- #1144 of 1193
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Re: reopened [designman]
by ateixeira
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Dec 21, 2005 (10:14 am)
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Replying to: designman (Dec 21, 2005 9:59 am)
But you trade-off the stiffest ride this side of a Corvette Z06. I could feel the pavement joints in the parking lot of FedEx Field, and mine didn't even have the Sport package.
For the Forester you can always pick up STi components and bigger sway bars.
-juice
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- #1145 of 1193
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Re: reopened [ateixeira]
by kdshapiro
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Dec 21, 2005 (10:27 am)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 21, 2005 10:14 am)
I don't think it had a stiff ride at all. To each their own though. Maybe I like stiff suspensions. 
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- #1146 of 1193
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Re: reopened [ateixeira]
by designman
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Dec 21, 2005 (10:30 am)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 21, 2005 10:14 am)
I guess it would be worth it if you really want the power. But then there's the matter of the high (numerical) steering ratio which is a big culprit in the XT in my opinion. I don't think that can be changed.
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- #1147 of 1193
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Re: reopened [designman]
by ateixeira
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Dec 21, 2005 (10:59 am)
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Replying to: designman (Dec 21, 2005 10:30 am)
Nope, not easily.
-juice
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- #1148 of 1193
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Re: Subuaru Forester XT vs. BMW X3 [boomerbubba]
by kumari
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Jan 09, 2006 (12:52 pm)
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Replying to: boomerbubba (Aug 13, 2004 11:57 am)
I am also a former BMW owner (320i) and drove that car for 14 years! Loved it! But, when I cross-shopped the Forester XT with the BMW X3, there was really no comparison. I thought the Subaru blew the BMW completely away. The BMW drove like a Cadillac - something for my mother to drive. Could not feel the road and it was like a deluxe SUV, not a sporty car at all! It was, however, very *pretty* compared with the lines of the Forester. I have never owned a Subaru, but will be buying a Forester XT Limited shortly. The test drive (and I drove it 3 separate times, including on the freeway by myself!) just took my breath away. I only wish they would make a better looking car - that sucker is damn ugly!! But, boy can it move! I'm only hoping that all the good things that the Subaru owners have written here is true! I really want a no-hassle car.
Samantha
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- #1149 of 1193
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Re: Subuaru Forester XT vs. BMW X3 [kumari]
by kdshapiro
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Jan 09, 2006 (2:06 pm)
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Replying to: kumari (Jan 09, 2006 12:52 pm)
The Subaru is fast! No doubt. I test drove the X3 and it handled as well as my 330i. It does not drive anywhere close to your daddy's caddy. it also depends on whether you test drove the 3L or 2.5L model.
The Subaru does not handle like that, not even close. The luxury amenities on the Subie are also quite different than the X3.
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- #1150 of 1193
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Re: Subuaru Forester XT vs. BMW X3 [kdshapiro]
by kumari
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Jan 09, 2006 (8:13 pm)
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Jan 09, 2006 2:06 pm)
I drove the only ones they had - they were all the sport package version. I heard that the other, regular one is better, but they had the sport models stacked double wide in the lot and none of the others. It was an automatic, because I'm done with stick shifts. The X3, of course, has better amenities - it's a BMW which is a luxury car. I don't know what your 330i drove like. I had a 1980 320i, which is the next model up from the old 2002. It didn't even have power steering! I also drove my friend's 1985 3 series, which was similar to my old one. Maybe all the newer BMW's drive like Caddies with that smooooth ride! I guess everyone has different expectations from their car. I even thought that the RAV4 had a better road "feel" than the BMW. But, I didn't get the chance to take either of them out on the freeway, like I did with the Subaru. I'm glad that I didn't like the BMW - I thought I was gonna love it and then be disappointed to have to "settle" for something less if I couldn't find a good used one. No one can believe I'm buying a Subaru! No one even knows what a Subaru is! They think it's like an Isuzu or a Kia!!!
Samantha
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- #1151 of 1193
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Re: Subuaru Forester XT vs. BMW X3 [kumari]
by kdshapiro
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Jan 10, 2006 (6:54 am)
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Replying to: kumari (Jan 09, 2006 8:13 pm)
I understand what your saying. After I got my 330i a number of friends drove it. One of them just took it around the neighborhood. The comment was: "I don't see what's so special about it".
To see the difference between the 330i and the XT, you have to take it into a curve and mash the gas. Do the same with the RAV4. Driving it at 50 with a light foot tells you nothing about the car. Also if you ever have the chance take the X3 up to 130.
I'm not defending the X3 by any means, but after a 330i and subaru and having extensively test drove the X3, I can say the X3 handles like a sedan. No it doesn't have the punch of the XT, but the BMWs do not drive like Caddy's they are meant to be pushed very hard and maintain absolute composure. Take any BMW into the twisties and drive it hard it will not waiver.
Try that with a Caddy.
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- #1152 of 1193
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Re: Subuaru Forester XT vs. BMW X3 [kdshapiro]
by kumari
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Jan 10, 2006 (7:12 pm)
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Replying to: kdshapiro (Jan 10, 2006 6:54 am)
I guess I'll have to try the X3 again. I was actually *afraid* to drive it hard and take the turns fast, because it felt like such a boat, just driving down the street! After driving the XT and being much closer to the ground with a lower center of gravity, I was scared to drive the X3 the same way. When I go back to Toyota to check out the RAV4 V-6, I'll stop by BMW (which is down the street) and drive the X3 again to check out what you're describing. At any rate, I don't want another 6 cyl car because my current one eats too much gas. The XT is the fastest 4 cyl SUV/wagon on the road and that's why it's really my only option. Unless the RAV4 V-6 gets similar mileage, which I doubt.
Samantha
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- #1153 of 1193
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Re: Subuaru Forester XT vs. BMW X3 [kumari]
by kdshapiro
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Jan 10, 2006 (7:36 pm)
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Replying to: kumari (Jan 10, 2006 7:12 pm)
The X3 seemingly has more mass than the XT, but it doesn't drive like it has more mass. Don't expect miracles in gas mileage from the XT though. The most I get is about 27 mph, but I have to refrain from punching it at every light. One of the negatives is the lack of a 5 gear in the tranny causing the engine to spin at a rate higher than some other vehicles at highway speed. You can probably expect similiar mileage from the X3 as the XT. The X3 does weigh about 500 lbs more than the XT but you could never tell. Of course the X3 3L is a bit more expensive.
The RAV6 should have decent acceleration, but again, no matter how fast in a straight line, it will not drive like the X3. I'm not saying BMWs are for everybody, but the X3s overall handling will be much better than both of these.
Having owned a BMW I'm sure you can appreciate the comments.
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