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Subaru Forester vs Mitsubishi Outlander

40 messages,  Last post on Jun 28, 2009 at 7:10 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Mitsubishi Outlander, Wagon, SUV

Messages Page 4 of 5

#27 of 40 Re: AWD <> 4WD [ateixeira] by oldsklgto

Feb 07, 2006 (6:14 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 07, 2006 9:06 am)
That really Depends on your definition of AWD then doesn't it? as AWD describes A whole bunch of Different drivetrains and many people give you different definitions and is really these days a marketing tool.
 
but.. if you mean AWD being a full time system then your post would contain as many mistakes as mine as Audi wasn't the first to use AWD as you suggest. Audi pioneered AWD in rally cars yes (notice that some people call the first group B Quattro 4wd) but AWD vehicles had been on the road before then (in 1966 the Jensen FF is known as the worlds first AWD production vehicle). Then in 1983 mitsubishi would have built an AWD vehicle in the Group B starion (could have made some before that but I don't know) and still are known to have considerable experience in AWD through WRC.
 
When I mentioned Paris-Dakar in my post It was talking about Mitsubishi's reliability in general in which the outlander does benefit from the competition. Below is a quote from an article which shows how it benefits from Mitsubishi's Rally/Raid experience.
 
"It speaks well for the Outlander that its chassis is stout enough to handle a 240-hp turbocharged engine in a version of the Outlander in Japan called the Airtrek. Mitsubishi has done exceptionally well in international rally and endurance racing, with the Lancer Evo and with the Pajero (sold in North America as the Montero) sport utility vehicle that has dominated the Paris-Dakar marathon race for so many years. The Outlander benefits from such body-strengthening techniques as MASH seam welding and what Mitsubishi calls its RISE design (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution). The 2002 Lancer sedan on which the Outlander is based earned a Good rating, the highest possible, in the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety crash-testing program and was listed as the best pick in the small car class."
 
Plugs on a Legacy are Very Easy?? I don't think so even if you can do them in around 20mins I would hardly call that Very Easy as it only takes me 5-10 minutes, now I would call that easy.
 
I did not know that the forester was SOHC but the engine is still complex for a 4 cylinder and towards the end of my post I said that the reliability of the forester may be good and subaru may build reliable vehicles I was just commenting on my experience and my friends experience with their Subarus (mostly legacys).
 
I'm sorry but I have no Idea what a CR is so I can't really comment on the results but I can on the last line of your post. Whether that data is more significant is subjective as that data (i'm assuming some motoring magazine or survey) is also empirical (as pretty much any data you could get from a vehicle is )

#28 of 40 Re: AWD <> 4WD [oldsklgto] by tidester

Feb 07, 2006 (10:20 pm)

Replying to: oldsklgto (Feb 07, 2006 6:14 pm)
CR = Consumer Reports
 
tidester, host

#29 of 40 AWD by ateixeira

Feb 08, 2006 (10:23 am)

I guess what I look for, when you reference racing, is some sort of commonality with the street cars. So the Impreza WRC car may have little to do with the WRX, but the Group N rally car is actually very similar, basically an STI with a roll cage.
 
Subaru used the Forester in Reconnaisance runs for their toughest rallies, specifically Kenya. Just this year they moved to Tribecas. So at least there is some history there. Foresters also run in SCCA Rally Cross all the time.
 
Audi was a pioneer whether they were first or not, because they pushed the envelope and popularized AWD cars.
 
Outlander gets 17/20 total stars in NHTSA tests, while Forester gets a perfect 20/20. Forester also does better in IIHS frontal and offset tests (Good and Best Pick, respectively). So the MASH and RISE acronyms really aren't that significant.
 
Plugs take 20 minutes if you use anti-sieze and a torque wrench to do it to exact specifications. That's not something I rush. Besides, I don't use a stop watch, since I'm doing a lot of other things at the same time (air filter, fuel filter, oil change, etc).
 
-juice

Forester Rally Cross.jpg
Forester Rally Cross.jpg
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#30 of 40 Forester vs Outlander by 1racefan

Feb 09, 2006 (11:38 am)

I looked at both of these when I purchased my Outlander and I really liked both. I am a huge fan of Subaru, but didn't purchase one mainly because the Subaru dealer in my city is about 20 miles from my house, on the busiest road, and not in the best part of town.
 
We actually have 3 Mitsubishi dealers in my area (at least for now), and one happens to be right down the road from my workplace. The one down the street from my workplace has been around for many years, and is known in the community for having an excellent service department. The other thing I like about the Outlander is the 2.4L engine. It isn't the strongest engine in the world by any means, but it does well. I know 2 other people that have owned Mitsubishi products in the past with this same engine, and both people kept them for over 125,000 miles with no problems (and these individuals are pretty slack when it comes to maintenance).
 
Regarding the AWD, most of my driving has been on normal roads, but I have had it on mountain trails before and had no problems. Not once have I felt the car lose traction on any surface, nor has the rear gotten squirrelly.
 
If the Subaru dealer network in my local area was better, I may very well have purchased the Subaru. However, I believe no matter what brand the car is (even Honda), warranty issues will probably come up, and I don't want the added inconvenience of having to drive a long ways to get it to a dealer.

#31 of 40 Re: Forester vs Outlander [1racefan] by p0926

Feb 21, 2006 (10:34 am)

Replying to: 1racefan (Feb 09, 2006 11:38 am)
If the Subaru dealer network in my local area was better, I may very well have purchased the Subaru. However, I believe no matter what brand the car is (even Honda), warranty issues will probably come up, and I don't want the added inconvenience of having to drive a long ways to get it to a dealer.
 
Well I hope for your sake that Misubishi works thru its financial issues and stays in business for a while longer
 
FYI, I've been a Subaru owner for 6 years now and during that time, I've only had to make 2 trips to the dealer for warranty work.
 
-Frank

#32 of 40 Re: Forester vs Outlander [p0926] by 1racefan

Feb 22, 2006 (6:23 am)

Replying to: p0926 (Feb 21, 2006 10:34 am)
"Well I hope for your sake that Misubishi works thru its financial issues and stays in business for a while longer "
 
My Outlander is out of warranty now, so I really don't care what happens to them. I plan to keep the car until it dies (will be used as a 3rd car for lake trips and bad weather driving), so resale doesn't concern me. Thanks to the internet, I should always be able to find any parts and instructions needed for repairs (and I am lucky to have been born with at least a little mechanical ability).
 
I just find it pretty sad that in my area, I can find 3 Mitsubishi (poor old struggling Mitsubishi) dealers within 15 miles of my house (in 3 different directions), but yet there is only 1 Subaru dealer, and it is 20 miles away in a crappy location.
 
I am glad that you have only had 2 warranty issues in 6 years (I really am happy for you, and not trying to be sarcastic). However, I have a relative that has had multiple issues in 3 years with his WRX. That isn't to say that I believe all Subarus are that way (again, I like Subaru), I just believe that with ANY make, it is a crap shoot with what you are going to get. I guess I am just a "glass half empty" kind of guy, so I try to buy my vehicles from dealers that are convenient to get to for any warranty work that may arise.

#33 of 40 Re: Forester vs Outlander [1racefan] by p0926

Feb 22, 2006 (6:51 am)

Replying to: 1racefan (Feb 22, 2006 6:23 am)
I agree that regardless of manufacturer, there's always a chance you'll end up with a However, I think you can minimize the odds of that happening by choosing brands with proven reliablity track records.
 
As to why there are 3 Mitsu dealers near your house but only one Sube, I can only hazard to guess that you live in an area that doesn't fit the Subaru demographic (either the snowbelt or mountains).
 
-Frank

#34 of 40 if she hasn't ... by explorerx4

Mar 02, 2006 (8:08 pm)

made up her mind by now, it is just hopeless.

#35 of 40 Re: if she hasn't ... [explorerx4] by steve_ HOST

Mar 02, 2006 (8:10 pm)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Mar 02, 2006 8:08 pm)
I dunno - I'm on a ten year replacement cycle and I spend a year or more kicking tires.
 
Steve, Host

#36 of 40 For the past 12 months by 1racefan

Mar 03, 2006 (5:39 am)

my wife and I have been debating between the Element, New Grand Vitara, Endeavor, Trailblazer, and Tacoma (I know, all over the board with this group). Hoping to pull the trigger on something by July. Every time we decide on one, we change our mind.

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