Forester Power/XS vs. XT/Question

[TimePixDC]

In choosing between the XS (Premium w/ 5 speed) and the XT (with 5 speed) does
the XS have sufficient power (165 HP) for day to day needs? Will it handle
80MPH for sustained lengths of time without huffing and puffing? Or is the
turbo at 210 HP really needed?

Thanks.

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 Forester S runs very nicely at 75-80 mph on 500 mile trips without
even breathing hard. I can't say about mountain driving as I live in Florida
but, when I drive over the Smoky mountains going way north I have no
problems and I drive an AT. I would like the XT when I'm in a spirited
driving mood but, with lower mileage 23 vs. 27 and premium gas and the major
service interval cut from 105,000 miles to 60,000 miles it become a much
more expensive car to drive and maintain. eddie

 

[T]

I would avoid a turboed engine. The only case I would consider a turbo is in
a sports car where I was willing to sacrifice engine life for raw speed, the
WRX for example, or an Audi TT :::evil grin:::. I don't own a subaru yet,
but am going to buy a used Forester soon, and I hear nothing but good things
about the base 165hp engine. Seeing that you're getting a 5 speed, and a 5
speed makes the 165hp feel a bit more peppy, as it does for any engine, you
should be fine.

-T

 

[CW]

The XT is almost sports car fast. I don't think anyone needs that
kind of speed but if you are an enthusiast who has practicality
requirements, the XT (or even WRX Wagon) may be just the ticket.

I would urge you to test drive both though. In particular, take an
on-ramp with the power-zapping A/C on.

CW

 

[Dan Duncan]

In choosing between the XS (Premium w/ 5 speed) and the XT (with 5 speed) does
the XS have sufficient power (165 HP) for day to day needs? Will it handle
80MPH for sustained lengths of time without huffing and puffing? Or is the
turbo at 210 HP really needed?

My 2003 XS Premium with 5 speed runs great at 80MPH. I pull a fairly
long steep hill on the interstate (speed limit 75) without shifting down
to 4th. This hill really separates the cars. You can tell which small
cars have automatics because they fall behind. I haven't driven
the XT, and I bet it's fun as hell, but the XS with 5 speed has
plenty of power.

-DanD

 

[Paul]

I just bought a 2001 Forester S 5sp. Living in Colorado, I get plenty
of opportunity to drive in the mountains with lots of inclines, and
winding roads. This being my first Subaru, I cannot tell you how
impressed I am with the power this car has while driving in the
mountains. I agree a turbo would be fun as hell, but since I use my
car to drive around all day (service tech) I dont need the extra hp of
a turbo.

 

[Archie]

In choosing between the XS (Premium w/ 5 speed) and the XT (with 5 speed) does
the XS have sufficient power (165 HP) for day to day needs? Will it handle
80MPH for sustained lengths of time without huffing and puffing? Or is the
turbo at 210 HP really needed?

Thanks.

I picked up a 2003 XS prem. 5-speed last May. My answers are yes to
the first two questions and no the last, IMO. The Forester XS will
handle day to day tasks with great ease and efficiency and with power
to spare. It will handle 80 mph driving for long stretches no
problem.

I also concur with a previous response to this query. A turbo
requires more dedicated maintenance on the owners part every single
day, a higher octane requirement which translates to higher fuel
costs, and is overall costlier to own in the long run. Is something
like that really necessary? To me it's not. A lot of people I talk
to are having a lot of fun with the added hp of the FXT and to them
the turbo makes all the difference in the world. Your mileage my
vary.

My question for you is this: What car are you currently driving? If
you own a 400 hp Dodge Viper, you may find the power of the non-turbo
Forester to be a bit disappointing. I owned a 1998 Audi A4 2.8L V6
Quattro for five years before getting my Forester. That car listed at
190 hp. I haven't been disappointed at all going from the A4 to the
Forester. In fact the Forester really really surprised me in
comparison. The combination of all-wheel drive and the way the boxer
engine transfers power directly to the drive train is quite a package.
To sum it up quickly, I was driving a more powerful car before this,
and I'm finding the 165 hp Forester to be more powerful than I ever
imagined overall. I thought stepping down in power would be my one
regret in going from the A4 to the Forester, but I'm finding that
isn't the case at all.

 

[GTT]

In choosing between the XS (Premium w/ 5 speed) and the XT (with 5 speed) does
the XS have sufficient power (165 HP) for day to day needs? Will it handle
80MPH for sustained lengths of time without huffing and puffing? Or is the
turbo at 210 HP really needed?

Thanks.

Just to make it unanimous, my AT 04 Forester XS handles 500-800 mile day
trips running 75-80 mph with no problem. Unlike some of the others, if I
drive at 80 all day, the mileage does not stay at 27 - 31 mpg, it seems to
drop to 25.... Other than for competition, I'd say go with the XS! I'm
plenty happy with mine. I must add that I value reliability and economy
and adequate performance over high performance any time! That may not be
you!

 

[John Opezdol]

In choosing between the XS (Premium w/ 5 speed) and the XT (with 5 speed) does
the XS have sufficient power (165 HP) for day to day needs? Will it handle
80MPH for sustained lengths of time without huffing and puffing? Or is the
turbo at 210 HP really needed?

There is a LOOOOONG upgrade on 395 in nevada a bit north of where route i120
thru yosemite exits. That's were you'd clutch for power and wish you'd had a
turbo. If you drive on flats
you can probably live without turbo. It's a question of whether your ego
needs a boost
and, if so, a low or high boost :^)

 

[Dan Duncan]

I just bought a 2001 Forester S 5sp. Living in Colorado, I get plenty
of opportunity to drive in the mountains with lots of inclines, and
winding roads. This being my first Subaru, I cannot tell you how
impressed I am with the power this car has while driving in the
mountains. I agree a turbo would be fun as hell, but since I use my
car to drive around all day (service tech) I dont need the extra hp of
a turbo.

I forgot to add in my original message that I also live in Colorado.
I live at 6000 feet, work at 5280 feet, and drive over a 7000 foot
continental divide betwixt the two. My non-turbo Forester has
less horsepower at this altitude and I still find it has plenty.
If the original poster lives closer to sea level, he will have
even more performance than we do!

-DanD

 

[Ken Gilbert]

In choosing between the XS (Premium w/ 5 speed) and the XT (with 5 speed) does
the XS have sufficient power (165 HP) for day to day needs? Will it handle
80MPH for sustained lengths of time without huffing and puffing? Or is the
turbo at 210 HP really needed?

Thanks.

the higher mechanical compression ratio of the NA engine will
translate to better low rpm torque. most people generally relate this
to "driveability" since motoring around town will be in an rpm range
from idle to 4k rpms.

on the other hand, if you like tinkering around with your cars, and
would love a sleeper, then get the xt... much more stuff to play with,
especially when the aftermarket ECU market gets rolling.

btw, the 210hp of the xt is underrated, by all accounts.

jm2c
ken

 

[Lord Drool Rockworm]

Most certainly underrated.

Mine is a blast!