You are here: Forums SUVs Honda CR-V Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Forester?

Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Forester?

782 messages,  Last post on Feb 25, 2009 at 12:24 PM

You are in the Honda CR-V Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 79 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 79 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#21 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester [thecat] by blueiedgod Feb 07, 2006 (5:08 am)
Replying to: thecat (Feb 06, 2006 6:51 am) Maybe if you had done your homework you wouldn't have come to this conclusion. You're comparing apples and oranges. The boxer engine is inherently well balanced and smooth. Turbo charged engines (like the XT) however typically run a little rough at idle. Subaru uses a "tumble generator" to help deal with this problem. It does improve the idle issue but doesn't eliminate it. You can't have everything. Getting 260 hp out of a 2.5 liter engine is pretty impressive. If you had checked out the non turbo version you would have found a very smooth idle + more hp than the honda.   I did test drive the non-turbo version, and it had the same vibrations transferring through the shifter and the steering column. It was OK at idle, but it got worse as the RPM's went up. But, if I were getting the Forester, I would have gotten the turbo version, because power is addicting.   As a matter of fact, I drove the Impreza as well, and it had the same engine vibration. Someone driving automatic may not notice it as they don't grab the shifter as often as someone who shifts his own gears, but at the end of the test drive my right hand felt like it was resting on a vibrating massaging chair. You know you get that feeling of numbness and such. I know I should not be resting my hand on the shifter, but.... ahhh... I like to be connected? lol.
#22 of 782 For the safety fans by varmint Feb 07, 2006 (9:04 am)
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/datatables.aspx?class=58&type=s
#23 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester [thecat] by varmint Feb 07, 2006 (9:10 am)
Replying to: thecat (Feb 06, 2006 6:51 am) "Maybe if you had done your homework you wouldn't have come to this conclusion. You're comparing apples and oranges. The boxer engine is inherently well balanced and smooth."   I suppose if you consider Subaru's press packet valid research material. Subaru has never been known for having smooth engines. Lots of things to like about Subies (safety, handling, AWD, features, etc.). I like the 2.5 for it's flexible powerband and it's low center of gravity. But smoothness would have to be a very recent development. Replies to this message: rsholland (Feb 07, 2006 9:15 am)
#24 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester [varmint] by rsholland Feb 07, 2006 (9:15 am)
Replying to: varmint (Feb 07, 2006 9:10 am) I have to agree. I've noticed at idle, my '06 2.5 WRX has a slightly lumpy idle. It's no biggie however, as once off idle that disaapears, and it is very smooth running through the gears or at cruising.   Bob
#25 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester [kumari] by drive62 Feb 07, 2006 (12:51 pm)
Replying to: kumari (Feb 06, 2006 11:38 pm) You only drive 3000 miles a year and the rear door opening is a concern? Not sure why unless every one of those miles involve loading and unloading something from the rear.   Also, how exactly do you have to "walk around the rear door every time you wan to load something"? You exit the driver's door, you walk to the back of the vehicle and the handle is on the driver's side. Can't figure out what you mean unless you are exiting from the passenger seat.
#26 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester [kumari] by stevedebi Feb 07, 2006 (3:17 pm)
Replying to: kumari (Feb 06, 2006 11:38 pm) "Also, that side opening door in the Honda and Toyota gives me pause. At least the Honda has a rear window which opens up, but I can still imagine problems loading cargo if someone parks too close to you at the curb."   You get used to it. I think it has to do with the spare tire being on the door - difficult to lift up.   Did you know there is a water tight large wheel well under the cargo floor? Replies to this message: kumari (Feb 07, 2006 11:29 pm) pogs2006 (Feb 08, 2006 4:49 am) dstew1 (Feb 08, 2006 9:18 am) blueiedgod (Feb 08, 2006 7:22 am) kumari (Feb 08, 2006 8:32 pm) and 11 more...
#27 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester [stevedebi] by kumari Feb 07, 2006 (11:29 pm)
Replying to: stevedebi (Feb 07, 2006 3:17 pm) Thanks for the info re: the wheel well. Now, I remember being told that at the dealership. Unfortunately, the Honda is still not for me. I also HATED the location of the parking brake and the trans shifter (this was on the auto). The fold-down thingy console cupholder is also a deal-breaker for me, but I can see where it may have some use for others. The side-opening door is a HUGE issue - as someone above aptly noted, I may only drive 3000 miles a year; but I'm ALWAYS schlepping cargo, groceries, home building materials, dogs, etc. Many a time, I've had to tie the rear door down because the cargo didn't fit all the way. You can't do that with a side-opening rear door!   The only other cars in this price range that I liked were the RAV-4 and the Mitsubishi Outlander, but the Mitsubishi dealership shows signs of closing down in my area, so that's a deal breaker for me as well. I also hated the double-decker dashboard of the RAV-4, it was just too busy for me. And, it also has the side-opening rear door.   The only things I didn't like about the Subaru was the ugly (but necessary) hood scoop on the hood of the Forester XT and the wells of the rear wheels intruding into the cargo area. I loved the interior, handling, appointments, etc. I thought I was all set to buy, then I started reading (on these boards) about wind and engine noise and problems with brake rotors and warping sunroofs, and a bunch of other stuff. To me, the Subaru was the quietest car I've EVER driven! They let me take a demo out by myself for an hour. I couldn't even tell it was turned on! Yet, everyone here complains about the noise. I can't imagine!   Samantha Replies to this message: pogs2006 (Feb 08, 2006 4:49 am) dstew1 (Feb 08, 2006 9:18 am) blueiedgod (Feb 08, 2006 7:22 am) kumari (Feb 08, 2006 8:32 pm) stevedebi (Feb 09, 2006 10:20 am) and 10 more...
#28 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester [kumari] by pogs2006 Feb 08, 2006 (4:49 am)
Replying to: kumari (Feb 07, 2006 11:29 pm) I have noticed the wind noise being a bit louder in the Forester compared to the CRV too. That could be a bit tiresome after an hour or two on the highway.   I am considering the Rav4 now, but the first years kinks need to be worked out. I would like to hear of all the issues from new Rav4 drivers.   That is the reason I may end up going with the CRV.   Decisions, decisions, pogs Replies to this message: dstew1 (Feb 08, 2006 9:18 am)
#29 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester [kumari] by blueiedgod Feb 08, 2006 (7:22 am)
Replying to: kumari (Feb 07, 2006 11:29 pm) The side-opening door is a HUGE issue - as someone above aptly noted, I may only drive 3000 miles a year; but I'm ALWAYS schlepping cargo, groceries, home building materials, dogs, etc. Many a time, I've had to tie the rear door down because the cargo didn't fit all the way. You can't do that with a side-opening rear door!   You pop the hatch window and let it stick out the window, while the rest fo your cargo is secured behind the locked door. Seems like a better solution than having the whole tailgate open, and let the lose items roll out of the vehicle as you accelerate.   I know because I brought a 26 foot ladder from Home depot in the CR-V.   But now that I have a roof rack, I just tie things to the roof rack. Like replacement windows that did not fit in the car (106x54) Replies to this message: kumari (Feb 08, 2006 8:32 pm) stevedebi (Feb 09, 2006 10:20 am) manamal (Feb 09, 2006 10:38 am) growler5 (Feb 10, 2006 8:14 am) and 8 more...
#30 of 782 Re: CR-V vs. Forester [pogs2006] by dstew1 Feb 08, 2006 (9:18 am)
Replying to: pogs2006 (Feb 08, 2006 4:49 am) You can significantly reduce the Forester wind noise by taking off the crossbars when you're not using them (which for most drivers is probably most of the time). They only take about 5 minutes to take off or put back on, and without the air swirling around up there, it's not quite so noisy.   Did the CRV you test drove have rails on the roof? If not, that may be one factor in why it sounded quieter.

Messages Page 3 of 79 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 79 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums SUVs Honda CR-V Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Forester?