I have a 2005 OBXT premium, and I'm thinking about something a little smaller and slightly more sporty. Does anyone have comments about what I'd find in comparing the 2007 FXT Sport with my Outback? I'm taking a test drive this weekend, but was interested in what types of differences I should be looking for.

Also, does Cobb or TDC have stage 1 tuning for the '07 Forester?

Thanks.

I don't really want to comment too much on the Forester vs Outback... Rather, I'd advice you to just drive both and decide on your own.

As far as Cobb tuning for the 07, the R&D has not yet been completed. Last I heard they were scheduling a donor car, so we shouldn't be too far off.

Maybe a couple months away???? ...just speculating.

~Chris Lucania

Some good info in this OB vs. Forester thread on sf.org: http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=13027

I have a 2007 FXT sport and I say keep the wagon or buy the legacy GT period ...

FXT has better gearing for in town or pulling / uphill efforts. If you do a lot of interstate you'll be in the 3500 range quite a bit.

OBXT and FXT probably have comparable handling, due to the OBXT's extra weight.

obxt doesnt handle anywhere near like what an fxt does.

One is a luxury type ride, one isnt. And the handling characteristics of those ride qualities apply.

I currently have a 04 wrx wagon. I was thinking of a FXT as my next car since I needed something "larger." Is there a noticible difference in performance...acceleration wise? I am hoping for performance mods for the 07 FXT.

I have owned my 07 FXT sport for 3 weeks now and I have to tell you I am not at all impressed with it . the suspension is mush. the brakes are mush and the power doesnt feel as strong as my old 2002 WRX although it is a little torquey down low and the seats dont accomodate a 6'1'' guy that well . with that being said I am sure I can get it where I want it to be butif I had it all to do over again I wouldnt do it

I have had an 02 wrx, an 05 STI and now thie 07 FXT sport. There is no way the 02 wrx was faster (stock vs stock)

FXT can run 13s stock a 2.0l wrx cannot.

Mushy suspension is easily cured. JDM forester sti pinks and a usdm sti rear swaybar do wonders.
The brake pedal is mushy, but that is an easy fix too.


As far as performance mods, you cant do anything for power right now as there is no EM for the 07 fxt yet. But it shouldnt be long till thats fixed.

I have owned my 07 FXT sport for 3 weeks now and I have to tell you I am not at all impressed with it . the suspension is mush. the brakes are mush and the power doesnt feel as strong as my old 2002 WRX although it is a little torquey down low and the seats dont accomodate a 6'1'' guy that well . with that being said I am sure I can get it where I want it to be butif I had it all to do over again I wouldnt do it

He's right about the handling. It feels like my grandmothers 12 year old Buick in terms of ride, handling and road feel. Nonetheless I love the acceleration it offers and the fact that it's such a sleeper. When the WRX came out I ran to the local dealer with my checkbook in hand. After test driving it I thought it was one of the most annoying cars I've ever driven. It felt like a paperweight. I was very disppointed and walked away from the dearlership thinking "this thing can do 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds?? It felt slower then my 1993 Sentra SE-R. When I took the Forester out a year and half later I thought, "this is what I had expected from the WRX". The handling and road feel is very bad though, and is possibly even a little dangerous given the acceleration.

FXT is def. faster than the 02-05 rex, handling obviously isnt comparable.

FXT's will smoke WRX's all day.

FXT's will not out handle WRX's.

I have had an 02 wrx, an 05 STI and now thie 07 FXT sport. There is no way the 02 wrx was faster (stock vs stock)

FXT can run 13s stock a 2.0l wrx cannot.


Car and Driver and Road and Track have it at mid 14's. And considering its got the same motor as the WRX but in a heavier body I don't see them breaking 13's stock without breaking the tranny w/ 6k clutch drops. And having test driven both the FXT and WRX. The WRX was quicker, handled better, better seating, and much better brakes. Thats why I picked up mine. And to the OP it really just depends on what you need the car to do. I would be more comfortable in a forester of road but would take a leg gt on long drives. Drive both and good luck.

Rethink that. It's got different gearing.

Besides I've owned both. Also when my FXT was stock I was smokin' modded WRX's.

Car and Driver and Road and Track have it at mid 14's. And considering its got the same motor as the WRX but in a heavier body I don't see them breaking 13's stock without breaking the tranny w/ 6k clutch drops. And having test driven both the FXT and WRX. The WRX was quicker, handled better, better seating, and much better brakes. Thats why I picked up mine. And to the OP it really just depends on what you need the car to do. I would be more comfortable in a forester of road but would take a leg gt on long drives. Drive both and good luck.

I think you're confusing the 2.5 litre WRX with the older 2 litre versions. The 2 litre engine that I drove felt limp. You had to rev the piss out of the thing to get it to move. Just awful. I know the new versions of the FXT are a little slower, but Car and Driver got the 2004 XT to do the quarter mile in 13.8 and it has been replicated by someone who posted his slip here. The 444.1 gearing really gets you out of the whole!

I have owned my 07 FXT sport for 3 weeks now and I have to tell you I am not at all impressed with it . the suspension is mush. the brakes are mush and the power doesnt feel as strong as my old 2002 WRX although it is a little torquey down low and the seats dont accomodate a 6'1'' guy that well . with that being said I am sure I can get it where I want it to be butif I had it all to do over again I wouldnt do it
Agreed that the stock suspension and brakes are not the best, but your WRX must have been heavily modded for the FXT to feel slower.

Did you even test drive before you bought? All of the things you point out should have been pretty easy to determine with very little seat time.

Car and Driver and Road and Track have it at mid 14's. And considering its got the same motor as the WRX but in a heavier body I don't see them breaking 13's stock without breaking the tranny w/ 6k clutch drops.
According to cars101.com, for 2006 model years (both MT) the WRX Wagon weighs a whopping 58 pounds less than the FXT Limited (3252 WRX vs. 3310 FXT). Figure in the lower gearing of the FXT and that weight difference (at least as far as straight line acceleration is concerned) is pretty much negated.

I want an fxt. Where do I sign up?

FXT's will not out handle WRX's.

Mine will. And also STIs, in the twisties. Buh-bye.

FXT's will not out handle WRX's.

I know a few N/A Foresters that can walk a WRX in the twisties. Properly set up suspension-wise of course. :D

FXT's will not out handle WRX's.

You may be right...but I know of several that would outhandle you and any WRX you could show up with.

Take a look at Subiesport Magazine this month...the Forester X (not turbo) that would so walk away from you at will, and there ain't a turbocharger big enough to be able to catch him...especially when, by the time you boost, you're back on the brakes...and he's gone!!

I have owned my 07 FXT sport for 3 weeks now and I have to tell you I am not at all impressed with it . the suspension is mush. the brakes are mush and the power doesnt feel as strong as my old 2002 WRX although it is a little torquey down low and the seats dont accomodate a 6'1'' guy that well . with that being said I am sure I can get it where I want it to be butif I had it all to do over again I wouldnt do it

Here's three steps to having a nice handling Forester:

1. Get rid of the Geosquealers, and put a nice high performance tire on those rims.

2. Install an STi rear swaybar setup (mounts, etc.)

3. Adjust the amount of free travel in your brake pedal.

If you really want bonus handling, then get a custom alignment to spec with some negative camber and zero toe at all four corners. Then we'll see what you have to say.

:)

I'm 6 1 and 225 and I find the seats comfy and the headroom excellent.

Swift springs and Sti RSB will solve your wimpering about handling.

Tires and brake pads are a personal preference but are easily solved. Both need to be changed.

Personally, i think subaru should have upgraded these items on the Sport. Instead, they just decontented the FXT and changed the front fascia.

I'd like to give my input just for kicks. For the past two years I've had an 02 wrx wagon, and I just got rid of it and got an 07 FXT sport. I moved my gram lights with toyo proxes 4 over to the forester, and already the thing handles quite fantastically. It is definately quicker than my wrx which was at cobb stage 2. Some springs and a RSB are soon to come, and at that point, I'm pretty sure this thing will handle quite nicely. My only complaint is the short gearing with a 5 speed. 80mph is at 3500 RPM.

^ is that really that bad!? what do the 06/07 wagons rev at at those speeds?

I am lookin into getting a FXT sport at the end of this summer so anyone else have any issues with the brakes? the suspension, i plan on coil overs and sway bars after a few months anyways and the power is last on my list.

I never found the gearing to be an issue on my old FXT - didn't seem to hurt fuel economy & there's more wind noise than engine noise at that speed anyways. It also meant you never had to downshift to pass :)

My 07 FXT handles worlds better than my WRX did. Its closer to my STI in that respect at this point.

Wheels/235/50/17 Eagle F1's
24mm fsb
24mm rsb
spt upper front strut brace
STI lower arm bar
Whiteline rear strut tower brace.
Whiteline rear subframe lock kit
Steering rack bushings
and soon enough, a WRX steering rack.

Cool setup, Dave... our cars could be siblings.

My 04 F-XT:

Whiteline 27mm FSB
Whiteline 26mm RSB
Whiteline Control springs
Koni Sport dampers (inserts)
STi Aluminum Rear Lateral Links (pillowball)
Grp.N engine and trans mounts
Whiteline steering rack bushings
Whiteline diff outrigger bushings
Whiteline rear subframe lock bolts
SuperPro poly rear trailing arm bushings
Whiteline rear strut tower brace
05 USDM STi header and uppipe
04 STi catback
Hawk HP+
03 WRX front seats
Stock wheels w/ 225/55

And soon a set of STi sedan front control arms, to go on with the Forester rear bushing. I also want a WRX or STi steering rack! The stock rack is killing me.

Snap
MY06 2.5 FXT 340bhp / 380 lbsft crank
Whiteline front and rear ARB
Whitleline drop links
Whiteline ALK
Whiteline Subframe lock kit
Forester Sti take off struts and springs
Impreza Sti steering rack and whiteline bushings
Sti C/F front strut brace
Cusco rear brace
225/45/18's Toyo T1R's

Handles pretty well ;)

I kinda left out some info on my list a few back there
The RSB, HD mounts and subframe lock kit were not installed yet.

They are now.

:eek: this thing is INSANE. I now have to put the front bar on full stiff because the rear is SO solid. I may even end up going to a 27mm front bar. The rear is that solid. Once I get the front bar situation straightened out, and instal the WRX rack, this will hang with STIs all day long (stock STIs)
Yet, it doesnt ride hard, there is zero increase in NVH as well.
I just need to order some of those swaybar anti walk collar things. The bar likes to shift to the left a lot for some reason. Easy enough fix. Ill use hose clamps for a week or so.

I am going to be doing the poltec boxed endlinks tomorrow, as well as installing the tuna. I got the bung welded in today. Then tuning begins :devil: I have a 16G sitting on a shelf, but I am going to see what I can get out of the TD04 for a while first.

I kinda left out some info on my list a few back there
The RSB, HD mounts and subframe lock kit were not installed yet.

They are now.

:eek: this thing is INSANE. I now have to put the front bar on full stiff because the rear is SO solid. I may even end up going to a 27mm front bar. The rear is that solid. Once I get the front bar situation straightened out, and instal the WRX rack, this will hang with STIs all day long (stock STIs)
Yet, it doesnt ride hard, there is zero increase in NVH as well.
I just need to order some of those swaybar anti walk collar things. The bar likes to shift to the left a lot for some reason. Easy enough fix. Ill use hose clamps for a week or so.

I am going to be doing the poltec boxed endlinks tomorrow, as well as installing the tuna. I got the bung welded in today. Then tuning begins :devil: I have a 16G sitting on a shelf, but I am going to see what I can get out of the TD04 for a while first.

Are you on SF.org? What's your handle?

Yes

<wrathchild

No pics up there yet, going to get some this weekend hopefully :) I did some riceification yesterday (STi badges/decals, but I can back up them with performance so I dont feel bad about it :p )

Cool!

<Forester 2.5 XTi

Sounds great.

Dave... do yourself a favor and drop the heatshields off the header to take a look at it. I'm not sure about the '07, but the 04/05 had an extremely restrictive exhaust manifold compared to the STi. Best mod I've done, by far.

Also, you may want to get the STi brass restrictor pill prior to tuning... stepping down from 1.2mm to 1.0mm makes a world of difference but you'll need to remap the wastegate from scratch.

as if:p


I had a P&Pd (done by ME!!!)WRX manifold on the thing when it was like 200 miles old:D :lol:

<Not my first day at the rodeo:banana: :banana: :banana:


Impressions from manifold swap

Lost a touch of the VERY bottom end power. But from the midrange to top end there was a definate increase.
When I did the swap the only parts on the thing were
SPT intake/HS
SPT catback (modded to fit)
In that condition, rev'ing past 5ishk was positively useless. (nothing like breaking it in soft right?:lol: :devil: ) With the ported wrx manifold on it pulled to redline (well, pulled better) and the engine was useful till just before 6k.

Then I took it easy for the next 500-600 miles or so.

Now its got the UTEC in, HKS DP (wrapped) and I am replacing the SPT intake/hs (for sale!) with an APS 65mm cai.
I also
Ported (lightly, smoothed really) the throttlebody as well as did the coolant bypass.

Im only running 14ish PSI and it pulls HARD. Well, a lot harder than I would have expected, and it walks past stock STIs with ease. That FXT gearing is a beutiful thing :lol: