So, I think I've got my wife used to the idea of the XT hood scoop (so we can replace her 99 S with a new XT), and I have another noob sort of question. I did a search and didn't find any Forester-related info.

Subaru, on its web site, offers performance parts, including a short-throw shifter (for $295; a dealer would probably charge more for installation).

Does anyone know (i) who makes this; and (ii) if it works as advertised and is worth the cost? This one is advertised for Foresters and Legacies, and most of the info here is for WRXs.

The shifter in our 99 is OK but marginal, in terms of sports-style shifting, and a short-throw version seems like a good thing. My preference would be to get the thing installed when we buy the car; after-market things on a brand new vehicle are just not my cup of tea. Thanks, HPH

 

The price looks high to me, too. Also, compared to the CobbTuning kit, the Subaru part looks quite complicated and possible a big deal to install.

But based on several things I've read (including a clutch shudder issue, which would compound my wife's rather lousy abilities with a manual transmission), I think we're going to go with the automatic XT. I know this is heresy in some circles, but with the extra power, it shouldn't hunt as much as the NA version, and most of the models at my dealership are ATs -- so the choices and haggling room are better.

 

KPH: For my entire long life, I've always preferred manual transmissions. When I first heard about the XT (long before they arrived) I arranged a long 5-hour test drive of an '03 XS 5-speed and found it to be an excellent little car. Based on that, I ordered a 5-speed XT and began the long wait. Before it arrived, I test-drove an XT automatic. It was superb, and I took that as validation of my order for a 5-speed.

I've had my XT for six weeks now. As one who drove both, and despite my MT preference, I think the automatic is better. Subaru spoiled the MT XT with an extremely short 4.44 axle ratio and by using the WRX's transmission ratios instead of those of the regular Forester. The automatic's ratios are much better. It's top gear is taller than the MT's 5th, reducing the negative effects of the 4.44 gears (mainly noise and excessive fuel consumption). The manual-transmission XT literally begs for a taller top gear.

The MT XT is clearly faster - but unless that is your sole priority, I recommend that you test-drive both. Arrange for at least a half-hour with the MT version. Find out how you like buzzing along at over 3,000 rpms just to maintain 70 mph. Experience the huge 77% gap between 1st and 2nd in traffic. See how annoying the unnecessary hill-holder can be.

Then discover how perfectly the automatic's ratios and shift points suits the XT's broad torque curve. It should equal the 5-speed's around-town fuel mileage, and might best it on the highway.

If I knew then what I know now, I'd have still bought an XT - but it would have been the automatic. I never dreamed I'd be saying that about any car.

jb

 

Based on what was available, we wound up with an automatic, so my original short-shifter question is moot, in my case.

It's my wife's car, and I'm not going to be driving it much anyway. But what few miles I've put on it made it seem as if the automatic will be just fine. Using all four gears on the road and the first three around town gives about the right amount of responsiveness.

My one remaining question will have to wait for winter: I like the manual-transmission AWD system, and I'm hoping that the AT version isn't too Honda-like (I don't want "on-demand AWD" I want full-time AWD). But again, it's not my daily driver. HPH