XT vs. XT - clearance

[Bonehenge]

Ah yes, old wise...one. Not reading anything in the link above that states
the 0.3" increase to be the magical "truck" number I'll concede to you
obvious superior intelligence on that matter.

That's an overview. The purpose of the link was to demonstrate how
the whole convoluted process works. If you Google up the actual CAFE
standards, you'd see it. Put on some coffee, it's boring reading.

So Suby could have raised *any* or all of the OB line if the CAFE "truck"
status was at issue, right?. Why did they choose to raise the Outback XT?

How do I know? <G>

Some guesses:

1.) If you go back to the CAFE overview link I posted, you'll see that
sales numbers also have an effect. Maybe the numbers simply worked
for this car?

2.) Subaru sells a lot of cars to enviroweenies. I'm sure they did at
least a little research to figure out which one might not piss off the
loyal customer base. Here in New England, the Forester is THE
enviroweenie anti-SUV.

 

[Body Roll]

Here in New England, the Forester is THE enviroweenie anti-SUV.

Seems ironic that the car with the absolutely WORST aerodynamics
in the Subaru lineup would the the greenie car of choice.
My proof to the point that the middle aged women are incompetent.
Does not stop them from telling "you can make a more efficient car"
to the automakers. Sigh.

 

[Bonehenge]

Seems ironic that the car with the absolutely WORST aerodynamics
in the Subaru lineup would the the greenie car of choice.
My proof to the point that the middle aged women are incompetent.

Why would you think "greenies" are middle-aged women? <G>

Some are, but they're also college students, old hippies, PC yuppies,
etc... of either sex.

Now, the Forester also enjoys a noticeable popularity with women who
prefer the company of other women and stick rainbows on the rear
window, but for many different reasons. It's a sensible car, good in
the snow, can carry a few things, and drives nice. The Forester bay
be the "sensible shoe" of cars.

 

[seasick]

Anyone who cares about handling agility would go for Legacy GT anyway.

That's it! It seems obvious now. If someone wants improved overall
performance in the same size wagon they'd choose the LGT. Of course. The
Forester doesn't have the direct boy equivalent so the FXT receives the
improved handling option.

Outback XT owners probably don't care about handling as long as they
can go fast in a
straight line. As for the Forester XT, probably only about 5% of all
Foresters sold are with the turbo, so there is no reason to jack it up
and punt to the truck category. Rather they lowered
it to improve the handling. See? It is that simple.

It's that simple. Thanks for pointing out the obvious.

Outback XT for the managers of cowboys and Foresters for the chefs
travelling in their cooking garb to work.

Nice image.

While we're at it do you think our fearless leader would ditch his Jeep
and use an Outback to
do the ya-hoo!!! thing on his ranch and the parking lot broncos in the
Wash DC?
That would help to cut the dependency on the foreign oil supply if the
rest of
the responsible citizens follow the suit. There might be fewer
arguments over selling control of the ports to the arab nations
catering to the Jeeping habits of this nation.

Maybe he could get Paul Hogan or Lance out of retirement to drive for him.

 

[Body Roll]

performance in the same size wagon they'd choose the LGT. Of course. The

Forester doesn't have the direct boy equivalent so the FXT receives the
improved handling option.

Right. It seems to me that Forester XT is better around the city due to
lighter weight
and shorter wheelbase while LGT is better at long ditance cruising on
freeways due to longer wheelbase and much better aerodynamics. The
cargo space should be about the same.
Though the shape of the rear opening on the Forester probably makes it
easier to
stuff boxy stuff in it.

Nice image.

I'm glad you liked it

 

[Body Roll]

Why would you think "greenies" are middle-aged women? <G>

You're right of course. Countrary to what you might think by looking at
my
posts I do not feel any aversion to the environmental activists
when they don't spend their effort plugging everyone into a Prius.
Why won't they redirect their efforts towards researching who is
dumping all the mercury
that the modern fishes are full of?

It's a sensible car, good in

I'm glad some people like it. I don't. I like efficiency and don't like
to waste more fuel than
I have to.