Sell me on a Forester
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Car Info: '12 TSX 6MT/'01 E39 wagon/'67 VW on E85/'93 M900
Stan
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Car Info: 2009 wrx
04 forester xt 5 speed with 81k for $9250
2004 Subaru Forester XT 5 speed - BARF - Bay Area Riders Forum
2004 Subaru Forester XT 5 speed - BARF - Bay Area Riders Forum
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iTrader: (25)
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,325
From: san francisco
Car Info: 2008 Forester XT 5spd
Ok, I guess I'm next to have been bitten buy this Foz bug. I am now in the market to find a Forester XT 5spd without crazy miles 04-08. I'm not in a hurry as I still need to part out my Bugeye. I can take my time even if it's a year or 2.
I think now that I have a baby the space will be more useful as well as not being so big that I can't park it in the city when needed. Plus my wife already has an Outback.
Here is a photochop if I transfered my brakes and wheels onto the forester, didn't get a chance to chop the other colors (kinda like it):
I think now that I have a baby the space will be more useful as well as not being so big that I can't park it in the city when needed. Plus my wife already has an Outback.
Here is a photochop if I transfered my brakes and wheels onto the forester, didn't get a chance to chop the other colors (kinda like it):
Ok, I guess I'm next to have been bitten buy this Foz bug. I am now in the market to find a Forester XT 5spd without crazy miles 04-08. I'm not in a hurry as I still need to part out my Bugeye. I can take my time even if it's a year or 2.
I think now that I have a baby the space will be more useful as well as not being so big that I can't park it in the city when needed. Plus my wife already has an Outback.
Here is a photochop if I transfered my brakes and wheels onto the forester, didn't get a chance to chop the other colors (kinda like it):
I think now that I have a baby the space will be more useful as well as not being so big that I can't park it in the city when needed. Plus my wife already has an Outback.
Here is a photochop if I transfered my brakes and wheels onto the forester, didn't get a chance to chop the other colors (kinda like it):
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...
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...
Ok, I guess I'm next to have been bitten buy this Foz bug. I am now in the market to find a Forester XT 5spd without crazy miles 04-08. I'm not in a hurry as I still need to part out my Bugeye. I can take my time even if it's a year or 2.
I think now that I have a baby the space will be more useful as well as not being so big that I can't park it in the city when needed. Plus my wife already has an Outback.
Here is a photochop if I transfered my brakes and wheels onto the forester, didn't get a chance to chop the other colors (kinda like it):
I think now that I have a baby the space will be more useful as well as not being so big that I can't park it in the city when needed. Plus my wife already has an Outback.
Here is a photochop if I transfered my brakes and wheels onto the forester, didn't get a chance to chop the other colors (kinda like it):
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Posts: 4,665
From: No So Co
Car Info: '00 BRP RS Sedan / '04 PSM FXT (RIP)
Honestly, I think the Forester is a bit small for a family, especially one that plans on growing in the future. My FXT was the best car I've ever owned, but you still had to compromise with a rear-facing car seat in the back. My wife would have to sit shotgun with the car seat behind her. If the car seat was behind me, my knees would be in my face
We could, and would, have made it work but the car was totaled so we didn't have to make that difficult decision. I'm now shopping around for an AWD Toyota Sienna minivan. It sucks, but it will be really nice to have (1) a vehicle that we can fit the kids in without compromise, and (2) a vehicle that can fit six full sized adults (or kids with friends).
This is just one dude's opinion though, so take it for what it's worth.
Good luck on finding that unicorn!!!
-Brian
We could, and would, have made it work but the car was totaled so we didn't have to make that difficult decision. I'm now shopping around for an AWD Toyota Sienna minivan. It sucks, but it will be really nice to have (1) a vehicle that we can fit the kids in without compromise, and (2) a vehicle that can fit six full sized adults (or kids with friends).
This is just one dude's opinion though, so take it for what it's worth.
Good luck on finding that unicorn!!!
-Brian
Registered User
iTrader: (25)
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,325
From: san francisco
Car Info: 2008 Forester XT 5spd
Honestly, I think the Forester is a bit small for a family, especially one that plans on growing in the future. My FXT was the best car I've ever owned, but you still had to compromise with a rear-facing car seat in the back. My wife would have to sit shotgun with the car seat behind her. If the car seat was behind me, my knees would be in my face
We could, and would, have made it work but the car was totaled so we didn't have to make that difficult decision. I'm now shopping around for an AWD Toyota Sienna minivan. It sucks, but it will be really nice to have (1) a vehicle that we can fit the kids in without compromise, and (2) a vehicle that can fit six full sized adults (or kids with friends).
This is just one dude's opinion though, so take it for what it's worth.
Good luck on finding that unicorn!!!
-Brian
We could, and would, have made it work but the car was totaled so we didn't have to make that difficult decision. I'm now shopping around for an AWD Toyota Sienna minivan. It sucks, but it will be really nice to have (1) a vehicle that we can fit the kids in without compromise, and (2) a vehicle that can fit six full sized adults (or kids with friends).
This is just one dude's opinion though, so take it for what it's worth.
Good luck on finding that unicorn!!!
-Brian
Thanks Brian, I must find that unicorn or at least find a horse and attach a horn!
Yeah, for me . . . well I'm shorter than most women
So size isn't as much of an issue. I also am not ready to give up a little fun factor yet. Second, my wife already drives an Outback which is sufficient for our family of 3 or even 4 (future perhaps) If we ever needed to go bigger her car would have to be the sacrificial lamb. I like also that the Forester (04-08) would be easier to park when we are in the city, and parts of Berkeley where I work.Bottom line, right or wrong, everyone's car needs/desires are very individual.
Last edited by adizon; Dec 12, 2012 at 02:16 PM.
Honestly, I think the Forester is a bit small for a family, especially one that plans on growing in the future. My FXT was the best car I've ever owned, but you still had to compromise with a rear-facing car seat in the back. My wife would have to sit shotgun with the car seat behind her. If the car seat was behind me, my knees would be in my face
We could, and would, have made it work but the car was totaled so we didn't have to make that difficult decision. I'm now shopping around for an AWD Toyota Sienna minivan. It sucks, but it will be really nice to have (1) a vehicle that we can fit the kids in without compromise, and (2) a vehicle that can fit six full sized adults (or kids with friends).
This is just one dude's opinion though, so take it for what it's worth.
Good luck on finding that unicorn!!!
-Brian
We could, and would, have made it work but the car was totaled so we didn't have to make that difficult decision. I'm now shopping around for an AWD Toyota Sienna minivan. It sucks, but it will be really nice to have (1) a vehicle that we can fit the kids in without compromise, and (2) a vehicle that can fit six full sized adults (or kids with friends).
This is just one dude's opinion though, so take it for what it's worth.
Good luck on finding that unicorn!!!
-Brian
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iTrader: (9)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,665
From: No So Co
Car Info: '00 BRP RS Sedan / '04 PSM FXT (RIP)
-Brian
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,695
From: S.F.BayArea
Car Info: Whatever The Lot Provides ;)
^All that, possibly kid #2 on the way.
Why we did this.
Still stock height, normally aspirated, auto, life priorities change, we adapt.
Why we did this.
Still stock height, normally aspirated, auto, life priorities change, we adapt.
Last edited by TheFozz; Dec 12, 2012 at 08:12 PM.
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Posts: 2,695
From: S.F.BayArea
Car Info: Whatever The Lot Provides ;)
**OFF TOPIC**
Huck, wanna design a new skully? Picture the movie Office Space...
Not a barney, but one of the smaller guys that'll fit on my desk or dash board? One with a sort-of blue collar familyman meets businessman meets warrior look to it for all us Dad's who have sold out now?
Throw on a suit and tie instead?? Change the gun to a red stapler? 
Huck, wanna design a new skully? Picture the movie Office Space...
Not a barney, but one of the smaller guys that'll fit on my desk or dash board? One with a sort-of blue collar familyman meets businessman meets warrior look to it for all us Dad's who have sold out now?
Throw on a suit and tie instead?? Change the gun to a red stapler?