By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
What you really dont want to hit is a moose.
JP
I was unable to use cruise at all except for about a 30-mile stretch of the return trip. It was the first time I'd used the function on the new car, and I found the revised controls easy and intuitive.
Considering the drivetrain isn't even broken in, I'm encouraged by that result. I figure lowering my average speed to 70-75, using cruise even more, and switching to synthetics should put me in that 22-23 mpg highway range with which I'd be satisfied. For a while I was beginning to think either I was too leadfooted or I'd gotten one of the thirstier XTs in the batch.
Ed
I bet you'd get about +1mpg for each 7mph you slowed. Not that I'm suggesting it. Time is money!
-juice
Bob
-juice
So I'm trying to decide whether I would get used to the lighter steering on the Forester or if it would just continue to annoy me! I realize that no one here can answer that for me, but I am curious as to whether anyone else has noticed the light steering and if it affects the handling. With stiffer steering, I feel more in control of the car.
I really like everything else about the FXT. If it had stiff steering, I'd have bought it last week! For the past 6 years I've been in a sports-type car, so the Forester would be an adjustment in many ways! However, I am seeking a very safe car and the Forester wins in that department, plus I do like it.
-Brian
One question -- what does "overboosted" mean?!
Personally, I think the steering is fine in my F-XT.
-Brian
-B
I did not look at the Legacy, but I can't remember why at the moment! It may have to do with its crash test ratings. I'm aiming for the safest possible Subaru.
I think the FXT makes the most sense for me given its safety ratings, performance, and price... I'm beginning to think I will actually take the plunge...
Sounds like you have almost convinced yourself that the FXT is the car. Try and find an 04 at a discounted price, and that may tip the balance and help you forget any slight negatives.
JP
Incidentally I think the steering is tight also, but that's compared to my sloppy saturn. After the 45 minute drive home from the dealer I was stunned to realize just how awful a drive I've been experiencing for the last 8 years.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/announce/press/pressdisplay.cfm?ye- ar=2004&filename=pr44-04.html
In any case, if the Legacy/Outback wagon is too, err, wagony, and too big, then the Forester it is.
I almost feel the same way, lots of space behind the rear seat I won't be using all of the time. The FXT wasn't as balanced as I would like from the factory in terms of performance.
I've been seeing a nice silver FXT around, have to say hi one of these days.
-B
I just bought the 2005 FXT (premium -- I really wanted the moonroof!) today. I definitely need to do something to improve the handling, and it seems that new tires and a bigger sway bar are the easiest and least expensive ways to do that.
From what I've read here, the 20 mm STi bar is the way to go.
Now, I know virtually nothing about how cars work, so please bear with the following questions!
-- Do I only need the rear sway bar? (and not a new front one as well?)
-- When I buy it, I know I should get the bushings too, but do I also need the stablizers, clamps, and nuts? (I'm getting the sales info from allsubaru.com. I will be having someone else install this for me, but I want to make sure I pay the right amount for the bar and whatever else I need with it, so I'm trying to research this before talking to the mechanic.)
-- Anything else I should think about regarding the swaybar?
It is a great car, I just am not satisfied with the handling (coming from an Impreza 2.5 RS). Once that is improved, I'll be very happy!
Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom you can offer!
The Forester has crash test ratings equivalent to the Outback (though it is lighter than the Outback, which can make a difference in a crash).
But, yes, the Legacy/Outback is too wagony for me! (Nice new word there!) I'm very happy with the Forester design.
So far I've owned the FXT for about 4 hours.
And, hopefully, getting the FXT at the age of 30 will somehow help you bypass the 50 year-old crisis that leads to a red Porsche!
As for the rear sway, you need upgraded Sti or aftermarket endlinks as well as there has been a spate of bent stock links. There is also a risk of the Sti bar flipping, though I have not read about this happening while driving, just while vehicles are in the shop. This is a cheap upgrade that does improve handling, but there are downsides/risks that you should be aware of. See subaruforester.com for more if you cant get the info you need by searcing here.
Handling on a stock FXT is not THAT bad unless you expect it to handle like it's a WRX or Sti. It handles well for what it is (tall wagon/pseudoSUV), but I agree the shortcomings are exposed if you really use that wonderful engine anyplace where there are corners. As for mods, I'm going to "take it easy" and run mine stock through break in and the winter, and then see.
JP
Maybe we should have switched vehicles...I had to pony up for the bumper cover (to prevent dog scratches) and splash guards, and also got security upgrade...and have to go back for installation. Many folks here recommended the splash guards, protects the paint down on the sides. I hate the dimming mirrors though, I find them annoying...we disabled the one in our Tundra. I like the compass but won't pay $300 for it!
I agree that the FXT handles fine for what it is, but I do want it to handle better. It's just what I prefer...not knocking the car! As long as the modification is not too expensive or complicated, and does not seem to add something dangerous or scary to the car, it is worth doing in my opinion! Plus, I kind of like the idea of having a perfect car.
Beanboy: Yes, it was a very quick decision! I first test drove it last Wednesday, then again on Friday, and then bought it today (Sunday). All I can say is that I have spent most of my waking hours since Wednesday on the internet figuring things out!!!
It helped that I already had a Subaru -- I already had confidence in the company, etc. And there really wasn't anything else out there that fit the sort of thing I was looking for... highest safety ratings, price (the FXT was at the high end of my range, but acceptable), and performance. Oh, and not too wagony.
It's really the performance thing that sealed the deal for me. I am more of a sports car type of person, so speed and handling are important to me. Obviously the FXT wins on the speed front, but I was concerned about the handling not being what I would like. My concerns were allayed after reading about the effects that the rear sway bar change, proper tire pressure, and/or different tires could have. At that point, the decision was not too difficult to make. (Well, except for the fact that it's ALWAYS difficult to part with that much money!)
We had actually been wanting a safer car for me for the past 4 years! We just didn't do anything about it until now. So I guess it was sort of like a really long turbo lag... it took awhile but once it kicked in, it really kicked in!
4mygrey: Yes, we should have switched vehicles! I have a dog too, but he refuses to sit in the cargo area -- he would much rather sit in the driver's seat, so we compromise and he sits in the backseat.
I'm glad to know that the splash guards might be useful; I never would have considered getting them if they weren't already on the car. I thought I'd be annoyed by the dimming mirror too, but according to the manual it can be disabled. Haven't done that yet... will wait and see how I feel about it first. And, yeah, you can pop down to REI and pick up a compass that certainly won't cost $300!
-juice
Mark
sway bar: I have not done the upgrade myself but haven't heard anything risky about it and I've been researching it since I had my '01 Forester. from what I hear, it's the first best suspension upgrade most opt for on their foresters which greatly improves handling. there are lots of internet links and info on this. i'm also considering upgrading the wheels/tires/brakes to performance parts when the time comes that they have to be replaced anyway.
turbo lag: hardly noticable compared to the '02 wrx in my opinion, and i have an automatic f-xt!
bumper cover: hardly does a thing when a 95lbs black lab is scrambling into the vehicle. he seems to want to put his paws all over the bumper, not just the area protected by the cover - so it's useless in my opinion.
splash guards: actually work when off roading! they keep the mud and rocks off the body of the car.
compass and autodimming mirror: i can't imagine driving another car without these features. i never would have paid for them as an accessory when i got my '01 forester s premium, but after 3 years of using them, that was my first "must have" when i decided to get the f-xt.
acrylic hood protector: i have to add this one in since it's proven very helful in keeping dings off my new hood. i didn't have one on my '01 forester and the hood looked like chicken pox from all my dots of touch-up paint! it was my second "must have" (after the auto dimming rear view with compass!) when i got the '04 and after 9K miles, the entire body of the car is completely ding, dent and chip free. I highly recommend that accessory, although it is a PITA to install using cryptic directions.
have fun driving!
elissa
-Frank
hood protection: 3M clear bra is another alternative that some prefer
JP
I have the 18mm bar from SPT and have not had a problem. Ken had something similar, and I helped Hutch install an 18mm bar also.
Go thicker and keep in mind you might get some oversteer. Fun, but make sure you know when to expect that and know how to control it.
In fact if I went with a 20mm or thicker rear sway bar, I think I'd upgrade the front one as well.
The bumper cover is good for when you are loading the roof rack. I stand on mine all the time.
-juice
"Elissa- I still don't understand how your dog is scratching your bumper. I routinely transport my black lab in the back and he has never laid a paw (or toenail) on anything other than the bumper cover when jumping in.
-Frank"
Only time they did not stay back there was once in a severe thunderstorm while driving on a rural interstate. There was a lighting strike on a tree about 50' off the roadway. One of the dogs climbed over the back seat and headrests and jumped between the front seats into my wife's lap. How I avoided swerving off the road I don't know. I'm pretty sure if we had a pet gate he probably would have plowed through that also.
I'm not crazy about the look of the splash guards. To my eye, the splash guards along with the hood scoop make the XT appear to have a droopy butt and lower ride height as compared to a non-turbo Forester without splash guards. But last weekend I was doing some light offroading on a muddy road where you have to get some speed up to make sure you don't get bogged down in the wet spots. The car barely looked dirty afterwards. While I have to admit my inner redneck child was slightly dissapointed that my car was not splattered with mud, I have to give the splash guards credit for doing their job.
-juice
After shelling out for the bumper cover I'm noticing that our greyhound gracefully leaps over the bumper altogether. Money well spent.
After riding in the back seat of my Saturn for 4 years, and particularly LOVING the back seat of our tundra where her head ends up smack between our captains chairs, I have to say she is not liking it in the cargo area...I thought she'd like the flat space and cushy dog bed and panoramic view, but so far she just stares pleadingly towards the front (nose dripping on my leather!!!). I don't think she'll try to go over the seats though... We thought about putting the seats down, but then I think she'd fly all over. We also want her to get used to the back so she's settled there when we start a family. I'd hate to "demote" her then.
-juice
-Frank
Of course, he prefers the left side of my headrest so he can also enjoy the window. I discovered this when I turned to check my blind spot and all I could see was his face!
I do have a dog seatbelt thing (a harness that the car's seatbelt attaches through), but I've been lazy about using it. Plus, he often finds a way to wiggle out of it. I truly do not know how he does that because it always seems to be on securely, and I can't watch since he's in the backseat and I'm driving! I should probably start using it again to keep him safe (and out of my blindspot!).
Maybe look into the Poltec end link collars if you're worried about issues. The end links themselves are very similar (or the same as) the STi. The weak point is where the end link is welded to the lateral link. SPT/STi aluminum laterall links are now available through Subaru dealers.
I recently upgraded the wheels to OEM UK 17's (pics in Subaru Crew: Photo Gallery) and the tires to 225/55/17 Pilot Sport A/S's.
-Dennis
In the first 5 minutes of the one ride my lab got in the FXT before the gate was installed, she chewed through both outboard rear seatbelts . I repaired the belts with a "Speedy Stitcher" while replacements get here from Japan!
The pet guard I have cobbed together closely resembles the factory guard for the new Forester, which is $170 at the dealer. It starts with an oak 1" x 2" x 44" mounted across the tops of the rear strut covers, snug-fit in the cargo cover mounting slots. The body of the guard is welded steel rods with a 1 x 2 grid, painted black and trimmed at the sides to follow the contours of the windows with about 1" clearance. At the top, the "fence" is attached to the roof liner using 2 compression nuts that replaced the two nylon plugs in the roof liner. All the weight is supported by the bottom bar, but the top attachments are pretty secure. It may be imaginary, but the brace across the back seems to stiffen the car somewhat. With the rear seat backs folded forward, large flat object slide under the guard . The guard is easily removed by backing the screws out of the compression nuts, lifting the bar out of the cargo cover slots and rotating it rearward.It definitely keeps the dog out of the seats and away from those yummy seatbelts. I also haul a lot of firewood and it gives some piece of mind knowing that a sudden stop won't produce a lethal blow to the back of my head.
I have the bumper cover, too, but it isnt nearly as impervious as the bumper stickers I picked up in our recent election cycle ;-).
Mark
Elissa
If you fold one or both rear seats forward, as needed to slide the kennel farther into the car, that will give your dog a large enough "landing zone" in the cargo area to get settled before stepping into the kennel. Ive noticed that my lab does a lot more scratching with her rear feet if I'm trying to get her to jump into a restricted space, e.g., with suitcases or other gear in the cargo area .
Mark
Bob
Michael
For the New England winters it may not be in a league with my XT, but with better snow tires than my XT it should be fine. It also only cost what, 14000/29000 = 48.2% of the price. I don't own it, just helped the ex shop for it. She's had it for 4 months, is very happy with it and oh yeah - its a lot quieter and has a lot less rattles than my XT. Also doesn't suck oil and anti-freeze.
Larry
In fairness, better tires could have addressed many of your concerns, maybe some sways. Cheaply, too.
The black color has changed. Air filtration is a factory option, I installed it myself and it was very easy.
RAV4 is smaller and payload is 140 lbs lower.
top heavy modified Impreza
CR-V is a top heavy Civic and RAV4 a top heavy JDM Camry. Isn't that what a car-based SUV is supposed to be?
Tires might have been affecting the steering.
Dead pedal for the left foot? Mine has one.
Sorry to see you go, but it was a compact the day you decided to buy it, it didn't shrink later on. ;-)
Enjoy the GT, 5 doors can be pretty versatile also. And you can rent a UHaul truck when you need more.
-juice