OT: Forester, CRV, or Rav4

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

Family of four who ski a lot. I am 6'4", and my kids are 11/8. I have a Toyota/Honda bias for reliability, but the Forester is a bit cheaper.

Anyone tried all three?

Thanks,
Eric

PS The Impreza is too small.

forrest · Tue Oct 16, 07 6:10 am

You see a LOT of really old subarus on the road these days. I'd assume they're just about as reliable as Toyota/Honda these days. They get decent gas millage too. I looked at the RAV, it was tiny with hardly any cargo space. Not good for a family of four. CRV is a good options, does it come in AWD?

Yardsale · Since 29 Mar 2005 387 Posts Portlanastan Obsessed

Here ya go Eric......... This will be alot more fun coming down from the Mountain too............ I'd say get the Forrester....alot less $, Reliable, Great trade in/resale. I'd also consider an Element AWD for utility and price.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

I have a 2000 Forester with 110k on it. Besides routine maintenance only had to replace the secondary fan that blows air into the cabin (not too expensive). Otherwise it's been running real smooth. Can't beat Subaru AWD either. I've driven that thing up to Tahoe in some crazy storms on normal all-season tires and not needed chains. I think the CRV may be a tad roomier inside, but not sure. My friend has a 1997 CRV. For durability I'd say Subaru might even beat Honda and Toyota. I've known people with 15+ year old Subarus with 150k+ on them that didn't have to do much besides changing the oil for the time they owned it. Just make sure there's enough space for your whole family to be comfy (back seats are on the tight side for adults but should be fine for kids). They might've gotten roomier in the new models too. Enjoy!

NERDSKI · Since 03 Mar 2006 31 Posts THE DITCH

Yo we bought a 07 CRV this summer and so far its been a great car. Surprisingly roomy too - Yes on the AWD! Looking forward to that on the mountain.

Sol-flyer · Tue Oct 16, 07 7:16 am

i own a 1990 subaru legacy, i havent done much except for routine maintenence. Great lil car with only 285,000 miles on original engine.

my only concern is to become free of fossil fuels, its old technology....and its the corporate money mongers that will not accept change. It comes down to us the consumer.

here's a start in the right direction, http://www.sqbiofuels.com
maybe pura vida can chime in?

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

as a owner of 4 subarus 3 legacys and one loyal. If environment is what you want , subarus will leak oil with out a doubt. sol maybe you bought one of my 200k subs which i replaced everything once already. all my subarus had high maint. with 50k plus a year put on them Confused

best cars ever in the snow except clearence.
I am looking for another now to replace the vw, don't buy a 80 vw either.
I have heard great thoings abot the ravs.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

boifuels are at regular station, ampm same ethonl cheaper, other bio deisel stations for less to. nice Idea, trendy place to get coffee. Laughing

Sol-flyer · Tue Oct 16, 07 7:26 am

leak oil?.....oh that would be routine maintenence Wink

a subaru is the only car i'll ever own, unless i see a more practical solution.

-my sub came from a girl who is throttle crazy, and likes it fast!

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Been doing a lot of research on Diesels the last few weeks.

Europe has been enjoying diesel cars that get 40mpg+ for years. But because of marketing issues, low quality diesel fuel (high sulfur content), and higher emissions standards, the U.S. has been left out.

All that should be changing in the next two years though. There are some really cool vehicles coming out that will get Prius like MPG, but without as much cost, and without battery replacement issues. The old diesels that were loud, slow, and stinky are being replaced by engines that are as clean and same performance as gasoline but with all the mileage benefits of diesel.

Imagine a Honda Element or Ridgeline that got 30+ mpg. Or how about a BMW that gets 45mpg and has a 6.7 second 0-60:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=121452 (fuel mpg in article is in UK gallons)

Another huge benefit of diesel is BioDiesel! I'm not sure how adventurous I'd get with this if I did get a brand new diesel rig, but the long term benefits are huge. There were some good posts on this subject here:

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-5583.html

Maybe Kodiak can tell us about his new rig. Very Happy

p.s. Love my Subaru Impreza, passed 100k mark this summer and still going great. Love the AWD, versatility of the hatch, and fun to drive feel. Hate that it’s a bit sluggish when its cold, doesn't get great gas mileage with the storage box on (23mpg), and quite a bit of road noise.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

being in a diesel is fine , behind one is another story.. even if they are burning grease.... not a mass solution. trust me I own 4 between work and play. 100,000 mile maintenence is nice though. 7000 mile oil changes to.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

I'll make ya'll a smoking deal on some biodiesel if you pool your resources and buy in bulk-- say a train car or two.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

50% of cars sold in Europe are diesels, I'd say its a mass solution.

http://www.detnews.com/2005/insiders/0510/26/0auto-361111.htm

Now is that underpowered little VW truck you have a mass solution? Probably not. Wink

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

diesel prices are way up now thats all I know, and trust me the fumes suck. new ones are a diffrent story almost but they still suck. Imagine sitting in traffic , jam, and smelling tons of diesel all around you. and I like diesels..... Sad

I HAVE MADE SEVERAL REPAIRS ON ALL MY DIESELS AS A DIRECT RESULT OF USING MOSTLY BIODIESEL.OPPS CAP LOCK

That truck has a fully rebuilt turbo diesel whitch gets 50mpg average consistantly, but she won't be leaping around 20 cars at a time up a pass road in the winter. my crew cab will though... Twisted Evil

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

uh oh, crew cab... let me guess the color. Wink

Diesel prices are up a little because of the new fuel regs which require the fuel have less sulfur content. The diesel quality is getting up to the standards they have in Europe.

But overall diesel is easier to manufacture and has more energy per gallon than gasoline. So unless we get totally ass raped by the oil companies (wouldn't surprise me) diesel prices in the long run should be cheaper than gas.

BioDiesel still might need a few years to sort out, but the idea that I could maybe one day use it in my car would tend to make me feel better about buying a diesel rig.

colby · Since 23 Apr 2005 613 Posts Celebrity Photographer

I think it's any of the VW's from 2003 forward with TDI technology should be clean burning with the Jetta and Passat station wagons getting 40+mpg - no diesel smells, some even at 55mpg if you keep your speed down. Otherwise have to wait for the plugin hybrids that are said to be coming with the Prius getting well over 120mpg, but think that is still out a couple of years out.

People are working this problem from every imaginable angle - this aerospace engineer eeked out another 10mpg out a diesel beetle working on the aerodynamics - getting around 60mpg. he just needs a Thule box on top for kitesurfing to ruin it all.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2004/12/on_the_wings_of.html

colby · Since 23 Apr 2005 613 Posts Celebrity Photographer

from the same page....

THIS IS AN UPDATE ON THE BEETLE'S SUMMER MILEAGE

As expected, mileage during this last summer (2005) averaged about 65 miles per gallon, when traveling at a normal highway speed of 65 miles per hour. There is a rule of thumb that a car will get 10% better mileage by slowing down 5 mph on the highway. Or, if you slow down 10 miles per hour, your mileage should improve by a whopping 20%. So, you can calculate how well the car would do at a different driving speed. Remember, when figuring speed, you should include any headwind.

In early September, I traveled from Utah to Wisconsin to attend the annual meeting of the TDI Club, an on-line group of VW diesel car owners. I wanted to see just how good my mileage could be-- I drove all the way to the meeting at 55 miles per hour. Early on Wednesday morning, I topped off my tank (filled with 5% biodiesel blend) at Park City, Utah, waved goodby to the attendants, and headed out determined to see just how far I could get. I was blessed by perfect weather, almost no wind, all the way.

I finally stopped for fuel about noon the next day at Davenport, Iowa, a one-tank trip of 1,209 miles. (All at 55 mph, remember. I was honked at four times.) I filled the tank, taking 15.5 gallons. I had obtained a record --for me-- 78 miles per gallon.

Ernie Rogers