Subaru: Escape vs Forester

mj wrote:
 
Hi,
Also consider resale/trade-in value. Subie wins here as well.
Tony

It was a POS Ford that drove me to the Japanese. This happened over 10
years ago but I vowed never to buy another Ford. Not only was the car crap
but I had to sue them for warranty replacement of engine
Frank

On Wed, 12 Nov 2003 20:01:07 -0500, mj <net> wrote:
 

I went through this same decision less than two years ago. I was looking
at the Mazda variant rather than the Escape, but they are pretty close.

When I first had the Forester, a friend (intending to rattle my chain)
said, "That's nothing but a glorified station wagon." That comment always
stayed with me because it's so true, and it explains what I was looking
for. The Escape is a mini-SUV, and as such is considerably higher, bigger,
more imposing. The Forester sits lower, and thus is much easier to get in
and out of, and also handles much more car-like. Parking is a breeze, and
it fits into the short side of the garage. Rather than sitting down into a
car, or climbing up into an SUV, the Forester is right at "ass-height", and
is appreciated by the overweight, the elderly, and the generally infirm.

There's plenty of headroom (although I'm not tall), and the cargo capacity
is excellent, keeping in mind that's it's just a "glorified station wagon".
;-)

Many times over the past 18 months, I've seen an Escape on the road, or
parked next to one, and thanked my lucky stars that I picked the Forester.
We all have different priorities of course, but that's my 2 cents worth.

....Ron

P.S. My wife likes the Forester so much that she has appropriated it, and
now I'm forced to decide between a WRX wagon and the STI "matchbox car" (my
wife's moniker, not mine). If they bring out an STI wagon for '05, my
dilemma will be solved!

Why not add the Outback wagon to the short list? It actually has a
larger cargo area than the Forester (longer), and to me, is a heavier,
more substantial vehicle. Last weekend I rented a Forester on a
business trip to Oregon, and drove it some 600 miles over three days.
While I liked it, I definitely liked my OBW better for handling and
road "feel."

The Forester has more head room, and visualy looks bigger from the
outside, but I think you'll find that the Outback has plenty of room.
The Outback wagon is based on the larger Legacy platform, while the
Forester is based on the smaller Impreza platform. The Legacy is rated
as a "midsize" car, while the Impreza is a "compact."

mj <net> wrote in message news:<hJAsb.551$HD3.481@lakeread06>... 

"Brian Wasson" <com> wrote in message
news:google.com... 

My '04 XT Premium weighs 3,289 lbs. That's about what a Honda Accord or
Toyota Camry weighs. The Subaru web site says an Outback wagon weighs 3,495
w/ AT. OK, so about 200 lbs. more to haul around with that 165 HP engine.
Not a fabulous power/weight ratio, IMHO.

Before getting my Forester, I tried the OBW. Had a lot of trouble getting
into the thing, particularly getting my right thigh under the steering
wheel, even with the wheel at max height. I'm 6'2" and, yes, a bit
overweight, but not enough that I have such trouble in any other car. The
Outback just seems a bit cramped inside, compared to a Honda Accord, for
example. Certainly my Forester doesn't seem cramped inside.

OK, I'll admit it: I'm wildy enthused with my Forester, and very happy with
the purchase. My first Subie. And I highly recommend the turbo.

Ron, I could have written this note! You've described just as I tell it
about the advantages of the Forester. And, yes, I considered a Tribute. One
time climbing up into the thing was all the convincing I needed that a Mazda
would not be on the short list. I didn't want a car I'd have to climb up
into, or crawl down into. The Subie is perfect "ass-height," as you say.

Only difference between us: my wife is still quite pleased with her Volvo,
and won't be trying to take over my Forester. (I'd resist mightily if she
did!)

HW

"Ron Ginter" <com> wrote in message
news:com... 
bigger, 
a 
and 
wagon". 
(my 

We went to the dealer to make the deal on the Forrester XT. WHile we were
waiting, we saw an '04 OBW LLBean Edition (6 cyl) in the showroom. We tried
it out, and went home with that instead of the Forrester. OBW Pros: Nicer
interior, more comfortable, more features that we preferred, better
handling, more room everywhere. XT Pros: Power. Zooooommmmm!

I agree with the other poster. The Forrester only appears to be larger. It
is definitely smaller.

"Brian Wasson" <com> wrote in message
news:google.com... 
news:<hJAsb.551$HD3.481@lakeread06>... 

"Alan" <com> wrote in message
news:bp0nvo$1jnu58$news.uni-berlin.de... 
tried 

Cargo space is about the same. Forester is built in Japan while OBW is built
in the US.
XT can be had with a stick and LL Bean can't be. You may not give a damn,
but I won't buy your OBW when you are thru with it even though the engine is
better and it sits lower, handles better, etc.
To me used Legacy or OBW is worth $#^&. I don't care what blue book says.
It's for gullible morons.
That is not to say that you won't find a buyer. After all there are idiots
who'd buy a 10 y.o. turbo
and pay a lot of money for it.

Just my 2 pesos.