is cramped - more so on the new models. I never felt it was a problem on the first generation Forester or Outback.

#603 of 617 Re: forester in the mud [jerseymom8285] by sidious6688

Jun 20, 2007 (3:18 am)

Replying to: jerseymom8285 (Jun 18, 2007 9:45 pm)
Jersey Mom,
 
I assume all the doors open the same way. In any case, mine opens to the right.

#604 of 617 Re: forester in the mud [sidious6688] by leeharvey418

Jun 21, 2007 (6:56 am)

Replying to: sidious6688 (Jun 18, 2007 3:31 pm)
The clamp on the Limited's hard shell is on the bottom, and can not be opened unless the rear door is swung out to where the tire is past the edge of the bumper. So the answer is that as long as the rear door is locked, the spare tire isn't going anywere. Of course this is all contingent upon 'locks being made for honest men', but that's pretty much the way with any spare tire.

#605 of 617 Makes sense about the door... by jerseymom8285

Jun 21, 2007 (8:48 am)

Thanks for the answers on the rear door on the RAV4. It's a nice option for me to have it open that way as I have physical limitations and the over the head lifting doors have always been an issue for me.
So, do those of you that have a RAV 4 like them and are glad you made the decision to buy it? We are test driving tomm. I think.

Messages Page 61 of 63

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