H
H. Whelply
With about 2,000 miles on the odometer now, I'm getting to know my Forester
pretty well. My best two (consecutive) around-town-only, stop-and-go mileage
figures were 16.8. On one 95 mile trip to San Diego, using cruise control
(it was a good traffic day--it can be bumper-to-bumper much of the way
between LA and SD) set to 75, I was able to get 32.5 one time. This past
Sunday, from Orange County to the Palm Springs area, only 20.5 (although
that included some stop-and-go due to an accident). Some of the time we were
cruising at 85, with short spurts to 90. (Traffic on the Interstate 10
corridor between Palm Springs and Indio moves, en masse, at such speeds,
apparently. Where the CHP is I have no idea.)
My conclusions, so far:
1. This car is very powerful and responsive, once the turbo lag is over, and
the transmission's made a decision about what it's going to do (but that's
another post).
2. Part of the responsiveness is due to that 4.44 final drive ratio, which
means running at a bit over 3,000 RPM at 80 MPH. I wish it didn't have to
rev so much, but it's certainly smooth and I've no sensation of a thrashy,
screaming 4- banger, because it isn't.
3. Actually, around 80, I presume because it's approaching max torque, it
really accelerates if you punch it. It's surprisingly strong.
4. I think very good economy can be had IF you keep your foot out of the
turbo. High gas mileage will take a light touch, steady speeds, and
infrequent enjoyment of the car's power.
5. Hopefully the engine is still on the new/stiff side, and will break in
more yet so MPG will improve.
6. I love this car. So far, I'm a very happy first-Subaru owner! I don't
understand why I don't see more of them in So Cal. It's apparently something
of a well-kept secret, despite the recent bout of advertising, but it's also
kind of cool that the car is, for now, something special.
HW
pretty well. My best two (consecutive) around-town-only, stop-and-go mileage
figures were 16.8. On one 95 mile trip to San Diego, using cruise control
(it was a good traffic day--it can be bumper-to-bumper much of the way
between LA and SD) set to 75, I was able to get 32.5 one time. This past
Sunday, from Orange County to the Palm Springs area, only 20.5 (although
that included some stop-and-go due to an accident). Some of the time we were
cruising at 85, with short spurts to 90. (Traffic on the Interstate 10
corridor between Palm Springs and Indio moves, en masse, at such speeds,
apparently. Where the CHP is I have no idea.)
My conclusions, so far:
1. This car is very powerful and responsive, once the turbo lag is over, and
the transmission's made a decision about what it's going to do (but that's
another post).
2. Part of the responsiveness is due to that 4.44 final drive ratio, which
means running at a bit over 3,000 RPM at 80 MPH. I wish it didn't have to
rev so much, but it's certainly smooth and I've no sensation of a thrashy,
screaming 4- banger, because it isn't.
3. Actually, around 80, I presume because it's approaching max torque, it
really accelerates if you punch it. It's surprisingly strong.
4. I think very good economy can be had IF you keep your foot out of the
turbo. High gas mileage will take a light touch, steady speeds, and
infrequent enjoyment of the car's power.
5. Hopefully the engine is still on the new/stiff side, and will break in
more yet so MPG will improve.
6. I love this car. So far, I'm a very happy first-Subaru owner! I don't
understand why I don't see more of them in So Cal. It's apparently something
of a well-kept secret, despite the recent bout of advertising, but it's also
kind of cool that the car is, for now, something special.
HW
