impreza wagon suspension: 2.5i vs outback sport

[cpm]

Can anyone tell me the difference between the heavy duty raised
suspension of the impreza outback sport wagon and the sport tuned
suspension on the impreza 2.5i wagon?

I will occasionally be towing a small 16' boat short distances on a
trailer that weighs less than 1000 lbs total. Would I notice a
signficant difference between the two suspensions with and without the
trailer attached?

Would it be difficult or costly to consider modifying the 2.5i
suspension after purchase?

 

[suburboturbo]

Can anyone tell me the difference between the heavy duty raised
suspension of the impreza outback sport wagon and the sport tuned
suspension on the impreza 2.5i wagon?

I will occasionally be towing a small 16' boat short distances on a
trailer that weighs less than 1000 lbs total. Would I notice a
signficant difference between the two suspensions with and without the
trailer attached?

Would it be difficult or costly to consider modifying the 2.5i
suspension after purchase?

I currently drive a 2004 WRX wagon and previously had a 2000 Outback
Sport wagon (with a 2.5 RS in between). Also have a full size 2006
Outback 3.0 wagon. Although things have changed over the years I can
tell you that the Outback Sport suspension, despite being described as
heavy duty (back then) wasn't very "heavy" at all. In fact, the 2.5
RS was much stiffer and despite having the same diameter tires (though
lower profile on a taller wheel) had the same ride height. The WRX is
stiffer still, but lower. You don't say whether you have now have one
of the models mentioned or are considering acquiring one. If
possible, I'd opt for a full size (Legacy) Outback if you can swing
it. Definitely avoid a turbo for towing. The 2.5i should handle a
1000 lb load if your hitch and mounting are rated for it, but the 3.0
would be your best bet. The additional ride height of the full size
Outback (since they were boosted up to 8.4"-8.7" of ground clearance
to officially qualify as trucks for improved CAFE ratings) would give
you more stability with the trailer added, though I dount the tongue
weight is substantial. Most suspension mods on the market are
designed to lower the car for better handling. Not like the old days
when you could spend $100 and add air shocks or air bladder inserts
for your coil springs to keep the rear end up when hauling a heavy
load or towing. One caveat, I'm crazy busy (but welcome a momentary
diversion) and winging it here since I haven't had a chance to check
the manuals, but will if no one else has a qualified response. I've
towed small boats with everything from a 1965 Corvair to a 1973 Z-28
Camaro to a 1968 Pontiac Safari we nicknamed the thunderwagon and,
even with the Corvair, never had a problem, but then again, never did
more than occasional towing.

 

[isquat]

Can anyone tell me the difference between the heavy duty raised
suspension of the impreza outback sport wagon and the sport tuned
suspension on the impreza 2.5i wagon?

I will occasionally be towing a small 16' boat short distances on a
trailer that weighs less than 1000 lbs total. Would I notice a
signficant difference between the two suspensions with and without the
trailer attached?

Would it be difficult or costly to consider modifying the 2.5i
suspension after purchase?

I don't know why would you want to. Suspension on 05 Outback Sport
absolutely sucks except at it's intended application: lots
of softroading. Unless you travel on gravel often and/or need extra
10mm of the ground clearance get the 2.5i.
Before i swapped the springs in the rear for the STI takeoffs
and stuffed a 20mm swaybar in the back the car was squatting,
diving and rolling all over the place driving me absolutely nuts.
It still dives some and squats a little now but it's sooooo
much better with the sti springs. I wish i kept the ground clearance
over the rear axle, but i just could not stand
the heaving feel of the crap that was originally there.

Maybe it's a little better for 08 OBS though.

 

[cpm]

I bought a 2007 Impreza Outback Sport LE, manual transmission. Any
info on mods to beef up the suspension, or experience from anyone who
has used a subaru for trailering / hauling a sub-1000 lb trailer,
would be appreciated. I'll use it for an occasional 10 mile haul, but
there will be some interstate highway driving involved.

In the past I had a vw passat wagon that accomplished this task just
fine.