Sounds like you need this OP:
RAV4 or Forester
- Thread starter Motorcycle Mike
- Start date
2015 Grand Caravan with the Canada Package (decently equipped) $21,690+taxes
2015 RAV4 similarly equipped 24,365+taxes
If I had more need to drive people around I'd get one. Heck, if they made them in manual I'd probably get one. Can likely squeeze a bike in the back. Better fuel economy than some SUVs. Better towing capacity than some SUVs. Seating for 7. Fold into the floor seats or a built in vacuum depending on the model. TVs in the seat backs. Etc.
Only problem is you don't look "cool" but most SUVs aren't very cool looking anymore, and they're the new trend in family vehicles so they're practically the same. It's not like my 10 year old SUV makes anyone think I'm baller, anyway.
But I need ground clearance and AWD for snow and refuse to buy anything that doesn't have a manual transmission.
Only problem is you don't look "cool" but most SUVs aren't very cool looking anymore, and they're the new trend in family vehicles so they're practically the same. It's not like my 10 year old SUV makes anyone think I'm baller, anyway.
But I need ground clearance and AWD for snow and refuse to buy anything that doesn't have a manual transmission.
My wife has a fully loaded 2012 Tiguan and the premium fuel is a PITA. We put norrower higher profile snows on it in the winter and it handles quite well in the snow but I'm not a big fan of driving it. I have a 2012 V6 Camry SE (267 HP) which has gobs more power than the 2.0 VW turbo. If you don't really need the AWD and you're already happy with your Matrix why don't you look into the Venza? I would think it would be roomier than the Rav 4.
They stopped making the Venza, if I'm not mistaken.
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The venza is like driving a minivan. It's friggin boring and handles/feels like a minivan whether you're moving or sitting still.
I also wish we had more wagon's but the market here doesn't support them. Google the current Mazda6 wagon they get in Europe. It's beautiful.
I also wish we had more wagon's but the market here doesn't support them. Google the current Mazda6 wagon they get in Europe. It's beautiful.
kwtoxman
Well-known member
Haldex are AWD, just one of many designs offered.
And the gen 4 and newer haldex are excellent AWD options. I'd be happy with any of the newer performance awd versions such as haldex, torsen, xdrive, focus rs variant, subie, evo, etc. Your example is old technology on an old car. Don't discount an entire field of technology because of one data point.
There is a lot of misinformation on haldex on the net, based on the older versions.
They use haldex on the bugatti veyron and lamborghini cars. Seems good enough for super cars.
For the few who may care, here are a few reading links.
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?204036-Volvo-Haldex-AWD-vs-Audi-Quattro
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5763188-Haldex-AWD-vs-the-Competition/
http://www.tflcar.com/2014/02/letters-editor-whats-best-awd-system/
Last edited:
MM,
I was seriously considering a Forester before getting a VW TDI.
The Subie has great visibility.
It is the most boring drive I've encounted in a long time.
The CVT requires major planning to merge on the highway. It's slow. Makes a lot of noise and not a lot of response.
The dash looks dated. The back up camera is tiny.
You can opt for a manual on the base motor or optional turbo but, then you have no option but an autobox.
I wanted to like it so bad. But I just couldn't.
My wife's 05 Matrix is getting long in the tooth and looking to replace.
We did check out the Tucson.
Hyundai has improved their interiors a lot. And the drive was impressive.
We decided against getting a new vehicle and will run the Matrix through the winter.
The RAV4 is on the radar to check out when we revisit our options in the spring.
Other than Subie's good rep for awd and it apparently is one of the safest and most fuel efficient Small SUV in the market, I'd lean towards the RAV4 even without having any real world experience with it.
That's my two cents.
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I was seriously considering a Forester before getting a VW TDI.
The Subie has great visibility.
It is the most boring drive I've encounted in a long time.
The CVT requires major planning to merge on the highway. It's slow. Makes a lot of noise and not a lot of response.
The dash looks dated. The back up camera is tiny.
You can opt for a manual on the base motor or optional turbo but, then you have no option but an autobox.
I wanted to like it so bad. But I just couldn't.
My wife's 05 Matrix is getting long in the tooth and looking to replace.
We did check out the Tucson.
Hyundai has improved their interiors a lot. And the drive was impressive.
We decided against getting a new vehicle and will run the Matrix through the winter.
The RAV4 is on the radar to check out when we revisit our options in the spring.
Other than Subie's good rep for awd and it apparently is one of the safest and most fuel efficient Small SUV in the market, I'd lean towards the RAV4 even without having any real world experience with it.
That's my two cents.
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easy_rider_77
Well-known member
If you are looking to tow, look at the new Jeep Cherokee.... has a decent towing rating compared to other compact SUVs, plus has a V6 option if you are looking for more power.
Not roomy. My inlaws have one, their 2002 CRV has more room inside. The roofline is low and curves down at the openings. The venza is ok, but it is nothing special.
My wife wanted to get a suby until she drove one. The CVT ruined it for her and she wasn't at all interested anymore.
Wife just got a used Acura RDX. Solid reliable vehicle, nice little peppy turbo engine and comes with SH-AWD. The older generation was known to be a bit of a gas guzzler, but she is averaging around 10l/100km currently. I wasn't prepared to drop 30k on a new SUV/CUV, so went used and saved a bundle.
Motorcycle Mike
Well-known member
Bought a rav4. Got the xle package for barely any more than the le list price.
Test drive a crv and cx5 today. Not bad cars, but wife and myself both agreed we liked the rav4 best. Paid about $3000 less than the msrp on the website and got a very fair amount for the matrix considering it needs tires, possibly a cv linkage, and some other time based maintenance like a rad flush, brake fluid flush, etc.
Will basically look like this
Test drive a crv and cx5 today. Not bad cars, but wife and myself both agreed we liked the rav4 best. Paid about $3000 less than the msrp on the website and got a very fair amount for the matrix considering it needs tires, possibly a cv linkage, and some other time based maintenance like a rad flush, brake fluid flush, etc.
Will basically look like this
Chasem
Well-known member
Bought a rav4. Got the xle package for barely any more than the le list price.
Test drive a crv and cx5 today. Not bad cars, but wife and myself both agreed we liked the rav4 best. Paid about $3000 less than the msrp on the website and got a very fair amount for the matrix considering it needs tires, possibly a cv linkage, and some other time based maintenance like a rad flush, brake fluid flush, etc.
Will basically look like this
Sweet, new car smell.
Alex_San
Well-known member
Congratulations!
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