Forester was not even on my list when I began searching for a new car.
The automobiles that were at the top of my list were Kia Sorento, Honda CR-V, Honda Passport, Infiniti Q50, VW Tiguan, and Hyundai Santa Fe. My preference would be never ever own a CVT transmission.
Further research revealed the the QX50 was assembled in Mexico, and many owners had complained about substandard assembly quality. It also featured a very complicated new engine that neither supplied excess power or mileage. It did have a 4 year warranty and the superb Infiniti dealership behind it with a fleet of loaner cars available.
That brings me to the Kia Sorento. It has a powerful engine, and an 8 speed true auto transmission. The features seemed quite good including the generous warranty. I went for a test drive at the local Kia dealer. It seemed be comfortable, have good visibility... except the front corners, more later. The acceleration was very odd to me. You depress the gas pedal, and you get a very specific acceleration. pressing it a little more does not reward you with an increase, and pushing just a hair more forces a downshift and really hard acceleration. I found it VERY disconcerting. The dealer to me seemed a bit on the sketchy side but very nice to me.
Honda has sold me my last three cars. They were well in front to supply me another one. I drove the CR-V and was suitably impressed. The CVT transmission was not to liking because lit wanted to find the powerband of the engine and stay there while adjusting the drive ratio to suit your acceleration needs. So you would take off and the engine would seek a very droning RPM and stay there. The acceleration was brisk (quicker than the Forester). Steering and brakes and visibility were more than adequate. A follow up drive in a Passport was also very nice, real 8 speed transmission, and many nice features. But like the KIA, the hood was very high up and flat, generally limiting any visibility of what was happening at the bumper. Very much like a pickup truck. Not a problem if you park in a driveway, but our cars are ALWAYS in the garage when at home.
Our garage has two doors that are 8 feet wide. Not being able to see where the bumpers may come into contact with them was a problem on the Kia, and Passport. The issue was less noticeable on the VW Toureg, which also enjoyed a true shifting transmission. Unfortunately I was trying to move away from a three row automobile, and the two row Toureg required 4 wheel drive. A very nice car but it was far enough from the ideal one that it fell by the wayside.
Next door to the VW dealer was the Subaru dealer. I had the day to shop so I stopped in. I had previously test driven a Forester when I was car shopping 4 years ago, so I thought I would give a gander... Well they were bigger now than before, but still had a sloping hood that increased the visibility entering our garage. I first looked at some low end models, but I was not really impressed. One item on the required list was seat memory. My wife and I are vastly different in stature. The salesman had to check... He had one Touring model that just came on the lot, but it had not been prepped for test drive yet.
He drove up in a white Forester Touring model. It looked nice enough. Then he opened the door... You could have pushed me over with a feather. The interior was a saddle color with bold stitching on so many surfaces. I tried to keep a cool demeanor, but I fell in love. After looking at so many uninspiring black interiors, this one really popped. The salesman mentioned that it was a rare combination, but I said the car is for my wife, she will have to decide. I made an appointment for the next day, and we both had a chance to drive it. My bias against a CVT went by the wayside because someone actually programmed it to respond in a favorable manner. I had to play it cool to make the deal, but my wife confided that that car excited her in way that no others have in the past.
We ended up buying the car, but there was another couple waiting to buy it if we turned it down. I had planned on continuing to the Honda dealer that day and buying a CR-V Touring model. While I was waiting I had a chance to do some more research on the pros and cons of both vehicles. The Forester had a problem sitting and draining batteries, while the CR-V has dozens of complaints with leaking sunroofs. A battery, I can deal with, but a leaking sunroof is deal killer.
What is your story?
The automobiles that were at the top of my list were Kia Sorento, Honda CR-V, Honda Passport, Infiniti Q50, VW Tiguan, and Hyundai Santa Fe. My preference would be never ever own a CVT transmission.
Further research revealed the the QX50 was assembled in Mexico, and many owners had complained about substandard assembly quality. It also featured a very complicated new engine that neither supplied excess power or mileage. It did have a 4 year warranty and the superb Infiniti dealership behind it with a fleet of loaner cars available.
That brings me to the Kia Sorento. It has a powerful engine, and an 8 speed true auto transmission. The features seemed quite good including the generous warranty. I went for a test drive at the local Kia dealer. It seemed be comfortable, have good visibility... except the front corners, more later. The acceleration was very odd to me. You depress the gas pedal, and you get a very specific acceleration. pressing it a little more does not reward you with an increase, and pushing just a hair more forces a downshift and really hard acceleration. I found it VERY disconcerting. The dealer to me seemed a bit on the sketchy side but very nice to me.
Honda has sold me my last three cars. They were well in front to supply me another one. I drove the CR-V and was suitably impressed. The CVT transmission was not to liking because lit wanted to find the powerband of the engine and stay there while adjusting the drive ratio to suit your acceleration needs. So you would take off and the engine would seek a very droning RPM and stay there. The acceleration was brisk (quicker than the Forester). Steering and brakes and visibility were more than adequate. A follow up drive in a Passport was also very nice, real 8 speed transmission, and many nice features. But like the KIA, the hood was very high up and flat, generally limiting any visibility of what was happening at the bumper. Very much like a pickup truck. Not a problem if you park in a driveway, but our cars are ALWAYS in the garage when at home.
Our garage has two doors that are 8 feet wide. Not being able to see where the bumpers may come into contact with them was a problem on the Kia, and Passport. The issue was less noticeable on the VW Toureg, which also enjoyed a true shifting transmission. Unfortunately I was trying to move away from a three row automobile, and the two row Toureg required 4 wheel drive. A very nice car but it was far enough from the ideal one that it fell by the wayside.
Next door to the VW dealer was the Subaru dealer. I had the day to shop so I stopped in. I had previously test driven a Forester when I was car shopping 4 years ago, so I thought I would give a gander... Well they were bigger now than before, but still had a sloping hood that increased the visibility entering our garage. I first looked at some low end models, but I was not really impressed. One item on the required list was seat memory. My wife and I are vastly different in stature. The salesman had to check... He had one Touring model that just came on the lot, but it had not been prepped for test drive yet.
He drove up in a white Forester Touring model. It looked nice enough. Then he opened the door... You could have pushed me over with a feather. The interior was a saddle color with bold stitching on so many surfaces. I tried to keep a cool demeanor, but I fell in love. After looking at so many uninspiring black interiors, this one really popped. The salesman mentioned that it was a rare combination, but I said the car is for my wife, she will have to decide. I made an appointment for the next day, and we both had a chance to drive it. My bias against a CVT went by the wayside because someone actually programmed it to respond in a favorable manner. I had to play it cool to make the deal, but my wife confided that that car excited her in way that no others have in the past.
We ended up buying the car, but there was another couple waiting to buy it if we turned it down. I had planned on continuing to the Honda dealer that day and buying a CR-V Touring model. While I was waiting I had a chance to do some more research on the pros and cons of both vehicles. The Forester had a problem sitting and draining batteries, while the CR-V has dozens of complaints with leaking sunroofs. A battery, I can deal with, but a leaking sunroof is deal killer.
What is your story?