cr-v vs rav4 vs Santa fe

[cracher]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

Subaru Forester. No one makes better AWD and the trunk room in it is light years better than an Escape or Tiguan.

Wondering why you favor the subaru AWD system so much. Whether it's the viscous or the active split (or whatever it's called), it's old technology. These systems are pretty bad for understeer. I'd take any gen3 or newer Haldex or some form of torque vectoring any day, especially for someone's mother.

Edit: guess I should add that I curbed my subaru 3 weeks ago due to understeer. Good thing it's only a steelie rim as opposed to the dealer only ripoff rim.

[FLAMESRULE]

Originally Posted by cracher

Wondering why you favor the subaru AWD system so much. Whether it's the viscous or the active split (or whatever it's called), it's old technology. These systems are pretty bad for understeer. I'd take any gen3 or newer Haldex or some form of torque vectoring any day, especially for someone's mother.

Fair point regarding the technology being newer, but that doesn't mean better. It's based solely on driving Subaru's for the last 15 years (GT / 2.5RS / Spec B / Forester) and driving the odd Audi, Acura, and Ford AWD cars. They just don't feel as smooth to me.

Haldex I believe is better at understeering at lower speeds, but worse at high speeds compared to symmetrical AWD.

I am not nearly as familiar with AWD tech as I used to be (Torsen / Haldex / Symmetrical).

Edit: Curbing the Subby...need more gas Good call on steelies...and I hope full winters (Nokian FTW!!)

[FLAMESRULE]

And I learned something in reading up a bit on this. Haldex, apparently, isn't a true full time AWD system. Its basically FWD until it senses wheel slip and then engages. Which makes sense for the understeer since it takes time to react and by then the car could be plowing instead of having drive to the rear to force the ass end around.

[redforever]

I owned a CR-V before my present Santa Fe and I would take a Santa Fe any day of the week. The CR-V is under powered and it doesn't get any better gas mileage either. Also, the tires that came with my CR-V had to be replaced at 40,000 km. I have never had a flat tire in my life but a tire on my CR-V blew out...a grapefruit sized hole too.

The insurance for my present 2009 Santa Fe is about $300 cheaper per year than it was for my 2002 Honda CR-V too. The reasons the insurance company gave me were the Santa Fe has better safety standards and cheaper parts if they have to be replaced.

So when considering resale value, you not only have to take into account what you pay up front, you also have to take into account insurance costs over the years as well.

I considered the Rav4 as it was a bit peppier on the test drive. However, the back interior storage was not quite as big as the Santa Fe and I am forever getting oats for either the horses or deer, or hauling around garden supplies and I needed the extra room. Also, in 2009, the Rav4 changed their back hatch door to opening sideways instead of up, something my Honda CR-V had and that I did not like.

[wooohooo]

Yeah the trunk that opens sideways is a PITA. But I'm sure glad they got rid of that stinkin wheel there. Made it look ugly.

Hyundai's now aren't what Hyundai's were ten years ago. They're pretty good cars, but every dealer has their lemons. I think it's best to test drive each and get a mechanic to inspect it before you buy.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

Yeah the trunk that opens sideways is a PITA. But I'm sure glad they got rid of that stinkin wheel there. Made it look ugly.

Hyundai's now aren't what Hyundai's were ten years ago. They're pretty good cars, but every dealer has their lemons. I think it's best to test drive each and get a mechanic to inspect it before you buy.

In some cases the korean's have surpassed the Japanese. I believe the Kia sportage won the best compact SUV award last year, 5 year/100.000 warranty I believe.

I know my Sister has finally gave up on Honda's after 20+ years. calling her last 2 "junk"

[pylon]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

Subaru Forester. No one makes better AWD and the trunk room in it is light years better than an Escape or Tiguan.

Yes, Audi does, and by a substantial margin as well. We are talking comparing a Timex to a Rolex as far as difference in calibre. The best AWD system thing is a myth perpetuated by Subie owners. Don't get me wrong, Subaru makes excellent cars, but there are better options. Viscous coupling systems are inferior to Torsen gear driven systems. AKA: Quattro.

Subaru has a decent AWD system, but Quattro is superior.

Plus it is the number one car in the Lesbian community!:

http://lesbianlife.about.com/od/othe...esbianCars.htm

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?...views&id=76060

[pylon]

Dp

[bubbsy]

got the 2013 crv about a year ago, just leased it for 3 years. Extremely happy with it thus far, and we got it at a fairly cheap pricetag. I didn't shop around too much, but we are fairly satisfied thus far.

[Cheese]

I second Fotze's choice...go Tiguan

[EVERLAST]

know 2 people very happy with the KIAS they own

[-TC-]

Buy Japanese...

The Hyundai lovers will scream they are 'just as good' but the reality is Japan is years and years ahead and you are comparing two of the best built brands on the planet with one that's only now figuring it out.

There's a reason Hyundai has those really long warranties....

[zamler]

^^ Agreed.

[IliketoPuck]

This sounds like a parallel of what my wife and I just recently went through - right down to the corolla and getting stuck in a cul-de-sac.

We shopped around and looked at each offering in the market, CRV / RAV4 included, and came to the conclusion that the best value for the money was the SantaFe. We ended up getting a used 2013 with low KM's for just under $29k (taxes included). I've been happy with the vehicle so far, gas mileage has been great, but it might be a bit early to comment on reliability.

I thought the CRV was a bit basic in terms of features and looks. RAV4 was simply too expensive.

[Canehdianman]

I'm doing some research on midsized SUVs myself right now (baby on the way)...

Everything I've read about the Sante Fe has been glowing. I'm likely going to go look at the Sport and the XL, just to get a feel for how my big ass will fit in each of them.

[oilyfan]

Helped my mother buy a 2013 RAV4 last year. I probably wouldn't recommend a few years older because of the swing out gate and wheel on the door which are major annoyances for an older person. The 2013 is very nice though, it's basically the size of an original highlander now though.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

I'm doing some research on midsized SUVs myself right now (baby on the way)...

We had a baby about a year ago, and despite what a lot of people think, having a baby doesn't mean you need to Walmart-size everything in your life. The more space you have, the more you will fill it with needless crap...which is not necessarily a good thing.

Probably predictable of me, but I think wagons are the perfect car for young parents. You get all the extra space you need, and not drive around in the same vehicle your mom has.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by Table 5

We had a baby about a year ago, and despite what a lot of people think, having a baby doesn't mean you need to Walmart-size everything in your life. The more space you have, the more you will fill it with needless crap...which is not necessarily a good thing.

Probably predictable of me, but I think wagons are the perfect car for young parents. You get all the extra space you need, and not drive around in the same vehicle your mom has.

Right now I drive a 2005 Tundra access cab. No room for a baby seat (at least not the rear facing one that we need for 6+ months).

I also like to do home renos and tow a boat with it. Plus I'm 6'4" and 280 lbs. Anything I replace the Tundra with will need do all that, hence mid-sized.

We have a 4-door sedan that can carry the baby, so it's not a necessity that I switch, but it definitely got me thinking about a change. Parking my Tundra downtown every day is annoying, wouldn't mind something smaller and better on gas.

But, given my requirement, a wagon is probably not the solution for me. If you can point me at one that can tow 5,000 lbs and has decent cabin room, then I'm all ears!

[Table 5]

Yeah, if you need to tow with it then that's a whole different matter. You may just want to get a crew cab full-size truck.

Btw, you're going to need that rear-facing seat for a whole lot longer than 6 months. It will be more like 1.5-2 years...Ive read many places recommend going 2 years as that's how long it takes for your kid's neck bones to harden enough to support their giant heads in a whiplash scenario). They are a pain in the dick as they do take away a lot of leg-room (that's probably the biggest reason to get something bigger imo).

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

Subaru Forester. No one makes better AWD and the trunk room in it is light years better than an Escape or Tiguan.

No point in buying a used Subaru as much like Honda/Toyota they are too expensive used. 2013 and older Forresters are very unremarkable and this is coming from a Subaru owner.