Forester XT: A few questions...

  • Thread starter Lord Drool Rockworm
  • Start date
L

Lord Drool Rockworm

Hey hey!

I've just got a Forester XT. It's VERY nice. There are a few things
that I'd like to get done to it though.

1. Window tinting to increase the privacy in the rear seat and
storage areas.

2. Raise it up a few inches.

3. Find a reasonable bull bar for the front end.

4. Perhaps increase the HP by adding a new aftermarket chip and
exaust.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, if anyone knows people in the
area who are able to help me out, I'd much appreciate it.

Cheers,
Michael
 
To each his own, different strokes for different folks, etc., etc., BUT
nevertheless, I gotta ask:

1. "Raise it up a few inches"? OK, to do even softroading, a couple more
might be nice, but "a few" sounds like three, four, or more. Wouldn't that
make this fairly short, narrow, short-wheelbase vehicle look a bit unstable?
Worse, wouldn't you mess up one of the advantages of this car, which I think
is a relatively low center of gravity?

2. Is this vehicle, even raised up "a few inches" really of such off-road
capability that you're likely to encounter something from which you need
bull bar protection? OK, admittedly, I don't know much about them.

3. Increase the HP? On an XT? I can't imagine why it would need more
horsepower. It has more than I should be allowed to have now. But, OK,
you're going to chip it and change the exhaust. Doesn't that suggest also
better brakes, better suspension--the latter especially if you're going to
raise it up "a few inches"?

HW
 
Hey hey!

I've just got a Forester XT. It's VERY nice. There are a few things
that I'd like to get done to it though.

Great choice for a vehicle.
1. Window tinting to increase the privacy in the rear seat and
storage areas.

Good idea - and even better in the summer when it keep the interior from getting
so warm.
2. Raise it up a few inches.

BAD idea. Why ruin the handling of a pretty decent vehicle?
3. Find a reasonable bull bar for the front end.

Another BAD idea. If you ever are in a collision you can be sued for making
your car more of a danger to other vehicles and people. I suppose that IF you
were to only put it on when (and if) you were using the vehicle off road it
might be understandable.
4. Perhaps increase the HP by adding a new aftermarket chip and
exaust.

Illegal, and pretty much not needed. The car will go plenty quick. 0-60 in
under 6 seconds is probably faster than the chassis is really set up for, and
especially if you raise the suspension you'll have a pretty unsafe car. If you
wanted a faster vehicle, the WRX wagon would have been a better choice as it's
closer to a sport suspension.
 
Great choice for a vehicle.

Thanks! It is very nice... Fantastic, actually.
Good idea - and even better in the summer when it keep the interior from getting
so warm.

Yes, I agree. My old Subie had the tinting. It was nice to not have
to worry about things being visible on the back seat. I really did
like it, and it helped the autodimming mirror.
BAD idea. Why ruin the handling of a pretty decent vehicle?

I guess that this depends on exactly why and how much, does it not? I
agree that it would reduce the handling aspects of the vehicle in most
(perhaps even all) cases, but I also do a fair amount of off road
driving where ground clearance can be an issue. In some cases even an
inch would make a big difference. Perhaps a better choice might be an
air adjustable system and a few smartly placed skid plates (along with
the rear diff. protector) for under body protection. To be sure, I am
not one of those wankers who want a truck so bloody high off of the
ground that you would require a lift to get in. That certainly is
stupid.
Another BAD idea. If you ever are in a collision you can be sued for making
your car more of a danger to other vehicles and people. I suppose that IF you
were to only put it on when (and if) you were using the vehicle off road it
might be understandable.

Okay, true it may make the vehicle slightly more of a danger to
others, but it is MY safety and potential damage to MY vehicle is what
is most on my mind when I am driving. You see, it's all about ME!
(just kidding!)

Anyway, refering to point 2, above. Yes, I do drive off-road (quite
likely more than most), and the addition of the bull bar would be
helpful in reducing some of the lighter front end damage that you
might expect when driving through the bush. I suppose if I could find
one that was easy to remove and install, and still serve it's intended
function, it would be worth looking in to. I have also found that
having a winch is quite useful in some cases.
Illegal, and pretty much not needed. The car will go plenty quick. 0-60 in
under 6 seconds is probably faster than the chassis is really set up for, and
especially if you raise the suspension you'll have a pretty unsafe car. If you
wanted a faster vehicle, the WRX wagon would have been a better choice as it's
closer to a sport suspension.

While I agree that it is plenty fast, I am not looking for additional
speed. As you say, I could have picked a car the was built more for
speed. I did not. Why? Because I wanted the capacity of a larger
vehicle. Working on the ranch, I find that sometimes I am required to
carry heavy loads (more so than normal), or tow or drag things. The
little extra power would be nice, but it is not 'required'.

Why did I not by a big truck? Simple, I don't want a big truck. I am
often in San Francisco. Have you ever tried to park in San Francisco?
Sometimes even a mini can't find a place.

Simply put, I think that the Forester is the best all around choice
for the way that I drive and for the things that I intend to use if
for. Not too small and not too big. Change for change's sake is not
what I am looking for. I just would like to tailor the car to better
suit my requirements.

I think that the one thing that bends me most is the buggers that buy
big SUVs, 4x4's and trucks and NEVER use them as they were meant to be
used. What?!?! Get MUD all over my car?? Yuck!!!
A pack of wankers, the lot of them!

Cheers,
Michael
 
To each his own, different strokes for different folks, etc., etc., BUT
nevertheless, I gotta ask:

Heh heh!

1. "Raise it up a few inches"? OK, to do even softroading, a couple more
might be nice, but "a few" sounds like three, four, or more. Wouldn't that
make this fairly short, narrow, short-wheelbase vehicle look a bit unstable?
Worse, wouldn't you mess up one of the advantages of this car, which I think
is a relatively low center of gravity?

Well, yes I am a bit general in this. Few inches = <3...

2. Is this vehicle, even raised up "a few inches" really of such off-road
capability that you're likely to encounter something from which you need
bull bar protection? OK, admittedly, I don't know much about them.

I guess that depends on the terrain that I am likely to be driving
over. In my case, yes it would be of help.

3. Increase the HP? On an XT? I can't imagine why it would need more
horsepower. It has more than I should be allowed to have now. But, OK,
you're going to chip it and change the exhaust. Doesn't that suggest also
better brakes, better suspension--the latter especially if you're going to
raise it up "a few inches"?

You assume that I am using the extra HP to drive faster or race.... A
few years ago, when I was still young and stupid, you may have been
correct.

Thanks for the comments!!

Cheers,
Michael
 
I guess that depends on the terrain that I am likely to be driving
over. In my case, yes it would be of help.

In the San Francisco Bay area? What are you driving over? Unemployed
dotcommers?

-DanD
 
Heh heh. Actually, I spend a lot of time working on a ranch outside
of Yosemite.
 

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