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      09-06-2011, 01:53 PM   #1
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Anyone compared X3 vs Subaru Forester

Hi anyone compared the 2 when deciding on their purchase?
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      09-06-2011, 02:14 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by inamik75 View Post
Hi anyone compared the 2 when deciding on their purchase?
No, I think they have different target markets although they are roughly the same size. The Subie is not considered to be in the "Premium compact SUV" class; and the Subie is compared more to Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, etc.

The X3 compares more to Audi Q5, Acura RDX, etc.
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      09-06-2011, 02:31 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by inamik75 View Post
Hi anyone compared the 2 when deciding on their purchase?
Have you still not ordered one inamik? You're on for a record for the longest membership to delivery time
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      09-06-2011, 02:52 PM   #4
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Yes I had a Forrester for 2 years before I got the X3. Had Turbo. Not a ton to say. They are very different cars.

Nothing bad to say about Forrester but I really really like my X3. Completely different car from moment the engine starts...

Boring is word I want to use...but only in a comparison to the X3.... It served its purpose well...
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      09-06-2011, 08:03 PM   #5
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Subaru is among my favorite auto brands, mainly because they have served my family well over decades, and their AWD systems are pretty damn good. The Forester is a nice little SUV/wagon, but it's not even close to the X3 in terms of content, equipment, or refinement. That said, if this was a question of driving in snow to go skiing on a powder day, I'd pick the Forester in a heartbeat....
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      09-06-2011, 08:12 PM   #6
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I compared Outback to Forrester a few months back, and bought the Outback. I wouldn't compare either one of them to my X3.
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      09-06-2011, 08:47 PM   #7
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What if there was an M-pack for the Subaru?
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      09-06-2011, 09:10 PM   #8
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What if there was an M-pack for the Subaru?
Like say sti?
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      09-06-2011, 09:13 PM   #9
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Hmmmm, whattaya get there?
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      09-06-2011, 09:36 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skier219 View Post
Subaru is among my favorite auto brands, mainly because they have served my family well over decades, and their AWD systems are pretty damn good. The Forester is a nice little SUV/wagon, but it's not even close to the X3 in terms of content, equipment, or refinement. That said, if this was a question of driving in snow to go skiing on a powder day, I'd pick the Forester in a heartbeat....
Well...The X3 has to be my powder day car now.... Hopefully many...
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      09-07-2011, 01:25 AM   #11
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Have you still not ordered one inamik? You're on for a record for the longest membership to delivery time
+1 Was thinking the same!
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      09-07-2011, 01:41 AM   #12
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Have you still not ordered one inamik? You're on for a record for the longest membership to delivery time
What can I say Sfax, 1 year delivery and cannot even order Msport(Available from Dec on 1 year wait) from my dealer and because of exchange rate car is costing 25000 euros more since January making it cost of 85k euro for entry level 20d(No leather and manual). Given those odds maybe get the new 5er which is readily available and ditch the X3 for now and keep the placeholder:-) The dealer doesn't even have an F25 X3 to date, test drove it in South Africa in Feb. I love Subaru's and BMW, these are the cars for my household.

Last edited by Bimar; 09-07-2011 at 01:59 AM..
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      09-07-2011, 02:37 AM   #13
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The Forester is the boring yet sensible choice while the X3 is the fun but not so good in terms of value car.

Don't get me wrong, I love Subarus but no one's ever going to wish they were driving a Forester instead of whatever they're riding in nor will it turn heads. The X3 on the other hand does and you're bound to get some compliments, I've even gotten praise from a X5 M-sport owner before and it's always nice to be walking towards or away from your car and see people checking it out.
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      09-07-2011, 06:39 AM   #14
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I currently have a 2009 Forester XT Premium

My X3 went into production next week so I'm hoping to have it soon. I can provide a comparison soon. I had an Outback before the Forester and do go camping and skiing a lot, so I'll test it a little on some dirt tracks.
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      09-07-2011, 07:00 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beyu View Post
The Forester is the boring yet sensible choice while the X3 is the fun but not so good in terms of value car
Hmmm.......good point, I already own a 09 Forester (Premium) but haven't gotten a chance to compare vs X3 due to unavailability to compare the two as far a size,practicality. I know tech, fun factor, and ride they wont compare, but the rest just curious I wont be missing much and I get a a different bimmer for the fun factor, prestige.
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      09-07-2011, 07:20 AM   #16
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i test drove the 2.5XT before purchasing the x3 3.5i. The one word I'd give it is unrefined. The interior feels like a $20,000 car and the 4 speed automatic drove like a 4 speed automatic (shifts werent very smooth even during normal driving). I would agree with others that the x3 and forrester are in 2 different classes of cars. Only reason I looked at it was because my last 2 cars were Subarus (04 WRX, 08 WRX STi) so figured I'd give them a chance.
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      09-07-2011, 08:02 AM   #17
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I agree with those that say it’s just not a fair comparison.
Subaru Forrester and Outback are just in a different class and target different people with different desires. It should be compared to the Honda, Toyota and Hyundai offerings.

I had a 2010 (new generation) Outback for a little while but had to lemon it due to the “shakes”. Even without that defect, while it was a nice car, good bang for the buck it was nowhere in the same class of the old generation X3 let alone the F25.
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      09-07-2011, 08:07 AM   #18
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I had a 98 Outback and a 2010 WRX. The interiors are not as nice in the Subarus. They don't get stuck in ice and snow much and would probably go places where you would not want to take the X3. With that said, I like Subaru's reliability (for me anyways) and have no problem driving another one. I love the X3's look, driveability, fuel economy and power. I am considering power option upgrades in a few months though.
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      09-07-2011, 08:37 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by inamik75 View Post
What can I say Sfax, 1 year delivery and cannot even order Msport(Available from Dec on 1 year wait) from my dealer and because of exchange rate car is costing 25000 euros more since January making it cost of 85k euro for entry level 20d(No leather and manual). Given those odds maybe get the new 5er which is readily available and ditch the X3 for now and keep the placeholder:-) The dealer doesn't even have an F25 X3 to date, test drove it in South Africa in Feb. I love Subaru's and BMW, these are the cars for my household.
85,000 EUR for entry level 20d kinda explains the delay! That's easily more than double what we pay here. No harm in waiting. You'll potentially get more and more functionality the longer you wait. New 5er looks really nice.

Good luck!
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      09-07-2011, 10:30 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by XB101 View Post
I had a 98 Outback and a 2010 WRX. The interiors are not as nice in the Subarus. They don't get stuck in ice and snow much and would probably go places where you would not want to take the X3. With that said, I like Subaru's reliability (for me anyways) and have no problem driving another one. I love the X3's look, driveability, fuel economy and power. I am considering power option upgrades in a few months though.
I guess if you want value and practicality- Go Subaru, for the rest X3 is the way! We will see!
I remember when it won CAR of the YEAR by motortrend against X6, Landrover etc etc below.

http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/...r/viewall.html
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      09-07-2011, 10:32 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by utcadman View Post
Well...The X3 has to be my powder day car now.... Hopefully many...
All I can say, from reading your location, is you lucky bastard! I have to hop on a plane to SLC and then shuttle up LCC to Alta to get your kind of powder days.

Around here, in the mid-Atlantic, the most dramatic powder day I can remember was in West Virginia a couple years ago. Back then I was driving an 05 Outback XT with Blizzaks (just to stay on topic) and blasted it through 16-20" of light fluffy powder in the ski resort parking lot in order to get first in line at the lift. The driving was almost as awesome as the skiing that day. It was so impressive, snow was flying up over the hood (automotive equivalent of face shots). I probably wouldn't try that on a ~ $50K X3.... But I was first in line
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      09-07-2011, 10:33 AM   #22
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I know there are some Subaru owners here so I apologize in advance, but does not anyone else think they are the ugliest cars on the road as a whole? No mention of that here yet, the X3 is a great looking automobile, and the Forester is, well, not at all. Here in Colorado people seem to think they're mandatory after you move here. They have their merits as cheap AWD cars, but personally, I quite dislike them primarily for their looks.
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