BMW X3 vs Subaru Forester XT vs Infiniti FX 35 vs Toyota RAV4

1193 messages, Last post on Apr 18, 2008 at 2:49 PM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? BMW X3, Subaru Forester, Infiniti FX35, Toyota RAV4, SUV

Outline

Messages Page 118 of 120: 1; ...; 114; 115; 116; 117; 118; 119; 120; Prev; Next; Last

#1166 of 1193: Cargo by ateixeira; Jan 17, 2006 (12:56 pm)

The boxy shape means it's more useful than you might think, mine fit an oversized clothes dryer, box and all, on its side (pic below).

The hatch even closed.

-juice

dstew1 (Jan 18, 2006 8:09 am)
- ateixeira (Jan 18, 2006 1:30 pm)
  - dstew1 (Jan 18, 2006 3:17 pm) and 9 more...

MVC-025S.JPG
0x0 (0kb)

#1167 of 1193: Re: Cargo [ateixeira] by dstew1; Jan 18, 2006 (8:09 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 17, 2006 12:56 pm)

The squarer cargo area definitely comes in handy. The bulkiest item I've loaded back of my boxy Forester was one of those 95-gallon rolling garbage bins, the kind the city gives residence for solid waste collection. Also the same ones you probably have around your office for confidential documents that will go to be shredded. Like this:

Anyway, plenty of room on the sides but from ceiling to floor was a little snug (the fact that it was stuffed with probably 130 lbs of assorted junk didn't help). The hatch still closed, barely though. If it had been any more angled it wouldn't have shut.

Doug

ateixeira (Jan 18, 2006 1:30 pm)
- dstew1 (Jan 18, 2006 3:17 pm)
  - elmo008 (Dec 19, 2007 7:31 pm) and 7 more...

#1168 of 1193: Re: Cargo [dstew1] by ateixeira; Jan 18, 2006 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: dstew1 (Jan 18, 2006 8:09 am)

I hope it was new/empty!

-juice

dstew1 (Jan 18, 2006 3:17 pm)
- elmo008 (Dec 19, 2007 7:31 pm)
  - tidester (Dec 19, 2007 11:17 pm)
  - ateixeira (Dec 20, 2007 8:08 am) and 5 more...

#1169 of 1193: Re: Cargo [ateixeira] by dstew1; Jan 18, 2006 (3:17 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 18, 2006 1:30 pm)

Actually it was full of a little bit of everything. We were completely remodeling a room that hadn't been updated in almost 15 years, so there was all kinds of unwanted knick-knacks and home-improvement trash inside the bin. Stuffed so full the lid had to be wedged off and on.

Yay for the easy-clean cargo mat. My rubber mat is actually the excuse my brother used for not wanting to load it into his Pathfinder (it was mostly HIS stuff) when taking it to a dumpster - "But yours will clean out easier!" Fortunately nothing spilled!

elmo008 (Dec 19, 2007 7:31 pm)
- tidester (Dec 19, 2007 11:17 pm)
- ateixeira (Dec 20, 2007 8:08 am)
  - p0926 (Dec 20, 2007 9:24 am) and 2 more...
  - elmo008 (Dec 20, 2007 7:43 pm) and 1 more...

#1171 of 1193: Infinity FX35 vs. BMW X3 by elmo008; Dec 19, 2007 (7:31 pm)

Replying to: dstew1 (Jan 18, 2006 3:17 pm)

I am a girl and I really don't know too much about cars... but I've gotta start somewhere and hopefully someone here can shed some light on these 2 vehicles for me. I am looking into buying a crossover that I can drive up to the skiing resorts during the winter season. I've researched some and shortlisted my choices down to these 2. What are some of the pros and cons of these 2 vehicles and which would you prefer? I tried reading the other threads and have a general idea but would like to see if someone can assess these 2 specifically for me. I am considering 2006 and 2007 models depending on price. Any comments would be appreciated.

#1172 of 1193: Re: Infinity FX35 vs. BMW X3 [elmo008] by tidester HOST; Dec 19, 2007 (11:17 pm)

Replying to: elmo008 (Dec 19, 2007 7:31 pm)

Aside from any technical specifications, I would observe that the X3 is manufactured in snow country (Bavaria) while the Infiniti is not. I'm sure others will have more to say.

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#1173 of 1193: Re: Infinity FX35 vs. BMW X3 [elmo008] by ateixeira; Dec 20, 2007 (8:08 am)

Replying to: elmo008 (Dec 19, 2007 7:31 pm)

Either one will do the job.

Tell us more about how you will use it.

Do you need lots of cargo space? How long is your commute, and is it city or highway? How many passengers ride with you typically? Do you drive hard and hit the apex at every turn, or leisurely and prefer quiet isolation?

Both of your choices fall on the sporty/compact side of the segment. They should be fine for up to 3-4 people and not too much luggage. You may find the ride stiff if you commute on city streets with lots of pot holes, so choose the wheel size carefully. You can get 20" rims on the Infiniti but that may be overkill.

Have you driven either one yet?

p0926 (Dec 20, 2007 9:24 am)
- kdshapiro (Dec 20, 2007 10:11 am)
- ateixeira (Dec 20, 2007 10:31 am)
elmo008 (Dec 20, 2007 7:43 pm)
- ateixeira (Dec 21, 2007 11:22 am)

#1174 of 1193: Re: Infinity FX35 vs. BMW X3 [ateixeira] by p0926; Dec 20, 2007 (9:24 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 20, 2007 8:08 am)

Do you drive hard and hit the apex at every turn

Yo Juice, I'm pretty sure that someone who states that "I really don't know too much about cars" is probably not going to know what you're talkin about

Personally, I don't care for the beetle-like looks of the FX and the resulting lack of usable interior space. The X3 is a nice vehicle but the Lexus RX 330/350 is worth a serious look.

-Frank