# New question: Which to buy 2003 Forester or 2003 fwd Vibe? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [July 28, 2009, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-question-which-to-buy-2003-forester-or-2003-fwd-vibe/34164 "2009-07-28T22:24:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rstanley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/977dab/32.png) [@rstanley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rstanley)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2009, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-question-which-to-buy-2003-forester-or-2003-fwd-vibe/34164/1 "2009-07-28T22:24:42Z")
We are looking to purchase an auto that our 17 year old son will be using. We have found 2003 fwd Vibe and a Forester, both have 90k and the Vibe is $1,200. less; any thoughts out there? We appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2009, 10:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-question-which-to-buy-2003-forester-or-2003-fwd-vibe/34164/2 "2009-07-28T22:34:23Z")
Plus for Vibe - cheaper, better mpgs, less to repair (no AWD, less concern with keeping tires the same) Plus for Forester - maybe a bit more room, better traction in bad conditions, and the crash ratings are better (see [http://www.informedforlife.org/getscore.php](http://www.informedforlife.org/getscore.php) ) I got a Forester for our teen, so you know my vote. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2009, 10:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-question-which-to-buy-2003-forester-or-2003-fwd-vibe/34164/3 "2009-07-28T22:34:33Z")
If your area is normally subjected to harsh winter driving conditions, the Forester’s AWD system is superior to that of most other AWD systems on the road, and would thus be a great advantage. If you are not subject to severe winter driving conditions, I think that you would be better-off with the Vibe. Bear in mind that one blown or punctured tire on the Forester is likely to result in the purchase of 4 new tires, due to the AWD system. A FWD Vibe will not have this restriction. The good news is that neither of these vehicles is what I would call a powerhouse, so your invincible 17 year old will likely get into less trouble with either of these vehicles than he would with something like a Trans Am. (And, neither of these vehicles is likely to spend a significant amount of time “up on cinder blocks”, unlike a Trans Am!) Also, I would suggest that you check whether the Vibe has a timing belt, or a timing chain. The Forester will require a new timing belt at 105k or 8 years, whichever comes first. If the Vibe (which is actually a Toyota Corolla station wagon with more fashionable styling) has a timing chain, that will save you money on one expensive maintenance procedure. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-question-which-to-buy-2003-forester-or-2003-fwd-vibe/34164/4 "2009-07-29T01:20:51Z")
In addition to the test data presented by texases, you can see real crash data at [IIHS.org](http://IIHS.org). In this case, it agrees with the fake crash test data. The Forester Collision/Medical/Theft ratings are 78/75/18 and the Vibe ratings are 103/106/40. Toyota Matrix ratings are 149/120/70. Apparently, Matrix drivers get themselves into more trouble than Vibe drivers. BTW, 100 is average in each category and lower is better. Either one will probably never be in a serious accident. It’s all in what you are comfortable with. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 1:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-question-which-to-buy-2003-forester-or-2003-fwd-vibe/34164/5 "2009-07-29T01:23:44Z")
I feel that as reliable as a Subaru is, Toyota products hold an edge given comparable maintenance. I’m a huge Corolla fan for kids…and this fits the bill as a clone. The only exception would be a definite need for AWD…you live in a place like I do. Our neighbors had no choice but to raise two boys with three Subarus parked in the yard. If that’s not you…the Vibe has the potential for better service. ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-question-which-to-buy-2003-forester-or-2003-fwd-vibe/34164/6 "2009-07-29T18:21:18Z")
I will chime in with this. I owned a 2004 Vibe and had so much trouble with tire wear that I finally traded it in a a new 2005 model. At about the 10K mark I had to replace both front tires. I drive normally and on straight roads for the most part. I traded the 2005 Vibe in on an extended cab Silverado. I spend more for gas but I spend a whole lot less on tires. Other Vibe owners have told me the same thing about tire wear. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-question-which-to-buy-2003-forester-or-2003-fwd-vibe/34164/7 "2009-07-29T20:12:22Z")
My 2006 base Matrix 5-speed wears the inside edges of its Continental tires. The alignment is good, camber is modest, regular rotations etc. A couple days ago I thought of a stop-gap solution to do before the edges are too far gone. I just went to a tire shop and had them remove the tires from the rims, flip 'em over, remount and balance. So now the worn edges are on the outside. Cost $109. The tire tech was skeptical, but hey, I’m paying… I haven’t had her up to highway speed yet but the handling feels OK and the tires are much quieter at 30mph. I got 16K miles out of one set of edges and if I can get another 16K I’ll be satisfied. ---
**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-question-which-to-buy-2003-forester-or-2003-fwd-vibe/34164/8 "2009-07-29T20:38:06Z")
I’d go for the Vibe. Simplier drivetrain and made by Toyota quality. There are a lot of posts on this site lately about Subaru Forester auto trans issues. The more I read about Subarus the less likely I am to ever own one.