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Mitsubishi Outlander vs. Subaru Forester

1581 messages,  Last post on May 10, 2010 at 6:35 AM

You are in the Mitsubishi Outlander Forum.

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

Messages Page 127 of 159

#1256 of 1581 Re: AWD systems of the Subaru Forester vs. Acura MDX [kdshapiro] by imaginary

Feb 19, 2010 (10:46 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Feb 19, 2010 1:34 pm)
I've driven a variety of Toyota vehicles but only just that. I'm ready for AWD. I'm tired of driving 4x4 and FWD vehicles up here in Colorado. Either I have to deal with the gear binding or trying to get a running start. I've been looking at the Subaru Forester since 1998. I know the common problems that are in the Subaru Forester. The only thing that might start to get annoying over the years are the rattles. Most of the other stuff I've already dealt with in the Toyota vehicles I've driven.

#1257 of 1581 Re: AWD systems of the Subaru Forester vs. Acura MDX [ateixeira] by imaginary

Feb 19, 2010 (11:43 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 19, 2010 5:09 pm)
Not sure what the price tag is after discounts. I haven't bothered to look around seriously for an MDX.
 
It's nice having everything there so it's under warranty by Subaru compared to an aftermarket product. Besides having to choose which aftermarket product is the correct one, I just like everything to be from the car manufacturer when I buy it. Just that kind of flow and consistency. Maybe a bit of OCD there but oh well .
 
Oh, I'd rather have an in-dash navigation GPS than a hand-held just because it's there in the car hooked up to everything. Plus the screen size is bigger. That's a big plus.
 
I haven't heard about that concerning Nissan. I was never really interested in the style of their vehicles or the kind of vehicles they have. The Leaf looks interesting but I'd rather opt for the Honda FCX Clarity if I ever thought about alternative fuel.

#1258 of 1581 Re: AWD systems of the Subaru Forester vs. Acura MDX [kdshapiro] by fushigi

Feb 20, 2010 (7:27 am)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Feb 18, 2010 8:56 pm)
Wow, I walk away for a day and the post count explodes. I'm glad for the discussion.
 
I think it's the rare bird who actually cross-shops AWD systems. For most people not in extreme snow climates these differences in AWD are all theoretical. Even the worst of AWD systems can get a driver from point a to b in a decent amount of snow.
 
I agree 100%. Let's be honest. There are those who buy AWD systems for off-roading. They will look at the systems in detail and probably not opt for any of these vehicles as they'll opt for a body-on-frame truck over a car-based CUV/SUV.
 
Then there are those who want AWD for performance/handling. That's the Audi Quatro crowd as well as the WRX/Evo types. Engine performance matters more than the transmission's mechanical details. I'd probably toss the Infiniti EX in this group as well.
 
After those groups are "the rest of us." We're the everyday buyers who live on the snow belt, drive on the beach, live in rural areas with mud/gravel roads, or do mild off-roading (like said mud/gravel). Ground clearance matters. Getting traction matters. Split differentials don't. We buy the Explorers, Foresters, MDX/RDXs, RX, Outlanders, and so on. Both luxury and non.
 
For the rest of us, when there's so much snow on the ground that you're debating the merits of AWD systems, you probably should not be out driving. Even if your AWD system is up to snuff, the '82 Firebird in front of you ain't goin' nowhere fast and you're stuck behind 'em. And also, the AWD systems may help you get going and VSC will help keep you going in the direction you want, nothing will help you stop on icy roads except the 12 car pile-up in front of you.

#1259 of 1581 Re: AWD systems of the Subaru Forester vs. Acura MDX [ateixeira] by fushigi

Feb 20, 2010 (7:36 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 19, 2010 9:32 am)
Crazy comparisons happen all the time.
 
Indeed. Back in '99 when I bought my Galant I had set a price point of $30K and said I wanted the best value (my interpretation) for the money up to that price. Through research various cars were evaluated & eliminated. The final contenders were the Galant and, surprise, the Acura TL. I liked the TL but in an honest evaluation the Galant felt like it had a bigger cabin. Both had leather, a V6 that required premium gas, good stereos, and many other similarities. The final analysis said the TL had 30 HP more than the Galant and had traction control. The Galant, after upgrading to a 10 yr warranty was $8K cheaper.
 
I've no doubt I would have enjoyed the TL but the Galant was enjoyable as well and was very reliable over the 10 years/152K miles I had it. For $8K less I did not miss the experience of owning a semi-premium brand.

#1260 of 1581 Re: AWD systems of the Subaru Forester vs. Acura MDX [fushigi] by imaginary

Feb 20, 2010 (8:48 am)

Replying to: fushigi (Feb 20, 2010 7:27 am)
"For the rest of us, when there's so much snow on the ground that you're debating the merits of AWD systems, you probably should not be out driving. Even if your AWD system is up to snuff, the '82 Firebird in front of you ain't goin' nowhere fast and you're stuck behind 'em. And also, the AWD systems may help you get going and VSC will help keep you going in the direction you want, nothing will help you stop on icy roads except the 12 car pile-up in front of you."
 
As state patrol officers across the nation keep saying over and over after every, single, pile-up: "It's only a matter of time before these people driving 70, even 80 mph lose control and get into an accident". There's also another solution to that too. It's taking a road you know is almost completely out of your way but has little to no traffic. If the "rest of us" are willing to take the chance of going on the highway when you know full well there are people in your state who have no idea how to drive in the snow, you should know you're going to be running into that "12 car pile-up" pretty soon. Your chances of running into such a pile up are as simple as remembering there are more ways than one to get to the cities in your state.
 
Driving like a grandma at a safe speed limit beats getting into a 12-30 car pile up. Oh and leaving ample space between you and the car in front of you. Personally, I'd rather run into a ditch than end up sandwiched into a pile up BUT that's just me. I at least know I "debated" my AWD system to prepare for such occurrences. We're the the kind of people who actually plan ahead and, sometimes, over plan for every single detail.

#1261 of 1581 Re: AWD systems of the Subaru Forester vs. Acura MDX [imaginary] by ateixeira

Feb 20, 2010 (4:05 pm)

Replying to: imaginary (Feb 19, 2010 10:46 pm)
or trying to get a running start
 
That's what it's like with my FWD Sienna. Can't make it up my stinkin' driveway when there's snow, not to mention I gotta turn the VSC off.
 
GPS ... Plus the screen size is bigger.
 
Hmm, consider an Outback, then. A 3.6R Ltd with Navi is still low 30s, and it has a giant 8" screen. The backup cam has trajectory lines, and it's a bit nicer inside than the Forester. Early reliability scores from TrueDelta have been excellent (sadly the Equinox/Terrain are showing electrical gremlins).
 

#1262 of 1581 Re: AWD systems of the Subaru Forester vs. Acura MDX [fushigi] by ateixeira

Feb 20, 2010 (4:07 pm)

Replying to: fushigi (Feb 20, 2010 7:36 am)
Good call, too. Didn't those '99 TLs have the glass transmissions?

#1263 of 1581 Re: AWD systems of the Subaru Forester vs. Acura MDX [ateixeira] by fushigi

Feb 20, 2010 (6:10 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 20, 2010 4:05 pm)
The trajectory lines are great. It makes backing into parking spaces in the Outlander a breeze. The Outie also has a red line going across that represents about 18" from the bumper, which allows room for a reasonable gap and coincidentally is enough to open the hatch. There are also hash marks at 1, 2, and 3 meters.
 
After one snowfall the image was blurry as there was a small icicle hanging in front of it.

#1264 of 1581 Re: AWD systems of the Subaru Forester vs. Acura MDX [ateixeira] by fushigi

Feb 20, 2010 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 20, 2010 4:07 pm)
Some TLs did have the bad trannies but I though that was the 02-03 years. Could have easily included the 99s and up, though. What sucked was Acura replaced the bad transmissions with more of the same, but IIRC they did extend the warranty on them.
 
The Galant was rock-solid dependable. The only time I couldn't drive it was when the OEM battery died suddenly after about 3 or 4 years. Otherwise I was never stranded and had just $500 in repairs (does not include maintenance/wear items) over almost 11 years. Having it be such a good car is what caused me to heavily favor the Outlander.

#1265 of 1581 Re: AWD systems of the Subaru Forester vs. Acura MDX [fushigi] by authurdent

Feb 21, 2010 (12:00 am)

Replying to: fushigi (Feb 20, 2010 6:16 pm)
"The Galant was rock-solid dependable. The only time I couldn't drive it was when the OEM battery died suddenly after about 3 or 4 years. Otherwise I was never stranded and had just $500 in repairs (does not include maintenance/wear items) over almost 11 years. Having it be such a good car is what caused me to heavily favor the Outlander."
 
Same with our Mirage, dead battery every 4-5 years was the only problem, otherwise trouble-free, which made considering another Mitsu very logical. Just spent some quality time in a 2010 Benz GLK. Decent seats, nice leather, but I think the Outlander seats might be better. The GLK was a bit more docile over bumps, but the Outlander seemed spunkier. Plus the Outie has adjustable rear seats and considerably more cargo space.

Messages Page 127 of 159

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