Do you drive a Subarau Forester or Ford Escape?

[songlady]

'03 Subaru Forester here. It's an automatic. It's the perfect size for me, I love that I can put the back seats down and throw the bike in the back and go. It's been very reliable (knock on wood) and handles Rochester winters very well. I will definitely be buying another when the time comes.

[7rider]

I drive an '01 Escape. I can drive a stick, but my Escape has an automatic.
It's been a pretty good vehicle - perfectly sized for my needs, very versatile, takes a lot of abuse from me. I carry all kinds of crap with it - bikes, kayaks, skis, bales of hay, whatever..... I have the V6 - I've heard bad things about the reliability 4-cylinder. I can't speak to the 4-cyl hybrid. With no roof rack and cruise control, I can get about 25 mpg on a long highway trip.

I hate the local Ford dealers (crooks!), my Ford dealers up in MA were better. Other than that...I just do regular maintenance - had a few unexpected repairs along the way - and it's been pluggin' along just fine. Great vehicle.

That said...I am looking to replace within a year or so (maybe), and a Forester is on the short-list. So, I'm curious to see what responses you get!

[snapdragen]

2002 Forester here - I love my Suby. No problems with it at all. The AWD does affect gas mileage - I get anywhere from 17 mph (lead foot, in town driving) to 25 mph (freeway driving) If I pay attention to how I drive my mileage goes up

[emily_in_nc]

I had a 2001 Forester. Probably just bad luck, but the transmission gave out in just four years (admittedly, I drive a lot -- had about 100K miles on it). The dealership would only replace the transmission at a cost of $4K, not repair it. I ended up trading it in on a Honda Element and have been very happy with the change. The Forester is really small in the cargo area, even with the seats down. And has carpet everywhere (which we stained with bike grease). The Element is carpet free and holds several bikes upright (with the back seats removed) in the back, instead of on their sides. Even the front seats are farther apart and roomier, much more comfy for traveling. My DH always complained about how tiny the Forester was. It's fine for commuting, but not for long trips (which we take a lot of).

So, I know most people love their Subarus, but I am one of the few who didn't have a good experience with Subaru or Foresters in particular, and won't buy another. I had VERY high hopes for it and admired the company, but got unlucky.

Emily

[NJBikeGal]

I have an '05 Escape. I love it. It was exactly what I wanted in terms of size, gas mileage (although that was when gas was $1+ cheaper!), and looks. We've had zero problems with it and I still love that car everytime I get in it. The seats fold down so that the back end is open and flat, it can take a roof rack (I use a little step stool for easy access).

My car is an automatic, although our other vehicle is a stick.

[VeloVT]

When I bought my Subaru (2001 -- getting a bit long in the tooth I guess), I looked at both Outback and Forester. I initially wanted a Forester because I thought it was better looking, but the Outback handled much better, had **more** cargo space (in that year, anyway), and had every bit as much ground clearance (not that I take it off road but it's helpful in the snow!). I was surprised that the Outback had more cargo space, but it was really the handling that won me over.

I have a standard, because I like driving stick. Honestly it hasn't been as reliable as one might have expected. There were a few transmission issues in the first year (all covered under warranty, and some actually associated with recalls), and I had to replace the clutch at like 20,000 miles (and I **swear** I don't ride it).

But it's great in snow and I can get a whole lotta stuff inside, including two road bikes when necessary. (Though I highly recommend Yakima roof racks...).