View Full Version : Subaru forester xt vs volvo xc70
tahoe7
06-10-2003, 09:08 AM
Hi all,
Am looking at the XC 70 and a buddy of mine suggested I take a look at the new Subaru Forester XT (turbo)...Its also about 210 Hp and $10,000 less than the XC70,which is substantial..Any opinions out there???
pico de luuks
06-10-2003, 09:45 AM
Drive them both for an extended test drive and see for your self if the XC70 is worth the additional $10k. And while your at the dealers look at how 4-5 yr old subaru's compare to same year volvo's and look at resale, depending on your plans. For me the subaru is a nice car, great all wheel drive system, but just not in the same class as the volvo. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sly.gif
http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/pico.gif
Drive the two cars and you will have no doubt - none - which you prefer. There is much more than a $10K differential between the cars from any perspective you care to mention but particularly safety - what price do you put on your life or those of your loved ones? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh2.gif
pico de luuks
06-10-2003, 09:58 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (wiz @ June 10 2003,12:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">There is much more than a $10K differential between the cars from any perspective you care to mention but particularly safety - what price do you put on your life or those of your loved ones? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh2.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
How could I forget Volvo's main selling argument! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
But, without kidding, Wiz has a really important point there: Safety is priceless http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/exclamation.gif
http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/pico.gif
tahoe7
06-10-2003, 10:17 AM
points well taken..with that said,if i can get a significant discount on an 03 xc vs an 04,would you steer me in that direction?
jthorsen
06-10-2003, 10:24 AM
I looked at the XT before getting the XC70, mainly because of the price differential. About the only thing I saw about the XT that I liked more than the XC70 was the performance...with it's lower weight and turbo engine I believe it's gotten 0-60 times under 6 seconds. The bad part is that to really take advantage of that engine you need the 5 speed, but the premium package (leather and sunroof) is not offered with the 5 speed...speaking of the sunroof, that was the second thing I liked about it -- it's huge!
Once I drove the XC70 though there really was no comparison...I found it to be worth every extra penny and then some! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Low Tide
06-10-2003, 10:29 AM
Probably- define significant. Low 30's? Mid 30's? At the height of the BEST OSD/TDS packages for MY03, you could get a XC70, Prem, Touring, Audio Max, and $700 of accessories for 33K. That's about 6K+ off.
There's VERY little difference between the two models. If your going to keep the car for years.... then yes- personally I;d rec the 03 over the 04. The free dealer service contract up to 30K miles is worth about $1200.
Finance savings on the 03 will likely earn you another bonus toward the 03 over the 04.
Wiz is right, the Suburu is in another class alltogether. Your competition here is the Audi Allroad... and the XC90 for the most part.
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (tahoe7 @ June 10 2003,08:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">points well taken..with that said,if i can get a significant discount on an 03 xc vs an 04,would you steer me in that direction?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Only if you're going to keep the car for many years. The MY2003 was a short run production year of 8-9 months (a not infrequent Volvo occurance) so the MY2004 is the "current" car and has free maintenance to 30K miles. You may find sourcing a car is tight at the moment as the factory is closing for vacation.
slender
06-10-2003, 10:46 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (tahoe7 @ June 10 2003,09:08)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Any opinions out there???[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Forgetting cost, performance and specification for a minute, are you a tall person, Tahoe 7??
My wife and I checked one out a couple of weeks ago and found it to be way smaller than the V70XC we then had. I had no knee room underneath the steering wheel at all - I`m 6` 4" tall - and not much room was left behind me when the drivers seat was pushed back.
Good luck with your choice
GeorgeXC70
06-10-2003, 02:26 PM
I think you should also consider the depreciation on the two. Check out Edmunds to get an idea of how much that would be.
BTW: check out this article:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....review= (http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=399&page_number=1&preview=)
Good Luck
zcat3
06-10-2003, 02:42 PM
We test drove both and thought the XC70 handled much better and felt better in about all respects (and we did like the Subaru). Also, given the expected high residual value of the XC70s, Volvo is offering some great lease terms (which may make it actually cheaper to own the Volvo than the Subaru).
As far as 03 vs. 04 XC70s I think there was a steering system change? I know the steering in the 04 we bought felt much better than a few 03s we test drove.
P.S. We also test drove the Audi Allroad. A very nice car, but at $50K a bit pricey. In this case, the Volvo was worth the difference in price over the Subaru, but the Audi was not worth the difference in price over the Volvo. All 3 of these were very nice competetent vehicles.
Hiro's XC
06-10-2003, 04:28 PM
And 03' XC's have $4,000 cash back from Volvo and dealers will sell them a fw hundred under invoice into the holdback.
Jason
thomaslally
06-10-2003, 07:07 PM
DSTC has not yet been involved in any review, it might be interesting...
Thomas
From other threads--looks like ZF steering on 03 as well as 04.
Major difference would be DSTC but major decision maker would be best $ deal which is a "reality" vote.
North Coast XC
06-10-2003, 09:05 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (mrb @ June 10 2003,20:35)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">looks like ZF steering on 03 as well as 04.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Reading in the other threads (and the pics that went along) it appears that although they both have it, the ZF changed in '04.
Stu in Oregon
06-10-2003, 09:37 PM
The only Subaru I would buy is the WRX Sti. Stunning car for the money. But after 60,000 miles, how tight will it be? I am trying to talk my wife into finding out, but she is having "nothing doing" http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
budrichard
06-11-2003, 06:44 AM
When we purchased our 99XC, a female friend of mine purchased a Suburu wagon. The first thing her husband said when he rode with me in the XC is, "it's so much bigger inside". Park the Suburu next to an XC and you can immediately see the difference. The smaller stature of the Japanese and the cost differential of raw material have caused the Japanese automobiles to be generally smaller than Western vehicles. The 03XC is we have is even larger inside. We will stiil be driving our 99 XC when they trade the Suburu. -Dick
kayaking
06-11-2003, 07:05 AM
http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/exclamation.gif Why not buy a "legend" ?...this is premium awd wagon that will be a classic for a long time to come...remember, Volvo means "to roll" in Latin....also...check out the overseas delivery program, it may convince you even more to get the XC70 ...I just got back and it was an amazing experience and you'll save some $$ too.
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (budrichard @ June 11 2003,04:44)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">When we purchased our 99XC, a female friend of mine purchased a Suburu wagon.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Similar to Dick, I have a friend who bought a Subaru wagon 3 years ago. Now he wants to get rid of it and buy an XC70. "It's junk - bits keep falling off it" - he says. He wouldn't buy a Cross Country 3 years ago (too expensive) and now he regrets the decision.
I have a 16 yr. old Volvo wagon on which the only failure was a fuel pump last year. I am expecting to keep the MY2002 XC for a similar length of time. The choice is a no-brainer.
BillAileo
06-14-2003, 01:00 PM
My wife and I have an 03 XC70 and an 03 Subaru Forester XS (no turbo). We like them both. I've has several Subarus and have found them reliable and comparatively easy to work on if you like doing your own maintenance. The Forester handles well and has more pep than our earlier Subarus (96 Outback & 97 Legacy GT). However, to both of us the XC70 has quite an edge in comfort and soundness and amazingly gets about the same miles per gallon (about 27). We plan occasional trips with back seat adults and the Volvo is certainly a plus for that purpose. Good luck picking between them...
I remember a video posted awhile ago which competed the XC against the Forester. Being a video made by Subaru, they somehow managed to tweak with the AWD system which deactivated it causing the XC to show no climbing power etc. Frankly, the XC would be a much better choice in terms of build, safety and image http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
All the best in choosing!
ChuckK
06-17-2003, 09:34 PM
In addition to a 2004 XC70, I own a 2002 Subaru WRX wagon. I believe the WRX is superior to the WRX STi because it is a more comfortable, well-balanced, all-around car, yet still has outstanding performance and costs $7,000 less. Are there really that many occasions when you need to go 0 to 60 in less than 5.7 seconds? Plus you can get a regular WRX in a wagon.
Because I love my WRX, before buying the XC70 I looked at a Forester. Two big disadvantages compared to the XC70: seat comfort and room. The wheel wells intrude badly into the back of the Forester and really limit the horizontal floor space. The cargo space in the Forester is all vertical and not very useful.
ksmdxc70
06-18-2003, 04:46 AM
Let me just echo the words of Chuck here. I also looked at the Subaru. I found a forum similar (but not as well put together) as this one. There was a continuous thread regarding the uncomfortable seating in the Subaru. If you spend a long time in your vehicle, then this is an important factor in the decision-making process.
Also, I compared the back seat room of both vehicles using each company's specifications and the XC had an additional 4" of leg room which a growing pre-teen needs.
Hope this helps.
Kim
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ChuckK @ June 17 2003,19:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Are there really that many occasions when you need to go 0 to 60 in less than 5.7 seconds?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Chuck if you are fond of motor sport and want to do a bit of local autocross, hill-climbing or rallying at the weekend a WRX STi is pretty seductive! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
ChuckK
06-18-2003, 08:45 PM
Wiz, I guess we're off topic here, but what the heck. I honestly haven't driven an STi but have read reviews of it. Sounds like the STi and the EVO are great performing cars, but I think they sacrifice ride comfort for all-out performance, just like most sports cars. What impressed me about the WRX was the fantastic performance while maintaining a very smooth and quiet ride. It's simply the best combination of performance and civility I've ever experienced, except maybe for a BMW 330ix, which costs $40K. (I paid $23K for the WRX.)
Back on topic, I must say I'm also very impressed with my new XC70. Incredibly comfortable seats and front-seat leg room, very good acceleration, and reasonable handling (with DSTC at least). I think the Forester is an excellent vehicle for the money (and has excellent crash test results), but the additional room, comfort and quietness of the XC70 are probably worth the additional cost, especially for a larger driver.
I think the roominess comes from the transverse engine in part, and from design directives that had as one of their goals the most effective utilisation of space.
Interestingly, the first car to exhibit these characteristics was the BMC mini designed by Alec Issigonis in the 1950's. It was a brilliant and revolutionary design using every inch of space inside the car. The Cooper S version of that car went on to dominate rallying and racing for years, and the design has been incredibly influential in many ways, including the popularization of FWD.
Low Tide
06-19-2003, 07:40 AM
Now that Wiz has "moved" the direction a bit.... ANYone driven one of the "New" 2004 Cooper S models?
budrichard
06-19-2003, 07:54 AM
As an engineer, I have a problem with form not following function. The retro designs are not for me. They were great for thier time but today function is different and so should form. BTW, a friend of mind had an original Cooper(not S alas) in college and that was one of the best cornering cars of the time I had driven in. Of course the 2-stroke SAAB was no slouch either. It is a crme what GM has done to SAAB. -Dick
pico de luuks
06-19-2003, 08:04 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (budrichard @ June 19 2003,10:54)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">As an engineer, I have a problem with form not following function.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I think in the car business it's all about the balance between those two, and I think form is the more dominant one. It's usually form that sells...
http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/pico.gif
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (budrichard @ June 19 2003,05:54)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The retro designs are not for me... It is a crme what GM has done to SAAB.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
As an owner of a Morris Cooper S in it's heyday, I find the new BMW version to be a little "precious" for my taste, so I haven't driven the car. I did love my mini though! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif
I couldn't agree more with these two comments from Dick. Poor old Saab. What I would really be interested in is a Ford Focus RS. Why Ford isn't selling this car in the U.S. is completely beyond me. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif
GeorgeXC70
06-19-2003, 08:30 AM
As long as people in the US think NASCAR and INDY or IRL are the standards of car racing ... we'll never get anything like the Focus RS.
I am surprised the R series and the new M3 or the WRX STi are coming over.... ofcourse this is in small part due to the Rally Car video games which finally opened us amearicans up to this world.
GeorgeXC70
06-19-2003, 08:40 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (budrichard @ June 19 2003,07:54)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Of course the 2-stroke SAAB was no slouch either. It is a crme what GM has done to SAAB. -Dick[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I had a 1978 SAAB 9-9 ( 115 HP) and a 2000 Saab 9-3 SE HOT (205 HP) ... and it is a crying shame what they have done to that car... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
The inside of my 78 was so amazing.. the 2000 was mostly standard GM pastic stuff with hints of "SAABness" ooooh aaaah the key is still on the floor.... well I guess its a SAAB big deal... and now they took away the hatchback....
I dont buy the arguement "no one wants it" or "its too weird" ..... they just dont market it correctly. They should bring back the 93 hatchback WITH 4 wheel drive and stop making it try to look like an Audi or BMW! Bring it back with the origanl circular lights of the '78 model and watch that baby fly off the lot!
Low Tide
06-19-2003, 08:57 AM
What about the SVT Focus? It looks pretty similar... but I'm certainly not a Focus expert.
Form v Function. That is another thread. Post it in the Off-topic and I will gladly comment. A good debate is always a pleasure.
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