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2006 BMW X3 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester

18 messages,  Last post on Sep 21, 2009 at 2:19 PM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW X3, Subaru Forester, Car Buying, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 3

#4 of 18 Re: 2006 BMW X3 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester [palefire] by smsoule

Sep 16, 2009 (3:18 am)

Replying to: palefire (Sep 15, 2009 2:39 pm)
t,
 
I ended up with the BMW X3. It's nice, but I have kinda second-guessed my decision. It's very nice and handles great...but it feels ritsy. We had to go somewhere over the weekend where we had to park in grass and it was muddy. I felt like the car was too pretty to be muddy. I guess for my needs, the Subaru probably would have worked out well and felt a little less over the top. But I don't usually own higher end cars anyway. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

#5 of 18 Re: 2006 BMW X3 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester [smsoule] by palefire

Sep 16, 2009 (6:08 am)

Replying to: smsoule (Sep 16, 2009 3:18 am)
That is really interesting to hear. I gather that the second guessing has not been in connection to the BMW starting to break down or anything. The ritzy issue is there for me, too. I live in New Orleans and... not that an x3 is that flashy but.
 
Part of me wants to own a flash car that feels great, and I like it when a car is response and powerful, and part of me wants to say, get serious you don't have that kind of money, you need something practical and solid! Another factor for me is I have never bought i new car in my life. I am going to test drive both and take a deep breath.
 
Thanks for your reply.
 
t

#6 of 18 Re: 2006 BMW X3 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester [palefire] by smsoule

Sep 16, 2009 (7:04 am)

Replying to: palefire (Sep 16, 2009 6:08 am)
I have had no problems with the car. It's great! Nice size and handles wonderfully. It has the German transmission that you have to get used to, but it gets up and goes. I got a certified used one from a BMW dealer, so I know that it has a warranty and it was inspected by them before I bought it. The only drawback is that it is a more fancy car than I am used to. But I'm sure that I will get used to that. Thanks for writing.

#7 of 18 Re: 2006 BMW X3 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester [smsoule] by pp2009pp

Sep 16, 2009 (2:45 pm)

Replying to: smsoule (Sep 16, 2009 3:18 am)
Never looked at the Subaru (which looks strange to me but gets great reviews) but it's funny as I see the X3 as a tough, mid-sized utilitarian car. Pricey in its range but not over the top so. It isn't a cream puff and pretty ascetic inside and out except for the amazing four piece pano roof.
 
It is a zippy suburban car though and not meant to be taken off road to any degree , that said, I have heard it is excellent in snow and ice. Grass and mud, no problem.

#8 of 18 Re: 2006 BMW X3 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester [pp2009pp] by bigdadi118

Sep 16, 2009 (2:58 pm)

Replying to: pp2009pp (Sep 16, 2009 2:45 pm)
I have heard it is excellent in snow and ice. Grass and mud, no problem.
 
That is strictly come from how good the 4 tires are. Snow tires are the best but need to keep extra set for other 3 seasons.

#9 of 18 Re: 2006 BMW X3 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester [smsoule] by kenm6

Sep 17, 2009 (10:45 am)

Replying to: smsoule (Jun 22, 2009 10:54 am)
My wife has a 2006 X3, there was the blue tooth transmitter failure at the beginning of this year. Other than this, the X3 has been very reliable since Dec of 2005. She loves the X3 more than the Forester.
I have a 2009 Forester Prem, so far there is no problem at all, it has 30K miles on it now. By the way this is my third Forester, I had a 2002 and 2006 model. By far 2009 is the the best. 2002 model was the worst because of the wheel bearing and O2 sensors problems.

#10 of 18 Re: 2006 BMW X3 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester [kenm6] by pp2009pp

Sep 17, 2009 (4:27 pm)

Replying to: kenm6 (Sep 17, 2009 10:45 am)
How does she find the ride between the two? Are they comparable?

#11 of 18 Re: 2006 BMW X3 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester [palefire] by aatherton

Sep 18, 2009 (3:00 pm)

Replying to: palefire (Sep 16, 2009 6:08 am)
"... I like it when a car is response and powerful, and part of me wants to say, get serious you don't have that kind of money, you need something practical and solid!..."
 
The Forester XT Limited is faster than the X3, with a better AWD, with the same level of equipment and finish, for almost $10,000 less.

#12 of 18 Re: 2006 BMW X3 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester [aatherton] by palefire

Sep 18, 2009 (10:14 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Sep 18, 2009 3:00 pm)
Thanks for this. On the good side, i just bought a Forester 2.5 limited. The bad news, reading this I realized I want a 2.5t. No T! I am besides myself. Why didn't I think of that?

#13 of 18 Taking back an X for a nXT by aatherton

Sep 20, 2009 (2:02 pm)

If this is a major issue you can trade the X back in on an XT, and the sooner and less miles on the X the better. You might do better with the dealer with few hundred miles on the car, than with a private seller. In order to make a second sale, the dealer has an incentive to allow you more for the X than you can get from a private buyer. The dealer might give you $3000 less than you paid, while a private buyer might give you $4000 less.
 
In addition to that, the XT is about $2k more than the X, and you would also lose what you paid for tax.

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