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Considering a non-Subaru car; talk me out of it!

17 messages,  Last post on Feb 07, 2009 at 11:01 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, Car Comparisons, Hatchback, SUV

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#8 of 17 Re: Considering a non-Subaru car; talk me out of it! [brc2004] by halflab Jan 06, 2009 (5:54 am)
Replying to: brc2004 (Jan 01, 2009 2:39 pm) Both cars are very, very different. The Subaru was designed as any easy to handle, go almost anywhere vehicle that is very safe. The 170+ HP and AWD mean that you will consume more gas than a 2 WD vehicle. The mileage efficiency of the Forester is on par, if not slightly better than comparable AWD vehicles. Sub-compacts on the other hand sacrifice power, safety and AWD for fuel efficiency. I would heartily recommend a more fuel efficient car if you lived elsewhere.   BTW, I used to own an 06 Civic which would easily fetch upwards of 35+ MPG, but it was totaled. It was replaced by a used 06 Forester X Premium and I have not regretted the purchase at all.
#9 of 17 Re: Considering a non-Subaru car; talk me out of it! [brc2004] by jacksan1 Jan 06, 2009 (1:56 pm)
Replying to: brc2004 (Jan 01, 2009 2:39 pm) Hi. I am writing from Minnesota.Our household has a 2001 Forester as well as a 2007 Fit. This combination works very well for us, and it is our intention to always have our household vehicles divided this way (1 crossover/AWD and 1 economy car). Our Fit, that has a lifetime average of 32 MPG over 50k miles, is the workhorse (clear from the high cumulative mileage) of the household. When the weather gets rough, however, the Forester comes marching out, and it gives us a great sense of security to be able to switch to the Subaru, knowing that it just plows through most anything without braking the bank (we have averaged 23.5 MPG over 100k miles.   We love our Fit-Forester team. Replies to this message: 204meca (Feb 05, 2009 9:06 pm) p0926 (Feb 07, 2009 11:01 am)
#10 of 17 by redrose1 Jan 06, 2009 (7:27 pm)
We live in a snowy climate and are convinced that the AWD on the Forester is great. However, comfort is important to us as well. Can anyone comment on seat comfort eg. lumbar support ? Are the seats comfortable on long trips? We are considering the Forester XT (turbo).   Thanks for any advice. Replies to this message: w8ifi (Jan 07, 2009 7:56 pm) robm2 (Jan 09, 2009 2:40 pm)
#11 of 17 Re: [redrose1] by w8ifi Jan 07, 2009 (7:56 pm)
Replying to: redrose1 (Jan 06, 2009 7:27 pm) I would suggest you read the comments in the "Forester 2009" thread in this Subaru section. You will find a lot of comments on all things in the new Forester. However "one size fits all" is an individual thing because we are all built different. The only way you can get an individual accurate appraisal is to drive one. Some owners are 5" tall and some are over 6'4". Some small frame, some large, and inseam length is different for everyone. The majority of comments on riding comfort are favorable but you can't please everyone. Jim
#12 of 17 Versa by ateixeira Jan 09, 2009 (12:35 pm)
I was excited to hear the base transmission was a 6 speed manual, but the suspension simply isn't set up for enthusiastic driving.   Since then Nissan lowered the price with some de-contenting, but I doubt the interior will be as nice.   I guess it's OK, but as a fuel miser it's not the best, and it's not the most fun to drive, so nothing makes it stand out, I suppose.   They're dirt cheap, though, so I guess that's fair.   I guess I'm an enthusiast at heart - buy a car you love, something best-in-class. I do think the Forester is the best compact SUV. I do not think the Versa is the best sub-compact. It may not be in my top 3 actually.   So as an emotional decision - I say no. As a rational decisision, purely from an economic stand point - I say I'm glad I'm not poor.
#13 of 17 Re: [redrose1] by robm2 Jan 09, 2009 (2:40 pm)
Replying to: redrose1 (Jan 06, 2009 7:27 pm) It's very comfortable for my wife, (5'11"), but it's a little squishy in the leg-room dept. for me, (6'5"). Plenty of head-room, even for me. Leather seats are comfortable, but I wish the heated seats got hotter.   Three things I would change, on the vehicle, 1) more front-seat leg room, (length) 2) limited slip differentials 3) manual climate controls; the auto-controller sucks in the winter
#14 of 17 by jiromo Jan 10, 2009 (11:11 am)
I went from a 95 Camry 2dr 2.2 to a 05 Corolla 1.8 to a 07 Impreza 2.5.   My Camry had 188,000 miles on it when I got rid of it. My Corolla had 60,000. I could not stand having a 1.8 engine. I hated driving it on the interstate. There wasn't enough power to drive 75 mph and have the AC on. I had to make it crawl up snowy and icy hills/curves by rocking the steering wheel to get to work.   I wanted an all wheel drive SUV to replace my Corolla. But with my commute and the gas prices at the time, I felt I should be more fiscally responsible.   I ended up with the 07 Impreza. It's fabulous on snow. The only regret I have is not getting a bigger vehicle. The Impreza's backseat isn't useful for adults. I test drove the 08 Legacy before I bought the Impreza. I thought that the Legacy didn't have enough power for my wants and I wasn't about to be unhappy with a car again.   My last visit to the dealership, I checked out the 09 Forrester. I would love to have it.   Make sure you sit in the backseat of whatever vehicle you are looking at purchasing. Also, check out the truck size. And, drive it at the normal interstate speed with the AC on to make sure it still has enough power to accelerate. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Jan 12, 2009 10:15 am)
#15 of 17 Re: [jiromo] by ateixeira Jan 12, 2009 (10:15 am)
Replying to: jiromo (Jan 10, 2009 11:11 am) If you trade up to a Forester you won't regret it - ours is just the right size. Roomy enough inside but still compact outside.   Here's a funny factoid - the Forester is shorter overall than a Chevrolet Cobalt coupe! Yet inside it feels mid-sized.   The Forester is also shorter than an Impreza sedan, FWIW.
#16 of 17 RE: Versa or Forester - Forester Fit combo! [jacksan1] by 204meca Feb 05, 2009 (9:06 pm)
Replying to: jacksan1 (Jan 06, 2009 1:56 pm) A Forester & a Fit - that is exactly the combo I am aiming for with projected new car purchases over the next 2-3 years! Nice to know it has worked well for you.   We currently have 03 Forester 5 spd & an 04 Audi A4 (CVT non Quattro). Forester mileage is consistantly 23-25 city & 28-32 highway. Overall about 27 with 75% urban driving. The A4 gets about 27-29 city & 32-36 highway (with pretty tame driving & mid-grade fuel not premium). I would estimate lifetime average of 30 mpg with 70% urban driving. I find that pretty amazing given its get up & go factor!   If the original poster wants a best of all worlds,(comfortable, sporty, AWD & relatively small) consider an 08 A4 Quattro. You would get the safety of AWD & mileage that is not too far from what some Fit owners report. The potential drawback to the Audi is that it tends to be less reliable than Subie, but probably is as good or better than the Versa. Our A4 has been pretty trouble free for 55K, but not as trouble free as our Subie at 48K.. Replies to this message: p0926 (Feb 07, 2009 11:01 am)
#17 of 17 RE: Versa or Forester - Forester Fit combo! [204meca] by p0926 Feb 07, 2009 (11:01 am)
Replying to: 204meca (Feb 05, 2009 9:06 pm) While I agree that the Audi A4 is a nice vehicle, somehow I doubt too many people cross-shop the A4 with the Versa (or Forester for that matter).   -Frank

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