Article Comments - 2009 Subaru Forester XT First Drive and Full Test

71 messages, Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 11:14 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon, SUV

First Drive: 2009 Subaru Forester XT - First Impressions: The style factor is up, but so is the practicality.(more)

Full Test: 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5XT Limited - Bottom Line: Bigger and better, the quirky little Forester has become a grown-up SUV. (more)

Outline

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#21 of 71 Re: New Forester [h2k2f2] by kdshapiro Apr 05, 2008 (12:36 pm)
Replying to: h2k2f2 (Apr 01, 2008 7:21 pm) The Forester needs a 5th or cruising gear. I'm tired of listening to the drone of the engine at 3K doing 70mph (which admittedly isn't very often). At the point when I'm ready for my next ride, this would be a deal breaker. Replies to this message: p0926 (Apr 05, 2008 1:54 pm) kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 05, 2008 2:30 pm) kdshapiro (Apr 06, 2008 4:58 pm) tinycadon (Apr 06, 2008 6:05 pm) and 2 more...
#22 of 71 Re: New Forester [kdshapiro] by p0926 Apr 05, 2008 (1:54 pm)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Apr 05, 2008 12:36 pm) No argument here. However, my manual tranny in 5th gear also revs at about 3k when doing 70mph so I guess it could use a 6th gear -Frank
#23 of 71 Re: New Forester [kdshapiro] by kurtamaxxxguy Apr 05, 2008 (2:30 pm)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Apr 05, 2008 12:36 pm) ???. The '09 I have with Auto doesn't come anywhere near 3K rpm at 70 mph. It loafs along around 1.5K at 60 mph or so. Also, the engine responds right away if I prod the accelerator at that speed, especially if in Sport mode. Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Apr 06, 2008 4:58 pm) tinycadon (Apr 06, 2008 6:05 pm) kdshapiro (Apr 06, 2008 6:12 pm) and 1 more...
#24 of 71 Re: New Forester [kurtamaxxxguy] by kdshapiro Apr 06, 2008 (4:58 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 05, 2008 2:30 pm) I would like to know what the final drive ratios are for the 09 vs the 05 for the auto. Replies to this message: tinycadon (Apr 06, 2008 6:05 pm) kdshapiro (Apr 06, 2008 6:12 pm) ateixeira (Apr 07, 2008 9:34 am)
#25 of 71 Re: New Forester [kdshapiro] by tinycadon Apr 06, 2008 (6:05 pm)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Apr 06, 2008 4:58 pm) You can find a lot of Subaru info from this guy's website: http://www.cars101.com/ 2005 Automatic: 1st 3.027, 2nd 1.619, 3rd 1,0, 4th 0.694, rev 2.272, final 4.444 Turbo: 1st 2.785, 2nd 1.545, 3rd 1.0, 4th 0.694, rev 2.272, final 4.444 2009 Automatic: 1st 2.785, 2nd 1.545, 3rd 1.0, 4th 0.694, rev 2.272, final 4.444 Turbo: 1st 2.785, 2nd 1.545, 3rd 1.0, 4th 0.694, rev 2.272, final 4.111 Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Apr 06, 2008 6:12 pm) ateixeira (Apr 07, 2008 9:34 am)
#26 of 71 Re: New Forester [tinycadon] by kdshapiro Apr 06, 2008 (6:12 pm)
Replying to: tinycadon (Apr 06, 2008 6:05 pm) Thanks! Interesting so with the turbo the automatic has a lower ratio. That may make a bit of difference cruising at highway speed. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 07, 2008 9:34 am)
#27 of 71 Re: New Forester [kdshapiro] by ateixeira Apr 07, 2008 (9:34 am)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Apr 06, 2008 6:12 pm) Yep, and we should remember the torque peak occurs sooner with the new state of tune for this engine, so it should not feel much slower. This is probably how they got the fuel economy numbers to improve.
#29 of 71 XT Fuel economy by hank119 Apr 12, 2008 (7:35 am)
I'm considering the Subaru Forester but in this era of high fuel prices I am turned off the XT version because of the requirement for Premium gas. I was unable to find any mention of this in the article. This factor makes an appreciable differerence in fuel cost and the writer's quoting of EPA mileage is incomplete without mentioning this. I'm going to test drive the non-turbo version with automatic tranny. Have test driven the Rav4 and like it very much. My requirement is for a vehicle which can tow at least 2000 lbs short distances and up a slippery boat ramp. If not for the premium gas the XT would certainly be a contender. It's surprising how few small vehicles there are which can tow 2000 lbs with reasonable fuel economy. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Apr 14, 2008 7:38 am) kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 14, 2008 1:18 pm) ateixeira (Apr 15, 2008 8:39 am) and 4 more...
#30 of 71 Re: XT Fuel economy [hank119] by ateixeira Apr 14, 2008 (7:38 am)
Replying to: hank119 (Apr 12, 2008 7:35 am) What about an LL Bean model? 170hp should be adequate if fuel economy is your goal. FWIW, premium fuel is recommend but not required. The higher boost Legacy GT engine does require premium. Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 14, 2008 1:18 pm) ateixeira (Apr 15, 2008 8:39 am) kurtamaxxxguy (Apr 16, 2008 8:09 am) and 3 more...