On Aug 9, 2:04 pm, "milkro...@yahoo.com" <milkro...@yahoo.com> wrote:

I've never driven a Forester, but I have driven a 2007 RAV4. Access
was easy for me ( I am 6'2" and large). The one I drive has a 4
cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. It is a Front Wheel
Drive version.

What I like about the RAV4:

- good size
- decent gas mileage
- good performance (espcially considering it is just a 4 cyclinder)
- adequate interior room
- queit and smooth at low speeds
- well assembled
- 0 problems in first 12,000 miles

What I don't like about the RAV4:

- bizarre collection of controls
- wind noise at highway speed (65+)
- mediocre seats (base model)
- cheap looking interior (base model)
- outside mounted spare tire
- side opening rear door

I have not sat in a higher level model, so it is possible the interior
complaints (look and seats) don't apply if you pay for the better
level of trim.

Here is my bottom line -

I think the RAV4 is likely to be more reliable, get better gas
mileage, and have a lower lifetime cost. I think the Forester has a
better 4WD system. If you need 4WD, you should weigh that into your
decision. However, the RAV4 4WD system may be good enough for your
conditions. I'd gvie the edge in external appearance and ground
clearance to the Forester. Unless you are in an area with a lot of
snow, and you can stomach the weird RAV4 control layout, I'd give the
RAV4 the edge. You know it will be reliable. Thhe drivetrain is
essentially carried over from the Camry.

Ed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John,
the first thing you want to do (make that HAVE to do) is to drive both
vehicles yourself, not just around the block but for at least fifteen
minutes or a half hour.
Automobiles are such a subjective matter that literally, what's one man's
meat is another's poison.  What may be an advantage to you because of your
stature or whatever may be just horrible to someone not your size.
And there are other things to consider, like the dashboard layout, space
between pedals, whether or not it has a footrest on the left for your left
foot, and a hundred other things.
Before you ask a stranger a continent away for his likes and dislikes, find
out for yourself....once you get a fair idea of the features of each vehicle
is the time to ask for opinions.    Good luck.

A buddy of mine has either an Outback or Forester, its awd and about 53k
miles - he's had a fair amount of problems with it, last one was after
emission warranty expired and was, a "lean air flow sensor" bad - code said
replace, was nearly $400 part and it did not cure the check engine light -
he went back and I've not heard of latest.  He had more odds/ends wrong with
his Subaru in 40k than I had with the 02 Highlander at 71k when I got the
08 - So, since Highlander and Rav4 both similar running gear I'd stay toyota
based on just the one I know about (Subaru)

Ron