Looking to buy a Forester or 4Runner

We just sold a 2002 Forester to buy our '04 4Runner. The Forester is a great AWD car, the 4Runner is a great 4wd truck.

We had just the standard Forester, still got only 23 mpg average. Averaging 19 with the V8 Runner.

Subaru's are renowned in Alaska for their ability to go thru snow, and rightly so. Put a decent set of tires on a Sub and go. I'm betting the 4Runner will rock with better traction control and better abs, and the downhill assist will come in handy descending my steep street before the snowplows get to it.

The 4runner is much higher in interior quality, and in overrall quality, imo. Subaru's are nice rides, but not up to Toyota standards.

We had an O2 sensor go out at about 1400 miles on the Forester. Subaru fixed it quickly once we got the vehicle to the dealer. I don't think that's a common problem, tho. Both outside mirrors had to be replaced as well, they each broke on the hinging mechanism. Subaru shipped us free replacements, no questions asked.

Both are good rigs, but we are much, much happier with the 4Runner. I liked the Forester, but I love the T4R.
 
Subaru Forester is NOISY

I test drove one with my dad last Spring. He can't hear well, due to his career (carpenter) and age. I heard every road defect and loads of tire and drivetrain noise. UGH!! Fortunately, he ended up going with a Legacy wagon which is better suited for his needs.

But the Forester in no way comes close to the solid feel and quiet ride of the 4runner. You must be comparing the SR5 base model, because they are not even close in price. The 4runner will hold it's resale much better, and even if you were to get 22mpg (typical) in the Subaru, that doesn't translate to huge savings at the pump unless you own it for a decade.
 
Loki said:
Toyota service is very good. Subaru service from what I have heard is just 'ok'. I guess it depends on the dealership though. In general I'd say toyota service is known for being better though.
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For service, Subaru has been OK, Toyota seems to be hit and miss. Some people have had good service, but my local dealership is a disgrace to Toyota. I own both brands and neither one is especially impressive.
 
I own both

I have a '03 Forester and '03 Sport V8 4x4.

I like them both for what they are. Forester is more car like and handles like a car. I would say the Forester has better service, but then the Subie dealer is also a BMW dealer. Runner has more interior room and leg room.

I like the weather band radio in the Subie, why don't more mfg's have this as standard?

Neither vehicle, bought new, has had a mechanical issue.

My wife drives the Forester and it is a perfect vehicle for her. She prefers the Forester and I prefer the Runner.

Really just based on opinion as both have full time 4WD and carrying capacity.

I trashed the stock Geolander tires and replaced them with Michelin Harmony. It handles much better now!
 
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10 years after this thread, I have the same question!

After reading a bunch of reviews, talking with some owners and test driving 2015 WRU and 4R ( http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ngler-unlimited-vs-4runner-3.html#post1899566 )

and just one step to get my 4R, my car lover friend recommends to have a look at Subaru Froester/Outback as well.

Watched many interesting videos of these models in mud and snow and also some comparisons with other well-known cross-overs, Subi won!!

As a FJC's driver I really feel better with 4R.
On the other hand Subi presents very engineering, reliable and Ugly AWD with nice off-road capabilities and mileage!

What do you think guys?
 
My 4R & I said:
Watched many interesting videos of these models in mud and snow and also some comparisons with other well-known cross-overs, Subi won!!
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I've never seen a Subaru and 4runner compared directly in a video, but I bet the 4runner would win in any situation. Rocks, mud, snow, ice, articulation, clearance, approach/departure angle, towing capacity, interior room, etc.

Subarus are cheaper and get better gas mileage, I guess.

Note that there are a few different configurations of subaru AWD system, and not all of them are equally capable. It's hard to figure out which system any given model has, or how it works, or how capable it is. They don't really publish that information officially.
 
I've owned 3 variations of the awd system in the Subaru brand, as well as 1-4th gen 4runners. With that being said, IMHO the AWD in the 4EAT or 5EAT(Along with VDC) Subaru models do out perform the Awd System in the 4runner(Not that I'm bashing the 4Runner by any means). Now, what's missing in the Subaru line up of course is a low gear/range, as well as ground clearance, although clearance can easily be solved..

Subaru coupled with a Manual transmission always has a default of 50/50 torque split(Not counting the STi/I, since it has a Driver controlled Center Diff. in order to switch from a mostly rear biased, all the way to a lockable 50/50) whereas the Automatics(4EAT/5EAT) have variable torque distribution.

Case in point( A couple of examples):

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aMnjxtPVu3o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>



And:


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cBaUCHiJxxs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
14 Forester and 06 Runner

So coming from experience as my wife has a 14 Forester and I have an 06 4Runner. They are both great things, I will say stock vs stock her Forester is an absolute beast in the snow and fun to take down unplowed 13 inch snow covered roads. Can stop in the middle and have the Subi sink and just throttle the gas and it will pull right out. Also the view of everything and your surroundings in the Forester is some of the best in the industry. Actually after owning the Forester for over a year and half, we went looking at FJs for the heck of it, because she liked the look of them. The actual driving position of the FJ was comparable to the Forester believe it or not, you sit up high in the Subaru and a lower position in the FJ making them about equal. Thats my input from here I love the Subaru and initially the wife didn't even give it a change or a thought, but drove one and fell in love with it.

hope it helps!
c59b9f6586f28256df2c3b06becc3b6a.jpg
 
the only problem with the 2.5's out of the forester and legacy is the headgaskets, they tend to go prematurely and are NOT cheap to fix. I've had plenty of friends with those cars had the headgaskets go (meanwhile i had a wrx 5mt). loved that car, even dropped with snow tires it was a snow monster.
this is out of context but the quatro takes my vote. after i got rid of my wrx, i purchased a A4 1.8t quatro B6, this car did what the mechanical AWD in the subaru did with snow tires, it did with summer tires. the only downfall was how expensive parts were.
After owning a few low to the ground cars i'd say, getting this 4runner makes me happy, never having to worry about breaking an oil pan, or watching out for potholes, or having to worry for a stupid civic/335 trying to race me on the highway. thats my .02 cents.
 
rich045 said:
the only problem with the 2.5's out of the forester and legacy is the headgaskets, they tend to go prematurely and are NOT cheap to fix. I've had plenty of friends with those cars had the headgaskets go (meanwhile i had a wrx 5mt). loved that car, even dropped with snow tires it was a snow monster.
this is out of context but the quatro takes my vote. after i got rid of my wrx, i purchased a A4 1.8t quatro B6, this car did what the mechanical AWD in the subaru did with snow tires, it did with summer tires. the only downfall was how expensive parts were.
After owning a few low to the ground cars i'd say, getting this 4runner makes me happy, never having to worry about breaking an oil pan, or watching out for potholes, or having to worry for a stupid civic/335 trying to race me on the highway. thats my .02 cents.
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Totally feel you on the B6, as Ive always loved the Thickness of the body style lol.. It's why I still own one.. But yes, parts don't come cheap, neither do they in the 2.7T twin turbo s4/b5/c5/allroad.. :mad2:
 
awdjunkies said:
[MENTION=84680]wadle5[/MENTION] Don't forget to add your 2 cents in from your STI experience :yo:
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Well that is an extenuating circumstance. . .that was a stage 2 fully modified vehicle that peeled out in 3rd gear if you wanted it to. . .:wacko::wacko:
 

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wadle5 said:
Well that is an extenuating circumstance. . .that was a stage 2 fully modified vehicle that peeled out in 3rd gear if you wanted it to. . .:wacko::wacko:
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lol I also had a stage 2 (Invidia TBE) except mine was an '04 (17x7.5) 5x100 vs your '05 ( 17x8 )5x114.3 :thumb:
 
awdjunkies said:
I've owned 3 variations of the awd system in the Subaru brand, as well as 1-4th gen 4runners. With that being said, IMHO the AWD in the 4EAT or 5EAT(Along with VDC) Subaru models do out perform the Awd System in the 4runner(Not that I'm bashing the 4Runner by any means). Now, what's missing in the Subaru line up of course is a low gear/range, as well as ground clearance, although clearance can easily be solved..
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Even with the center locked? As far as I know you can lock the center on all AWD* 4runners, of course then it's not AWD. And for the subarus with 50/50 torque split or lockable center diff, is it really locked, or does it use clutches or viscous couplings that eventually slip if you push it too hard? And I'd be concerned about how well the clutch-based systems can handle off-road abuse in the long run.

If you need ground clearance, you can lift a 4runner higher than a Subaru. They are both very capable in stock form, more than most people realize. And a Subaru with a skilled driver could surely do better off road than a 4runner with an inexperienced driver.

I have to do some of the drives in southwestern Colorado this summer. The trails there look incredible!

*or fulltime 4wd, or whatever you want to call it.
 
m85476585 said:
Even with the center locked? As far as I know you can lock the center on all AWD* 4runners, of course then it's not AWD. And for the subarus with 50/50 torque split or lockable center diff, is it really locked, or does it use clutches or viscous couplings that eventually slip if you push it too hard? And I'd be concerned about how well the clutch-based systems can handle off-road abuse in the long run.

If you need ground clearance, you can lift a 4runner higher than a Subaru. They are both very capable in stock form, more than most people realize. And a Subaru with a skilled driver could surely do better off road than a 4runner with an inexperienced driver.

I have to do some of the drives in southwestern Colorado this summer. The trails there look incredible!

*or fulltime 4wd, or whatever you want to call it.
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The center diff has Multi plates along with a LSD in order to distribute power front to rear and vice versa. But yeah you are correct, once the center is locked in the 4runner it obviously isn't awd.
 
In addition to Subi successful AWD system, the flat engine and low center of gravity is also the key advantage over other AWD competitors.
 
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