Who is thinking of getting one. I have a 2001...and may have to break down and get one...:D

210 Horsepower @ 5,600 rpm, 235 lb-ft of torque@3,600 rpm

2.5L intercooled and turbocharged w/ variable valve timing

The 16" wheels look awesome too.

So far the Forester Xt, for 2004, is at the top of my short list. I'm going to need to replace my current vehicle in May, 04. Interestingly enough, the Forester is one of the few 4wd/AWD vehicles that I fit comfortably into ( I'm 6'4"). That came as a surprise, as I had wanted a Land Rover, but they are both cramped for me. Since I live at ~5000', the turbo will overcome the power loss of the altitude. Hopefully there will be some road tests, and some owner experience posts here, by the time I'm ready to buy.

Well, for me it all depends on how much the XT is going to cost. If it's going to be a lot I will have to wait a little longer and not be the first ones to get it.:(

I just saw the car at the Chicago Auto Show. The XT is outstanding. Already a 2.5L Turbocharged engine shouldn't be hard to modify. Larger turbo, Uppipe, turboback will make it a mean one. I'm staying with my RS, but my mother actually likes the look of the new Forester. I would be happy if the car would join the family. It is the coolest car on my list, cooler than STI in my opinion.

I've got a deposit on an STI but I am seriously thinking about changing it to the Forester XT. This one would be my third Forester.
Aren't the XT and STI scheduled to arrive about the same time? The Atlanta Journal had a little blurb saying " The 2.5XT will go on sale in June as a 2004 model. It will cost about $25,000."
Wouldn't it be nice if they got this right.

I thought they said end of summer and early fall. I think the STi and new WRX will be available during spring.

I still have to pay off this one though!

Right now for me it's a toss-up between this and an '04 WRX wagon. Here's what I see in favor of each:

WRX wagon

Better handler, lower CG
Better seats
More hp, though not as torquey
FINALLY gets All Weather Package
Gets VTD in the AT version
Not as tall, easier to throw kayak on top
More STi/Prodrive/aftermarket goodies available
Won't have to be the guinea pig to see if Impreza mods work on Forester

Forester XT

More stealthy, won't attract the attention of boy racers and cops
More useful cargo space
More useful storage generally (the dash-top cubby hole is my favorite place to hide my stas...I mean stuff)
Torquier, probably flatter torque curve; hence more useful in daily driving
"No replacement for displacement"
I actually like the seating position better (not the higher part, the straighter-up part)
I can swap over my 17" wheel/tire combo no problemo

I intend to drive them both back-to-back and then decide.

Choice is good.

Ed

PS: Lisa, I owe you a PM and a parts order but a different subject entirely.

Lisa, I am all OVER that car. The only fly in the ointment is the specter of the STi Forester coming a year later, which would have not just the engine goodies of the Impreza STi, but the horsepower, turbo, brakes, STi suspension, etc. Woot!

Kevin

either way, the handling from the factory and the interior is soo much better on the '03 Forester than the previous model. My wife had an '01 and really likes the new suspension tweaks. I'll actually drive it now. :)

- Ken

Woohoo, first post!

Put me on that list for a 2.5XT!

My story:

The wife and I have been shopping Subies for some time. About a year ago we drove a base Outback and a 2002 Forester S. At that time we liked the Outback considerably better, but just never made a move to buy - several reasons that I won't get into. Now that we are getting closer to actually buying, we went this last Saturday to drive the Outback and a 2003 Forester XS. Wow, what a difference! The Outback was nice, but we felt like this new Forester was superior in almost every way - interior was great, felt more powerful (same engine, lower weight), preferred the shorter wheelbase, felt roomier in the front seats, front seats more comfortable, and so on. Rear seat room was the only exception, but isn't a big deal since our only passenger is an 11 month old.

The down side is that since this will be our "family car" and I really want my wife to be able to drive it, we will have to get AT. And the NA 2.5L with AT, while peppier feeling in the Forester than the Outback, is, well, I'd still like just a little more kick from under the hood. :D

That's where the turbo comes in, and just in time. It appears to be exactly what I'm looking for.

We can wait until summer. The only question for us now is "How much?"

Sorry if I bored anyone!

Hey Ed your getting rid of the Forester.. If you want to drive my WRX wagon let me know..

Sean

No Sean, I'm not getting rid of it yet, just looking ahead.

I've driven WRX wagons before, but obviously not a Forester XT! I hope whoever here is first to test drive one posts their impressions - if it's me, I will.

Ed

Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun

I'm also going to be looking at the XT as a possible replacement for my 98 Forester S. The WRX wagon is another possibility along with a turbo Legacy wagon.

Between the Forester XT and WRX wagon, I'm leaning slightly in favor of the Forester due to the fact that it's using what I think will be the workhorse engine for Subaru for years to come. The 2.0 turbo doesn't have AVCS and rumors have it that the 2.5T does not have a precat.

Ken

It's getting time for me to trade my RS. I'm seriously starting to consider one. I'm just wondering if there is a hotter version of the Legacy coming soon though.

Consulting the magic 8-ball yields: The future is rosy
(discards the magic 8-ball)
Ok, time for the official Ear™ to STi's door.

Hotter Legacy: Very Probable (fall/winter)
STi Forester 2.5: Usually at least a year (usually more) after a new model is released
Handling of said 2.5t: It looks like it's based on the Crossports setup. I'm thinking of getting a JDM Crossports for a day just to find out what that would mean, exactly.

Pricing: Should be less than that of a 2.5t new Legacy, going by Japanese pricing strategies and what I know of American ones.

Cheers,

Paul Hansen

As much as I like the Legacy, I'm spoiled by the headroom in my Forester to consider any other Subaru.

Hmmmmmm.... This is getting very interesting indeed. :confused: :( :confused:

I think I'll be afraid to drive the XT when it arrives. I'd hate to have my willpower crumble before getting a chance to check out the new turbo GT wagon. :lol: :lol:

Paul, just so you know... I hang on every word you type!! :D

-Ian