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Comments
I've had 4 punctures in the last 6 months myself; so much housing renovation/revitalization going on in my neighborhood, and contractors aren't always too careful with that sort of thing.
You were wise to replace the plugged tire w/ the spare. A plugged or patched tire voids its speed rating. I never have a tire plugged - always use a patch. However, I would check your air pressure in the spare more frequently over the course of a few weeks. A nail, screw, railroad spike, staple, etc., can be picked up from anywhere.
Ok, no comment there. You guys laugh at our "mountains". :-D
-Dennis
former RM2 AO-177
John
People in various XT forums, including this one, talk about hitting the rev limiter in 5th gear, or brag about whatever they just out-dragged. I describe buying the XT to provide a margin of safety in passing situations, and get back inane comments like "downshift" or "use the brakes" or "examine my driving habits".
Shaking my head in amazement.
John
1. The engine RPM's at freeway speed. That has been a beef of mine with past vehicles and I did notice it while driving the MT XT. It seems better with the AT. What are your thoughts? How many RPM's would I save with an AT at say 80 MPH, versus the MT? Has this issue been overblown?
2. Heat in the engine compartment. Has this transferred through the firewall into the cabin causing warm driving in the summer months?
3. What about other problems with the XT? I've never owned a Subie before. Do they hold up well with regards to the small things, like interior details, moonroof, power windows, locks, etc? Do the door windows leak like I've heard, or is that just heresay?
4. What are the longterm reliability issues with a turbo engine? Reliability rates high on my priority list; I don't want to be dealing with major repair problems at 40,000 miles onward. Do they hold up well?
Right now I'm waffling hard between the XT and a new Accord. I have an Accord now, and I love the new one (2004) a lot, but it's kind of more of the same, just a little nicer. The XT excites me to no end, and I live in the Pacific Northwest, so I can justify its purchase (lousy weather 9 months out of the year, lots of mountains).
I can't think of any other car that blends so many elements into one relatively affordable machine. I'm just having trouble pulling the trigger on the buy. Please convince me, because, one way or another, I'm buyin' something before Jan. 1.
Thanks in advance.
1. Engine RPMs- I didn't know it was a big issue but if it is, then yes it's overblown. However, if higher revving engines really bother you, then you shouldn't be looking at 4-cylinders (a nice big V-8 will probably loaf along doing 80 mph at 2000 rpm).
2. Heat in the engine compartment- You're kidding right?
3. Minor reliability problems- IMO Subaru is a notch below Honda in terms of initial owner satisfaction in the fit-&-finish dept. The good news is that any rattles are usually there from day-one and once corrected, Subarus are close to being bulletproof. Sheesh, the frameless door window controversy just refuses to die! There are plenty of upper-end luxury cars (I.e. Mercedes) with same design and no ones questioning them. And no, I've never heard of a window leak (except for one or two caused by a misaligned door).
4. Long-term reliability of the turbo- Well given that this is a new turbo/engine, reliability can't be anything more than informed speculation at this point. Still, Subarus in general excel at long-term reliability and Subaru has been building turbo-charged engines for a number of years.
In any case, I think you've already made up your mind: "The XT excites me to no end". If true, why would you even consider a boring (if reliable) Honda?
-Frank P.
http://www.subaru.co.jp/forester/lineup/lineup_x_backpack.html
http://www.subaru.co.jp/forester/backpack/
Unfortunately this version isn't available here. What I don't understand is....WHY? Even the pictures show California plates...which makes no sense. Everyone...please email Subaru and tell them to bring this version here!
I'm sure most people would want this one over a regular X. I mean... it's definately more practical for those of us with mountain bikes and other messy stuff...and it looks cool too.
The experts over at an oil board get bored with reading Subaru used oil reports because they're always so good ( another good Subaru report)!
Coolant flows around the turbo and continues to do so for a few minutes after shut-off. This is definitely not the bad turbos of the 80's.
-Dennis
Never having driven an AWD in the snow before, I was very impressed, even with the standard tires. As I was easily going up hills and around curves, I could not help but see the trails in the snow left by others who were obviously struggling all over the road. The performance is much more natural and seemless as compared to a truck with part time 4wd, especially in areas where you hit a dry patch in the sun only to get back into an icy shaded area (my pet peeve when driving with part time 4wd). I also think a locked center differential on a 4wd truck can cause handling problems going around icy curves.
The only problem is it is so easy to drive the Subie in the snow you really have to force yourself to concentrate on keeping the speed down.
If anyone is struggling with the idea of buying an XT versus some other vehicle, get the Subaru! While it might not have the best mpg and it looks kind of dorky, there is no other vehicle with the versatility and varied capabilities of the XT at anywhere near the price.
-Frank P.
Yeah, yeah, it's a Mitsubishi turbo. So what? They make televisions, too.
Really the turbo itself is pretty basic, it's not twin scroll and not a ball bearing design. I'm sure the aftermarket will sell upgrades right away.
I'm jealous Frank! My Resolution may be to join you, at least get off the Fence about picking which one I want!
-juice
-Frank P.
-juice
Having driven both the AT and MT XT's, I have to say that both are very impressive. I was not expecting the AT to be as good as it was, and they're much easier to come by in the Tacoma, WA area than the MT's. Of course, the MT simply rips. I just can't get past that short fifth gear, as I do a lot of freeway driving. I also would probabaly lean towards the PP version.
The engine heat thing came up in an earlier post on this board; somebody mentioned that the turbo motor produced greater heat than a NA engine, and I was just wondering if that resulted in greater cockpit heat. Sounds like it's a non-issue. Thanks again for the input.
atlgaxt says: "If anyone is struggling with the idea of buying an XT versus some other vehicle, get the Subaru! While it might not have the best mpg and it looks kind of dorky, there is no other vehicle with the versatility and varied capabilities of the XT at anywhere near the price."
Thank you! That's just what I need. A not-so-gentle nudge out of my deeply ingrained tendency to play it safe! My heart screams XT, while my brain screams Accord. BTW, I don't think the Scooby looks dorky at all. I think it's sharp as all get out. Plus it "sleeps" like no other car out there. Thanks!
PS this is probably the most informative message board I've ever frequented. I've learned a ton in the last few days.
Its funny. I went around most of the dealerships around here and ended up buying one in Decatur, which is about a mile from my house. I had a good experience there but wonder if I missed the boat not checking out the dealer in Gwinnett, as they sound pretty cool. In any case, based upon our computer search, it did not look like they had the car we were looking for when we were pulling the trigger.
Likewise. You and I are in the microscopically small minority that considers this to be a significant XT drawback. An option providing a 3.9 final drive would have eliminated it.
In any case Johnny, if you are concerned about the gearing on the five speed go ahead and get the auto. I'm normally a stickshift guy, but the XT's powerband is well suited to the auto tranny.
What the heck was that about? This car does not have the security/alarm system.
Check your battery, actually. When you reconnect it you sometimes get that kind of behavior.
-juice
:-)
slip one time on the snow-ice. I live in the Boonies and have a 7-800' hill to get over on the way to my house. VERY impressed with the AWD..
Pleased Deadeye sends..
I recently had my own ghost experience. I was driving down the street Friday and all of a sudden I noticed the radio was changing volume. I looked down and the numeric volume level was also changing up and down on the read out. I did think to look to see if the knob itself was moving. As soon as I touched the knob it quit and it has not done it since.
George- What color is your's? I was passed my a gold one near Avondale this afternoon. By the way, I live a mile from Royal Subaru too so we're practically neighbors!
-Frank P.
I thought about that, but it's unlikely the button on the remote got inadvertently pressed - and, like yours, both of mine have ridiculously short range. Most of the time I have to literally hold the fob against the window glass before it'll work.
Besides, the parking-lot-find feature on the remote only sounds the "chirp" several times - not the horns forever. So I don't think that was it.
As soon as I touched the knob it quit and it has not done it since.
I didn't realize becoming a Subaru owner also meant signing on for unpredictable supernatural happenings. What's next - my tire chains will start clanking?
Most don't, some do. You're with the first group; I'm in the second. We have differing priorities; like my driving style, there's no point in debating it.
For reference purposes, I checked my NA Forester and it turned the exact same 3k rpm donig 70 mph and I had no problems living with it on long trips.
The question is not whether you had no problem living with it. We can live with many things that are not ideal. Substantially increased power in what is otherwise the same vehicle will easily handle (and IMO should be accompanied with) a correspondingly taller final drive. So the question is, what would be the optimal gearing? Some people think it's the current 4.44. Some of us think otherwise.
We live over by North DeKalb Mall. I was kind of joking about us seeing each other and waving in huge Atlanta, but my guess is that there is a pretty good chance that might happen since we appear to be neighbors. Small world. Sorry if Frank and I are boring everyone else with this Subaru bonding.
As anyone can tell looking at the posts, I am having trouble focusing at work during this short holiday week. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year as I sign off and try to get something done before going home.
George
I wonder why manufacturers are going to this "non-overdrive" type gearing (since my VW does as well and I know my friends Prelude is similar). Maybe its all those incredibly stupid "Top Gear Passing" tests?
overtime
The automatic XT has a taller top gear than the 5MT, translating to about a 6% reduction in RPM at any given speed. This would be equivalent to changing the 5-speed's axle ratio from 4.44 to 4.18.
So at 70mph, you're turning the same number of revs as in a NA Forester -- how does that work when the XT has shorter gearing? When I test drove an XT, I thought I observed a similar rpm vs. mph relationship so at the time I thought the gearing was the same.
Ken
Where the difference is more noticeable is in 1st gear. Both the NA and the XT use the same 3.45 1st gear ratio - but the XT's 4.44 axle definitely reduces the speeds @ RPM in 1st.
JB- Just to clarify something:
Minor drawback = Something you can live with
Major drawback = Something you can't live with
You know what would be incredibly ironic? If overtime's hypothesis about "Top Gear Passing" tests were true, that would mean that you have only yourself to blame since safely passing at speed is your main reason for getting the XT.
Also, in regards to your statement: "Passats and Audis I drove a year ago were definitely quieter and more refined inside at highway speeds" That's undoubtedly true but at 70 mph in the Forester, I would rate engine noise as being 3rd behind tire roar and wind noise.
-Frank P.
On surface roads, I was having way to much fun to even notice the uber-short 1st.
Ken
Forester XT: weight 3241lbs WRX 3085 wagon 3165
Forester XT: 0-60mph 6.7 seconds WRX 5.6 seconds
210 hp vs 227 hp
236ftlbs TQ vs 217 ftlbs TQ
Can someone please explain why the forester is supposed to be faster? It's loosing 17 hp and is 156lbs heavier for its 19 ftlbs of tq + probably higher gear ratios. I'm strongly considering the WRX for now.
Of course the Forester only wins out when gong in a straght line. The WRX will take the Forester any day on a twisty road :-)
-Frank P.
Smaller engines generally don't get tall gearing because they wouldn't have enough torque that they'd be responsive in overdrive, but the XT is an exception and could easily use a 6th cog. Hint Hint, Subaru.
Passats are quieter, sure, and the W8 4Motion wagon is grossly overpriced and comparatively slow. So I guess we can blame all that extra sound insulation for cost and weight, hee hee.
-juice
From all the reading I've done on this site the last few days (I'm about 2/3 the way through the 2300+ posts; addictive reading!) I've learned a lot about the XT's foibles, and a lot about its virtues, many of which I've experienced myself on test drives.
But when I drive this thing home and start living with it, will I eventually find it to be too unrefined and noisy to succeed as a commuter? You folks have been living with these cars for 6 months or so now. What's the verdict?
I've read so many posts that I think I've lost sight of the big picture, the overall appeal of the car. No car is perfect. But I'm finding myself locking onto the tiny details too much, worrying about buzzes and rattles, which do drive me nuts, and not seeing the car for what it is.
FWIW, my 2000 Accord is among the noisiest cars I've ever owned. It's solidly built, and there aren't any really discernible rattles or buzzes, but a lot of road noise is transferred into the cabin, especially on the many textured concrete highways prevalent in the northwest. It's every bit as noisy as my '91 Camaro was, and that was a rattle trap. I remember being really surprised the Honda was so noisy. But I've adapted.
Ballistic, I've read a ton of your posts the last few days. What's your opinion? You live in the Pacific Northwest, too. Would an XT PP succeed as a daily driver in this region? Especially coming off an Accord. For me a car has to succeed on several levels. Is the XT ONLY a performance car? I suspect not, but I'd like to hear from you folks who've lived with it.
Everybody, I appreciate any input.
Juice, Mitsubishi makes TV's?
My insurance went up by about 10% but then I'm insuring a vehicle that cost twice as much to replace. I am concerned that the insurance companies will eventually catch on to the XT but I'm certainly not going to alert them.
Darbow- If the Forester's utility, safety, reliability, sportiness and overall value all match your selection criteria, what's not to like?
-Frank P.