[BarryG]

I've always liked Foresters since they're known to be reliable, drive real smooth and have AWD. But the new Forester XT almost makes me want to sell/trade in my E for one! Almost.

I just read the article about it in Car and Driver. 210hp, 235 torque from a 2.5L turbo 4. 0-60 in 5.3 secs! And averages about 20mpg. And still has 64 cu.ft of space with the rear seats folded down and AWD. I stopped by the Subaru dealer to test drive one in a 5spd but the 1 5spd they had wouldn't be available to test drive until tomorrow. I did ride in an automatic and they are nice! I didn't gun it or anything but I could feel how much thrust this thing has and it drove very smooth. I also love the stealth looks. You would never guess this wagon is a speed demon. And the sunroof on the automatics (can't get the s/r with the manual) is HUGE and I mean huge. It's like 3 standard sunroofs in one. The dealer said they'll sell them at $695 over invoice plus $250 processing fee and tax. So that means a manual should run just under $25k and a loaded auto with leather and s/r a couple grand more.

But I'm going to keep my E b/c I still have a lot more room than the Forester for my bikes and gear....love being able to stand my bike up and bungy it to the side wall. Plus I refuse to take another hit on a car. They add up over time. I'd get burned on a trade and selling my E privately would be a pain most likely and I'd still probably lose a couple grand. I also really love the way my E drives.....but 0-60 in 5.3 and a 1/4 mile in 13.8 with the Subaru.....that'll blow away most things on the road.....faster than a WRX with more cargo space. Ok, not going to think about it anymore.

But anyone in the market for an SUV and AWD and loves speed.....the XT has no rivals.

 

[BarryG]

I agree with you. The E is a do everything vehicle...which is why I like it so much. The other night I was biking to my E from work and got caught in terrential downpour and drove home my E while I was soaked. I was thinking what other car an hour or so later would have seats completely dry and totally unscathed from my soaking wet shorts. It's versatility really is unmatched for my lifestyle and needs.

When it comes to speed...for me there's decent speed and there's real speed. I've owned a few cars that did 0-60 in under 6 secs...('00 Z28, 2 Mustang 5.0s..very modified) and I've driven my dad's VR-4 countless times along with his '02 C32 AMG Mercedes....both extremely quick.

All these cars to me I'd classify as having real speed. I don't think it does any good to analyze 0-60 speed rationally to the point of determining where you'll be driving, how you'll be driving...etc. I think it's fruitless to do so. Because it's not about that. Having a car capable of blazing acceleration is about feeling that power at your fingertips and being able to use it anytime you want. I know when I've driven the C32 AMG (349hp) especially on the highway, it's a very intoxicating feeling to hit the gas and swallow such huge stretches of asphalt effortlessly and so quickly. And in the city, the gobs of torque and thrust are so immediate that it creates a different driving experience. Yes, a driving experience that you eventually get used and it loses some of its novelty but nevertheless it's always there.

As far as the Subaru Forester XT, I think you're getting it all. Speed in a vehicle that defintely does have sports car handling and has decent cargo space. Sure the Forester is not a true SUV but if you don't need all the room that a bigger car provides like an E, then I think it can't be beat. The Forester is not some turbo charged Ford Explorer.....it's a sport wagon.

As for the E, I definitely would NOT say it has a lack of power. I can go 75mph effortlessly in the E all day and I don't find the acceleration to be unacceptable by any means. To me and I think most others, it has decent speed. But does it have REAL speed....no.