RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
Apr 28th 2005, 11:23 am
#1
Sydneysider and lovin it!
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Sydney - Eastern Subs
Posts: 225
RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
Ok people lets here your views! We have a 2L RAV4 which does everything ok. It's economical, practical and works well in the 'burbs but a long weekend trip up to Mudgee and a few hills exposed the limitations. Also a mate wanted to go sand bashing and I thought the lack of power would see us bogged quickly so chickened out (the shame).
I'm tempted by the X-trail but what are your views? The forester, with turbo, would be great but as the Mrs drives it most of the time I'm not so sure.....
All help appreciated
I'm tempted by the X-trail but what are your views? The forester, with turbo, would be great but as the Mrs drives it most of the time I'm not so sure.....
All help appreciated
Apr 28th 2005, 11:39 am
#2
Superfreak!!
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Thornlie, Perth, W.A.
Posts: 1,177
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
5 door rav4?
There was a tv or mag thing a few months ago that had an off-road challenge with all the usual suspects... and a rav4. The rav came out 2nd or 3rd, and even helped tow one of the others out of the mud. I still can`t believe it.
The X-Trail looks great, but don`t know how much room or off-road grunt it has.
There was a tv or mag thing a few months ago that had an off-road challenge with all the usual suspects... and a rav4. The rav came out 2nd or 3rd, and even helped tow one of the others out of the mud. I still can`t believe it.
The X-Trail looks great, but don`t know how much room or off-road grunt it has.
Apr 28th 2005, 11:46 am
#3
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 532
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
Originally Posted by Dinky
Ok people lets here your views! We have a 2L RAV4 which does everything ok. It's economical, practical and works well in the 'burbs but a long weekend trip up to Mudgee and a few hills exposed the limitations. Also a mate wanted to go sand bashing and I thought the lack of power would see us bogged quickly so chickened out (the shame).
I'm tempted by the X-trail but what are your views? The forester, with turbo, would be great but as the Mrs drives it most of the time I'm not so sure.....
All help appreciated
I'm tempted by the X-trail but what are your views? The forester, with turbo, would be great but as the Mrs drives it most of the time I'm not so sure.....
All help appreciated
Personally I am in favour of the Scooby as it will do more things well more of the time and its a proper car. Most "soft" roaders are just that, not really designed for off-roading and in reality too heavy for the road hence your experience with lack of power. Nevertheless the Nissan gets very good reviews and if it wasn't so pig ugly then it might be tempting. Of course the Subaru won't be good for sand bashing as it doesn't have the ground clearence (but not sure I would want to use an expensive car for that really anyway). The forester is also no oil painting and you might be better off looking at the Outback (a legacy derivative) which is much better looking and just as practical as the Forester.
Apr 28th 2005, 11:47 am
#4
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Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Cairns
Posts: 3,918
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
The Rav4 isn't bad ( am owner of one - ' hairdressers car ' - says BP!!!! ), good for the 'burbs ( although not fantastic cornering ). Going anywhere slightly off the beaten track is another matter altogether. We get by with ours ( have had many a 'bone-shaker' moment tho' ).
Looking to get a Landcruiser next - solid, reliable and non-boneshaking!!!!
Looking to get a Landcruiser next - solid, reliable and non-boneshaking!!!!
Apr 28th 2005, 11:56 am
#5
Sydneysider and lovin it!
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Sydney - Eastern Subs
Posts: 225
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
Originally Posted by Stormz
5 door rav4?
There was a tv or mag thing a few months ago that had an off-road challenge with all the usual suspects... and a rav4. The rav came out 2nd or 3rd, and even helped tow one of the others out of the mud. I still can`t believe it.
The X-Trail looks great, but don`t know how much room or off-road grunt it has.
There was a tv or mag thing a few months ago that had an off-road challenge with all the usual suspects... and a rav4. The rav came out 2nd or 3rd, and even helped tow one of the others out of the mud. I still can`t believe it.
The X-Trail looks great, but don`t know how much room or off-road grunt it has.
Yep 5 door so less hairdresserish! Can't believe the RAV did so well the 2l v 2.4 lacks power big time!
Apr 28th 2005, 12:08 pm
#6
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Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
Mines a 5-door and it's STILL "hairdresser-ish!!!!"
Nice intro to the 4x4 market, but nothing more, nothing less..... 
Nice intro to the 4x4 market, but nothing more, nothing less.....
Apr 28th 2005, 12:23 pm
#7
Superfreak!!
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Thornlie, Perth, W.A.
Posts: 1,177
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
nononononono......
I love my wife`s Rav4 (notice I said it was hers
) . Fast, tough, and looks funky.... and also for sale
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MESE%3AIT&rd=1
but seriously... we`d love another rav in Oz... just a 5-door one. But maybe a Toyota Townace / Tarago type car would be better as we have a growing family. I have a Townace here we have to sell soon too
I love my wife`s Rav4 (notice I said it was hers
) . Fast, tough, and looks funky.... and also for sale http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MESE%3AIT&rd=1
but seriously... we`d love another rav in Oz... just a 5-door one. But maybe a Toyota Townace / Tarago type car would be better as we have a growing family. I have a Townace here we have to sell soon too
Apr 28th 2005, 12:38 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Warwick...but Melbourne bound!
Posts: 47
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
Originally Posted by Dinky
Ok people lets here your views! We have a 2L RAV4 which does everything ok. It's economical, practical and works well in the 'burbs but a long weekend trip up to Mudgee and a few hills exposed the limitations. Also a mate wanted to go sand bashing and I thought the lack of power would see us bogged quickly so chickened out (the shame).
I'm tempted by the X-trail but what are your views? The forester, with turbo, would be great but as the Mrs drives it most of the time I'm not so sure.....
All help appreciated
I'm tempted by the X-trail but what are your views? The forester, with turbo, would be great but as the Mrs drives it most of the time I'm not so sure.....
All help appreciated
Apr 28th 2005, 2:04 pm
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 196
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
no contest
Apr 28th 2005, 2:53 pm
#10
Down Under and Lovin It
Joined: May 2004
Location: Ellenbrook, Perth, WA
Posts: 692
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
Originally Posted by Dinky
Ok people lets here your views! We have a 2L RAV4 which does everything ok. It's economical, practical and works well in the 'burbs but a long weekend trip up to Mudgee and a few hills exposed the limitations. Also a mate wanted to go sand bashing and I thought the lack of power would see us bogged quickly so chickened out (the shame).
I'm tempted by the X-trail but what are your views? The forester, with turbo, would be great but as the Mrs drives it most of the time I'm not so sure.....
All help appreciated
I'm tempted by the X-trail but what are your views? The forester, with turbo, would be great but as the Mrs drives it most of the time I'm not so sure.....
All help appreciated
PJ
Apr 29th 2005, 1:00 am
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Brisbane Bayside
Posts: 96
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
I went for the MY03 Forester X because the boot space seemed larger than the RAV, and Aircon & ABS come as standard and not optional like the RAV. I liked the look of the X-Trail but when we arrived there were few in the "pre loved" market.
So far so good, a 2.5 L motor gives it enough grunt (but a turbo would be nice). And the lo / high range gear leaver comes in useful as does the hill break system where you can use the foot break as a hand break as long as you keep the clutch down. Not tried it on sand yet, but the Subbie forums recon that as it is lighter that a Landcruser it doesn't get bogged as much.
Papa Z
So far so good, a 2.5 L motor gives it enough grunt (but a turbo would be nice). And the lo / high range gear leaver comes in useful as does the hill break system where you can use the foot break as a hand break as long as you keep the clutch down. Not tried it on sand yet, but the Subbie forums recon that as it is lighter that a Landcruser it doesn't get bogged as much.
Papa Z
Apr 29th 2005, 1:04 am
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,596
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
Buy a new Land Rover Discovery, don't be a prat!!
Apr 29th 2005, 3:50 am
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Northern Beaches
Posts: 84
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
Originally Posted by Zentack
I went for the MY03 Forester X because the boot space seemed larger than the RAV, and Aircon & ABS come as standard and not optional like the RAV. I liked the look of the X-Trail but when we arrived there were few in the "pre loved" market.
So far so good, a 2.5 L motor gives it enough grunt (but a turbo would be nice). And the lo / high range gear leaver comes in useful as does the hill break system where you can use the foot break as a hand break as long as you keep the clutch down. Not tried it on sand yet, but the Subbie forums recon that as it is lighter that a Landcruser it doesn't get bogged as much.
Papa Z
So far so good, a 2.5 L motor gives it enough grunt (but a turbo would be nice). And the lo / high range gear leaver comes in useful as does the hill break system where you can use the foot break as a hand break as long as you keep the clutch down. Not tried it on sand yet, but the Subbie forums recon that as it is lighter that a Landcruser it doesn't get bogged as much.
Papa Z
Apr 29th 2005, 5:43 am
#14
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,233
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
Just take a look at this piccie in the photopost before choosing a Rav4:
stuck
Sorry Hels, nice looking motor though.
Mate's got an XTrail and is very happy with it's abilities - done complete loop of Oz, off road and on. Only complaint is the cabin build quality is a bit rattly.
Forester does seem to get most thumbs up in all the reviews of soft roaders that I've read.
stuck
Sorry Hels, nice looking motor though.
Mate's got an XTrail and is very happy with it's abilities - done complete loop of Oz, off road and on. Only complaint is the cabin build quality is a bit rattly.
Forester does seem to get most thumbs up in all the reviews of soft roaders that I've read.
Apr 29th 2005, 8:20 am
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Hillarys, WA
Posts: 334
Re: RAV4 v X-Trail v Forester v ?
Originally Posted by Dinky
Ok people lets here your views! We have a 2L RAV4 which does everything ok. It's economical, practical and works well in the 'burbs but a long weekend trip up to Mudgee and a few hills exposed the limitations. Also a mate wanted to go sand bashing and I thought the lack of power would see us bogged quickly so chickened out (the shame).
I'm tempted by the X-trail but what are your views? The forester, with turbo, would be great but as the Mrs drives it most of the time I'm not so sure.....
All help appreciated
I'm tempted by the X-trail but what are your views? The forester, with turbo, would be great but as the Mrs drives it most of the time I'm not so sure.....
All help appreciated
Great to drive (very car like) and very economical as you can set it to 2WD for normal driving (petrol is now $1.05 a litre average), roomy for it's size, rock solid resale value, best in it's class off-road too.
For the price there is nothing to beat it.
If you are coming to WA I can get you a rather nice discount too! (No i don't work for Nissan i just know where to go!)
Regards