Subaru XT Turbo Forester

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Comments

  • stuhallstuhall Member Posts: 59
    Dude, you're a psychic! I haven't been checking the boards much but I just passed 8k miles on my replacement XT and was going to the XT board to ask a question and lo and behold, someone was asking about me. I feel honored. :-)

    I'm loving my XT again but...I'm starting to hear a rattle during low speed turns that sounds like it's coming from the rear driver's side tire area. I'm not a car guy so I can't get much more descriptive without wildly guessing as to it's cause. I *think* I may have seen a post here or on Yahoo from someone else who had the same thing. I have to take it in for another oil change and I'll have the dealer look at it. Any ideas?!?

    I get about 18-19 mpg on 80/20 highway/city. But I live in a very hilly section of San Diego and use the boost frequently.
  • chrisv94chrisv94 Member Posts: 5
    I was driving home with my wife and 1 year old today when i noticed something that looked like smoke coming from the hood scoop on my "04 Forester XT. I pulled over and noticed a small amount of smoke coming from the turbo area. Now I was driving through a residential area at the time and didnt exceed 40 MPH. Any idea's what could be causing this? Being that I only have 14,000 miles its under full warrentee.
  • samiam_68samiam_68 Member Posts: 775
    Miami, thanks. I'm actually working on a better solution to HAL 2004, since two people have noticed the noise from the current kit. I'll post it as soon as I have it working.

    MPG update: latest tank - 22.2 MPG, 50/50 hwy/city mixed driving, a LOT of stop and go traffic, A/C on all the time. This tank also included a little cat-n-mouse game with a turbo Cayene :-) No problem keeping up with him. I was impressed.

    Chris94 - Did you just have it serviced? Sometimes some oil may spill during an oil change and that may have been the smoke you saw - oil burning off a hot turbo. If the smoke happens again, definitely have it looked at.
  • chrisv94chrisv94 Member Posts: 5
    Thanks sam. I changed the oil a week ago. This was the first time I saw the smoke. Im going to run it into the dealer tomorrow just to make sure.
  • johncjohnc Member Posts: 7
    I've driven the auto and the manual XT. Conventional wisdom is that the auto is better off road but the manual is more fun. I frankly can't remember where we got the sump guard. I seem to recall having a huge spit to the service guy from Westpoint when I turned up with the original one looking like a piece of gladwrap. He magically sourced the replacement for us. It has taken a pretty fair hammering over the last few years. Subaru is offering a metal one as an option from new so we will almost certainly go for that.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    cross-shopping the XT auto with the Outback XT auto? With the higher ground clearance than the old Outback platform, the new 5 speed auto, etc., the Outback XT might be competing with the Forester. Looks like the Outback XT comes in at about $5k higher in price though, according to the Edmunds write up.

    John
  • lfdallfdal Member Posts: 679
    Do you mean you've actually got a Subaru OEM part number to replace the plastic shield that goes under the front of the Forester? Please pass that on if you can.

    Thanks
    Larry
  • lfdallfdal Member Posts: 679
    Getting ready to give the XT a major wax job soon. Was wondering if anyone has a favorite brand of body clay that they use? All recommendations welcome.

    Thanks
    Larry
  • lfdallfdal Member Posts: 679
    Sam - getting ready to install HAL fix this weekend. I've only been trying to get to it for about 6 weeks now. Gives you an idea of what great weather we've got around here.

    If the fan noise is an issue, is it possible to reduce the voltage to the fan to slow it down? I wouldn't think it needs a high velocity of air, just enough to pass on the ambient cabin temperature.

    Just curious.

    Larry
  • ironiron Member Posts: 4
    I like the clay from Griots Garage. It seems easy to use with less risk of screw ups.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Price no object, I have to admit I'd definitely pick the new Outback over the Forester IF I had to get an auto tranny. The new 5EAT was brilliant, much less hesitation plus smoother shifts and smarter gear selection. Manual controls are icing on the cake.

    The dual-mass flywheel clutch on the GT also seemed a bit smoother, but the difference is comparatively small when you look at the auto tranny improvement.

    However, to me price IS an object...

    -juice
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    are you expecting real world differences of about $5k?

    John
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    I am curious, other than the 5spd auto, what other differences do you favor for the Outback Turbo vs the Forester XT auto?

    John
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    just looked at the Subaru '05 specs, the Outback XT 5 speed is making 250 hp and 25 mpg. That is 40 more ponies and almost 10% better mpg. What did they do? 5th gear final ratio is identical IIRC.

    John
  • sdouglassdouglas Member Posts: 3
    Anyone seen the latest Forester XT commercial?

    This is the one that makes all its drivers superheros.

    Comments???

    --dcdouglas
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I use Clay Magic, fwiw. Can be found at a local auto parts store.

    -Brian
  • dhincadhinca Member Posts: 8
    Hi, I'm considering the Forester XT as a smaller alternative to Honda Pilot/Toyota Highlander. No past experience with Subaru or turbos. Interested in your experience on the following:

    Any performance issues at elevations over 5000 ft?

    Any positive/negative comments on optional moonroof air deflector (wind noise, effectiveness, visibility blocker . . .)?

    Any positive/negative comments on rear spoiler or rear window air deflector? Is the spoiler functional in any way?

    Much thanks, seems like a good forum.
  • samiam_68samiam_68 Member Posts: 775
    I'm working on a fix right now. Two other people have noticed the noise. Reducing the voltage would not solve the problem, I already tried that - the fan just stops working.

    Are you getting the high pitch noise or some sort of vibration noise?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hard to say what the real price difference will be, the 2005s are still hot off the presses. Ask me again one year from now.

    John: NVH control is better on the OB, plus side curtain air bags. And that auto tranny.

    But the GT has yet another advantage - excellent steering. So it has triple aces - tranny, steering, and features. Hard to beat.

    Have not seen that F-XT ad but it sounds funny.

    dhinca: the XT is already quicker than the competition. At altitude, the advantage actually stretches significantly. Normally aspirated engines start wheezing, while the XT will just use its blow-off valve a little less, since it has excess efficiency.

    In other words, you'll blow everyone away.

    -juice
  • aldehydealdehyde Member Posts: 26
    ateixeira, the subaru,com site is showing several new colors for the 2005 Legacy and Impreza, do you know if the 2005 Forester XT will get these too? I'd like mine in Regal Blue or Woodland Green, thank you.
  • cmunizcmuniz Member Posts: 604
    The XT is great above 5,000 ft. Like Juice said, the turbo is a definite advantage since you get power instantly and on demand at that elevation. I live at 3,400 ft in mountainous terrain and our second car is a Highlander. Although the Highlander is more comfortable on long trips I'd much rather drive the XT up and down the mountains. It has way more power and torque on the uphills. The AT is also much easier to downshift to lower gear for the downhills on snowy roads than the Highlander. Like most hatchbacks, the rear window gets dirty easily. I assume that the rear deflector will help, but since I don't have one I can't tell. Our Highlander has one and it seems to stay cleaner.
    Bottom line - you'll really enjoy the power of the XT in the mountains
  • miamixtmiamixt Member Posts: 600
    there are no Mountains, everything is 5 Feet above Sea Level. Stu, good to know you checked in, and Sam, if I ever need an XT Modification, you are the man!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Haven't heard about the '05 Foresters. '06 is the year for the mid-cycle freshening, though.

    No basements in Florida! You'd hit water! ;-)

    -juice
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I got 26 mpg even on a road trip last week, all highway, the Skyline drive mostly. I found that cruising below 75 netted good mileage, but cracking 80 sank the average down to the low 20's.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Nice work Loosh! 65 seemed to be the sweet spot on my Outback. 75 is more with the flow of traffic on I-94 around here anyway.

    -Brian
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    yeah but much under 70 in 5th and the car was out of boost, and mileage sank again. Seemed like it really liked 3200rpm in 5th, just enough boost to help, but never really aggressive speeding
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    That is completely false! No way can anyone get more than 22 mpg in an XT! You definitely have a problem with your fuzzy math mpg calculation. ;-)

    -Dennis
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    I had my PDA calculator handle all the mathmagician stuff! :)
  • samiam_68samiam_68 Member Posts: 775
    Back to the drawing board I went.... and this is what I came up with (Version 3):

    http://www.geocities.com/samiam_68/SubaruCCS/SSC_Fix.htm

    I will not quit until this thing is perfect or until Subaru gets a fix of their own ;-)
  • miamixtmiamixt Member Posts: 600
    Sam, great site! I know you are one of the few XT Owners experiencing excellent Mileage. Could you consider a modification to boost Mileage using the same Fan Principle mounted near the Turbo Charger, somewhat like a Super Charged Turbo XT. I can pay for the R & D, do you accept Pay Pal?
  • john284john284 Member Posts: 71
    I bet he got a rebadged XS from the dealer, and he thought he had turbo-XT, with a snort on it...Come on, if you get 26 mpg, even if accurately, you are wasting your investment into a XT, I mean, give me a break, what is the point of getting a XT if all you care about is the mpg?
    Geesh...I got only 21-24 mpg on my S, if I have an XT, I would rather have 20 mpg at top....
  • lucien2lucien2 Member Posts: 2,984
    that's 26 highway. I still don't break 20 in the city, where the overwhelming amount of my driving happens. 93 Octane is $2.30 a gallon at the moment; I'm no genius, but that could be the reason why mileage is an issue with the XT set right now.

    It's not "all I care about," just a factor in the ownership cost. I think also that many of us feel that slightly taller gearing (no change in MSRP) or 6 speeds (a bit more expensive but we'd all have checked that box!) would have solved the problem pretty easily. So the MPG issue feels kinda like a missed opportunity on Subaru's part to make a great car almost perfect.
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    The planets are aligning for me to join the Forester XT crowd. Now if only I could get additional info on the '05s from SoA...

    Ed
  • samiam_68samiam_68 Member Posts: 775
    Actually... on MySubaru.com and the service reminders I get in the mail, my car shows up as "Forester WRX 2.5 XT"...

    My lowest MPG ever was 19.5 (first tank from the dealer), highest was 25.8, average 22.5 over 11,000 miles.

    BTW, the new Legacy and Outback with the 2.5 Turbo engine are rated 19/25 MPG with a 5-speed. Don't know the difference in gear ratios and curious to see what the owners will actually get, especially since that's a heavier car.
  • bsumpterbsumpter Member Posts: 35
    Sounds almost identical to what I'm getting (my best is a bit higher), the only difference is I'm at around 24,000 miles :)

    I spend a lot of time on the highway, if 100% I'll generally get between 25-26 mpg - it apparently likes running 75 mph, that's usually where I'm at on longer trips. My average on my daily commute is 22-23 mpg, that's still mostly highway though - can't tell you what it'd get in mainly city driving because I never do that much on a given tank, 30% tops.

    And yes, mine does see full throttle/6500 rpm regularly. I agree with others, why have the XT if you aren't going to enjoy it!
  • troop2shostroop2shos Member Posts: 235
    18 - 25 mpg range on my XT with over 10k on the odo. I don't know why there are gas mileage complaints either for the performance gain of the XT - plus the fact that you are only looking at an extra $10 to $15 or so a month more to run premium over regular unleaded...do without a drink & a bucket of popcorn at the movies to make up the difference... :)
  • miamixtmiamixt Member Posts: 600
    I still have yet to yield 20 MPG, City, Expressway or the Turnpike ( never knew what one was until 6 Years ago, no State Income Tax here, but you have to plop in Quarters everywhere!) The Forester XT Sticker says 19 City MPG, 23 Highway MPG. Actual Mileage will vary with Options, driving conditions, driving habits, and Vehicle's condition. Results reported to the EPA indicate that the majority of Vehicles with these estimates will achieve between 15 & 23MPG in the City, and between 19 to 27 on the Highway. Happy Memorial Day Weekend to all my XT Friends, Drive Responsibly©
  • rckyvntrrckyvntr Member Posts: 17
    Hello everyone!

    We (I should say my wife) bought a 2004 FXT, AT, Premium Leather, auto-dimming rear, center console, dual headrest DVD, mud flaps and 3M coating -- a couple of weeks ago. We almost bought the BMW X3 -- see posting on XT/X3/FX Forum.

    Love it! We own two other autos - 94 Miata and 2001 Grand Cherokee Limited. The Miata and Jeep are "mine", but I am constantly begging my wife to "borrow" her car to get a gallon of milk or something from the store. Of course, I take the long way to the store & back. I also love stopping at red lights right next to an unsuspecting "sporty" car driver : )

    Ricky
  • bobshere1bobshere1 Member Posts: 59
    Hi Ricky,

            I've got a 2004 XT and 1994 Miata too!!

                 Bob
  • rckyvntrrckyvntr Member Posts: 17
    Bob,

    You have good taste.

    I just can't give up the Miata. Nothing like it in terms of fun, value and quality. The Memorial Day deals are very tempting for 04 Miatas. $1,500 rebate on a base model brings the price to under $19K. The X3 we almost bought came close to blending the best of worlds between the FXT and Miata -- great handling combined with SUV qualities. However, it did not have a rag top, the clockspeed, or reliability.

    BTW, just skimmed through the "pricing" discussions on the XT:

    Don't forget to negotiate the dealer "holdback". $200 over invoice is not a good deal if you forget the holdback. My deal subtracted $830 in holdback fees, then added $200 to the invoice -- the net result was $630 "under" invoice.

    Happy Memorial Day everyone!
  • miamixtmiamixt Member Posts: 600
    a 2004 Base Forester. After a few complaints that only half the Site worked, and verified by the Subaru Web People, they now have me listed as an XT and even the Forester shows up in the correct Color, Black. My question, are they all Black, and isn't the My Subaru site a big waste of Band width?
  • zmanzman Member Posts: 200
    I note that the '05 OB-XT (MT) is rated higher for gas mileage than the '04 F-XT (MT). Is this just an aerodynamic advantage, or is the engine tuned/geared more towards that goal? Does anyone know of any performance changes planned for the '05 F-XT (MT)?
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    I want the same scoop. Note, the Outback XT is some 400 lbs heavier too than the FXT. IIRC, the final drives (RPM vs MPH) are the same.

    John
  • edunnettedunnett Member Posts: 553
    As per the NY auto show reports:
    http://www.autosite.com/Previews/2005-subaru-forester.asp
    then 2005 models are slightly more fuel efficient because the "engine gets a new electronic throttle control system for optimized throttle response, greater fuel efficiency and better emissions control."
    -elissa
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Wonder if it'll match the Outback XT's 19/25?

    -juice
  • bobshere1bobshere1 Member Posts: 59
    Ricky,

         I'll keep my Miata (and my FXT too!), but I am giving thought to a Lotus Elise. Have mixed feelings about it -- mostly are the cost and reliability issues (vis-a-vis the Miata) worth the reported astounding performance. I'm going to wait until some are around (they are expected "soon") to test drive....

                  Bob
  • rckyvntrrckyvntr Member Posts: 17
    Bob,

    I am watching the Lotus Elise too! We'll see.

    However, I am still begging my wife for every opportunity to drive the FXT. (Somebody's got to go to the grocery store to buy more milk).
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Aerodynamics will play a BIG role. For instance take my SVX, it weighs in at 3680lbs before driver and gear. On the highway with 250hp, I can get with a fully loaded vehicle and 245 width tires v. 225 stock close to 28mpg. Thats with a weight of 4200-4500lbs doing 75-80mph!!!

    -mike
  • miamixtmiamixt Member Posts: 600
    Just filled the Tank, big Gas Problem down here, thanks SHELL, I'll see you in Court perhaps? The XT glowed in the Moonlight after one of those Gas Station Auto Car Washes with a Mega Dose of Wax. At the first hint of Rain, the Windshield looks like it's melting, not really a pleasant sight. Do you use MySubaru.com, is your XT listed correctly and Pictured in the right Color? Someone posted his Service Contract is listed there,I just see where they want to sell you one?. And is your Dealer filling in your Service Appointments, you can enter them too. A Good Idea, but a poorly Functional Site.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No fair mike, you have that neat little canopy! ;-)

    Elise should rock. We'll see. I'll consider a used one in a couple of years, perhaps, to replace my Miata.

    I use my.subaru.com just to keep track of my service records. In fact I enter the data myself, so it's fine. I print them out and put them in a 3 ring binder. Come time to sell, I have perfect records. Staple receipts to the pages, even.

    -juice
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