<p>Thanks for the update, ww. I ended up buying the Honda CRV last month–because of the recent Toyota problems, the hubby didn’t feel comfortable with Toyotas. We didn’t even test drive one.</p>
<p>anyone consider the Equinox?..we may be shopping for a CRV…we own a Highlander and an old CRV</p>
<p>I’d feel comfortable enough to look at the Toyota - especially now that they’re dealing. Have you noticed all the recalls on other manufacturers’ vehicles since the Toyota event? Maybe not since the news loves covering the Toyota issues but there have been a number of issues with several other manufacturers cars also.</p>
<p>You might also want to check out the new Hyundai Tucson - you get more for your money and it looks pretty cool.</p>
<p>I have 2009 Rav4, not affected by recall, quite satisfied with it. Only complaint is amazingly crappy radio - sounds like speaker system on the MBTA. Note that present Rav4 is comparable to older Highlander - they increased size of both. Highlander is now a full-size SUV.</p>
<p>My sister bought a RAV 4 last week. Just figured this was the time to get a great deal on a Toyota. They are indeed much larger than they used to be.</p>
<p>You should probably drive both, and if you don’t have a clear preference, maybe go by cost. </p>
<p>Bottom line is these are both great cars–you’ll probably love either one.</p>
<p>My neighbor has had a Highlander for six years and the only issue that he had was some vibration at high speeds which I think the dealer took care of. He’s had two other issues but those are not the fault of the car. Two hit and runs on the vehicle while the car was parked. He’s liked the vehicle and he’s into a lot of outdoor recreation stuff so it seems like a good fit. He’s single too.</p>
<p>I’ve had a Toyota for 10 years and it has 200K miles on it now. It’s been the most trouble-free car that I’ve ever owned and it’s quiet, roomy and easy to drive. It is probably the most boring car out there too. I’ve taken a look a the new RAV4 a few times while at the dealership and I didn’t like it as it didn’t have the amount of space that I expected it to and I didn’t like the thinness of the rear seatbacks. They don’t look like they provide much support.</p>
<p>One coworker just bought a Tucson and she loves it. I had a look at the car and it feels reasonably roomy though the cargo compartment is pretty small. The price and gas mileage are very attractive. I’m not really a large SUV person but I thought it was nice. I have another coworker considering one too. I plan to look at the Subaru Outback soon - I prefer lower to the ground and vehicles that are not that large on the outside.</p>
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<p>Toyota has provided cover for other manufacturers to announce their own recalls in addition to giving them an incentive to do so.</p>
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<p>I think that I read that Toyota will continue incentives into May which means that the other manufacturers will have to follow suit. I do see a lot of new Toyotas (temporary plates in our state) driving around.</p>
<p>Looked at the small/mid suv lines this fall and ended up with the Subaru Forrester.
I love it! It had all the features important to me and was the least expensive of the lot.</p>
<p>Just buy a German car.</p>
<p>mominva, I saw in Consumer Reports that the Forrester is tops in this category. I’ve never driven or ridden in one so I guess I should take a look. I’ve been driving a Toyota for 24 years now so it just seemed like the right time for my next one while they’ve got zero percent financing. I stopped at a dealer today and took a look at the RAV4 without test driving one. Have to admit that the interior cavity didn’t look anywhere near the quality (never mind the size) of my 11 year-old Sienna’s. It was a bit of a turnoff. MiamiDAP, I won’t consider a German car nor any German product for personal reasons but thanks for the suggestion.</p>
<p>worrywart, I had a 2000 Sienna before the Forrester.</p>
<p>The Forrester has a gigantic moonroof, cloth seats (my preference) with front seat warmers, great milage, better pick up in the 4 cyl. than my 6 cyl. Sienna.</p>
<p>I did look at the Rav4, too, but didn’t like the wide swing space of the rear door; nor did the driver orientation feel comfortable to me. The Forrester just felt better even before cost comparison.</p>
<p>We’re car shopping too, and amazed at the lack of progress in MPG (in non-hybrids). It seems like we’re having the same conversation that we had when H bought the car he has now, currently over 160K miles.</p>