Do you drive a Subarau Forester or Ford Escape?

**mkidd** · 02-20-2008, 08:58 AM

We had 2 Outbacks at one point and found they were much roomier and handled very well in the snow--and better than Forresters as well.

But we also has small issues mechanical with both. Overall we were disapointed given how much we had heard people go on about the longevity or reliability. I can't say I'd be looking to buy another.

**elk** · 02-20-2008, 09:16 AM

my 02 Forester is my favorite car ever... but I would never buy a Ford...so can;t compare.

we also have a Honda Element...we can easily fit our 2 bikes in the back on those great rubber floors.

ANother one to think about is the Rav4 by Toyota...

**crazycanuck** · 02-20-2008, 02:11 PM

RAV4

I'm not going to post what my other half and many others think about that vehicle

We've decided the next time we speak to a dealer about a vehicle, (our bike is coming along and it's the first thing we'll measure) the bike has to fit in the back laying down..

Vroom

**elk** · 02-20-2008, 02:15 PM

well jeepers....we had one before the Element and it was incredibly reliable and deceivingly roomy...

**7rider** · 02-20-2008, 03:32 PM

Well, we all have our biases - unfounded or not. DH won't ever consider a Toyota and I won't ever get a GM.

Fortunately [sic] there are a zillion other options out there to consider.
I think if you are buying a vehicle that will need to carry bicycles, then you should by all means bring your bikes with you and try loading them.

**emily_in_nc** · 02-20-2008, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by crazycanuck

We've decided the next time we speak to a dealer about a vehicle, (our bike is coming along and it's the first thing we'll measure) the bike has to fit in the back laying down..

We were able to fit two road bikes lying down in the back of our '01 Forester, but they had to be stacked atop one another (use an old quilt or cardboard in between). But, that was ALL that would fit. With both bikes back there, it was very hard to take much else (like on a trip), not to mention a pet carrying case, a large cooler, etc. etc. Thus, the Element.

Emily

**crazycanuck** · 02-20-2008, 07:49 PM

Weelll..guess what i just figured out..

The Honda element isn't sold in Australia

www.honda.com.au

There's a rather nice looking HOnda CRV though..

I'm def not going to stack our bikes on top of eachother. Ian would give me a

look if i even suggested it!

**KnottedYet** · 02-20-2008, 08:08 PM

I took my dog with me when we went test driving for our first new car.

If he didn't fit happily, I didn't consider the car. The dealerships were surprisingly cool about it. Guess I wasn't the first to bring something along that just *had* to fit in the new car.

(ended up getting Subaru #3... had a 1986, a 1996, and my first brand new car a 2005) My Imp holds one bike in the back with the seat down and the front wheel off. I suppose I could stack one bike on top of another, but I have a Thule rack for when I want to carry more than one.

**auntiebobo** · 02-20-2008, 08:23 PM

Love my '05 Forester. I can get my bike in the back no problem but do have a nice hitch mount rack that moves out of the way when I need to transport more than one bike. (The heated leather seats are fabulous!)

Before the Forester I had a '98 CRV that was also great. The nice thing about the CRV is the spare tire on the back and you can get a spare tire mount rack for those - less hassle and cheaper than a hitch mount, if you don't need to transport multiple bikes very often.

Have fun! A new car whatever you end up with is always exciting!

**7rider** · 02-21-2008, 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by KnottedYet

(ended up getting Subaru #3... had a 1986, a 1996, and my first brand new car a 2005) My Imp holds one bike in the back with the seat down and the front wheel off. I suppose I could stack one bike on top of another, but I have a Thule rack for when I want to carry more than one.

DH has an '02 Impreza WRX. Depending on the bike (wheelbase), he can carry 1 bike on its side with the front wheel on. For 2 bikes, we take the Escape with the hitch rack.
The CRV's are very nice (the new ones seem almost TOO nice to sully with dirty bikes and kayaks and such!). A neighbor of mine has an '04 CRV that holds 2 bikes upright, front tire removed and braced against the back of the front seat (rear seats folded flat). It works out great, and he can pack other things in around the upright bike.

**crazycanuck** · 02-23-2008, 03:01 PM

We took Ian's mtn bike with us car hunting yesterday & came to the following conclustions..

We don't want an Escape or a Forester because his Scott won't fit lying down. Also, they didn't pass the iggy lying down test. If ian can't lay completely flat in the back of the vehicle to sleep, we don't want it.

We looked at a few more cars & came to the conlusion that our next vehicle might be a Nissan X-trail. We'll keep looking but we won't buy anything until we return from our May trip.

**LBTC** · 02-23-2008, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by crazycanuck

We don't want an Escape or a Forester because his Scott won't fit lying down. Also, they didn't pass the iggy lying down test. If ian can't lay completely flat in the back of the vehicle to sleep, we don't want it.

Ah! DH thinks the Holden will work for this, or another wagon or van. The X-Trail will likely not be much different in this regard from the Ford Escape!

Hey, if you wait until after your May trip, you can see what our wagon is like!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

**crazycanuck** · 02-23-2008, 03:18 PM

Hmmm T..what kind of wagon do you kids have? We can let the boys discuss vehicles over a few bevviess..haaa haaaa..

**Raindrop** · 02-23-2008, 05:41 PM

I've had two Outbacks in the past (a 1996 and a 2001), and the first was awesome, the second a dog. I also had Thule bike racks that fit both...and then I bought my current 2006 Forester. Unfortunately, the bike racks didn't fit it, but since my DH rarely rides and since I usually start my rides from home, I haven't worried about a bike rack yet.

I'll mention that a Great Pyranees fits fine in a Forester, as does my bike.

However, I'm a Personal trainer that does in-home training and my last Outback was much roomier and easier to cart my equipment from place to place. The newer Outbacks are much smaller and don't accomodate my equipment any better than my Forester does.

I've always had standard transmissions in the past but promise the husband I'd get an automatic this time so he could drive it too. (I personally abhor automatic transmissions...but love the hubby, so he won out...this time).

So far, no problems and I think, based on gas consumption and interior room (for bikes and dogs) the Forester is the better buy. Plus...according to consumer reports, one of the safest SUVs out there!

**Tuckervill** · 02-24-2008, 10:37 AM

Your husband can't drive a stick? That's hard to believe...must be some good reason besides just not knowing how.

My husband can't drive a stick in most cars because he can hardly operate the clutch with his extra long legs. But he does know HOW.

My son, who is only 25 and manages an electric supply company, said he hired two drivers for his new store the other day--and neither of them could drive a stick! These were young guys! So he's going to teach them, just so they can do their job. I think that's basic information most kids should learn.

Karen

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