2004 Forester XT Questions From Prospective Buyer

[TimePixDC]

I'm thinking of buying a Forester XT (probably a 5 speed) and have a couple of
questions that the brochure and website don't answer and my search for info has
led me here.

1) Octane needed: 87, 89 or 92?

2) The brochure says that the five speed comes with "overdrive." Is this a true
electronic overdrive, i.e. flick a switch for lower revs at cruising speed, or
do they just figure that anything with more than four gears counts as
overdrive?

3) Does anyone know the RPM at 75MPH in both the Manual or Auto transmission?
Do they have different final drive ratios?

4) Is it noisy at highway speeds (75mph)?

5) Can anyone recommend a good (no BS) dealer in the Omaha, Nebraska area?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Alan]

I think the XT only comes with AT.

 

[Hal Whelply]

See below...

I'm thinking of buying a Forester XT (probably a 5 speed) and have a couple of
questions that the brochure and website don't answer and my search for info has
led me here.

1) Octane needed: 87, 89 or 92?

2) The brochure says that the five speed comes with "overdrive." Is this a true
electronic overdrive, i.e. flick a switch for lower revs at cruising speed, or
do they just figure that anything with more than four gears counts as
overdrive?

is a standard 5-speed. Probably, like most, the 5th gear is overdrive, i.e.,
less than 1:1.

3) Does anyone know the RPM at 75MPH in both the Manual or Auto transmission?
Do they have different final drive ratios?

4) Is it noisy at highway speeds (75mph)?

speed than either the Honda Accord V6 it replaced, and my wife's Volvo S60.

 

[David]

2) The brochure says that the five speed comes with "overdrive." Is this a true
electronic overdrive, i.e. flick a switch for lower revs at cruising speed, or
do they just figure that anything with more than four gears counts as
overdrive?

Neither. It refers to the gear ratio in the transmission. The ratio is usually
expressed in terms of (input shaft revolutions)output shaft revolutions) or
input shaft revs/output shaft revs. 1:1 (or just 1) is known as direct drive (DD).
Anything less is overdrive. In the old days top gear was typically DD. Some
cars had optional, external, freewheeling (IIRC) overdrive units. When 5-speeds
became popular, 5th was OD, 4th either DD or OD also. The odd thing about
the Forester transmissions is 4th isn't even DD, and cruising in the somewhat OD
5th, they feel like they could use another gear. Probably not really required at
least in the non-turbo, as cruising mileage is pretty good.

Maybe we can fit used Japanese 6-speeds to our Foresters...

 

[Edward Hayes]

The 4th gear is an overdrive in the Auto as the differential ratio is
4.44:1 and the 4th gear is 2.27. eddie

 

[Jim Bailey]

I think the XT only comes with AT.Incorrect. You can get the XT with manual transmission.

 

[Hal Whelply]

But the manual is not available with the Premium package (leather,
sunroof...and AT). At least not unless you have close friends at Subaru.
Someone here, or on one of the other Subie boards, said he talked his dealer
into a custom sunroof on an MT model.

 

[Rob55]

It is in Australia !!
http://subaru.com.au/explore/forester/

 

[Alan]

We were looking at the premium package (sunroof and leather seats). This is
NOT available with manual.

 

[TimePixDC]

Subject: Re: 2004 Forester XT Questions From Prospective Buyer

From: "Alan" (e-mail address removed)
Date: Mon, Feb 2, 2004 4:00 PM

I think the XT only comes with AT.

Nope. MT or AT.

 

[TimePixDC]

Subject: Re: 2004 Forester XT Questions From Prospective Buyer

From: "Hal Whelply" (e-mail address removed)
Date: Mon, Feb 2, 2004 4:13 PM

First I've heard of overdrive. I have the AT, but to my knowledge the MT
is a standard 5-speed. Probably, like most, the 5th gear is overdrive, i.e.,
less than 1:1.

The brochure says that both the MT and AT come with overdrive...

 

[TimePixDC]

Subject: Re: 2004 Forester XT Questions From Prospective Buyer

From: "David" (e-mail address removed)
Date: Mon, Feb 2, 2004 5:40 PM

Neither. It refers to the gear ratio in the transmission. The ratio is
usually
expressed in terms of (input shaft revolutions)output shaft revolutions)
or
input shaft revs/output shaft revs. 1:1 (or just 1) is known as direct
drive (DD).
Anything less is overdrive. In the old days top gear was typically DD.
Some
cars had optional, external, freewheeling (IIRC) overdrive units. When
5-speeds
became popular, 5th was OD, 4th either DD or OD also. The odd thing about
the Forester transmissions is 4th isn't even DD, and cruising in the somewhat
OD
5th, they feel like they could use another gear. Probably not really required
at
least in the non-turbo, as cruising mileage is pretty good.

Thanks.

 

[Edward Hayes]

The 4th gear in the AT is an overdrive and the ratio is 0.694:1. eddie

 

[Lord Drool Rockworm]

That would have been me. I convinced the dealer to include both
leather seats and the automatic sunroof in my XT with the manual
transmission.

They sent it out to a shop, and hey-presto! It was done.

Push the dealer. They will comply.

Cheers,
Michael

 

[Brian Purcell]

I'm thinking of buying a Forester XT (probably a 5 speed) and have a couple of
questions that the brochure and website don't answer and my search for info has
led me here.

1) Octane needed: 87, 89 or 92?

2) The brochure says that the five speed comes with "overdrive." Is this a true
electronic overdrive, i.e. flick a switch for lower revs at cruising speed, or
do they just figure that anything with more than four gears counts as
overdrive?

3) Does anyone know the RPM at 75MPH in both the Manual or Auto transmission?
Do they have different final drive ratios?

4) Is it noisy at highway speeds (75mph)?

5) Can anyone recommend a good (no BS) dealer in the Omaha, Nebraska area?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Well I have a Forester XT sitting out in my driveway. It's 5 speed
standard and has leather heated seats, moonroof, sound system etc.

Bought it about three months ago (Ottawa, Canada) straight out of the
showroom. I understood this to be a standard package.

Anyway to your questions. It doesn't have an overdrive switch/button
just 5th gear which is fine. We're metric up here but I can tell you
that cruising at 120km doesn't see the tach go over 3400-4000. I
wouldn't consider it noisy at highway speeds but yes if you accelerate
hard.

Hmm. Oh yes....it does require premium gas 91 octane plus.

Hope that helps

Brian.

 

[Hal Whelply]

Premium package w/ MT in Canada, huh? Interesting. I think I've read that
there's a rear end self-leveling suspension available in Australia. Anyone
know how Subaru arrives at decisions regarding what equipment packages are
available in various countries? I'd think MT w/ Premium package, and
self-leveling rear end would be desirable features in any country. Why don't
the States get the good stuff? Or, what good stuff do we get that isn't
available in Canada and Australia?

HW

 

[Andrew Morris]

MT has a fifth gear, not an overdrive... AT is 4 speed...

 

[TimePixDC]

Subject: Re: 2004 Forester XT Questions From Prospective Buyer

From: "Andrew Morris" (e-mail address removed)
Date: Wed, Feb 4, 2004 4:32 AM

MT has a fifth gear, not an overdrive... AT is 4 speed...

Thanks.