Subaru Forester / Which Compact SUV?
Discussion
Sorry to start another thread but putting the car titles in can somewhat restrict who looks.
As subject, considering a compact SUV (which I take to mean not quite a full fat 4x4 but with some capability and a bit of a raised ride).
Going off aesthetics the VW Tiguan appeals, so does the Forester, but I know nothing about Subaru other than that they seem a little marmite/cult-ish.
Does anyone have one? Looking at the current model so not fussed about the older STi or being able to chip it etc.
As subject, considering a compact SUV (which I take to mean not quite a full fat 4x4 but with some capability and a bit of a raised ride).
Going off aesthetics the VW Tiguan appeals, so does the Forester, but I know nothing about Subaru other than that they seem a little marmite/cult-ish.
Does anyone have one? Looking at the current model so not fussed about the older STi or being able to chip it etc.
Well I've just been out for a look at the Forester and have also had a drive in one thanks to a very accommodating dealer.
Initial impressions are that I'm very impressed and like it more than I thought I would.
The dealer is in the base of the peaks so we went on some back roads that he thought would be clear by now but were still very heavy on compacted slush/semi-ice - interesting how it dealt with that whereas in my Boxster I wouldn't even have tried it (that may say more than me about the car).
The interior is functional, by no means is it a Porsche interior, but the fit and finish is good and it didn't squeak or rattle.
So, I have some thinking to do.
Initial impressions are that I'm very impressed and like it more than I thought I would.
The dealer is in the base of the peaks so we went on some back roads that he thought would be clear by now but were still very heavy on compacted slush/semi-ice - interesting how it dealt with that whereas in my Boxster I wouldn't even have tried it (that may say more than me about the car).
The interior is functional, by no means is it a Porsche interior, but the fit and finish is good and it didn't squeak or rattle.
So, I have some thinking to do.
paddyhasneeds said:
thanks to a very accommodating dealer.
I've always found the sales teams to be excellent, A few years ago I was interested in the tribeca, one of the dealers offered me a few days with the car, so that I could visit other dealers in it to test the other cars on my list. They were struggling to sell them at the time though, after some dreadful reviews in the press - quite liked it myself, but didnt end up buying one!We looked at a Forester and ended up with an Outback. Its excellent and acceptable everywhere, it even felt right turning up a very wealthy friend's country estate for dinner last night. When I go there in the A6 I feel a bit poor, but for some reason the Outback fits perfectly.
It was great in the snow, is excellent at towing, has good ride, and is very well put together. 3.0 petrol is a lovely engine but a tad thirsty.
Here it is
It was great in the snow, is excellent at towing, has good ride, and is very well put together. 3.0 petrol is a lovely engine but a tad thirsty.
Here it is
OK so I've been out looking again today and have come back thinking either I'm just fickle, or there's a load of s
te out there.
Range Rover/Discovery/Tourag/Cayenne/Merc ML - all too big (physical size and engine/mpg)
Freelander 2 - something I can't put my finger on that I don't like, I think it's the rear side profile.
VW Tiguan - overpriced
Audi Q5 - if I could transplant the interior to a Forester I'd be all over it like a tramp on chips.
So, what may I have overlooked that is new (respectfully, I don't care if I can get an 8 year old V12 Vogue for only £15k) and mid-sized and reliable?
I picked up a Mitsubishi Shogun catalogue today but the dealer didn't have one in - LWB is too big but they do a SWB.
te out there.Range Rover/Discovery/Tourag/Cayenne/Merc ML - all too big (physical size and engine/mpg)
Freelander 2 - something I can't put my finger on that I don't like, I think it's the rear side profile.
VW Tiguan - overpriced
Audi Q5 - if I could transplant the interior to a Forester I'd be all over it like a tramp on chips.
So, what may I have overlooked that is new (respectfully, I don't care if I can get an 8 year old V12 Vogue for only £15k) and mid-sized and reliable?
I picked up a Mitsubishi Shogun catalogue today but the dealer didn't have one in - LWB is too big but they do a SWB.
If you didn't like the interior of the Subaru then the Shogun is going to make you cry 
Have you considered the Volvo XC60/90?
BMW X5/X3 might be worth looking at, the facelift one's seem nice.
If less worried about badge then consider the Ford Kuga, rubbish name but they are good to drive and look at. Interior is basically a Ford Focus though so not very special.
Have you considered the Volvo XC60/90?
BMW X5/X3 might be worth looking at, the facelift one's seem nice.
If less worried about badge then consider the Ford Kuga, rubbish name but they are good to drive and look at. Interior is basically a Ford Focus though so not very special.
We have a forester.
It's superb. 2.5l turbo delivers excellent pace. It's capable, comfortable. Like most Eastern cars the interior won't compete with the best of European equivalents but you pays your money....
We went for the XTEN edition so it's fully loaded with the larger sunroof, leather interior, cruise, climate etc etc. Bought it just over 2 years ago, it had sat on a dealer forecourt with 150 miles on the clock for a year. Original price, £26k. Walked away at £13k on the road. Happy days.
It's not missed a beat - now on 52k miles.
It's superb. 2.5l turbo delivers excellent pace. It's capable, comfortable. Like most Eastern cars the interior won't compete with the best of European equivalents but you pays your money....
We went for the XTEN edition so it's fully loaded with the larger sunroof, leather interior, cruise, climate etc etc. Bought it just over 2 years ago, it had sat on a dealer forecourt with 150 miles on the clock for a year. Original price, £26k. Walked away at £13k on the road. Happy days.
It's not missed a beat - now on 52k miles.
poing said:
If you didn't like the interior of the Subaru then the Shogun is going to make you cry
Have you considered the Volvo XC60/90?
BMW X5/X3 might be worth looking at, the facelift one's seem nice.
If less worried about badge then consider the Ford Kuga, rubbish name but they are good to drive and look at. Interior is basically a Ford Focus though so not very special.
The Volvo's and X5/X3 are not that good off road. Volvo XC90 does have issues, a friend of mine has one and keeps having problems.Have you considered the Volvo XC60/90?
BMW X5/X3 might be worth looking at, the facelift one's seem nice.
If less worried about badge then consider the Ford Kuga, rubbish name but they are good to drive and look at. Interior is basically a Ford Focus though so not very special.
blueg33 said:
poing said:
If you didn't like the interior of the Subaru then the Shogun is going to make you cry
Have you considered the Volvo XC60/90?
BMW X5/X3 might be worth looking at, the facelift one's seem nice.
If less worried about badge then consider the Ford Kuga, rubbish name but they are good to drive and look at. Interior is basically a Ford Focus though so not very special.
The Volvo's and X5/X3 are not that good off road. Volvo XC90 does have issues, a friend of mine has one and keeps having problems.Have you considered the Volvo XC60/90?
BMW X5/X3 might be worth looking at, the facelift one's seem nice.
If less worried about badge then consider the Ford Kuga, rubbish name but they are good to drive and look at. Interior is basically a Ford Focus though so not very special.
To be honest I'd being going for either the Forrester or FL2 as someone else mentioned already.
Smifffy said:
We have a forester.
It's superb. 2.5l turbo delivers excellent pace. It's capable, comfortable. Like most Eastern cars the interior won't compete with the best of European equivalents but you pays your money....
We went for the XTEN edition so it's fully loaded with the larger sunroof, leather interior, cruise, climate etc etc. Bought it just over 2 years ago, it had sat on a dealer forecourt with 150 miles on the clock for a year. Original price, £26k. Walked away at £13k on the road. Happy days.
It's not missed a beat - now on 52k miles.
That really hasn't helped - I wish someone would chip in with a bad word telling me how sIt's superb. 2.5l turbo delivers excellent pace. It's capable, comfortable. Like most Eastern cars the interior won't compete with the best of European equivalents but you pays your money....
We went for the XTEN edition so it's fully loaded with the larger sunroof, leather interior, cruise, climate etc etc. Bought it just over 2 years ago, it had sat on a dealer forecourt with 150 miles on the clock for a year. Original price, £26k. Walked away at £13k on the road. Happy days.
It's not missed a beat - now on 52k miles.
t they are 
So far I've been to three dealers, well, two dealers, one ex-dealer they just haven't updated the Subaru website. All were small groups or family businesses and seemed like decent people, which may seem an odd thing to say but there was no hard-sell or looking over your shoulder eyeing up the family who have just walked in like you get at many places.
The ex-dealer was explaining that they absolutely can't fault the cars, they just didn't/don't tell enough to keep that side of the business viable and in their case they have Hyundai to the left, Subaru to the right, 20 people walk in, 19 turn right and Subaru just can't compete at that level.
poing said:
I assumed from some of the other choices they were no looking for a proper off roader, more a soft roader with some style or perceived quality.
That pretty much hits the nail on the head. I have a Boxster right now, and whilst I know they're knocked off a production line in Finland in large quantities, it's still a Porsche, and if this makes me sound like a snob or just an ahole so be it, but I don't want to be looking at a badge that says Hyundai or Kia - I'm not suggesting a Subaru is better quality, just more quirky/niche/whatever you'd call it.poing said:
blueg33 said:
poing said:
If you didn't like the interior of the Subaru then the Shogun is going to make you cry
Have you considered the Volvo XC60/90?
BMW X5/X3 might be worth looking at, the facelift one's seem nice.
If less worried about badge then consider the Ford Kuga, rubbish name but they are good to drive and look at. Interior is basically a Ford Focus though so not very special.
The Volvo's and X5/X3 are not that good off road. Volvo XC90 does have issues, a friend of mine has one and keeps having problems.Have you considered the Volvo XC60/90?
BMW X5/X3 might be worth looking at, the facelift one's seem nice.
If less worried about badge then consider the Ford Kuga, rubbish name but they are good to drive and look at. Interior is basically a Ford Focus though so not very special.
To be honest I'd being going for either the Forrester or FL2 as someone else mentioned already.
EDLT said:
The Legacy Outback is a more car-like alternative, although I can't look at the current shape without flinching. The previous model was so much better looking (see above).
I saw one of the new ones the other day - was shocked it was a legacy when I got up close, as they have always been a bit of a looker, in an understated sort of way. What a mess! Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff