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Getting a new Outlander, CR-V or RAV4

121 messages,  Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 8:49 PM

You are in the Honda CR-V Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander

Messages Page 10 of 13

#90 of 121 4 cyl RAV4 vs 4 cyl Outlander? by sir_timbit

Jul 19, 2009 (7:51 pm)

Hi all,
 
My wife and I are looking for something a bit bigger than our current Mazda 3, now that we have an addition to the family. I'm trying to decide between the base 4 cylinder RAV 4 and a base 4 cyl Mitsu Outlander, probably 2WD for both. I'm in Canada, and pricing on the base models is relatively close, but the Mitsubishi has better financing options, warranty, etc. (we also considered a Mazda 5 but it felt a bit sluggish compared to the test drive of the 4 cyl RAV 4, and no stability control was the deal breaker--otherwise great car)
 
We'll be testing the Outlander later this week. I already know from the test drive of the RAV that the base 4 cylinder will be just fine for our needs. I'm unsure about the Mitsu though. Most of the reviews out there comparing the RAV and Outlander are all about the V6 models. Here's what I've gleaned so far... I don't care about the 3rd row seating, which isn't an option on the base of either 4 cyl model anyway.
 
base RAV 4 (4 cyl)
+ relatively powerful for a 4 cyl engine (179hp)
+ great fuel economy for a compact SUV
+ 2nd row seats fold flat
+ lots of Toyota dealers in our city, and the RAV is built here in Canada (service concerns?)
+ assumed Toyota high resale value
+ seemed relatively quiet during test drive
- rear gate swings to the curb is a big turnoff
- no other frills but that's base Toyota for you
- financing options not nearly as good as Mitsu
 
base Outlander (4 cyl)
+ better pricing / financing options
+ very slick rear liftgate--impressive two piece clamshell design
+ heated seats standard, even on base (not offered on base RAV)
+ better warranty
+ road side assistance
+ includes tonneau cover and rear privacy glass (not offered on base RAV)
- engine not quite as powerful or fuel-efficient as the RAV's 4-cyl
- far fewer Mitsu dealers in area...wonder about future of Mitsu in general
- resale value compared to Toyota?
- concerns about noise and ability of the 4-cyl's CVT?
 
Thoughts? I'll have a better idea once I actually test drive the Outlander, of course. There must be others out there that were just looking at the 4 cyl base models of these two.
 
Thanks!

#91 of 121 Re: 4 cyl RAV4 vs 4 cyl Outlander? [sir_timbit] by bdyment

Jul 20, 2009 (4:42 am)

Replying to: sir_timbit (Jul 19, 2009 7:51 pm)
Have you considered a Mazda Tribute or a Ford Escape? They both seem to have the features you are looking for. We have a 2009 Ford Escape and we have been very pleased. Tribute and Escape are basically the same vehicle.

#92 of 121 Re: 4 cyl RAV4 vs 4 cyl Outlander? [sir_timbit] by rcpax

Jul 20, 2009 (5:21 am)

Replying to: sir_timbit (Jul 19, 2009 7:51 pm)
If you talk base models, you get anti-theft system and tire pressure monitoring in the Outlander, you don't have that in the base RAV-4. The Outlander has a bigger tank, and a smaller turning circle.
 
But if all things equals, even just the warranty will seal the deal for the Outlander. If you consider the pros and cons, the Outlander is more car for your money than the RAV-4.
 
I have heard of talks that Mitsubishi will close shop and leave the North American market, I have heard of such talks since ages ago. But look at the US now, it was GM and Chrysler filing for bankruptcy, not Mitsubishi. This is their company press release: http://www.mitsubishicars.com/MMNA/jsp/company/commitment.do

#93 of 121 Re: 4 cyl RAV4 vs 4 cyl Outlander? [sir_timbit] by fushigi

Jul 21, 2009 (4:38 pm)

Replying to: sir_timbit (Jul 19, 2009 7:51 pm)
The Outlander's 2nd row folds flat as well.
 
Also, if you will keep the vehicle for several years, you might find the difference in resale to not be that significant. Or it might even work against you. When I bought my '99 Galant, a comparable Camry was running around $3K more. After 10 years, using KBB the Camry is worth $2K more than my Galant (similar equipment, mileage, zip code). So that higher Toyota resale actually would have cost me $1000.
 
Regarding noise, I agree the Outlander's interior noise is more than I would prefer. Still, as you're in Canada, the heated seats might be worth it as a tradeoff for higher noise.
 
Other considerations: Do both engines use timing chains (good for life of the engine) or belts (need to be replaced every 60K miles or so)? Are there other maintenance considerations that would make one more expensive than the other? Is one drastically more expensive to insure?
 
Have fun with your test drive and be sure to let us know how it goes!

#94 of 121 Re: 4 cyl RAV4 vs 4 cyl Outlander? [fushigi] by comem47

Jul 22, 2009 (12:19 pm)

Replying to: fushigi (Jul 21, 2009 4:38 pm)
According to this the 4 Cly 4B12 uses a timing chain.
The 6 cyl timing belt is good for 105K/84 months(7 yrs), whichever first BTW.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_4B1_engine#Specifications_4
 
Needing towing power, I opted for the 6 cylinder and have been very pleased .
The 6 speed tranny is smooth and I've gotten as much as 28MPG on the highway
(usually around 20 around town and 25+ on highway with my 4WD LS model.)
 
While I haven't driven a CVT, the concept sounds a bit weird to me (keep the engine revving and vary the coupling, Sounds like it would be noisier)

#95 of 121 Buying new Outlander by bolt22

Jul 28, 2009 (7:12 pm)

I'm in the market for a Outlander SE fwd.I've received quotes from dealers for
26K, does this sound right. I thought the prices should be around 21 or 22K.
What has been the experience of everyone during your buying experience.

#96 of 121 Re: Buying new Outlander [bolt22] by fushigi

Jul 29, 2009 (5:22 am)

Replying to: bolt22 (Jul 28, 2009 7:12 pm)
An SE FWD in my zip code and with no options at all has an Edmunds TMV of $22463 after a $1K rebate. Options would drive that up, especially nav & rear-seat entertainment.
 
An SE as I would equipment it (F5, G4, FW, F6, GQ, GL, GS, and GD) has a TMV of $24079 after that same $1K rebate.
 
Is your price an out-the-door price (includes sales tax & all fees)?

#97 of 121 CRV or Rav4? by chuckfromli

Aug 09, 2009 (5:03 pm)

Considering both. Any opinions appreciated. I'm worried about the seats in the CRV being comfortable on long trips. I've seen some comments on MSN Autos, Edmunds, KBB where the owners complain about seat comfort. Thanks in advance!

#98 of 121 Re: Geetting internet quotes is always a trying experience [thomasw98] by shophappily

Aug 10, 2009 (8:13 am)

Replying to: thomasw98 (Jun 18, 2008 11:19 am)
the 'internet sales' would give you a fairly lower quote to lure you into their showroom, when u got to their showroom, the sales on the floor would tell you the 'internet sales' work from home and they dont honor the quote they gave. 'there is MISCOMMUNICATION' and then you will have sit there listening to them for hours....

#99 of 121 Re: getting a new car: RAV, CRV or Oulander? [brown99] by ohiobob

Aug 13, 2009 (5:52 pm)

Replying to: brown99 (Jun 10, 2007 11:01 pm)
From experience, Toyota has the best manufacturing processes in the automotive industry and Honda is close behind. Toyota and Honda consistently rank very high in quality/reliability. I've read nearly every article in Road&Track, Car&Driver, Motor Trend etc. and they rank the CRV and RAV4 ahead of the Outlander. I recently bought a RAV4 and my 3 finalist were the CRV, RAV and the Subaru Forester. I downselected the CRV because the engine just didn't seem as responsive although the interior was nice. I didn't like the way the rear seats folded and the gymnastics with locking them in place when the Toyota is a one touch operation. The Subaru was nice but the base version's interior was cheap looking and feeling and my wife just didn't like it. I felt the RAV was a good blend of space, efficiency and my past experience with 2 4Runners with zero problems and the fact that the Subaru dealer just couldn't match the price of the RAV sealed the deal for me. I bought a base model with the extra value package (roof rack, tinted windows, mats and a few other things for under 21K.

Messages Page 10 of 13

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