can not decide: Outback XT vs. Impreza WRX

A

alf

Hi,

I plan to upgrade my car to either Outback XT vs. Impreza WRX Wagon
provided I find a good deal. I like more Impreza but wonder if spending
$4-5K more will not get me a better overall car. I do not need extra
space per say, but sometimes it is very useful as well some off road
capabilities from time to time.

The most important factors for me are:
-reliability
-it will last many miles (can turbos make really reach 2000K miles)

Also wonder what is practical mileage of Outback XT?

I know both cars in and out in their non-turbo incarnations. Both are cool.

Any insight?
 
Alf

You should consider the performance vs utility aspect as well. While
both vehicles have the ability to haul "stuff", the Forester makes it
possible to haul a lot more. I have the Impreza WRX and my roommate has
the Forester XS. To me performance is of greater importance. My
roommate prefers the utility over the performance, hence no turbo. With
its greater ground clearance, the Forester has an easier time going
off-road than a WRX.

You did not list performance as an important factor. Do you want a fast
car? If not, then save a LOT of money and get the non-turbo variant.

Hope this helps,

Johann



He does a lot of hiking and cross country drives.
 
Hi,

I plan to upgrade my car to either Outback XT vs. Impreza WRX Wagon
provided I find a good deal. I like more Impreza but wonder if spending
$4-5K more will not get me a better overall car. I do not need extra space
per say, but sometimes it is very useful as well some off road
capabilities from time to time.

The most important factors for me are:
-reliability
-it will last many miles (can turbos make really reach 2000K miles)

Also wonder what is practical mileage of Outback XT?

I know both cars in and out in their non-turbo incarnations. Both are
cool.

Any insight?


Impreza's are made in Japan, Outbacks in USA, don't know
how that may translate into reliability.

WRX may get you more tickets if you speed as it is more
recognizable as a sports car. Outback on the other hand is
more of a middle age to elder's car, at least that seems to be
the case where I live (Sierra's).

M.J.
 
alf said:
Hi,

I plan to upgrade my car to either Outback XT vs. Impreza WRX Wagon
provided I find a good deal. I like more Impreza but wonder if spending
$4-5K more will not get me a better overall car. I do not need extra
space per say, but sometimes it is very useful as well some off road
capabilities from time to time.

The most important factors for me are:
-reliability
-it will last many miles (can turbos make really reach 2000K miles)

Also wonder what is practical mileage of Outback XT?

I know both cars in and out in their non-turbo incarnations. Both are cool.

Any insight?
If you fight for HVAC controls Outback XT has dual zone controls
I think. If you're bored go for the WRX.
Outback/legacy and Fartsters have identical amount of cargo space I
think,
but I bet the legroom in the back is better on the Out back.
Why won't you drive both back to back at the dealer's?
Seems more like a matter of personal preference to me than anything
else.
 
If you fight for HVAC controls Outback XT has dual zone controls
I think. If you're bored go for the WRX.
Outback/legacy and Fartsters have identical amount of cargo space I
think,
but I bet the legroom in the back is better on the Out back.
Why won't you drive both back to back at the dealer's?
Seems more like a matter of personal preference to me than anything
else.

Go for the Outback LL Bean, with the 3.0 Boxer.
There's no substitute for cubic inches!
 
Outback/legacy and Fartsters have identical amount of cargo space I
think,

Actually the legacy has quite a bit more usable cargo room owing to
the longer wheelbase. when making my forester/outback decision, I
actually spent some time at the dealer during a slow period and
crawling around in the back of both and tallied hte usable space up.
The Outback had quite a bit more usable room, and was roomier on the
spec sheet as well, especially with the seats down on both.

I agree with whomever said it's a personal decision between two
different vehicles though. For myself, the proportions of the
Forester are just clumsy looking. Albeit, much less so now than in
2001. The Forester's lower profile brother the Impreza Outback
Sport or WRX Sport Wagon, though are pretty stylish to my eye.

But i've got music gear to haul and lots of it... so the Outback got
the call for me.

Best Regards,
 
Hi,

I plan to upgrade my car to either Outback XT vs. Impreza WRX Wagon
provided I find a good deal. I like more Impreza but wonder if spending
$4-5K more will not get me a better overall car. I do not need extra
space per say, but sometimes it is very useful as well some off road
capabilities from time to time.

The most important factors for me are:
-reliability
-it will last many miles (can turbos make really reach 2000K miles)

Also wonder what is practical mileage of Outback XT?

I know both cars in and out in their non-turbo incarnations. Both are cool.

Any insight?
Keep LGT as an open option. It's right there somewhere between
Outback XT and WRX. Same space as in the outback.
Outback probably has a stiffer frame but since $4-5k is an issue for
you
I take it you won't want spending money on lowering outback to
the height of LGT. Outback is also probably heavier than Legacy GT.
You have lots of work to do trying to put yourself into the shoes of
the car reviewers :)
The rumors about Legacy elimination are floating around
so make it quick.
 
Hi,

thx for all the feedback. Main motivation of getting turbo is more
power, I really find those 2.5 a little too weak too often. Agreed, this
is "Apples and Oranges" - but I like both (own Impreza and Outback in
the non-turbo incarnation) and this is a dilemma. As far as cargo, I
would go with WRX wagon.

other requirement is to have MT so Legacy Wagon GT is out of the
question. With MT it would be mine favorite in that contest.

I did not think about Forester XT because last time I test-drove it I
was totally surprised by the 3750 RPM@80MPH ratio, the same my Outback
does and honestly I have not been able to get over it for last four
years. Even 4speed AT does 3250 RPM at 80MPH. From what I learned
neither Outback XT nor WRX suffer that anomaly.

Also I wish the do H6 with MT ... I know pipe dream....
 
Impreza's are made in Japan, Outbacks in USA, don't know
how that may translate into reliability.

WRX may get you more tickets if you speed as it is more
recognizable as a sports car. Outback on the other hand is
more of a middle age to elder's car, at least that seems to be
the case where I live (Sierra's).

M.J.
Sorry outback XT Australia are made in Japan
 

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