Subaru Forrester vs Honda CR-V?

[Sonya]

Anyone have experience with either one? Bad or good?

 

[CEDmom]

We have a 2001 Forester and we love it. It's built on a car chasis (sp?) so it rides very smooth even in the back. I don't know about the Honda. The back has a split fold down and there's lots and room for stuff. I'd say the only negative is that we can't have DD's carseat in the middle back because of the way the seatbelts work. While this makes it not as safe as in the middle it does make it easier to buckle her in. I have a 1996 Honda Civic that we'll probably look to replace in another year or so and we're looking at another Forester.

 

[GEM]

We LOVE our Subaru Forester! The ride is great and it handles wonderfully. It is also very comfortable. My best friend has a CR-V and, to me, it feels much more cramped inside. We have not had a bit of trouble with our Forester, and I would reccomend it to anyone.

 

[WDWLVR]

Back in '99 when we were looking I was considering the Honda. That was until we went to the Auto Show and compared. We fell in love with the Subaru! I have been very, very happy with it. I recommend the Forester.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

CRV!
It is built on a car chassis and is VERY spacious(even has a full table under the back portion). We do not miss our van at all. We drove the Forrester, but I like sitting up a little "higher" and the Subaru did not seem to be. CRV has a split back seat also. The console in the front middle can fold up or down. I have even passed through this area to get something in the back on a trip.
We have had no problems with the CRV and it gets good gas mileage. The CRV was redesigned for the better in 2002-bigger and nicer look(shape) on the outside. That is when we got one.

 

[campinggal]

Another...LOVE my Forrester!!!

 

[CamColt]

We got our first CRV in 1998. In 2002 we inherited FIL's 1998 CRV, with 119,000 miles on it. We like the car so much we traded in FIL's and got a 2003, so we are now a 2 CRV family.

The only bad thing I can say about the Honda is both times we have bought them we have had terrible customer service experiences...and BIL works there! I would hate to see how they treat non-family. In fact after the first time I said no way would I buy another Honda. But the car was THAT good, that we did go back.

Like I said, ours are 6 years & 1 year old and we have never had a problem. Once the older one was making a noise when turning to the right, but we just needed some fluid installed, nothing major. We find there is plenty of room for us, our 2 kids and whatever we happen to be lugging around whether its soccer equipment, skating stuff, or luggage on our trips to WDW. We have driven in the 98 twice and the 2003 once, 24 hour rides, nonstop, and we have been very comfortable. Once we even had my mother with us and we all fit fine, luggage, stroller & all.

 

[CamColt]

Double post, sorry!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Camcolt-that must be a local Honda problem. Our customer service here has been great! Bad thing about Honda's is they can be in demand, depending on your area, and that leaves less room for negotiating.

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by BibbidiBobbidiBOO
Camcolt-that must be a local Honda problem. Our customer service here has been great! Bad thing about Honda's is they can be in demand, depending on your area, and that leaves less room for negotiating.

Its actually a dealership in NH. But, since we are no longer speaking to BIL, I guess I dont have to worry about going back there anymore. Maybe I will try another dealership next time.

 

[Sonya]

Thenks everyone. Sounds like you are really loyal! But it still doesn't give us any clear choice. They must really be good! We will go look again , and test drive.

 

[SplshMtn99]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my 2002 Subaru Forester!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AWD was nice this winter. Excellent reviews too.

CRV seemed cheap & canny when we test drove it.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Try looking for message boards from owners of both vehicles.....and read thru any problems that may keep coming up. I remember we found one on the Forester.

 

[Deafmedic]

We bought a 2003 Honda CRV in Nov. of 2002. We had to take it back 4 times in a 3 week period due to electrical problems. We returned it before our 30 days were up for a full refund.
Speaking of customer service, when we bought it, we were treated likes royalty. When we had to bring it back for the problems, we were treated like dirt. On the third visit, I was asked if I was imagining the problem(vehicle died completely while I was enroute to a scene. Kinda hard to imagine it while the vehicle was dead).
We were really treated like crap when we requested a refund. They offered to switch vehicles. Then told me that it was their policy not to issue refunds. Then tried to backtrack when I showed them the sales contract.
We will never buy a Honda anything again if we can help it. I'm a firm believer in customer service and loyalty.
We now have a Ford Expedition. I did check out the Forrestor but with 4 girls, we needed more room.

 

[njfamily]

I have a 1999 Forester which has never let me down in the snow. We leave at the top of a hill and I always make it up the hill, while cars around me are slipping and sliding down the hill. The AWD was a major factor in my decision to purchase this car.

When I got it, my kids were toddlers, now that they are bigger, there is just not enough room in the back seat. So we are thinking about switching to a midsize SUV with AWD.

Also, my husband is 6'1" and he is uncomfortable when in my car, not enough leg room, the head room is fine.

 

[MickeyMouse418]

My dad has a Subaru Forrester. Nothing bad to say, it's a really good car! IT's really reliable for snowy, wintery days especially.

 

[Alice28]

We have a Subaru Outback, but it's very similar to the Forester...we LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It handles wonderfully, very roomy and it was GREAT in the ice and snow we had for a week here. Pretty much the ONLY cars on the road one day were Subarus (didn't even have to chain up with an inch or two of solid ice on the road) and 4WD WITH chains! We have taken our car in several times to the dealership for oil changes and check ups and they are very, very nice.