Forester or Rav4

[macca2]

I am looking to buy a small 4x4 and have come down to the Forester or the Rav4.
What experience have you had with either and what are their good and/or bad points.

Thanks macca

[Cliff Rogers]

I am also interested as my wife wants a 4WD for her work. (Real Estate in a country town, farms, dirt/mud roads & bush tracks.)

I'd be interested to know how you narrowed it down to those 2 Macca.

[bitingmidge]

Nice thread Macca, I'm going through the same exercise!

I'm a bit biased, but I'd have the Forester all day every day given the choice between the two both as a road car and a light off-road one, but then I'd have a Suzuki Grand Vitara ahead of them both even though it's not the best of them on the road.

Having said that, I'm waiting breathlessly for the Suzuki SX4 due for release in Eastern States at least later this month before making up my mind.

It's technically streets ahead of the other two, and should be a lot cheaper too. Currently the best detail is on the US website (Aus distributors are a bit slack in this regard ) http://www.suzukisx4.com/

Cheers,

P

[Cliff Rogers]

The Suzi has been recommended to us by a friend as well.... It looks good but does it have offroad clearance or is it just a pose mobile?

[bitingmidge]

200 mm clearance, which is pretty much the same as most "proper" 4WD's, and designed with nice short front and rear overhangs, so approach angles look pretty good too. It looks to be more than a match for the Subi on paper at least.

All the dimensions are pretty much the same as my current "old" Grand Vitara (2 dr) but with a 300 mm longer wheelbase, more horses, electronic stability, traction and all that stuff controls.... no low range, which may be the killer for me in soft sand, but we'll see.

The local dealer is expecting one in the next week or two.

Cheers,

P

[Cliff Rogers]

Found it..... 6.9 inches, pose mobile.

http://www.suzukiauto.com/sr_07/sx4/...nd_pricing.php

[Cliff Rogers]

Are they going to bring out a newer Grand Vitara?
I has proper 4WD & low range & an extra inch of clearance.

Hmmm... SX4 is 71% cheaper & gets 128% better fuel economy.

[macca2]

Have a look here.
I have a couple of friends with the forester and are more than happy.
The only reservation being lack of luggage space.

http://www.australiasbestcars.com.au/2006/default.htm

[bitingmidge]

Found it..... 6.9 inches, pose mobile.

Err, I suggest you look at the 4wd version - 190mm = 7.5 inches?

but as I said, I'm waiting to see it!

The new Grand Vitara has been out for six months, or is it a year?

Cheers,

P (buying on price!)

[Cliff Rogers]

Err, I suggest you look at the 4wd version - 190mm = 7.5 inches?.....

Where?

[ptc]

Suzuki.
Had 2 door Grand vitara sport 3yrs.
no problems with it at all.

[bitingmidge]

Where?

http://www.motiontrends.com/2006/m03...ifications.pdf


P

[Ian Smith]

Macca,
I've got a 2000 and a 2005 model Foresters and am I'm extremely happy with both.
At the time of purchasing the 2000 model I was on the lookout for safety features and the combination of price, all wheel drive, all wheel discs, ABS and both front air-bags did it for me. I had it down to the Honda CRV and the Subaru at the time. SWMBO didn't like the styling of the Rav4 ("Barbie Doll "car according to her, so that was out!!) but in any case in all but the Subaru one or more of the above mentioned safety features was an optional extra.
Both are very enjoyable to drive, and average less than 10 l/100 km, down to about 7.5 l/100 Km (about 38 mpg in the old money) on a highway run. I think the all wheel drive is their real strength. Very sure-footed in the wet and on gravel roads.
I haven't had either of the beaten track all that much (getting harder and harder to find an unsealed road these days) but have driven along dry sandy creek beds and a couple of local goat tracks and haven't had any problems with clearance or traction.
They are essentially a road car, so if you want real 4WD stuff then buy a real 4WD

Oh, almost forgot - if you get the manual transmission you'll get Subaru's "Hill-Hold" and a Hi-Low range gearbox

Ian

[Doughboy]

Do your self a favour and check what tyres are available for the model you are after. I purchased the 2006 Outback and the only tyres available for it are the geolanders and they are rated good for 25000 kms. We only found this out after my wife, who drives like a grandma, started to look around for tyres. The rim size does not fit any other tyre so we either spend 280 per tyre every 25000 km's or buy a new tyre and wheel package.

Also if you get the Forrester take it to a reputable wheel aligner and get them to set it up properly. The outback had so much toe-in that the tyres had feathered the outer edge after only 15000 km's. Apparently the factory sets them this way for premium cornering ability.

We were pretty unimpressed.

Pete

I have not experience with the Rav 4 but it is a Toyota and they do have a great reputation.

Just remember that both these vehicles are only toy 4WD's so treat them that way and you will do ok.

[macca2]

I am also interested as my wife wants a 4WD for her work. (Real Estate in a country town, farms, dirt/mud roads & bush tracks.)

I'd be interested to know how you narrowed it down to those 2 Macca.

I used
*Manufacturers reputation for good strong reliable cars
*Safety features
*Finish
*Mechanics recommendation
*Built in Japan.
*Constant all wheel drive
*Personal choice for looks etc

Looks like being Forester because.
* All of the above
* Spare wheel NOT mounted on tailgate
* has lift up tailgate...not door type...try opening a swing out door type in a car park with another car right up your tail.

And I went to a Subaru dealer this morning and the Forester has great seating with height adjust on drivers seat. All the essencials in the X without going up to, a dearer model, and it just feels right.

Macca