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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 80 of 159

#788 of 1581 Re: 2010 vs. 2009 [ateixeira] by chelentano

Nov 22, 2009 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 21, 2009 3:23 pm)
>> how you were driving around with 4 year old maps, and you were OK with that?
 
Why would I care? I have never ran into a new road. Outlander uses Navteq maps – the same map vendor as most of manufacturers: acura, audi, benz, bmw, caddi, LR, jag, infi, mazd, niss, vw, volvo and more. And they all get updates at the same time. I don’t think it’s 4 years. The current version is 2008. I don’t know who is Subaru vendor, but I’d be surprised if they release updates every year. So map age is a non-issue.
.
 
>> This is a system you can't stop bragging about that doesn't get the text-to-speech feature found on some $99 portables.
 
And you can't stop bragging about previous generation: the 07 Outlander first went into production with its new Nav in 2006. That time Forester had no Navigation AT ALL: it went into production with Navigation much later in 2008, but even 2010 Forester still does not have hard drive stored maps, no phonebook sync, no free real-time traffic, no Diamond Lane Guidance, no MSN, no USB, and no text-to-speech feature so why don’t you compare it to "$99 portable"? Also note that in 2006 your advanced "portables" were priced over $700 not $99.
  
 
  
>> Forester still wins 3 out of 4 performance categories.
  
Forester XT wins: acceleration, braking.
skidpad is nearly a wash.
Outlander wins: handling, transmission, AWD, tow capacity, payload capacity, cargo volume.
 
  
>> I say wait until the rebate climbs back up to that level (it is $1500 now in my region for 09s), cash in the loyalty incentive, and shop a leftover 2009 XLS.
 
I’d say it a good strategy.
 
  
>> A 2010 GT won't have the rebate and costs $4 grand more, so the difference could reach $7 grand.
 
Yes, it actually could reach 6-7K diff in December. It appears invoice price for 2010 XLS with leather and Nav is $28832. GT: $30941. Outlander frequently sells $2K below invoice, so in a few months the 2010 XLS street price could be around $26,800. GT: $28,900.
If fushigi has some financial flexibility, he could get a car with interior quality similar to X3 while technology will be equal or exceeding. Basically with X3 you would be paying thousands more just for the brand name. Both 2010 XLS and GT have new upscale interior with French-accent double stitching on the leather seats and dash pad, chrome accents, and widely employed soft-touch materials. The red digital information display between the gauges, replaced by a high-definition, multicolor LCD:
GT: http://s215240594.onlinehome.us/outlander_GT.jpg
X3: http://img2.netcarshow.com/BMW-X3_2007_1280x960_wallpaper_26.jpg

#789 of 1581 Re: Mitsu videos demonstrate S-AWC v. 4WD [ateixeira] by chelentano

Nov 22, 2009 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 21, 2009 2:56 pm)
>>>> nav-equipped one the free traffic
  
>> I thought it was subscription based? My buddy's Infiniti G37 costs him $13 a month. I guess you mean after the first 3 months?
 
The real-time traffic is always free on 2010 Outlander:
 
http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038615_new-mitsubishi-nav-system-i- - ncludes-free-traffic-service
 
Also "there's another advantage of the Mitsubishi system: its carpool lane information. The so-called Diamond Lane Guidance is said to be an industry first and can help guide you to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes when it might help reduce drive times."
 
The real-time traffic is actually extremely useful feature: it would save you lots of time, aggravation and gas (we talk so much about gas mileage here).
 
If you drive a lot, then for the real-time traffic feature alone I would buy the 2010 model of Outlander, but anyway it has so many cool features and qualities: this car is a steal.

#790 of 1581 NAVTEQ by ateixeira

Nov 22, 2009 (3:41 pm)

The current version is v2010.20, not v2008. They supply Garmin as well.
 
http://www.navteq.com/partnertoolkit/media/view/map_update_garmin/index.htm
 
So it's still 2+ years out of date if it really is 2008. We can check that when it comes out.
 
I just sold my Nuvi 200w model precisely because it had outdated v2008 maps.
 
It's not only missing major new roads like the ICC highway here in MD, but also the POI database - every business that is new or has closed in the past 2 years would be listed incorrectly or missing. Imagine running on fumes and then having it take you to a gas station that closed.
 
Plus how can it avoid traffic on the ICC if the highway is not even included on its maps? It can't.
 
The Forester already offers a map update, the year after it came out, FWIW. Not that I recommend any OEM Navi.
 
I'll just say this - buyer beware. On your test drive, go to Maps/About, however you get there from the menu, and check the version of your maps before you buy.
 
I’d say it a good strategy.
 
What do you know, is World Peace next?
 
It's Thanksgiving week so Iets be thankful for the choices we have, even if we don't agree on which is best for each of us. At least we have those choices to make.
 
Happy Thanksgiving.

#791 of 1581 Bargain Hunting by ateixeira

Nov 22, 2009 (6:41 pm)

fushigi: your mission, shall you choose to accept it...
 
 
 
... is to match or beat slobbatech's $23,000 price on his 08 XLS. Your loyalty rebate should offset price increases for 09.
 
Timing is everything. Luck, too. You have to time it so that they're clearing out the 09s but still have what you want (color) in stock.
 
slobbatech's was loaded, he wrote "nav, sun&sound, luxury/leather packages" and it was even "4wd".
 
So there is your benchmark deal. Good luck.
 
This message will self-destruct in 3, 2, 1, ...
 

#792 of 1581 Diamond Lane Guidance by ateixeira

Nov 22, 2009 (6:56 pm)

There's another advantage of the Mitsubishi system: its carpool lane information. The so-called Diamond Lane Guidance is said to be an industry first and can help guide you to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes when it might help reduce drive times.
 
I don't quite get it - didn't the old Navi system have avoidances? If so, you should have been able to choose to avoid (or not avoid) HOV lanes.
 
My Garmin does this.
 
I guess I don't see how it's an undustry first, or what's unique about it. Am I missing something?

#793 of 1581 Re: Bargain Hunting [ateixeira] by fushigi

Nov 22, 2009 (7:52 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 22, 2009 6:41 pm)
For me to take a pre-2010 model would take one heck of a deal. I want the improved MPG, improved interior, and improved everything else.
 
I see some 2010 Outlanders are in stock at my local dealer but based on the posted price on their web site they are no XLS or GT models so far.
 
Frankly I'd be satisfied with a loaded GT for $30K after loyalty rebate and before TTL. Cheaper, er, less expensive, is better but given a $35K MSRP that'd be a good enough deal with no other incentives. I've no problem with the dealer making a profit; I just see no need for it to be excessive.
 
Anyway, over the coming weeks I'll try to test drive a GT & XLS and from Subaru, the Outback 3.6. Maybe a Ford Edge. I really wanted to like the 'nox but the non-flat floor w/second row is close to a deal breaker. CR-V, RAV, Rogue/Murano and anything from Chrysler are out for various reasons. I might be skipping something off the top of my head but that's the current short list.

#794 of 1581 Re: Bargain Hunting [fushigi] by ateixeira

Nov 23, 2009 (8:36 am)

Replying to: fushigi (Nov 22, 2009 7:52 pm)
$23,000 minus a loyalty rebate *is* a heck of a deal.
 
Do all models get the MPG boost? And do the XLS and GT get the same mileage?
 
Regarding the suspension upgrades - did they improve the ride quality? I guess you haven't driven one yet, so we'll see.
 
Honda somehow manages to build the best selling SUV with only one 4 banger engine and 1500 lbs towing. It's mind-boggling.

#795 of 1581 Re: Bargain Hunting [ateixeira] by fushigi

Nov 23, 2009 (9:08 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 23, 2009 8:36 am)
I don't know if the 4 cyl models got a boost as I'm not really looking at them. For 2010 both the AWD XLS & S-AWC GT V6 models are rated at 18/24. FWD XLS V6 is 19/25 so adding AWD only costs 1 MPG. AWD 4 cyl Outlanders are 21/25 while FWD bumps the MPG to 21/27.
 
I'll have to go back & re-read the messages. Was the $23K for a nicely loaded V6 that included the Sun 'n' Sound?
 
Re: Ride. I liked the ride of the '09. It was smooth and composed on the roads we tested it on, including some stretches that have been repaired multiple times, i.e. pothole repairs that had to be repaired again and again. Those are roads I'm on frequently (the dealer is located along my commute) so how it behaves there is important to me.
 
Re: CR-V. I don't really get the appeal either. The looks are OK but not striking certainly not aggressive like the RAV or Outlander. The engine is adequate but just so. In fact, I think adequate is the best term for the whole CUV. It doesn't seem to excel at anything. Maybe it just perfectly fills the niche of something with the Honda badge that is more "user friendly" than the Pilot & cheaper than the Odyssey.

#796 of 1581 Re: Bargain Hunting [fushigi] by fushigi

Nov 23, 2009 (9:14 am)

Replying to: fushigi (Nov 23, 2009 9:08 am)
Re: $23K Outlander. It was a 2008 model purchased in May '09; no wonder it was discounted heavily. It did have Sun 'n' Sound.
 
With the '10s hitting dealer lots bargains might be had on remaining '09s but given Mitsu sales volume a more likely scenario is dealers sitting on in-stock units until they sell before ordering any '10s.

#797 of 1581 Re: Bargain Hunting [fushigi] by ateixeira

Nov 23, 2009 (9:29 am)

Replying to: fushigi (Nov 23, 2009 9:14 am)
Yeah, they may already have cut supply. If so, you won't find that sort of bargain.
 
It's a gamble. You may get lucky and get the deal of the century. Or they may sell the last one before you get to it. Or the incentives may not match what they were last year.
 
The worst, though, would be to buy the vehicle, then the incentives go up, after you buy. In that case not only did you pay more, but also it could affect resale values in the short-term.
 
That should not matter to you, given you have a 14 year old Galant, and seem likely to keep this for a long time.
 
I got screwed like that. In January Mazda had a loyalty incentive of $500 on the Miata. I waited. In March they had a rebate of $2500, so I bought the car.
 
Then, in April, the rebate went up to $5000.
 
I wrote Mazda a letter to complain, and in fairness they did feel sympathetic, and sent me gift cards for Mazda accessories.
 
I guess my timing was better than people who bought in January, but not as good as those who waited until April.
 
Forester never got a cash incentive for model year 2009, and very likely will not for 2010 either. So the bad news is the price should not go down, but I guess the good news is prices have been consistent since the launch, so you won't buy one and then see someone pay $2500 less than you did the following month.

Messages Page 80 of 159

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