Scotty,
Currently I drive a 1997 Honda Accord w/ 250k on the odometer.
I am considering buying either a 2011-2012 Toyota RAV4, or a 2012-2013 Subaru Forester.
Any car would be bought with less that 80k on the odometer.
Which will last the longest?
LookingHard
A RAV4. Toyota is very dependable. Subaru is very expensive to fix when the time comes. Different power plant. All-wheel drive is an eventual headache. Stay clear of CVT too, which is another headache. You're safe with a Toyota.
The RAV4, no doubt in my mind.
Obviously, the RAV4 is more reliable than the Forestor. Also, the Forestor is in the class action lawsuit.
The Toyota would probably last longer, but it depends on the care you give a vehicle and the previous owner's maintenance.
Unless you are doing serious off-roading, the Toyota is probably the better choice if you can afford it. The Subarus do last quite a while with standard transmissions though.
RAV4
The Rav4 is way more reliable and I reccomend the v6 if you want it to tow a lot or if you want a lot more power and the four cylinder is just plain old reliable and works just as well and is less expensive to repair than the v6.
Interestingly, my aunt's Subaru had one of the axles broken. Rip
Go with the RAV4, assuming a mechanic checks it out and says it’s ok.
If you live in frequent snow or heavy rains often, or go off road often, get the Forester.
If you live in a relatively dryer or Mediterranean climate with little rain, almost no snow, and less off roading, go with the RAV4.
Scotty & Friends........
Thanks very much for the replies, which are in keeping with what I thought.
Follow-up.....My current intention is to buy from 'CarMax', knowing I might
pay more, but thinking I might have some options should there be an issue.
Any thoughts on CarMax? One day I ran into one of their mechanics and he wasn't too keen on them.
Thanks again for all the replies and I am sorry I forgot to ask about 'CarMax'.
LookingHard
CarMax is fine. They usually have good, clean cars, and they are easy to work with. But you pay a premium price for it and the price is firm (which some people hate negotiating) - some people like that. I would still have your own mechanic check out the car. Also, you have up to 7 days to return the car with no questions asked which is good, and in some cases can get it delivered to your house for no additional cost.
I agree with daywalker. Car Max cars are generally in very good shape and worth a look.
I faced this same decision 2 years ago when we moved back to the mountain top. We have had both RAV4s and Subarus. But the Subaru we bought in 1986 was the GL10 4WD with a manual transmission. We loved it--could power though snowdrifts--but we moved to the big city and it was problem in stop and go traffic.
The Subaru CVT really turned us off 2 years ago, so we bought a slightly used 2018 RAV4. But Generation 3 of RAV4 is good as well. Should be good for 300k (we have taken 3 Toyotas past 350 k w/o problems with engine or transmission!).
Thanks again for everything and good luck scoring a
vaccine shot.........
LookingHard