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Comments
Same here. Zman, it's totally different from (for example) a WRX or XS. People who haven't lived in an XT don't realize that it drives a lot more like a V-8 than any 4-cyl out there. It's a bit weak below 1500RPMs, but at any engine speed much above that the XT will move along in any gear you wish if you're just cruising along in no hurry. That's certainly true when you're above 2K.
Craig
Do you use OEM filters...or what brand do you recommend ?
Thanks,
Mike
I buy Subaru filters in bulk, usually pay about $5-6 each. Also, get new crush washers for the drain plug (50 cents to a dollar each, depending on where you buy from).
Craig
I'm assuming the XT would behave similar to the STi.
That's not a good comparison. The STi uses a larger turbo (slower to spool up and not until higher in the RPM band); the XT's smaller one (with the same engine displacement) easily shows positive boost as low as 1,500 RPMs. I doubt the STi can do that, and it's part of what makes the XT unique. Also, given their entirely different roles, the STi ECU quite likely biases its AVCS somewhat more toward top end. Everything on the XT is optimized for bags of torque and flexibility in the low-midrange spectrum. You really do have to drive one to appreciate the differences; inferences drawn from experience solely with other vehicles are usually inapplicable.
-Frank P.
Frank, that anectdote is encouraging. There's no way that would have happened in the XS.
Zman
Just for reference, I was the satisfied owner of a 01 S model when the XT hit the streets. I pretty much knew I was doomed if I ever drove an XT. Well my willpower lasted 6 whole months before I caved and took a test drive and as they say "the rest is history". Seriously though, while the normally aspirated 2.5 liter engine is perfectly adequate in most situations, the turbo-charged version is in a league all of its own.
-Frank P.
For the XT, with its unique torque curve, I'd define low-to-midrange as 1500-3000 RPMs. Anything above that I'd call the upper end.
Others will point to the XT's 3600RPM torque peak and 6500 redline and say I'm nuts. Fact remains, I almost never find any need to rev the XT above 3500, and it is completely comfortable puttering around at 1800 to 2500.
Mark this down, folks. You may never see these words again.
Something worth emphasizing about this: People who haven't experienced an XT's remarkable ability to deliver no-strain low-midrange power don't understand when I say that in ordinary, day-to-day move-with-traffic driving, I often upshift at only 2500RPM, usually don't go above 3000, and hardly ever find any actual need to exceed 3500.
I find it equally hard to understand why, in that same type of routine driving, others would delay their upshifts until 4000 to 4500RPM. Outside of a NASCAR track, I cannot imagine any ordinary traffic flow that would actually require the power delivered by the XT at those engine speeds just to keep up.
-Frank P.
That's about the only time I can really go for it in my WRX, so I cherish those rare moments. Being first in line at a stoplight is like finding a treasure around here....
Craig
Probably not, but that's not what I was referring to. I'm talking about those who try to do 50mph in a stream of traffic that's going 40. The perpetual lane-changers, darting back and forth, accelerating then braking as they wedge themselves into gaps that sane drivers leave as safe inter-car following distances. The habitual weavers aren't among my favorites.
Good Morning Jack.
A pox on all of them. Patience is a virtue.
Also what is the impact, if any, on your warranty if you use non-Subaru parts? I believe that as long as the parts/filters/plugs etc. are designed for use on your vehicle you are covered but I'm not 100% sure.
Thanks for any feedback to help me with this decision!
Donn
You and I probably drive about the same. I'm a 2400 to 3200 guy. The XT sounds like it might change that at the lower end. We'll see.
Zman
Doesn't change the situation in town of course, but it makes so much sense I am really surprised (or perhaps not) that Americans haven't embraced the idea.
-Frank P.
While I don't advocate lawbreaking, it's a fact that the speed at which traffic typically flows is often 5 to 10mph higher than the posted limit. So some busybody thinks "I'll fix all those speeders, I'll camp in the leftmost lane at exactly the speed limit." Next thing you know, even the considerate drivers are forced to pass in the righthand lanes. I wouldn't seriously expect the cops to ticket the left-lane hog when he/she isn't driving below the limit (after all, we've all seen marked cop cars intentionally doing the exact same thing), so enforcement probably isn't the major issue. The problem is thoughtless, inconsiderate drivers who think it's their g*d-given right to putt along on the left and won't move right no matter what.
This is why all cars should be equipped with forward-firing cal.50 machine guns. And rearward-firing ones for the clods who drive around with their high beams on in traffic.
Bob
How right you are. I waited around for over a month to test drive a 5-speed XS (ended up with my son's for a day), but they only had XS premiums w/auto either in stock or coming in. I never bothered to push the point, however, so I don't know why that is. By the way, all their X's were automatics too--I would've had to drive 65 miles to test a 5-speed.
Speaking of test driving, GM has a 24-hour test drive program at selected dealers. Does Subaru have anything similar?
Zman
Craig
Another problem here is trucks. My main route to/from work is a two lane highway. Speed limit is 65mph. Frequently, there will be trucks in both lanes. They speed on the downhills and get down to 50-55mph on the uphills. Think they will move over and let cars pass? Nope. I used to drive a big truck for construction, and would never have the nerve to clog up the highway like that. I don't know how these other guys do it. Some of the most selfish drivers out there. And they think us "4-wheelers" are all idiots....
Craig
I'm working on that mod
-Dave
I bought a Ford van in 1995 and found that it was possible to talk to a regional rep if you were having a technical problem that the dealer couldn't pinpoint. I am disappointed that Subaru doesn't have the same. The 800-SUBARU3 customer service is worthless.
Joe
Maybe not. I never could figure out how four guys in two Jeeps with a .50 each could whip the vaunted Afrika Korps. Sort of like the 1960s version of "The A Team."
Ed
Don't have the site but if paisan still remembers it he could share
I'm thinking more in line with paintball pistons to launch ballbearings and dropping spikes for the rear.
-Dave
-Frank P.
Craig
I agree with your comment about the hazards of speed differentials, but not the line above. In the 43 years since I began driving, I have seen more speeders cited than I could count. I've also come upon thousands of left-lane hogs who refused to yield the passing lane to faster-moving traffic, compelling people to pass in the right lanes. Other than one or two semitruckers, I have never - not even once - seen a left-lane bandit driving at the speed limit get pulled over for obstructing traffic that desired to move faster than the limit. With the possible exception of California, I am highly skeptical that this happens anywhere with anything approaching regularity.
This means that no truck would ever be able to move faster than the slowest one in an ever-lengthening column, because (unless there were at least 3 lanes in the same direction) the trucks behind would never be able to pass the slowpoke in front.
Around here truckers are pretty good about staying in the 2nd to the rightmost lane. This allows traffic to merge and exit using the right lane while keeping the left lanes free for passenger vehicles.
-Frank P.
No no no, look, I've been across the pond, driven there, seen the light, and it is good. Lemme say this again: the RIGHT lane is for merging, exiting, and the infrequent special vehicle that's going quite slow: special loads, Real big RV, whatever. Middle lane is for cruising: at or about the legal limit. Left lane is for PASSING. Pass the slower car in front, then return to the middle. That way there is always on elane moving faster than the other and there is no need for aggresive lane hopping.
We have some of those, but not as many as more densely populated regions. Around here, two lanes each way is a very common scenario.
Craig
Thanks for the excellent summary, I learned a few things!
Craig
Craig, you're welcome. I thought there might be someone who could bebefit from what I found.
Also, I would like one with a headset plug. Seems to me that this was illegal for on-road radios, but I thought it might be available for some off-road units.
John
Expect to pay at least a few hundred for the 30K at the dealer. Not that they do anything really important, but they'll charge you at least an hour's worth of labor to just look at the car. You can go to an independent service center for maintenance, or you can do it yourself, without worrying about the warranty. The dealers can NOT deny you your warranty if you didn't have all the service done by them. It's the law. Same thing goes for non-subaru parts. As long as it meets the criteria listed in the owners manual (specific weight of oil, certain standards for the fluids, etc.) it's okay to use it and they are 100% covered. So I'd shop around for a cheaper price.
30K should include
oil change ($10-30 depending on oil, 10 minutes)
air filter change ($5-10, 2 minutes)
spark plug change ($4, 1/2 - 1 hour)
coolant change ($5, 1/2 hour or less)
fuel filter change ($20, 5 minutes, not really necessary)
brake fluid change ($7-8, 1/2 hour)
other minor stuff not really that important
Those are the prices of the material cost and how long it took me, a competent shop could do them all in a hour if they really rushed, but probably figure 2-3 hours.
Aside from the oil change, there really is nothing that important here that couldn't wait for another 30K. Most of the filter stuff is minor, takes a couple of minutes to change. Brake fluid and coolant is cheap, but messy to do yourself. Only problem with taking it to an independent is that they might not have some of the parts in hand, so you might have to supply them.
Thanks again,
Donn
Perhaps my Forester purchase should be deferred until my next Naval Reserve raise...