2003 Forester or 2006 Optra 1.8 LT A/T? - Team-BHP

ilovefls · 17th August 2008, 15:26

Guys,
I am stuck with a decision I can't seem to make. I just sold my 4 year old Opel Vectra 2.2 and want to replace it with another used car. Currently I am deciding between 2 options - my heart is set on a 2003 model Chevrolet Forester which most of us know is a rebadged Subaru Forester but I also have the option of buying a 2006 Chevy Optra 1.8 LT A/T with sunroof and auto-transmission. I stay in Gurgaon and of late the condition of the roads has gone from bad to worse. I did not feel like driving my Vectra on these roads for the fear of wrecking it and ending up spending a bomb to get it back in shape. The Chevy will be great for start and stop traffic due to the auto transmission but the one thing that is really bothering me is that it doesn't have ABS.
As we all know, the Forester is a really capable vehicle but all said and done its a 5 year old car and the spares are hard to come by since GM didn't sell too many of these in India. Being an MUV it would be able to negotiate bad roads better though.
In terms of pricing both the cars are coming for roughly the same price and both of them are in good condition.
Any inputs would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

Guna · 19th August 2008, 00:13

This is what I know of both the vehicles

Forester
+Drivers car
+ can handle bad roads better
+ AWD good for slippery situations/offroading
+ Flexible Interiors to make up large cargo area when required
- Poor low end torque and poor drivebility in crawling city traffic
-Cramped rear seat
- Poor resale value
- Availability of parts service can be an issue

Optra 1.8
+ Comfortable back seat
+ marginally better fuel efficiency
+ relatively better resale value
-not a very involving drive

Optra may be more practical choice, unless you really like the Forester like I do.

GTO · 19th August 2008, 15:07

Sourcing parts for the Forester can be a nightmare. Specialists in the grey market + the internet can make things easier, but only so much. If you do eventually decide on the Forester, just ensure that you bargain hard, as the existing owner will be hardpressed to find a taker.

My pick would be the Optra 1.8 auto. Not only is it a far newer build, but the Optra will also give you a superior ownership experience. Nice interiors, sufficient room and a comfortable ride. Plus, we are talking about the LT version which has all the bells & whistles.

ajmat · 19th August 2008, 15:48

If you do consider a Forester, make sure you have an additional car to use while waiting for bits

karanraheja · 19th August 2008, 16:11

As mentioned by GTO spares for Forester would quite tough. Go for the Optra LT. Its got an amazing rear bench and lovely interiors. However Mileage would be one issue. Seems like you have stuck your options to Chevy.

PS : Why dont you also look at a used Corolla ??

ilovefls · 25th August 2008, 18:38

Adding another option to the 2 I already talked about - I am also considering a Skoda RS 1.8 Turbo. Any views on that?

GTO · 25th August 2008, 19:02

Quote:

- I am also considering a Skoda RS 1.8 Turbo.

Now you're talking! If you love to drive, the RS is your best bet from the used car market. Its a steal too @ 7 - 8 lakhs. The only downsides to the RS are expensive spares and lack of cabin space. But it is unbeatable for the driving pleasure. Go ahead I say!

Guna · 25th August 2008, 19:09

But if you have 'driving on bad roads' on your mind, RS has very little ground clearence.

ilovefls · 4th September 2008, 17:47

Adding one more to the equation - a 2000 model BMW 318i, done about 56k kms, well maintained and comes with automatic transmission. What do you think?

ilovefls · 8th October 2008, 18:56

Hi guys,
After a lot of debating and discussing and even more searching, I finally bought a red Skoda Octavia vRS and got it home yesterday! It's a beauty, Oct 2004 model, done only 25k kms, full service record available and in complete stock condition. Have attached a few pictures.cheers:

abhinav.gupta88 · 8th October 2008, 19:53

Now thats something.
Congrats

WElcome to the vRs club.
I guess its raining vRs at T-Bhp this season.

Me , Ashish , redsfX , and you.

Congratz.
How much did you Pay for it?

iraghava · 8th October 2008, 19:54

That looks like a nice & clean car! Congratulations!

nitrous · 8th October 2008, 20:27

Congratulations.
How much did you pay?

ilovefls · 9th October 2008, 12:35

Thanks Buddy, I had been looking for one for quite some time!

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhinav.gupta88

Now thats something.
Congrats

WElcome to the vRs club.
I guess its raining vRs at T-Bhp this season.

Me , Ashish , redsfX , and you.

Congratz.
How much did you Pay for it?

ilovefls · 9th October 2008, 12:38

Thank you, took me a while to find it though!

Quote:

Originally Posted by iraghava

That looks like a nice & clean car! Congratulations!

17th August 2008, 15:26	#1 (permalink)
ilovefls BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 63	2003 Forester or 2006 Optra 1.8 LT A/T? Guys, I am stuck with a decision I can't seem to make. I just sold my 4 year old Opel Vectra 2.2 and want to replace it with another used car. Currently I am deciding between 2 options - my heart is set on a 2003 model Chevrolet Forester which most of us know is a rebadged Subaru Forester but I also have the option of buying a 2006 Chevy Optra 1.8 LT A/T with sunroof and auto-transmission. I stay in Gurgaon and of late the condition of the roads has gone from bad to worse. I did not feel like driving my Vectra on these roads for the fear of wrecking it and ending up spending a bomb to get it back in shape. The Chevy will be great for start and stop traffic due to the auto transmission but the one thing that is really bothering me is that it doesn't have ABS. As we all know, the Forester is a really capable vehicle but all said and done its a 5 year old car and the spares are hard to come by since GM didn't sell too many of these in India. Being an MUV it would be able to negotiate bad roads better though. In terms of pricing both the cars are coming for roughly the same price and both of them are in good condition. Any inputs would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

19th August 2008, 15:07	#3 (permalink)
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 18,786 View My Garage	Sourcing parts for the Forester can be a nightmare. Specialists in the grey market + the internet can make things easier, but only so much. If you do eventually decide on the Forester, just ensure that you bargain hard, as the existing owner will be hardpressed to find a taker. My pick would be the Optra 1.8 auto. Not only is it a far newer build, but the Optra will also give you a superior ownership experience. Nice interiors, sufficient room and a comfortable ride. Plus, we are talking about the LT version which has all the bells & whistles. __________________ GTO Work backward from your imagination, not forward from the past! Please don't PM for support. Use the Contact Form instead. Please read the NEW Team-BHP FAQ section for all your queries.

19th August 2008, 15:48	#4 (permalink)
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,359 View My Garage	If you do consider a Forester, make sure you have an additional car to use while waiting for bits __________________ Rice is cheaper than German Potato's

19th August 2008, 16:11	#5 (permalink)
karanraheja Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 1,597	As mentioned by GTO spares for Forester would quite tough. Go for the Optra LT. Its got an amazing rear bench and lovely interiors. However Mileage would be one issue. Seems like you have stuck your options to Chevy. PS : Why dont you also look at a used Corolla ?? __________________ Time's Not Wasted When You're Wasted all the Time!!!

25th August 2008, 18:38	#6 (permalink)
ilovefls BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 63	Adding another option to the 2 I already talked about - I am also considering a Skoda RS 1.8 Turbo. Any views on that? __________________ 2004 Red Skoda Octavia vRS 1.8T 2005 Silver HH Karizma 2004 Silver Opel Vectra 2.2 - sold

19th August 2008, 00:13	#2 (permalink)
Guna BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 672	This is what I know of both the vehicles Forester +Drivers car + can handle bad roads better + AWD good for slippery situations/offroading + Flexible Interiors to make up large cargo area when required - Poor low end torque and poor drivebility in crawling city traffic -Cramped rear seat - Poor resale value - Availability of parts service can be an issue Optra 1.8 + Comfortable back seat + marginally better fuel efficiency + relatively better resale value -not a very involving drive Optra may be more practical choice, unless you really like the Forester like I do.

25th August 2008, 19:09	#8 (permalink)
Guna BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 672	But if you have 'driving on bad roads' on your mind, RS has very little ground clearence.

4th September 2008, 17:47	#9 (permalink)
ilovefls BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 63	How about a 2000 BMW 318i? Adding one more to the equation - a 2000 model BMW 318i, done about 56k kms, well maintained and comes with automatic transmission. What do you think? __________________ 2004 Red Skoda Octavia vRS 1.8T 2005 Silver HH Karizma 2004 Silver Opel Vectra 2.2 - sold

8th October 2008, 18:56	#10 (permalink)
ilovefls BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 63	Finally bought a red Skoda Octavia VRS!!! Hi guys, After a lot of debating and discussing and even more searching, I finally bought a red Skoda Octavia vRS and got it home yesterday! It's a beauty, Oct 2004 model, done only 25k kms, full service record available and in complete stock condition. Have attached a few pictures.cheers: Attached Thumbnails __________________ 2004 Red Skoda Octavia vRS 1.8T 2005 Silver HH Karizma 2004 Silver Opel Vectra 2.2 - sold

8th October 2008, 19:53	#11 (permalink)
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi ; Surrey, United Kingdom Posts: 3,814 View My Garage	Now thats something. Congrats WElcome to the vRs club. I guess its raining vRs at T-Bhp this season. Me , Ashish , redsfX , and you. Congratz. How much did you Pay for it? __________________ *vRs(q)® \| ECLIPSE CD7200 MKII \| Illusion Carbon ND-6 \| Harman/Kardon CA470 \| Harman/Kardon CA1500M \| Stereo Integrity MAG D2 V4*

8th October 2008, 19:54	#12 (permalink)
iraghava Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 7,693 View My Garage	That looks like a nice & clean car! Congratulations! __________________ Reminds me of my safari in Africa.Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.

8th October 2008, 20:27	#13 (permalink)
nitrous Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Motorcity Madras Posts: 5,591 View My Garage	Congratulations. How much did you pay? __________________ Han:The Red Evo's yours Sean:What do u mean? H:U're representing me now...What did U think, I'm gonna let you roll in a hyundai?

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