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Comments
Naming brands, models, manufacturers or dealers is okay but naming individuals usually isn't.
-Frank
Steve, Host
-Dennis
My recollection of the F-XT, and my recent drives of the new Legacy suggests that the engines feels quite similar to one another. Since you guys are so much more familiar with the F-XT than I, your input would be most welcome.
Bob
That's because NJ is the last state in the country to get GT's/OBXT's! SDC I suppose.
My wife and I are thinking of going to the dealer "unveiling". I think it's next Friday. If I can't give it a good test drive then, I'll go back again for a "good" one.
-Dennis
JP
-Frank
John
No GT's or O-XT's here yet to test. Just a few 2.5i's at the local dealer.
-Brian
Depends where you live and whether you are price limited.
The base GT wagon and base FXT are only about cnd$1000-1500 apart in Canada (FXT a little cheaper based on 04 prices, no 05 FXT prices yet). So unless you want/need the ground clearance, the GT and the FXT are close enough to cross shop in price terms. In fact the GT sedan and the 05 FXT may turn out to be the same price. The OB XT on the other hand is 6-7000 more as only avail in LTD trim.
One of the things that impresses me about potential FXT ownership is that almost all owner reviewers seem highly satisfied. Seems even now after a year on the market for most owners the FXT's affordability, giant killing abilities, versatility and general fun factor hugely outweigh its shortcomings (mpg, arguably the short gearing, climate control, handling without sway bar and tire swap, etc).
JP
http://www.cobbtuning.com/forester/accessport/
GT has the refinement down, and well as handling. GOing to have to test drive both of them for a while on the same day to really see what I prefer.
-B
Maybe the Outback XT is in between the two (but the $4K more is in issue there).
John
In other news, the XS gets 30 mpg MT, dual stage air bags, the "7 speed fan" climate control,an aluminum hood, power driver's seat, ETC, and it looks like a few pounds shaved off (not sure about the later, I can't remember the 2004 specs.).
John
I'd cross shop them, but a Legacy GT Limited wagon would break $30k, while the F-XT MT premium might be had for $25k. I don't think I'd stretch quite that far...
-juice
Zman
Can't wait to see what they can do for the GT!
I've been away from this forum for quite a while. I've got hundreds of posts to catch up on.
Anyway, just thought I'd pop in to say hello and that I'm thoroughly enjoying my GT Ltd. Wagon!
Cheers!
-Ian
On a recent trip to Tahoe, I got 20.7 MPG mostly highway, some dirt road, some city driving on the way to and through Tahoe.
On the return highway trip home, I filled up with Chevron 91 octane just before hopping on the highway, left the A/C off as much as I could stand it, had the roof racks removed, had a dog, camping equipment and husband loaded into car, tires all filled to 32psi, drove with cruise control... I filled up when I got home and clocked a 30.1 MPG fillup!
Thinking it was a fluke I recalculated several times and expected the next fillup to something like 16 MPG owing to an under-fill the time before. No such fortune. The next fillup with my usual driving style clocked in at 20.4 MPG.
Each of these three fill-ups was with 7.5 - 8.2 gallons of gas so are therefore comparable.
Also have you purchased any Shell Gasoline. On the East Cost Millions of Motorists might have to get their Fuel Gages replaced, as the Gas had too much Sulphur in it, ruining the Gage. I suspect you might of found some West Coast tainted Fuel that has caused these MPG readings?
Ken
The OEM tires have very soft sidewalls, I'm looking forward to replacing them in probably 10,000 or so more miles (I'm at 26,000 now) with something more appropriate for the XT - Falken ZX-512 or perhaps ContiExtremeContacts, in 225/60/16's. The slightly taller tire will look a bit better to me & also take care of most of the factory speedometer error, which reads about 4% high now.
Straight line traction will be a bit better at lower pressures, but that's not an issue for us - the Subaru's are the only cars I've ever seen that usually have guys raising the tire pressure to get *less* traction at the dragstrip. Less chance of blowing up the drivetrain or bogging off the line...
The owners manual specifies higher tire pressures when towing or loaded. I recently ran them up to 41 psi when travelling with 4 people, a full cargo compartment and 4 bikes on the rear hitch rack. It takes a moment to adjust to the different feel to the handling, but I am confident there is a significant safety enhancement with the greater pressure.
Given the limited towing capacity, the FXT would benefit from a longer gearing spread. The STi has two overdrive gears in its 6 speed... obviously, there is a way to compromise between low-end accelleration and top end efficiency. I approached redline in my FXT this weekend in 2nd and the kids went wild...the acceleration just kept building! It would be nice to "sneak" along at 80, too. The higher COF will prevent the Forester from getting the same mpg as the LGT above 60mph, but a predictable 25 or 26 mpg highway would sure be nice.
Mark
-juice
The gunslit approach that many Audis and especially the 300C/Magnum is awful. The tank-like feeling that some like makes me feel claustrophobic.
Rear seat room really isn't an issue, but it might be by the time I get read of whatever Soobie I get. Whoa, now that's a odd thought, tehe.
-B
7.5 - 8.2 gallons per fillup? You must fill up as soon as the needle hits the 1/2 tank mark. For comparison purposes, my average is over 12 gals and I've put in 13.9 before.
Re: tire pressure. The first thing I did when I got my Forester was air up the tires to 34 psi because I couldn't stand the wallowly feeling of the manufacturer's recommended setting. My general rule of thumb is to inflate to halfway between the manufacturer's recommended setting and the max listed on the sidewall. This seems to offer the best compromise in ride quality and also optimizes tread wear, allowing me to get over 50k miles out of the OEM Yokos on my 01 Forester.
-Frank
He he he he .... I'm PRETTY sure I've got the turbo... hm... funny intercooler thingy under the hood blocking my access to the spark plugs, strange hissing noise on acceleration, and whip-lash like experiences passing on the highways. Pretty sure, ya. :-)
32 psi - just for the hell of it, I try to be around 30 just 'cuz it's a round number and provides decent ride, handling and mileage.
hm... Shell, usually I do Chevron when possible, but usually something cheap like Arco or Olympic. All west-coast funky blends. You are correct; we do not have the sulfur stink issue here that y'all on the east coast do. However, that 30 MPG was definitely a one-time occurance coming down the mountains from Tahoe (with some up hill in there too). Usually my fillups yeild 20 - 21 MPG. *shrug* It leaves me hope anyway....
:-)
Jeff P
Weston, CT
-mike
Keep us posted on how the repairs ago.
-Frank
My 5-speed XT's first birthday was yesterday, June 21. Total miles through the first year: 8066 - my daily commute is only about 24 miles round-trip, and I work so many hours there isn't much time to drive anywhere else! Total fuel consumed: 30 tankfuls, 374.3 gallons, for an overall MPG of 21.55. Downright mediocre compared to the claimed exploits of nameless others, especially given my 70-80% mostly-solo freeway driving at a moderate 65-70mph.
The first 10 tankfuls covering 2601 miles (mostly on my exceedingly conservative 2,000-mile break-in regimen) used 120.4 gallons, for 21.6 MPG. The second 10 tankfuls: 2866 miles on 136.55 gallons, resulting in disappointingly LESS MPG than before: 20.99.
The final 10 tankfuls covered 2,599 miles on 117.4 gallons, for a slightly better 22.14 MPG. Maybe this means the slightly looser engine will stay above 22 from now on, or maybe it merely means that Oregon fuel is better in spring and summer than fall and winter. BTW, the last 10 tanks were mostly 89-octane, which is probably what I'll typically buy from now on. $2.40 per gallon stinks. This car could definitely use a larger, longer-range fuel tank.
Predictably, I still HATE the ridiculously short gearing; a day doesn't go by that I don't unconsciously reach for the shifter thinking I can't possibly be in top gear.
Still stuck with the severe right-dashtop rattle and the faint thump-thump-thump from the steering rack when turning the steering wheel in quiet environments. The A/C is barely able to cope with high-80-degree weather and is clearly inadequate in 90+; that flat-black dashtop is a gigantic radiating heatsink. I often have to run the fan at high speed despite the noise. I sometimes think the HVAC system is actually adding unwanted heat to the airflow even when the temp dial is at its lowest setting.
I love the excellent headlamps with my Philips VisionPlus bulbs. Great night illumination. I hate trying to read the white-on-black instruments on sunny days while wearing sunglasses - nearly impossible. Contrary opinions notwithstanding, I still think the dumbass 'way-down-there master switch for the cruise control, that has to be turned on again at every startup, is stupid and utterly unnecessary - more on this below.
I still think the XT's brilliant combination of ride quality and nimble handling ranks up there with the best. I don't feel the need to spend a single nickle to "improve" the suspension. I still think the steering is unnecessarily overboosted, though I'm used to it. I wish the brake feel was firmer (less mushy) and wish the brakes engaged before the pedal has to travel so far down. The hill-holder that I disliked so much eventually loosened up quite a bit with added mileage. It has become fairly unobtrusive.
I still think Subaru's decision to sell into their largest, most profitable market without allowing the choice of 5-speed MT together with sunroof and/or leather is/was absolutely brain-dead. Idiotic. Moronic. Especially when Canucks get 'em that way. Inexcusable.
Amazingly, I haven't yet had to replace the wipers, despite a year of Oregon's famous frequent rain. The rear's getting marginal, though. And despite taking a number of what sounded like MAJOR rock hits, I can't find a single chip in the paint or in the windshield after an entire year! No door dings yet, either.
My insurance went down slightly, and now costs $434.61 for 6 months. I guess I can quit holding my breath waiting for State Farm to jack up the rates reflecting the supercar performance.
After about 10 months of having seen not ONE SINGLE other XT anywhere on Oregon's roads, I've finally spotted a few during the past 2 months. Even saw two in one day, one of which was an identical twin to my silver one - right down to the absence of roof crossbars. Waved at the guy, but he wasn't paying attention.
Haven't actually driven a new Legacy yet, but I did do a walk-around sit-in. After carefully adjusting the front seat for my size, I was amazed and disappointed to find NO more rear legroom than in the XT! If anything, less! What on earth did they do with the extra 6" wheelbase??? Nevertheless, I do plan to drive one soon, although I'm making zero headway trying to convince my wife that our '97 Concorde is due for replacement. She would miss its huge, roomy back seat.
While on vacation, I drove a rented Volvo S40 wagon from the southernmost tip of Sweden all the way north to the Arctic circle and all the way back - about 1,300 miles in all. Its turbo 2-liter was amazingly powerful and responsive - not as eyeball-flattening as the XT, but far more than ample. We never averaged less than 30 MPG on a tankful, yet had 3 adults and all our European luggage plus purchases - plus a wheelchair! - inside with no complaints from anyone! The remarkable power plus the excellent economy plus the utility left me with a healthy newfound respect for Volvos. The Volvo engine and driveline were very noticeably quieter and smoother, too. And unlike the XT's retarded cruise control setup, the Volvo's cruise control works exactly the way it should: The master switch is right on the stalk, and it DOES NOT have to be turned back on again every time the engine is started. However, its front seats can't match the XT's for long-distance comfort.
Finally - the nifty CG-Lock seatbelt gizmo that keeps the lap portion as tight as I want across the hips is invaluable. I forgot to take it to Europe and really missed it. I will never, ever own another car without this useful accessory. Best 40 bucks this skinflint ever spent.
Over and out.
jb
-Frank
The only time I see 25-27 mpg are absolutely 100% highway, but it's very consistent.
-B
-Dennis
• EPA gas ratings are slightly better than in '04. Not sure if they changed the gearing to achieve this, however?
• The cruise control master switch is now incorporated into the CC stalk. You still have to turn it on when you start the car, but at least you don't have to hunt for the switch.
• Moonroof (Premium Package) is now available with the 5-speed manual.
So slowly, they are making upgrades. In hindsight, maybe you should have waited for an '05 model, but there's no sense in second-guessing yourself. BTW, I disagree with you about the rear legroom in the new Legacy. I've sat in several, and it's noticeably roomier than my Forester. It DOES lack in tow room under the front seat however, which is inexcusable.
Bob