WRX Wagon or Forester XT?

[Lung Fish]

The time has come to get something new, and I have pretty much narrowed my
choices down to these two models. I will probably go for the 5-speed in
either one of them. I am sure that many folks have faced this same choice,
so what swayed you in either direction?

I think that the only thing that would bother me about the Forester XT is
the ride height. I love the feel of a low-to-the-ground, fast cornering,
sporty car. Just how "SUV like" is the handling going to be on a day-to-
day basis?

 

[Edward Hayes]

Why not test drive each? I for one look at keeping a car for X years so
what may be fun and exciting for the first year may not be for the next 5
years. I opted for the higher ride(step-in) and ground clearance for bad
weather and visibility. ed

 

[Alan]

It's not SUV-like, but it ain't no sports car. It leans in fast turns, but
never feels like it will loose its grip or tip over- it just leans a bit,
but not nearly as much as a Camry. I drove an 04 XT, and even going
straight, it felt like it was getting away from me. I think it was due more
to the tires than anything else- they're a bit truck-like. You'll need to
drive both, but you'll want the WRX, but only if you get the STi or some
other turbo version. The turbo makes a world of difference.We wound up with
an OBW 3.0 LL Bean, mainly because of the nice interior and slightly better
ride and handling- no turbo The other Impreza-based vehicles felt very
stiff and, well, cheapish (not cheap, just cheaper in feel than the
Legacy-based vehicles). But kids seem to love'em.

 

[David Betts]

The time has come to get something new, and I have pretty much narrowed my
choices down to these two models. I will probably go for the 5-speed in
either one of them. I am sure that many folks have faced this same choice,
so what swayed you in either direction?

Either you want the performance and handling of the Rex or you need
the extra space, ground clearance and carrying capacity of the
Forester. I assume you don't get the Forester Turbo where you are,
which does offer something of a compromise. There is no doubt that the
Forester is the best handling and most car-like of the so-called SUVs,
but it can't compete with the Rex... especially without the turbo.

David Betts
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Clive]

Either you want the performance and handling of the Rex or you need
the extra space, ground clearance and carrying capacity of the
Forester. I assume you don't get the Forester Turbo where you are,
which does offer something of a compromise. There is no doubt that the
Forester is the best handling and most car-like of the so-called SUVs,
but it can't compete with the Rex... especially without the turbo.

David Betts
(e-mail address removed)

What David said.
I went from Impreza turbo 5 door to Forester turbo.
The Forester performance/handling was adequate
and I enjoyed the leather, auto etc for about 3 months.
The fun factor was sadly missing and I got very bored
driving it.
I bailed out of the lease agreement early at some cost
and got the WRX 5 door. Big smile on face every day since then.
It all depends what you want from an every day car.


--
Clive Norris
Selectron (UK) Ltd
Musical Equipment Distribution
www.espguitars.co.uk
www.espshop.co.uk
www.emgpickups.co.uk
www.emginc.com
www.whirlwindusa.com
www.deanmarkley.com
www.mightymite.com
www.tube-shop.com

 

[Lung Fish]

Either you want the performance and handling of the Rex or you need
the extra space, ground clearance and carrying capacity of the
Forester. I assume you don't get the Forester Turbo where you are,
which does offer something of a compromise. There is no doubt that the
Forester is the best handling and most car-like of the so-called SUVs,
but it can't compete with the Rex... especially without the turbo.

The Forester XT is the turbo version. Perhaps it is not called that
outside of the USA. From what I have read, the Forester XT has comparable
0-60 times to the WRX, but the WRX needs quite a bit of revving up and
perhaps mistreatment of the clutch to get there. The Forester XT (turbo)
has more low-end torque, but corners like a family sedan. I hear that it
is not as bad as an SUV, however.

 

[Coggo]

The Forester XT in Australia is a turbo-ed 2.5 litre engine. Quite a goer I
believe - I have the older GT (2 litre turbo) which is quick enough, but I
would love to upgrade if I could afford it. The GT develops 125 KW, I think
the XT develops 160KW+. As Lung Fish says, the power is less peaky than the
WRX, which makes for a more relaxed driving style, if you are not a boy
racer type.

The XT/GT use 16" wheels with low profile tyres, against 17" for the X/XS,
and the suspension seems to be a bit lower, which makes the handling
slightly better, without excessive lean around corners. Nothing like the "on
rails" WRX of course, but then you can't drive over rough terrain in a WRX
(unless you hate your internal organs).

Dave

 

[2 Stroke]

I love the feel of a low-to-the-ground, fast cornering,
sporty car.

Then you'll want the WRX wagon.

 

[Abrogado]

Get the XT -

see subaruforester.com

XT outperforms wrx in acceleration and 1/4 mile stock for stock. In
5mt the XT is fastest production car available in the states 0-30
according to car and driver. 0-30 it even beats the Ferrari Enzo.
Wicked fast and easy to make faster.

I too was looking at the wrx wagon. We now own a wrx sedan and
forester xt. Just yesterday on the way home I beat a bmw 540 at a
stoplight race. We chatted during the red and didn't see any cops so
decided to give it a go. He was surprised. We went again at the next
light, same result. And I've got the automatic XT.

The xt, stock, handles nearly as well as the wrx stock. The biggest
limiting factor on both is the hard compound factory tires. change
those out to some good rubber and you'll see worlds of change.

Finally, the XT has a 2.5 litre engine vs 2.0 for the WRX. Same turbo
on both. AND the XT's horsepower is underrated. It's closer to 250
than 210 at the crank.

 

[Lung Fish]

After driving the WRX again, I decided that I love to lower feel and
handling over the high ride of the Forester. But, the Forester's engine is
certainly superior to the 2.0L of the WRX. So... I ended up buying a
Legacy GT.

I think that the Forester XT is definitely a sleeper. This is one fast and
smooth wagon. I hope that the 2.5L turbo in the Legacy GT lends itself to
easy mods as well that can bring mine up to the stellar performance that
others have seen with the similar engine in the Forester.

Nothing like outperforming a Bimmer or a Mustang in an AWD station wagon!

 

[Abrogado]

A most excellent choice. Same engine as what is in the forester.
same turbo, injectors, etc.

I wish those would have been out when I bought the forester cuz I
would have bought the LGT wagon.

Make sure you visit www.legacygt.com so you can talk with other owners
about mods, etc.

Enjoy!

 

[2Stroke]

Good call. The new Legacy is beautiful. Wasn't available in that
form when I bought mine.

The 2.5t engine, like all Subie turbos, will be easy to make faster.
There are some new CARB regulations about ECU reflashes to be dealt
with, but give the tuners a few months and there will be some
meaningful performance upgrades available for the Legacy. And due to
Subaru's traditional conservative tuning, they will likely provide
more 'bang for your buck' than you would get with other makes. Enjoy
your new car.