"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
06/30/2014 at 18:04 • Filed to: None
3
13|
"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
06/30/2014 at 18:04 • Filed to: None | 3
| 13 |
Opinions?
HammerheadFistpunch
> Saracen
06/30/2014 at 18:06 |
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I had an 05. What would you like to know?
jariten1781
> Saracen
06/30/2014 at 18:09 |
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A guy in my work parking lot has one that's all Cobb'd and STi'd out. Always know if he's driving in the garage due to BPV sounds. He loves the thing, but that's all I really know about it.
Luc - The Acadian Oppo
> Saracen
06/30/2014 at 18:13 |
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I don't but Id love to.
unpredictable_swerve
> Saracen
06/30/2014 at 18:15 |
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Buddy of mine has an 04, drives it daily and likes it a little bit more than his '70 Nova with over 400whp. I've driven it a few times, awesome little crossover. Very fun, tossable, total sleeper. My old boss has a beige one, you think it's a camry until it blows the doors off pretty much anything on the road. Faster than a buddies '11 V6 mustang for sure. Heaps more fun. I would buy one in a heartbeat for a daily were I in the market.
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Saracen
> HammerheadFistpunch
06/30/2014 at 18:22 |
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Well, I know it's about the same quality and reliability wise as the WRX platform it's based on (my brother's WRX has been faultless), but I am curious as to how it is to drive.
after I move into the house I'm buying I'm likely to sell the R. I've always had an interest in the forester, it's big enough to carry stuff for house projects, cheaper to run and I'd just pay it off in one check...so I can save the car payment for things like, bathroom remodelling..
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HammerheadFistpunch
> Saracen
06/30/2014 at 18:33 |
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Here is what I know:
1. the XT motor is better than the WRX motor. the 2004-2005 XT is an EJ255 which aside from different injectors, pistons and turbo (and intercooler) is the same as the STI motor (EJ257) the, the WRX is still labeled as an EJ255, but has plastic intake tracks and different internals. both Forester XT and WRX had a Mitsubishi TD04 turbo.
2. The 2004-2005 models are the quickest, because of very short ratios, 06-08 were taller for better economy but are slower
3. the XT transmissions have a history of grenading less than their WRX counterparts...for some reason (my guess is the gears are shot peened)
4. Because the forester was deigned for some level of utility it has anti-squat geometry (which the wrx doesn't get) so that lift off oversteer is VERY easy to achieve.
5. They are more top heavy than a wrx but their engines, transmissions and suspension geometry is very adapable, you can use 03-05 STI parts interchangeably with 04-05 XT's.
6. The steering rack is crap, its too slow and its variable rate, you can snag an 03-05 STI rack and plug and play.
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Saracen
> HammerheadFistpunch
06/30/2014 at 18:40 |
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Awesome. thanks!!
Vi517, JDX Racing
> HammerheadFistpunch
06/30/2014 at 19:37 |
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I have a 05 Outback XT. Do you know if STi parts can also be used interchangeably with it as well?
Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
> Saracen
06/30/2014 at 20:34 |
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Yes. Buy an '04 or '05.
They immediately find a rear antiroll bar from the STi. It bolts right in. Mine squeaked fro a day, then I got back under, loosened and retightened everything and it never squeaked again.
The front bar is identical to the Sti, BTW.
The bar does nothing to the harshness, but changes it from hopeless understeer to very mild understeer. This is the way they should have shipped it in the first place.
Good tires and you're golden. Great car. A few headaches...
Turbo got smokey at 140K miles.
Coil pack died at 130K
A lot like a WRX, a little more space. If you have kids, getting little ones in and out of car seats is much easier with the more square windows. Very receptive to bolt-on mods.
Stereo needs updating, but there is a location for a factory sub in the back.
Great car. I've enjoyed it for about 5 years now.
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Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius
> Vi517, JDX Racing
06/30/2014 at 20:36 |
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That is harder. With the Outback XT, you will have to lean on the Legacy GT crowd. Some things cross over, but not as many as you think.
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> Saracen
07/02/2014 at 09:32 |
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based on my time in a non turbo 04 Forester 2.5X(about 2 hours of driving around Milwaukee Wi., I really want a 2.5XT.
DipodomysDeserti
> HammerheadFistpunch
07/02/2014 at 11:01 |
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The EJ255's are identical between the WRX's and the XT's. The WRX just switched to a metal intake manifold a MY earlier than the XT. All pre-2008 WRX's an pre-2009 XT's have a metal intake manifold with the air intake entering at the center of the manifold. All post 2008-2014 WRX's and 2009-2013 XT's have the plastic manifold with the throttle body on the driver's side of the manifold. The major differnce between the two came with the 2009-2014 MY WRX which got the VF52 turbo and a subsequent 40+HP bump. I had a 2008 WRX and a 2013 XT an the engines were identical.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> DipodomysDeserti
07/02/2014 at 11:21 |
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my experience is with models years 03-06 they were definitely different engines then. But you are right about the rest.