Subaru vs Kluger?

Yep, the '98 Forester is only a 2L.

So will the 2.5L Forester give significantly more grunt when towing up hills compared to the 2L?

Yes we are very excited about the trip ... doing a test run up to Exmouth later in the year. Hoping to be on the road for 4mths from next Feb.

Unfortunately the test drive doesn't let me take either off-road with my trailer! :-) Which is what I am trying to get a feel for. Mind you I am going to look into the possibility of hiring a Kluger (not sure if thats an option).

Yes the growing family is a big consideration ... 2 boys currently mid primary and only getting bigger. Not sure if we'll be able to carry enough food based on their current eating habits! :-)

Interestingly the ground clearance is higher on the Forester (new model 220mm) vs Kluger (new model 206mm). Although really we're only talking 1.4cm! Our current forester is 200mm and that has been fine for us so far.

Thanks Bob. Your kind of practical experience feedback is what I was chasing. What points exactly were troublesome? (Also central Oz we will be missing this time round for us - not enough time).

I guess if I was to look at the Pajero, then I am moving into the Prado too. Another option was the Mitsubishi Challenger which like the Pajero has the super select 4WD features. Also much less fuel consumption than the Kluger.

ps. just re-read the articles attached to this post. Probably looking more for practical experiences information.

Friends of mine took a current model Kluger with Jayco Swan (onroad version, not Outback - weighed well over 1t) in tow to do the west coast last year. Took four months doing WA and up to the NT, even taking in sections of the Gibb River Road. Thing never missed a beat, driven sensibly and within its limits. Did plenty of Nation Parks, dirt and backroads as well. Wouldn't be my first choice either, but for what you require....

Ok. Starting with a blank page ... We want:
- something bigger and more capable than a forester.
- tow comfortaly max 1 tonne camper trailer.
- do light off road driving (National Parks).
? maybe have a 7 seater option.
- Grow with the family to last us until the kids drive themselves (10-15 yrs life).
- Not pay the earth for the car
- Economical fuel user.

Not that we want much ... recommendations?

Pug8,
The 6th and 7th seats are only suitable for people under 1.2m in height due to the lack of legroom in a Kluger (probably the same in most other socalled 7 seaters.
If you have 7 people in the vehicle there is almost no luggage room either.

Disco.

Thanks Garry.

We were thinking if we were upgrading then we would like the option of a 7 seater. Saying that we have been very happy with our Forester and the Outback is a great car and bigger. MIght have another look at the Outback and give up on the 7 seater option.

Thanks Ballfyboy.

Been looking at the Challenger reviews ...

What do you think about the following comments (from car reviews, mostly very good):
- low-range gearlever fouls driver’s knee,
- noisy diesel engine,
- cramped rear seat,

Also I note that to get the 7 seater option you are restricted to auto and higher fuel consumption!

Pug8,

- low-range gearlever fouls driver’s knee, *Not at all. I am 5'10
- noisy diesel engine, * noiser than a prado but min 15K cheaper. I don't mind the noise at all. it seems to be between 1400 & 1800 rpm. The Mickey Thomson ATZ make more noise I think ;-)
- cramped rear seat, Do you mean 3rd row? I have not sat in a 3rd row as of yet. Middle row has lots of room.

They are a mid sized family car not a D4 or Cruiser which are both 40k more in price, and it comes with super select as well as rear diff lock std. You get a 5 10 warrenty as well.

In regards to fuel consumption that is a academic figure, real life driving will be quite a bit different I think. There is more info on the Pajero club of Vic forum. I am still on my first tank but I am more than happy to spend $1 / 100k for somebody to change gears for me. Far bigger things to worry about in life :-)

IMO Forester/Kluger has nothing on it. Go for a test drive and make your own decision.

Thanks Ballfyboy.

I think you have turned my thinking around. Glad to hear your comments too ... note most of the reviews I read were very positive, they were the only negatives I found (above). Will check out the Pajero club info too.

Based on the use of the low range on the Forester (even used it through a bog parking at a SW winery) I like the comfort of minor off road capability and the Challenger seems to provide the best of both worlds.

Looks like I'll be heading for a test drive next week of the Challenger! :-)

Thanks again - it was the real life experiences I was chasing.

Good luck, I hope you find the vehicle that will suit your families needs.

Thanks.

Looks like tyres might be a killer. I note someone else said I was looking at $600 each! Is that your experience?

I also note based on your profile you have done the GRR and crossed the pentacost river. Several articles I've read, and information I received, has indicated given good conditions and low water level we would be able to do this (staying on the main track) with the Forester. What are your thoughts? How would the Kluger handle it.

Also we live in regional WA - Bunbury, so we mainly do hwy driving (its just the school drive that is at 50kph). And there's only a handful of traffic lights in town.

Saying that ... I am starting to sway towards the Mitsubishi's - although I understand there may still be financial difficulties with the company .. hence why we were looking elsewhere.

I had done what a previous post had suggested initially ... ie. identify all the need tos and then pick the car that fitted the specs best - that was the Kluger. Now I'm just confused.

I just paid $369 for the Bridgestones ringing around. RRP is $470 or something. Not cheap but not the end of the world.

To be frank I would not want to try the GRR on that rubber. Perhaps I mis-read your post but I would not want to do extended off sealed road touring on them.

You would definitely need to explore other tyre options. I know Pirelli make a Scorpion ATR which is much more suitable that is slightly wider (255/55-19) but would probably fit OK. Either that or look at a swap to a set of 18's (if they will fit, probably) and a set of more appropriate rubber.

When we did the Kimberley the deepest crossing was the King Edward up near Mitchell Falls and it was up to the top of the wheels on the Patrol. There was a guy in there in a Forrester who used a bra and got in OK. Water crossings will not be a problem for you in the dry season with appropriate caution and preparation in either vehicle.

I'm not sure if I'm helping with your decision but I think the Kluger could probably do what you want in style and comfort (particularly on good gravel and the blacktop) but it is really a lifted car chassis and suspension and primarily designed for sealed road use and snow. Prolonged use on tracks like GRR will definitely result in wear and tear that you would not get on a Pajer/Prado for instance.

You may not necessarily need the extra durability of a Pajero/Prado and the like all the time but it would be handy to have it up your sleave in case it's needed.

If I were you I would be looking up the chain a little bit in terms of capability and at the Pajero/Prado et al brigade. If you want 7 seats the list will shorten I suspect.

OBT

Thanks ... I think you are convincing me the Kluger is not my option.

STill resisting the Pajero Prado options ... cost mainly and size.

What about the Mitsubishi Challenger. Good towing 2.5 tonne, 7 seater option, reasonable fuel economy, 220 clearance, 17 inch tyres and its got the super select 4WD option like the Paj. Give us a bit more versatility on dirt.

I don't know much about the Challenger but one of the blokes above posted he just bought one, could be a compromise option.

The Kluger is not cheap and it is pretty big so I would let cost and size prevent you from looking at some others!!

OBT

Good luck to you Ian, but I would not want to have been the first owner of your X5, when I last did the sums an X5 optioned to the same level as a Grande was almost double the price! I was keen but the kids did not like the hard rear seat and the missus wanted 7 of them!

OBT

Thanks Lauren.

Well we are still trying to make a decision. I feel like a dog chasing my tail at the moment. The problem is that we would like a 7 seater - otherwise the Suburu OUtback would be the easy choice.

I have just been looking at the Hyundai Sante Fe specs (2010 model) and it just seems to be ticking all the boxed and is better than the 4wd in many aspects - except it is only a soft roader. Its torque, power, fuel consumption, size, towing capability (we're only towing 1 tonne) etc. Considering we don't really go serious 4wdriving I wonder how important 4wd is. I'm just not very sure about the hyundai brand.

Look forward to seeing your thread - it seems the major limitation in our decision is the 7 seater option. Perhaps I should just let this go and stick with subaru??? The new diesel option is awesome!