10 days self drive in Hokkaido

[teomingern]

On 2/15/2024 at 5:30 PM, Tohto said:

Prefer a SUV. XV is too small for my like. Boot might be too small for my luggage. 

If no choice then I will get the RAV 4 or Corolla Cross (hope this is not too small).

 

RAV4 still ok... a bit tight... Corolla Cross is out lar... it's like XV size...

[Tohto]

On 2/15/2024 at 5:32 PM, teomingern said:

RAV4 still ok... a bit tight... Corolla Cross is out lar... it's like XV size...

Check on the spec on sgcarmart. The car size both are very similar.

But Corolla Cross boot is 440L while XV only 385L.

Driving wise XV will definitely more fun to drive. 

OutBack will be perfect.

Edited February 15, 2024 by Tohto

[Tohto]

Accidentally found this Tocoo car rental.

It will search and display differentrental company, including Toyota Rental, Nippon, Budget etc...

Price is also cheaper... 

[teomingern]

On 2/15/2024 at 5:40 PM, Tohto said:

Check on the spec on sgcarmart. The car size both are very similar.

But Corolla Cross boot is 440L while XV only 385L.

Driving wise XV will definitely more fun to drive. 

OutBack will be perfect.

Outback is huge lor... different class segment leh... 

[Tohto]

On 2/15/2024 at 8:18 PM, teomingern said:

Outback is huge lor... different class segment leh... 

I will go for it if available. 

 

[teomingern]

On 2/15/2024 at 9:03 PM, Tohto said:

I will go for it if available. 

 

I'll go for it if it doesn't cost too much extra over a standard sized car...

[Tohto]

On 2/16/2024 at 4:10 PM, teomingern said:

I'll go for it if it doesn't cost too much extra over a standard sized car...

For me I am looking at a SUV. Outback have everything of a SUV plus the space.

[Volvobrick]

On 2/16/2024 at 5:28 PM, Tohto said:

For me I am looking at a SUV. Outback have everything of a SUV plus the space.

Drove 450km in one over 2 days. Good for winter. Good trunk space. I think it is CVT, had the rubber band effect when (trying to) accelerate fast. Had smart cruise and lane keeping (which I turned off after trying - not reliable enough for me to trust it and movement too sudden). 

Edited February 16, 2024 by Volvobrick

[inlinesix]

On 2/16/2024 at 4:45 PM, Volvobrick said:

Drove 450km in one over 2 days. Good for winter. Good trunk space. I think it is CVT, had the rubber band effect when (trying to) accelerate fast. 

Most modern CVT has remove rubber band effect.

Cannot listen to engine sound especially NA.

Must see speedo.

 

[teomingern]

On 2/16/2024 at 4:47 PM, inlinesix said:

Most modern CVT has remove rubber band effect.

Cannot listen to engine sound especially NA.

Must see speedo.

 

Not sure if the metal chain used by Subaru removes the rubber band effect... that's Subaru's claim given that they use a specially designed metal chain for their CVT...

[inlinesix]

On 2/16/2024 at 6:49 PM, teomingern said:

Not sure if the metal chain used by Subaru removes the rubber band effect... that's Subaru's claim given that they use a specially designed metal chain for their CVT...

Recently I drove previous Gen Honda Jazz and there is no rubber band effect.

Just step and the car goes.

To reduce engine noise, release throttle to upshift.

[Jamesc]

Kawazu cherry trees in Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Feb. 14, 2024. Early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms, which herald the forthcoming arrival of spring, are currently at their peak. Some 850 trees line about 4 kilometers of the Kawazu River, and many people were viewing the blossoms and taking pictures. 

[Jamesc]

Spring came 1 month early and maybe very short this year.

Spring and autumn in Japan maybe a thing of the past with global warming.

[Volvobrick]

On 2/16/2024 at 10:46 PM, Jamesc said:

Spring came 1 month early and maybe very short this year.

Spring and autumn in Japan maybe a thing of the past with global warming.

Today I was roaming around in Tokyo in long sleeves plus t-shirt underneath. After a few hours went back hotel to get sweater.... Too windy. 

PS tip for driving in Hokkaido - the locals hack care about the speed limits de! Minimum 20km/h over the limits. Even when ice warning on expressway (50) they continue to go at 90-100.

 

Edited February 16, 2024 by Volvobrick

[teomingern]

On 2/16/2024 at 9:12 PM, inlinesix said:

Recently I drove previous Gen Honda Jazz and there is no rubber band effect.

Just step and the car goes.

To reduce engine noise, release throttle to upshift.

That's interesting... my only experience with CVT was the Impreza I drove in Hokkaido... the rubber band feeling was pretty horrible... but that was also long ago in 2015... perhaps there's been significant improvement... although I still read about it in car reviews these days...

[teomingern]

On 2/16/2024 at 9:22 PM, Jamesc said:

Kawazu cherry trees in Kawazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Feb. 14, 2024. Early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms, which herald the forthcoming arrival of spring, are currently at their peak. Some 850 trees line about 4 kilometers of the Kawazu River, and many people were viewing the blossoms and taking pictures. 

This is like crazy early? Or normal blooming timing?

[Lala81]

On 2/15/2024 at 5:30 PM, Tohto said:

Prefer a SUV. XV is too small for my like. Boot might be too small for my luggage. 

If no choice then I will get the RAV 4 or Corolla Cross (hope this is not too small).

 

Cross the back seat legroom  quite cramped. Though the boot size is quite ok

If your daughters not tall type then maybe ok

Edited February 17, 2024 by Lala81

[Tohto]

On 2/17/2024 at 9:59 AM, Lala81 said:

Cross the back seat legroom  quite cramped. Though the boot size is quite ok

If your daughters not tall type then maybe ok

Already check out SGcarmart YouTube review for Cross and RAV4. Likely will not take the Cross. It look quite tight inside and boot also around only 425L.