2006 Forester - X or XS

[billthomson]

Looking at a Forester in canada, trying to decide between the X & XS.
I don't care about most of the options in the XS (heated seats, cargo
covers, etc), but the 2 things I wonder about are the limited slip
differential and the improved braking (some elctronic transfer plus 4
wheel discs) which are both upgraded in the XS. Any opinions on
whether its worth shelling out an extra $3K for these. My dealer also
has loads of the X w/ stick right now so he's likely to want to move
one...

 

[Grolch]

I'm in Cnada and bought the XS (2004). The main reasons were the Limited
Slip Diff, the rear discs and the toneau cover/mud tray/bumper cover combo.
The other advantages were the 6 stack CD and automated AC (not so much an
advantage). I also liked the alloy wheels. Is it vworth an extra three
grand...probably not but I wentv for it anyway. If you can get a good deal
on the X, I am sure it will be all you need it to be.

 

[Blair Baucom]

I read over the Subaru Canada website as they dropped the XS in the US for
2006. To me the added features were worth it. I like the heated seats, the
heated wipers, and the alloy wheels in addition to the EBD (electronic
brake force distribution) and LSD (limited slip differential). I wanted four
wheel disk brakes. I really did not need the power seat. Also you get
leather wrapped steering wheel, handbrake, and shift lever. Crossbars on the
roof rack, turn signals under the mirrors, cargo tray, cargo cover,
illuminated ignition key ring.

The other difference I wish my 2005 XS had was the color or colour matched
mirrors and door handles that come on the 2006 XS in Canada.

Blair

 

[Body Roll]

brembo front kit for impreza is on sale on tirerack.com for under
$2300.
That should fit forester too and should work unlike the electronic
garbage used
to mask the brake deficiencies.
Dunno if you'd need bigger wheels though due to larger rotors. Maybe
not.

 

[WNG]

On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 11:54:33 -0500, billthomson <(e-mail address removed)>
wrote:

I'll say that depends on how long you are going to keep the car. If you
just use it for less than 4 years, keep the $3k yourself. Otherwise, the
limited differential, 4 wheel disc brake, heated wiper is worth the extra.
Not to mention the 4 alloy wheel worth $1000 already. Heated wiper is a
good thing during snow storm. Quite a few people like the design. All
contribute to safety which is basically what you are looking for I guess.
Or else get a CR-V or Rav4 instead of Subaru (True AWD). Put it this way,
it worths every penny if it ever saves your life once. But remember to
replace all the tires when you got your Forester.

 

[Edward Hayes]

I think the upholstery is upgraded too as it was on my 2000 Forest S.

 

[billthomson]

Thanks for the opinions everyone. Likely keeping the car for 10 yrs or
so (trading in a 94 4runner), thinking more seriously about the XS now.
It does have a lot of silly add ons that I don't care about, but I
think its worth shelling out the extra $$$ for the safety features.
Would love to find a review that actually compares the performance
difference between the open & limited slip diff & the 2 braking
systems, failing that I guess I'll assumed Subaru knows what they're
doing with the design....

 

[Edward Hayes]

I bought my Forester S in Florida with some stuff I would NEVER USE.
Guess what, I use the heated seats when it gets down to 45 degrees and
the heated mirrors to dispel condensation on the outside mirrors so
all was not lost as I assumed.

 

[WNG]

On Tue, 21 Mar 2006 09:37:39 -0500, billthomson <(e-mail address removed)>
wrote:

Oh. Do me a favor. Ask the sales guy if the 06 Forester still have problem
with the automatic climate control as everyone experiences in the group.
Drive me crazy with mine.