QUICK help please! Subaru Forrester 2012 OR Hyundai Santa FE 2012?

[chimo2u]

HELP!!! please can you give me some thoughts on the following two vehicles. We unfortunately found ourself in a balloon type loan on a 2011 FRD Escape, which we all HATE. our dealership was not forthright in explaining the loan, and if we stay with this we have another 3 YRS of payments, and we will still owe $11,300 T the end of it all. We have been driving it and paying for 2 yrs,with 60,000 KM (Canadian ...) on it. So warranty has basically expired. We are looking at getting out and refinancing into a non-balloon loan. YES, I realize I will have a loss of about 5k due to this financing mistake. BUT....I want out now before I am further into this escape and it begins to break down, etc....

I am willing to take a hit, and start paying for a vehicle I really want, if I must make car pmts. I better be paying for something worthwhile and that I like. I've decided between the two vehicles: 2012 Subaru forrester or 2012 Hyundai Santa fe.

I've always wanted a Subaru Forrester, due to reliability and AWD ( Alberta Canada can have some harsh winter conditions).....I need to drive HWY to work, and get nervous when driving on Icy roads.
Now, Santa Fe has AWD option too, but not the same as the forrester, it's more of a driver activated AWD , and you push a button when needed. Hyundai has some amazing deals and rebates (5,000 off) rebate to get rid of 2012 stock....they also have quite nice options making a very nice package at a good price. Subaru is basic in comparison....but I am most concerned in getting a vehicle that will LAST and give me RELIABILITY in the winter and overall for the next 8 yrs or so......

I am going to the dealer tomorrow.....one to the Subaru dealer to see what kind of deal they can do, and then to the Hyundai dealer if we choose to go that way....I spent all day Sat with the salesperson, and have been given the deal, so know what I'll get from them already. Santa Fe looks like the best for all the things I'll get,: a very nicely loaded vehicle (mid line...NO NAV, but that's ok as I have my garmin), full protection pkg....rust, undercoat, paint, 3m on lights, hood, handles, paint and fabric protection, tow hitch, all season mats, free oil changes for life of ownership) 5 Yr , 100,000km warranty.
Diamond protection on windshield.
So the Santa fe looks best right now, but I don't want buyers remorse wishing I'd gone with the Subaru for overall reliability, safety and AWD superiority.

WWYD??? which vehicle do you think will holdup best over time!?
I'm not concerned with debating the financing issue, as those will vary and it is a way I need to go for now....I am most interested in which vehicle would suit me best and be most reliable! I don't want a situation of buyers remorse with a piece of junk in 5 years!

thanks for your thoughts!!!

 

[Suz D]

We really like the Sante Fe we bought last August. I can't give you specifics because my husband is the primary driver on that vehicle, but we have had no problems at all in the year we've owned it.

We loved getting a very loaded vehicle for a pretty reasonable price. And we also loved that they gave us $5,000 on the trade in of my DH 2003 Kia sedan (no loan on that one and it had a ton of things wrong with it.

 

[smokeyblue]

I was just in the market for similar cars, however, I was looking at used as opposed to new. What sold me on the Subaru was the fact that all the insurance companies that I looked into considered the subaru a car and the santa fe an SUV; which made the insurance for the Subaru less.

The other reason I chose the Subaru was the resale value. In my area a 2000 Outback with 200k on it still commands $4-5k here.

However, I think I might have preferred the Huandai (or Honda Element) because I really wanted the SUV look and feel. That may be one reason you go with the Santa Fe. Also, the warranty can't be beat.

I think either way you are going to get a good vehicle that will hold its value well.

 

[lisaross]

i just got a 2012 Subaru Forester - always wanted one as well. Subaru is rated #1 in safety in the Consumers Guide. Any subaru owner i've spoken to LOVES their car - seem to be very reliable.

i just got a 2012 pretty loaded sun roof/tom tom/heated seats....good luck - also the 2012 has low financing 1.9%

 

[Ginny Favers]

Like I've said in another thread, I hated my new Forester right from the start. Catalytic Converter issues are known with the Forester, and we had issues with it the moment we drove it off the lot. Would never buy another Subaru.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

I bought my Forester new in 2004 and it has been ultra-reliable in our nasty winters (150-200 inches of snow per winter!) I intend to keep it forever (probably 'till I die!)

 

[ah1126]

We bought a 2001 Santa Fe in 2004 and still love it. It has held up great and my husband will be happy to drive it forever!

 

[Happyjen27]

Bought a Hyundai once. I hated it. They save money during production on brakes and tires. You'll need to replace them quickly, especially when compared to what I hear of the Subaru.

We kept the Hyundai for the requiste 8 years and then got rid of it as quickly as possible. I'll never buy a "disposable" (ie, Hyundai, Kia) vehicle again.

 

[onyx8]

I had a Santa Fe, it was a piece of junk. Engine went at 32k miles and Hyundai USA tried to tell me it was not covered under the warranty. They do not stand behind their product. Do not buy from Hyundai.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I had a Subaru that went 350K miles on the original engine. Put in a used one and went another 150K before the transaxle went out. I'd buy a Subaru in a heartbeat.

 

[ErinInCT]

If you'd consider American my hubby works for GM and he is able to give people a "discount". Not as good as employee discount, I think it's considered "supplier" discount. You don't even have to use it but you could at least find out the price from the dealer (it's a set price) and decide if it's better than the other vehicles you are considering.
I have a GMC Acadia and I LOVE it. Since I've gotten mine about 7 other people from my kids' school have gotten them. There were so many white ones in the parking lot I'd often find myself going to the wrong car. So far everyone loves them. The Chevy Traverse (less expensive) and Buick Enclave (more expensive) are similar. You can use the discount for ANY new GM vehicle (Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC). The only thing I am unsure about is if it can be used in Canada.
If interested, let me know and I'll get you a certificate number to give to the dealer (if it is allowed in Canada).

 

[Swimalie]

I have a 2011 Forester and love it! Sadly, someone rear ended us so my car is in the shop now getting a new bumper. I am driving a rental of a Kia Sorento and hate it! I realize now how nicer the Forester is. The Forester gets much better ratings in the auto magazines, too. I can't recommend the Forester enough.

We went through Costco for our car and got a great deal on the one we first test drove. Dully loaded with the exception of the navigation (we didn't want it since we have a gps). With the Subaru, you can't go wrong.

 

[chimo2u]

Thanks for all the thoughts!!! I really appreciate it....you all made me feel much better about my ultimate choice......I went with the 2012 Subaru Forrster....yes, it was less blinged out than the Hyundai , but the reliability can't be beat!!! I've always wanted a Subaru Forrester, and I think it will hold it's value the best over the next 8 yrs or so.....it will also be safest for me in the winter, I can't wait to feel safer on winter roads. I think I got a nice pkg, I went for the midline touring model, but it still had some nice features like panoramic sunroof, Bluetooth, heated front seats, No NAV that model was $5K more.....so I compromised and will just have to use my garmin.
I think I made the best choice! Can't wait to be out of the money pit Ford Escape!!!

 

[Swimalie]

Thanks for all the thoughts!!! I really appreciate it....you all made me feel much better about my ultimate choice......I went with the 2012 Subaru Forrster....yes, it was less blinged out than the Hyundai , but the reliability can't be beat!!! I've always wanted a Subaru Forrester, and I think it will hold it's value the best over the next 8 yrs or so.....it will also be safest for me in the winter, I can't wait to feel safer on winter roads. I think I got a nice pkg, I went for the midline touring model, but it still had some nice features like panoramic sunroof, Bluetooth, heated front seats, No NAV that model was $5K more.....so I compromised and will just have to use my garmin.
I think I made the best choice! Can't wait to be out of the money pit Ford Escape!!!

Congratulations!! Sounds like you got the same model as me (2.5x Limited). I love mine and I'm sure you will love your's too. What color did you get?

 

[clm10308]

I have a 2002 Sante Fe that we bought new. I still love it. It has 129,000 miles and still going strong. Early on it had one repair under the warranty but i cant remember what it was. I had to have the AC worked on in early 2011, and the timing belt had to be replaced last fall.

It does have a lot of body damage now, but that is mostly my fault. I would not hesitate yo buy another.

 

[chimo2u]

Congratulations!! Sounds like you got the same model as me (2.5x Limited). I love mine and I'm sure you will love your's too. What color did you get?

Hi swimalie I don't know if they are considered the same in the US (the packaging) but mine is called the 2012 Subaru Forester Touring Pkg.....it still has cloth seats, but they are heated in the front, it has the sunroof, cargo try in the back trunk, blue tooth, cruise control......it's the mid line here, the limited in Canada has the all leather seats and NAV, but it's also 5K more expensive! My colour is Sage green....I got the last one available in our area// and in all areas in Western Canada I think I made a great choice!!!

 

[DVC-Don]

We currently own 2 Subaru's and 2 Hyundai's and I give the nod to the Hyundai Santa Fe.

 

[TheRatPack]

If you'd consider American my hubby works for GM and he is able to give people a "discount". Not as good as employee discount, I think it's considered "supplier" discount. You don't even have to use it but you could at least find out the price from the dealer (it's a set price) and decide if it's better than the other vehicles you are considering.
I have a GMC Acadia and I LOVE it. Since I've gotten mine about 7 other people from my kids' school have gotten them. There were so many white ones in the parking lot I'd often find myself going to the wrong car. So far everyone loves them.

That was nice of you to offer I didn't know that about GM employees....that's pretty cool. My husband has been looking at new cars (for our second vehicle) and he shocked me the other night when he said we should get another Suburban. I said "NOOOOO, I love my Suburban and it's paid for and I don't want to get rid of it" and he said "no, I meant get a second one" LMBO!!! Yes.....lets get another gas guzzler to go with our current gas guzzler LOL I'm sure the Hybrids are a bit better on gas than our 496 V-8 version but still.....it can't be as good as one of the smaller vehicles out now.

 

[Swimalie]

Hi swimalie I don't know if they are considered the same in the US (the packaging) but mine is called the 2012 Subaru Forester Touring Pkg.....it still has cloth seats, but they are heated in the front, it has the sunroof, cargo try in the back trunk, blue tooth, cruise control......it's the mid line here, the limited in Canada has the all leather seats and NAV, but it's also 5K more expensive! My colour is Sage green....I got the last one available in our area// and in all areas in Western Canada I think I made a great choice!!!

We have the touring package here, too but it is top of the line and has the navigation and leather. Mine has all but the navigation. I love the sage!! I almost got it but opted for the steel silver since it was on the lot. I got my car back from the collision center today. I'm so glad to have my "baby" back with me. Enjoy yours!

 

[chimo2u]

I forgot to say thank you to Erin for that lovely offer, unfortunately by the time I read it, I had already been to the dealer and made he offer to purchase....I think the price was ok, there's not a Lot of wiggle room for Subarus here, and I find the dealers not as willing to negotiate because they know they will sell regardless....if not to you, then to someone else! I almost find the car sells itself! I hope I made the right decision.... I feel pretty sure I did