Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Forrester?

[Teabaggins]

got a baby on the way so want something a bit roomier. paying in cash so financing is not an issue, who needs more debt right?

leaning towards the RAV4 based on the reviews. anyone own either one
or something else in same class? pros/cons

thanks in advance

[pacificvibes]

Toyota all the way...they really last a long time...

[Teabaggins]

maybe I should have added a poll...

[pacificvibes]

Originally Posted by Teabaggins

maybe I should have added a poll...

hahaha no

[mikejet]

Impreza Wagon FTW!

[fatediesel]

I've never owned a Subaru but I've been driving Toyotas for the last 8 years and have been very happy. No problems at all. My dad has been driving Toyotas for 13 years and also hasn't had any problems. However, Subaru has a very good reputation so I think whichever one you choose you should be happy with.

[Teabaggins]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Impreza Wagon FTW!

just looked at it and it's very cheap which is good but looks a bit small for a car seat. heard they can take up a lot of space but I'm not sure

[Go Blue]

I like the Forrester myself.

[jkwest]

thats a toughy....


Subaru's are really nice and I've always wanted one....

read some online reviews and compare em...

My vote is Subaru...

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by jkwest

thats a toughy....

I've heard that before.

[Teabaggins]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

I like the Forrester myself.

based on what you've read or personal experience?

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by Teabaggins

based on what you've read or personal experience?

Test drove one a couple years ago when we were in your same situation, needing more room for a baby on the way. I really liked it, but settled on a used Mitsubishi Endeavor because it was cheaper, bigger, and they were giving us more for the trade in.

We also looked at the RAV4, but immediately dismissed it because we felt it was too small.

Also, I think in the latest Consumer Reports 2009 Cars issue, they said a lot of good things about the Forrester.

[LIONSFAN20]

I have worked at a Toyota dealership for 6 years, so I am biased, but that being said I could not stand the 01-05 RAV4's my wife wanted one and I refused. The new ones are MUCH nicer, and seem to have few problems. I vote for the RAV4. Do yourself a favor and get the V6.

[PH3AR]

Shaggin Wagon!




but on a serious note Toyota last longer, but Forresters have more room

[mikejet]

get this one off Skyline Wagon:

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by mikejet

get this one off Skyline Wagon:

$70K Station Wagon. Nice. Saw an early 90's station wagon sitting on 22s the other day.

As far as the topic? I don't know what to tell ya. I would say Subaru based on the commercials. They look nice.

[Josh]

Take a baby car seat to the dealership and make sure it fits.

Seriously.

My cousin bought a Honda Pilot and never could get the baby seat to fit in the car without going through the truck - f'ing stupid design! (They recently bought a Tahoe - solved that problem )

My dad loves his Scooby (that's Subaru for those of you who don't know nottin') and my future brother-in-law just picked up an Outback to haul his surf board back and forth to the beach. My sister also has an Impreza sedan that's she's happy with.

Never had any personal experience with the Rav-4, but if they have a hybrid version (don't know if they do) stay away. My fiancee's hybrid Camery was horrible and we ended up trading it in for a real car (Infiniti G35).

[Downhere]

I think both would be a good fit, I've driven Toyota's and they are quality cars that last a long time. I know a couple of people who'd had Subaru's and they've been good too. I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by Josh

Take a baby car seat to the dealership and make sure it fits.

Seriously.

My cousin bought a Honda Pilot and never could get the baby seat to fit in the car without going through the truck - f'ing stupid design! (They recently bought a Tahoe - solved that problem )

My dad loves his Scooby (that's Subaru for those of you who don't know nottin') and my future brother-in-law just picked up an Outback to haul his surf board back and forth to the beach. My sister also has an Impreza sedan that's she's happy with.

Never had any personal experience with the Rav-4, but if they have a hybrid version (don't know if they do) stay away. My fiancee's hybrid Camery was horrible and we ended up trading it in for a real car (Infiniti G35).

Yeah not sure were people get that Toyota is bullet proof, maybe the Sr5 days of the 80's and early 90's with 0 options and simple simplistic engine designs that produced #@#@ for power and sounded like a lawn mower with the muffler knocked off.

I advise you TB to actually surf the forums for each make and you will find there technical problem forum section just as post filled and in most cases worse then any of the American makes! They are living off past reputation, they are no better then gm or ford and are now selling their cars just like them adding huge rebates basically killing that resale value they always bragged about!

If it was me i would go with a Subaru, but as you can tell the Toyota blinders are not pulled over my eyes and pretty much think everything they make is a boring hunk of trash!

[groovyone]

If it has to be one of those two, I'd go Forrester. Personally I opted for the Jetta Sportwagon TDI. It has been getting 32MPG local and 40+ highway and still has 236ft*lbs of torque. Nice sporty suspension too.