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Outlander vs. Forester

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

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

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

Messages Page 158 of 159

#1562 of 1581 Re: possible outlander buyer-hoping the forum can help [newguy53] by ateixeira

Apr 26, 2010 (8:18 am)

Replying to: newguy53 (Apr 25, 2010 6:43 pm)
Let's see your wish list...
 
room for car seats and dog in the rear
 
Pretty much all models in this class offer that. That's why this class is so popular and growing.
 
rear sensors are a biggie
 
You mean sonar backup sensors? Outlander offers the backup cam but it's packaged with Navi. Forester offers rear backup sensors, but I haven't felt the need for them because visibility to the rear is excellent. This page shows exterior options including the sensors in the rear bumper:
 
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forester/forester2010photos3.html
 
good MPG- 20 at least in mixed driving
 
That's iffy for the V6 or the turbo. Consumer Reports got 19mpg in their Outlander V6, 20mpg on on the turbo Forester. The 2.4l CVT Outlander and the Forester X (non-turbo) averaged 22mpg. If you can drive stick, the 5 speed manual Forester had the best mileage among non-hybrids at 24mpg. The catch - you can't get a Limited with the manual, only a base or Premium (you still get heated seats and a moonroof, though).
 
want a nice interior- good leather, astheticly pleasing...good features-useful display, good steror, bluetooth, i-pod hook-up (controlled through stereo if possible)
Check out the Outback. I think a USB input is standard even on the cheap models. iPod hookup is an accessory available on the Forester.
 
flat folding seats are important
 
Agreed.
 
looking in the 25-28K range
 
Forester would be on the low end of that range, Outback towards the high side.
 
So, have you driven anything yet?

#1563 of 1581 New Bluetooth Option for Forester - any model by ateixeira

Apr 26, 2010 (9:16 am)

Replying to: newguy53 (Apr 25, 2010 2:34 pm)
Well, I was wrong, and happy to admit it:
 
2010 Forester news and updates
 
2/7 new option - available starting February 2010, hands free cell phone bluetooth 'BlueConnect' now available on 2010 models with Clarion single disc stereo model #CP604U1 or Panasonic CH changer stereo model #PP644U6 installed after 9/2009. See image above.
 
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forester/forester2010.html#std%20features
 
Cool, so you can get BT, no matter which of the 3 head units you choose.

#1564 of 1581 Re: possible outlander buyer-hoping the forum can help [ateixeira] by newguy53

Apr 26, 2010 (5:45 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 26, 2010 8:18 am)
haven't driven anything yet- want to figure out what i want before I get to the dealer- hate stepping foot inside- this purchase will be done online- credit union price (USAA) vs. best internet price i can get- once I get a fair price - i know i have to test before then- but I HATE the whole dance one has to go through- and the dealerships over here are so terrible...unless I am blown away by one vs another on the drive it will most likely come down to items mentioned prior-
keeping in mind my current CUV is the first one i've driven that I actually like....so I am sure either one will pass the muster on the test drive....
 
outlander is too wagon-like for my taste- only 30- not at the mini-van/wagon stage of life just yet....
 
as for MPG- 20 is the guideline + or - a mile here or there isn't a huge issue- obviously for the V6 225 HP or so i could sacrifice a mile here or there- although the 22 on the Forester is def. attractive...
 
don't want an OEM navi- so back-up camera looks to be out- but both Forester and Outlander seem to offer reverse sensors as an accessary- currently have it in the MKX and can't do with out it- for parking and safety....
 
The backseat room and at least moderate storage is a must as well- which is why rogue was cut out (along with CVT issues)...
 
i suppose last issue is dealership- Can't seem to find a well liked dealer in my area for either Subaru or Mitsu- although one or two Subaru dealers about 50 mon away seem to get positive reviews....

#1565 of 1581 Re: possible outlander buyer-hoping the forum can help [newguy53] by authurdent

Apr 26, 2010 (6:48 pm)

Replying to: newguy53 (Apr 26, 2010 5:45 pm)
Never considered our rally red Outlander as old and farty, but maybe I'm too old and farty to notice! Not sure the Forester is any less farty given your criteria, unless you get that the XT with the turbo intake, and add some bitchin' rims.
 
Sounds like you want a curvy CUV, but with space, so you can pretend to be young and vital, yet still be able to cart around passengers and gear in relative comfort. I think you already dismissed the Murano, but maybe that's your magic car!

#1566 of 1581 Re: possible outlander buyer-hoping the forum can help [newguy53] by fushigi

Apr 27, 2010 (6:09 am)

Replying to: newguy53 (Apr 25, 2010 6:43 pm)
room for car seats and dog in the rear.....
 
We were able to get a child seat + a booster in the 3rd row of the Outlander so doing so i nthe 2nd row shouldn't be a problem.
 
Out 14 pound rat terrier fits just fine.
 
rear sensors are a biggie
 
I still like the cam better but understand the need to keep costs down.
 
good MPG- 20 at least in mixed driving..
 
My first half dozen tanks were in winter and were breaking in the engine. On those I was getting 17.3-19.4MPG in mostly city driving. The last couple of weeks I've done a lot of highway driving and have gotten 22-24, mostly 23+ while driving at 75-85MPH. Lifetime average so far is 20.9MPG - 4574 miles and 218.9 gallons. I track economy & expenses in a simple Excel spreadsheet. That's mostly on mid-grade gas in a V6 GT.
 
want a nice interior- good leather, astheticly pleasing...good features-useful display, good steror, bluetooth, i-pod hook-up (controlled through stereo if possible)
 
I like the clean look of the Outlander interior. It isn't overdone with knobs & buttons everywhere. Of course the nav consolidates some controls which helps. The non-nav interior looks a little busier but still fine. The leather is on par for the class. Mitsu always provides good features for the price. iPods can be voice controlled via Fuse; the USB plug is in the center console along with the A/V inputs so the MP3 player can stay hidden.
 
If you can swing the sun and sound package you get the killer stereo & the sunroof.
 
A note on Bluetooth. You can use an outboard BT system like the one in a handheld GPS but it lacks integration. An incoming call won't pause or mute the stereo (and resume when done). Sounds like a small thing but when the phone ringing is already a distraction, really the last thing you need to do is be hunting for buttons to shut off the stereo. Also, the Outlander includes dual mics for voice pickup; audio quality is pretty good. The BT in my Magellan was barely servicable and I would up not even using it.
 
Another feature is the FAST keyless entry. Grab the door handle and it unlocks (programmable for just that door or all doors at once which I chose). Hit the button when you leave & it locks. The fob never leaves your pocket. Combined with the climate control and the GT's auto-on headlights & rain-sensing wipers there's just less stuff you have to deal with; the car does it for you.
 
flat folding seats are important
 
Technically the Outlander seats are of the tumble-forward variety but they do lead to a flat cargo area. See image 4 at http://www.mitsubishicars.com/MMNA/jsp/outlander/10/index.do#/?page=interior_gal- lery While you're there check image 10 for what the backup cam would show if you went that route.
 
must be AWD- dealbreaker there..
 
Agreed. Maybe it's because I grew up in and still live in the snow belt but I've never understood buying a pickup or SUV and not opting for AWD.

#1567 of 1581 Re: possible outlander buyer-hoping the forum can help [authurdent] by fushigi

Apr 27, 2010 (6:10 am)

Replying to: authurdent (Apr 26, 2010 6:48 pm)
Never considered our rally red Outlander as old and farty..
 
I think that was a typo & should have read Outback.

#1568 of 1581 Re: possible outlander buyer-hoping the forum can help [fushigi] by ateixeira

Apr 27, 2010 (7:48 am)

Replying to: fushigi (Apr 27, 2010 6:09 am)
You can use an outboard BT system like the one in a handheld GPS but it lacks integration. An incoming call won't pause or mute the stereo (and resume when done).
 
True, but the Forester has a mute button right on the steering wheel, so no hunting. Plus now you can get Bluetooth on every single model, so it's a non-issue.
 
If you get a RAV4, though, beware - my Sienna does NOT have a mute button on the steering wheel (is the RAV4 the same way?), so in the Toyota fushigi's concern applies. You gotta hit Volume Down, down, down, down, down on the steering wheel controls, then up, up, up, up, up when the call is complete.
 
Spend 25 cents on a mute button, Toyota, sheesh!

#1569 of 1581 Re: possible outlander buyer-hoping the forum can help [ateixeira] by authurdent

Apr 27, 2010 (4:58 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 27, 2010 7:48 am)
The Outlander sunroof is definitely deeper than 11.5", more like 14" which is more than enough for a driver and passenger, which is most often is the case for us. Sure, a deeper sunroof would be nice, but not terribly necessary and probably more to leak!
 
I don't think BT would be near as useful if you had to mess with mutes or volumes. Sort of detracts from the whole "hands free" thingy.

#1570 of 1581 Re: possible outlander buyer-hoping the forum can help [authurdent] by ateixeira

Apr 28, 2010 (6:46 am)

Replying to: authurdent (Apr 27, 2010 4:58 pm)
I measured the transparent part of the glass, the visible portion is 11.5" long. Forester's is 26".
 
I could not measure the size when opened because it was a pre-production model and they would not let test drive it, so no keys.
 
Your hands are on the wheel, and the mute button is right there. You only have to move your thumb, no big deal.

#1571 of 1581 Re: possible outlander buyer-hoping the forum can help [ateixeira] by fushigi

Apr 28, 2010 (7:30 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 28, 2010 6:46 am)
I like to use the sunroof for venting and am not sure I'd actually like having one so long. But I can certainly see where some would prefer it.
 
Having a mute button is an adequate compromise though I still prefer the integration as in my admittedly limited experience the speakers on the portable GPS' don't go load enough in phone mode & the mics don't have adequate noise cancellation. I also like that the Outlander's nav screen displays the cell signal strength & battery meter.
 
As to headsets/over-the-ear BT receivers, I get annoyed at anything on/in my ear so they aren't tolerable for anything but short trips. Also, back in the '70s when Walkmen were gaining in popularity we were told - and in some places laws were enacted - to not wear headphones as they reduce/block our ability to hear emergency vehicles.

Messages Page 158 of 159

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