Modern Vespa

We are looking for a new car. We need AWD and want good mileage, but also want a car that's pleasant/fun to drive. We test drove the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, and the Subaru Legacy sedan. My husband thought he wanted the Subaru Legacy sedan, but didn't like driving it at all. So we've probably narrowed it to the other two. The RAV4 was more fun to drive, but I don't really like the spare tire on the back. They have a version without a spare at all, but I don't trust it. The CR-V was nice, but seemed like a minivan. The RAV4 costs more.
Do you have any experience with them? Why did you choose one over the other?
We're planning to do the Cash for Clunkers so we need to make a decision soon.

Check out the Kia Sedona too. It is a pretty nice alternative.

Also the Suzuki SX4.
http://www.suzukiauto.com/sx4_crossover/

We had an '05 Honda CRV. It was pretty nice for short trips but I felt it was uncomfortable for rides longer than 100 miles or so. This may have changed in the past five years

My wife absolutely loved it.

You can't beat Honda reliability.

I also had a CRV and the seats were awful for long drives.

I sat in one of those SX4 Suzukis, and although they are smaller than a CRV, the cool factor with the all wheel drive and Nav system was great.

For a zippier driving experience, check out the Subaru WRX. On the racetrack, they're competitive w the Audi Quattros. And unlike Audi, Subaru supports after-markets mods!

Subarus have a very reliable AWD system, and a good record for longevity overall. Here in the Pacific NW with a long wet winter, there's a large, loyal contingent of satisfied Subie owners.

If AWD is important to you, tbe Subi will always win that fight. The AWD is full time, and applies equal power to the wheels. Many of the other "AWD" systems just apply extra power when a wheel starts to slip. If you are in sand or powder that will actually make the situation worse by burying the slipping wheel! In contrast the Subaru version is a closer approximation of 4WD.

I drove a Subuaru for about 5 years and my mum still drives a RAV-4. The Toyota was a better city driver, but I'd still choose the Subi over it for the AWD and general layout.

Also consider safety. The Subaru has a great crash test rating. (Regrettably, I know this from first hand experience...) 8)

Circa 2002 (Broken neck and all.)


2 cents...

Birdsnest: Ouch!

On the mod-ability of the Subies, check out this STI with a Borla exhaust 8) >>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ72EDp1G1Y&feature=related

We bought a new 2004 RAV-4 in August of 2004. It now has 50,000 miles on it and it has been absolutely reliable, comfortable and economical (avg. 28 mpg) to drive. We tried out the Honda CR-V and the Element. The seats weren't all that comfortable and the handling wasn't all that impressive. The RAV-4 cruises comfortably at 80 mph, has needed no repairs or service, other than the usual oil, lube, tire changes, etc., and is a super quiet and comfortable ride. I'm an old "Buy American" guy, but I really like this car. I just wish that one of the former "Big" Three had made it. They snoozed, they lose!

She said good gas mileage....

I purchased my middle daughter an 08 CRV with the bling package last summer and she loves it. It has 16K miles on it now. I just purchased our oldest daughter an 09 CRV same way and she loves it also. The RAV just wasn't doing it for them, they drove it also.

Both my daughters say their CRV's drive better than their last cars, which were BMW X3's for 13K more money, think about that.

The Beemers were leased, these new babies (gulp), Daddy paid cash. No regrets.

Both are in college and part time workers so I love the peace of mind of knowing they simply will not break down in these cars, or have problems.

Best,
SDG

If you like the small SUV category, you should probably try the Subaru Forester. We have one and like it at lot.

Hey, isn't that why we put on those aftermarket pipes....?

We had the same considerations about 5 months ago. We wanted an SUV for convenience and considered new. I also looked at used. I finally ended up with a 2002 Lexus RX300 for $13.5K from a dealer. Its all-wheel drive. Lexus has one of the best consumer report ratings. Dealer put it thru the Lexus certified servicing and spent $3.3K on that including stuff I'd never heard of. Car was in new conditin with 84K miles. Dealer experience was fantastic - would do that one again. We both like it better than the Honda, Toyota, and Subaru but they are quality cars as well. We've been getting about 19 mpg but we do mostly city driving. Best of luck. Miguel

Another plug for a Subaru here... Foresters are pretty awesome cars although I'm not a fan of the new body.

You can pick up a Tribeca pretty inexpensively too.

Two RAV4s here.

Thw seats and cabin are spacious and very comfortable on long trips. Low road noise, smooth ride.

The road noise on the Honda sounded like a freight train - 20 feet away. (rode in one for an hour on Saturday). Rear seat passengers can't hear front seat passengers speak; air conditioning doesn't reach the back seat. Choppy and stiff ride. Felt totaly beaten-up by the time I got out (guess where I'd been sitting).

Surprising; I had just finished reading "Consumer Reports" on Japanese mini-SUVs, and had expected to like the CRV. People who have them love 'em.

Cockpits on the Subaru Forester and Legacy seem really cramped, tight in the shoulders; feet and legs feel hemmed-in (that may be just me @ 5' 11", 190lbs).

The really terrific thing is, no matter which you choose, any of them will last forever.

We have a RAV4 older model 178,000kms no issues with it other then it always seems to have an annoying panel rattle somewhere. I don;t like the Forrester that much, I know people who have the CRV and they like them. I do like the Subaru Outback do you get those in the states. Are you sure you need AWD because I doubt we ever needed it. Small compact car under 1300cc or hybrid is where my money would be going.

We have a 2008 RAV4 and like it very much. My husband in 6'4", so head and legroom was important to him. He at first thought the center console would be in the way a bit for his driving position - I"ve heard other tall drivers who test drive the RAV4 say the same thing - but it quickly became a non-issue.

There is great storage, incuding some very nice cubbies for sunglasses and such, and while I didn't like the idea of the rear door swinging out with the tire on it, once we got used to it that was OK.

We got the towing package, which we plan to test out going to the Bonneville salt flats next month.

So for us at least, this has been a good choice!

My parents bought a Rav4 v6 last year. I helped them make the decision. We looked at Ford's, Hyundai's, Honda's, and Nissans. In the end the Toyota won out due to:

- we felt the Rav4 was a more 'quality' vehicle than the others. Fit and finish was excellent. No creaks or groans when driving.

- Power - and plenty of it. We went with the V6 option - 269 hp - cannot go wrong there. Its fast when you need it to be - and can pull quite a bit - yet the gas mileage is fantastic!

- Interior space - a lot of it. The backseat has more than most cars do in the front.

- Looks - of course this is in the eye of the beholder - but compared to all the others we looked at, we liked the way the Rav4 looked.

Price - using the Costco Auto Buyers program, we we're able to get a fully loaded Rav4 V6 for just under 30 k.

my wife has a 06 subaru baja and she loves it. subaru keeps sending her offers for a high dollar trade but she refuses. I don't think she will part with the Baja at ALL. she has put more miles on this car in 2 years then 2 other cars in 5 years. no problems with the car, and it is the best in bad weather and snow it hugs the road and just plows thru the snow. safety wise do the comps on them and I am sure you'll see the Subaru line beats everyone else hands down.

+1 for the RAV4. Don't get anything later than an '06 and definately get the v6. The gas mileage is basically the same as the 4 banger but the power is awesome! It is a quick SUV. I love mine. There was a major redesign on the 06 model that made it look way better and gave quite a bit more room inside.

My only complaint on the RAV is the paint. It chips and splinters really easy...

Subie all the way.

1. fun to drive--even my 160hp Legacy wagon is a pleasant, nimble driver.

2. reliable--they deserve their reputation--112,000mi so far on mine, regular maintenance only, plus one set of new brakes front and rear--original exhaust, original clutch. Everything works like new.

3. Best AWD in the business. Invisible on clear dry roads, excellent control in the wet and absolutely unbelievable in snow. My bumpers have acted as a plow many times.

We are a 2 Subaru family. My wife liked mine so much she traded her Civic Si for a WRX. She would never sell or trade that car in--at least that's what she tells me.

When the Legacy finally becomes too much to maintain (I figure another 100K miles), there is no doubt I'll buy another Subaru.

P.

Can I be your son , you are a good dad, your daughters are lucky!

who's your Daddy?

SDG

Can I have one too Dad?

That use to be the case, Honda has been having lots of issues lately.

Wayne B

I know the GM 'wagons' (the crossovers like the equinox and torrent) come in AWD.
Also the ford 'wagons' (the taurus x and now flex)
Lastly there is the vibe/matrix which have an awd variant.
Of course some minivans come in AWD as well.

Seth

i know that the Honda Element was not in your list, but, you can move two scooters with it. easily. my GF is in Rovers SC detroit/windsor and it seems like a LOT of her club drives them. when you see an Element with two largeframes in the back, you will dig it.

Haha you and Benny are very funny. You should sign up quick as the daughters are certainly attempting to bankrupt me. By the time we get the legal down for you two adopt's we might be in a soup line.

SDG

"Dad, can I borrow that new Mustang? Promise promise promise I won't smoke the tyres...too much"

Hi everyone. Thanks for your input.

We have a Subaru Forester 05 that I drive. I really like it. We recently took a road trip with it and it did fine, although it was a little cramped with 3 people. We live in the high desert, with almost no rainfall. Our precip comes as winter snow. That, plus the fact that it's hilly here, and they don't bother to plow residential streets, means you need AWD/4WD. The Forester is one of the most popular vehicles in our area, for good reason. We saw the Forester redo at the auto show last winter and didn't care for it.

My husband thought he wanted a sedan. In an ideal world, we would be testing an AWD Honda Civic or Accord and an AWD Toyota Corolla or Camry. Other than Subaru, the only other AWD sedans are Audi ($$) and Mercedes ($$$).

When we bought the Subaru we test drove the CR-V but didn't like it. We also test drove the Element. I liked the concept, but the visibility was terrible when the rear seats were folded up. I didn't have a Vespa at the time. I'll have to think about that. Besides, I won't be driving it, my husband will! We didn't make it to Toyota because we bought the Subaru instead. Also, my impression of our local Toyota dealer is that they are run by the Mafia. This is probably an unfair characterization. The Subaru and Honda dealers are fine (we've also had a Honda for years).

From your comments I'm now worried about CR-V seat comfort, and its lack of power. The RAV4 seemed stripped down inside. Its ride was very good, and acceleration good. I like the comments that the mileage is still very good even with the V6. I would even consider a hybrid if they came in AWD. I believe gas is only going to go up up up (yeah for Vespa!)

We've had a less than great experience with our Jeep Grand Cherokee. While it still runs, it is leaking oil and probably needs some expensive work. We're planning to turn it in with the Cash for Clunkers.

I like soup.

I absolutely LOVE the VW Tiguan!!
Awesome little thing.. pricier than the RAV4 and the CR-V, but you see why. Quality is excellent and was given highest marks by J.D Power.
Also comes with 3 years Free maintenance..

peace..I'm out...

Allroads, even if the early ones had their problems, were INCREDIBLE vehicles!
I still miss them!!
I sold many, many of them to very happy clients!!
Finding a 6 speed manual is tricky though...

peace..I'm out...

I just this last weekend test drove the Tiguan. Nice ride for sure, but is is a bit spendy. It had a real nice fit and finish. Oh and I found out that my 1990 Volvo 245 wagon with 185,000 miles does not qualify for the "Cash for Clunkers" program due to it's new MPG of 19 MPG combined - needs to be 18 MPG combined or less.

Leon, I'm sorry your car doesn't qualify for the program.

Re the used cars: I don't think they qualify for the program either. We have to buy a new car. We are very anxious to get rid of the Jeep. If it were up to me we would go look at the Audis, but my husband insists that we should save money for when we are old.

We haven't looked at VWs because they haven't been ranked as reliable as the ones we have looked at. We had a Jetta back in the 80s and loved it, though - great acceleration, great A/C, great seats, great stereo.

SDG, your girls ARE lucky and I hope they know it. We're giving our son our old Honda Civic when he graduates!

Sorry I can't provide any info on comparisons, but...

We have had a 1998 Rav4 since approx 2000. It is excellent on gas, handles wonderfully, and has needed very few repairs along the way. It's up to 213,000 km already and shows no signs of slowing down. I think we'll get another one when we finally need to retire our '98.

Brilliant vehicle!

you are correct - the car must be new. Used cars do not qualify. we had a 1981 Jetta for a very long time - had put over 200K on the odometer when it finally turned to dust. Got our money out of it I guess, and it was a cool car.

Doesn't Audi have a fix for the DRC now????
Friend of mine has an Imola yellow one.. painted from the factory for an extra cool $3k/ one of 3 in the States...
Your RS6 Stock???

We are also looking for a replacement for our Toyota minivan, and considered the Rav-4. I liked the older ones, but find that the newer ones (rented one on a recent trip to Florida) are huge! At least by my standards.

Same with the CR-V, and pretty much all of the Toyota/Honda products. Our 2006 Civic is as large as the older Accords, and the newer Toyota Yaris is the size of the older Corollas.

But I like the look of the Tribeca.