Forester: Why get a turbo? What about the back seat?

Well I guess if it's _functional_... ;)

Thanks! =aw

andrew [ snipped-for-privacy@wwwebbers.com]

Well I guess it _is_ functional.

Thanks for that too.

=aw

andrew [ snipped-for-privacy@wwwebbers.com]

They offer two for the Forester. A thin downward-curving thing that keeps the rear window clean, and the wing, that seems to be mostly for style, and apparently keeps the window slightly cleaner than nothing. I make do with nothing...

I'll have to look closely at what exactly comes with the XT but _something_ is standard on XT and optional on XS.

If I test drive both XS and XT, what's the recommended order? I'm guessing the XS first to get a sense of how much better the XT is, and not the XT first which might make the XS feel slow.

Thanks! =aw

andrew [ snipped-for-privacy@wwwebbers.com]

For me: XS only. I wanted to make a practical choice. Might not have been able to otherwise. Anyway, I bought mine slightly used. XTs were rare on the used market late last year.

By "practical choice", you mean you might have bought the turbo just because it's fun? I keep wavering, the difference in cost is about C$3800 on list prices and about C$500 a year for premium gas and more of it. Easy to lose sight of that when you're driving the vehicle and having fun.

andrew [ snipped-for-privacy@wwwebbers.com]

I keep about 80 dollars in my billfold and use the rear washer/wiper.

Pretty much. XS is less expensive, plus I could get it used, but the XT would have been new. That plus the fuel economy & fuel price. Don't recall if I checked for insurance cost as well.

The other major issue for me was I wanted 5-speed with sunroof (the sunroof was one of the major attractions of the Forester). In late 2003, that combination wasn't available in the US in an XT. I think they had 'em in Canada though.

Anyway, I have no complaints about the passing power of my XS.

Thanks for your experience. That's a useful data point.

andrew [ snipped-for-privacy@wwwebbers.com]

We went off roading through some very dusty gravel roads with the subaru forester owners club today. The xt with the rear wing stayed very clean on the back window and hatch while ours and the others with no wing were covered in dust. We proved that the wing is fully functional.

Another useful fact, thanks! I know there's a rear wiper, but keeping dirt/dust off the window is better than cleaning it off!

=aw

andrew [ snipped-for-privacy@wwwebbers.com]

It's not just the window. It's the whole rear of the vehicle. It keeps your clothes cleaner too.

(plus, you know you WANT the turbo. Are you positive you read the fuel economy numbers right? The WRX has (allegedly) better milage than the RS, but uses premium gas.)

My Forester XT has no wing / spoiler of any sort on the back. That's one of the things I like about the Forester XT: Aside from the hood scoop and 16" wheels, it's indistinguishable from a base Forester X. Only those who keep up with Subaru's model line-up will know the beast that lives within. :-)

- Greg Reed

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David:

Andrew:

My advice, Andrew, is that if you're even *considering* the non-Turbo Forester, you're probably better off getting it instead of the Turbo. Those of us for whom the XT is made don't even have to think about it -- we wouldn't even consider the non-turbo Forester, when given the choice. (The only real decision for me was between the Forester XT and the Impreza STi.)

Your concerns about the continuing costs of owning the XT tell me that you're likely going to second guess yourself at each fill-up and with every insurance bill. As for me, I've never had so much as a twinge of buyer's remorse over my decision to go with the turbo. (Over my decision to forego the auto perhaps, but never over getting the turbo.)

Just my two US cents' worth. Which is -- what? -- a nickel, Canadian? :-)

- Greg Reed

Whereas I consider the passing power of my XT to be barely adequate, and would *love* another 80 or 100 hp. It's all a matter of personal taste and perspective.

- Greg Reed

--

1983 Honda V45 Magna 2001 Chevy Astro AWD (wife's) 2004 Subaru Forester XT 5-Speed

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Yes, but there is a displacement issue as well. The WRX is a 2.0L Turbo while the RS is 2.5 NA. Though the turbo will give you crappier gas mileage, it is somewhat offset by the smaller displacement. The Forrester XS and XT both use 2.5L; on turbo and one NA. I also have a 2.5 turbo and as long as you aren't playing with it, it get reasonable gas mileage, but does have to use premium. But the 2.5 NA do get considerably better mileage than I do.

Yeah. :(

And since my Explorer only has 155hp, everything I try seems better.

Thanks!

andrew [ snipped-for-privacy@wwwebbers.com]

I know I want it. :) But I don't know if I think I need it. And it will bother me to consume more fuel. If the mileage were the same but just more expensive gas, the equation would be different again.

L/100km in city/highway

XS: 10.4/7.6 XT: 11.7/9.3

(lower numbers are better)

andrew [ snipped-for-privacy@wwwebbers.com]

Yeah I like the idea of stealth power. :)

FWIW, for 2005, for Canada, "roof-line spoiler" is standard on XT, optional on XS and X.

andrew [ snipped-for-privacy@wwwebbers.com]