brucelee

iTrader: (6)

Hey guys...

Times have changed, responsibilities/priorities have def changed, so I'm seriously considering leaving the "car" world and entering the "wagon" world.

I really wanted an EVO but that's not practical, and the EVO is the only Mitsubishi I'd ever drive so any of their other cars are out of the question.


Some reasons why the forester is appealing to me is because I'm a giant. I have dogs, I need more space for my bike, telescope, etc. My back hurts if I drive more that 15 mins in my Impreza, so looking to get a more comfortable ride but still have good handling and turbo.

So what are the pros and cons? I'd be looking at the 2005-2008 line years, and turbo is a must! How are the forster turbo motors? Mated to 5 speeds or are they all automatic?

brucelee

iTrader: (6)

Better yet, does anyone have a turbo forester I can maybe drive in exchange for you driving my STi? Or take me for a spin maybe?

kspek

iTrader: (53)

so far im loving mine, bought it used with high mileage but 100% stock, got it in 4EAT and already have a vf43 sti tmic and other goodies to be mounted on

OneManArmy

iTrader: (7)

There are zero cons. Do it! Try to find a sport if you can. The xts is dope! Yes you can find manuals.

Xt with sway bars and springs... dope!

x002x

iTrader: (3)

get one. i want one too

pete

iTrader: (1)

stan_t has an '07 XT manual. Maybe he'll chime in on this thread in the morning.

Hollandaze

I was looking into a 4EAT FXT as a fun commuter vehicle. I always have a weird time hopping into an auto after driving manual for the past 9 years. It was either that or a Legacy GT wagon with the 5EAT.

brucelee

iTrader: (6)

DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE, it's been NINE years since you started driving a manual? I remember when you were still stalling @ UCKK... Ahhhh, memories.


What's the price range for a used one with lower mileage?

chimchimm5

iTrader: (9)

Foresters are awesome. They are the only CUV that feels like a car.

Recently, the new Foresters have gotten bloated. But these 2006/07 Forester XT sports seriously feel like a "heavier STI" when you're driving it. You don't even feel like you're in a "CUV", rather it seriously feels like a WRX wagon.

pigboat_2

iTrader: (7)

There's a number of XT owners around that will more than gladly lend you a ride. I could sell you on the handling of mine but it's still N/A. Stock they produce the same power as a wrx and the 04-05 more or less have STi engine blocks with the td04...super easy to upgrade. They're extremely compatible with the 04 STi too in terms of upgrading parts. 07-08 saw the sweet sports model.

I would get an 05 XT premium 5mt based on the leather interior, huge sunroof, desirable engine, and other great mods to have.

If it matters, Stan is seriously ready to sell his for the right price. It's an 07 XT limited with an STi turbo doing something like 270 wheel. What a car.

Overbear

Ok as a XT owner a few things I can say...

1)Go 04-05, that is the only years they have the stronger rally tuned JDM transmissions. After that they went to the less sturdy WRX style transmission.
2)even stock, the 04/05 are 300lb lighter than your STI, and a full half second faster in the quarter mile

One thing pigboat said, sunroof...DO NOT GET, if you do your research a lot of them start having problems. Most XT owners ive met avoid them like the plauge because of the increased body roll (less metal) and increased weight.

Mods are easy, a stock XT, tuned with a VF39/43 turbo, STI intercooler, downpipe, uppipe and a good tune will produce 270-300WHP no problems at all and remain a damn good ride. I would offer you to borrow mine for a weekend, but its still down with a blown up motor (I pushed it way to hard)

2cam16

iTrader: (6)

Like everyone said, contact Stan, Daniel. He's planning on selling his.

04GG

iTrader: (33)

I am actually always looking for a nice FXT. If I could find one, I would sell the WRX and get one for sure. Always loved them for some odd reason. DEFINITELY 04-05 is what I am looking for too. As mentioned, with just a few mods they can be pretty potent and if you keep the outside looking relatively normal, they are like the ultimate sleeper.

2cam16

iTrader: (6)

Go check out Subaruforester.org so you can get an insight on things.

buzzword

iTrader: (11)

All of this, plus a couple things:

1) My 04 FXT with an 04 STi steering rack, 04 STi struts, epic engineering springs, 24mm whiteline sways F/R, Cobb sway mounts, MSI endlinks, and a host of whiteline bushings and braces handled and turned almost as flat as my 06 STi does with KW V3 coilovers, 25mm Cobb sways, Cobb sway mounts, MSI endlinks, and a bunch of Cusco bracing. The biggest downfall for the FXT in turning/handling is the lack of true LSD in the front/rear diffs.

2) I had a full Brembo swap, including the MC/BB, stainless lines, PF pads, and DBA 4000 rotors on my FXT. I have stock rotors, stainless lines, and Axxis pads on my STi and I believe the FXT stopped better and had a better brake feel.

3) The 04/05 FXT have the EXACT SAME longblock (though it's technically considered an EJ255 vs EJ257) as the 04-06 STi. My protuned FXT made 280 whp on a VERY conservative tune using the **** 91 octane gas we are stuck with here, and it pulled like a bat out of hell with the 4.444 gearing.

4) Sleeper. No one expects the Spanish inquisition.


Bottom line, DO IT! I really like the STi I have now, but I miss my FXT every day.






...and then this happened...