I managed to get a good look round the demonstrater over the weekend, the dealer offered a test drive which of course I took up right away ( he wanted to see what it was like as well)
I must say I was very impressed, the interior was good and the performnace was something else - everything I had expected plus a bit more. The rest of the cars I plan to test before buying new next year will have to work hard to better this.

Now all I have to do is convince them to let me have the car for the 24 hour test drive as well as getting a quick spin in an impreza just to compare....


Andy

 

How does it compare against the 2.0 XT?

 

And check the fuel consumption if thats a factor in your budget.
The spec appears to sugest about the same as a STI which translated to real world is about 20 MPG of super unleaded!!
The Forester certainly looks a more mature and maybe more comfortable (fast) alternative to an Impreza etc.
What about an 2.0 XT with PPP still a lot cheaper?

 

Haven't driven the 2.0 XT but the dealer though it was a much smoother drive and the power delivery is less of a kick in the pants when the turbo kicks in.


I did ask about fuel etc and as far as he told me the forester would run happily enough on bog standard fuel, there was no need to run SUL, ultimate, optimax as the engine is not tuned for the higher octane ratings, I doubt reckon 20 - 25 mpg though.

I did look into the 2.0xt with the PPP however:

New forster 2.5 XT with sat nav, leather, steering wheel controls etc - i.e. standard bits is £24,695 ( although I have seen a website offering them for a shade under £23K)
New forester 2.0 XT with leather is £22,195 add a £1,600 PPP pack and you're up to £23,795 without the sat nav but with a big increase on the insurance. the 2.5 just seems better value with the option to upgrade at a later date......

 

Same reasons I bought an STI rather than WRX plus the kit - although I love the STI (only had it a couple of months) I am wondering if I would have been better with the XT 2.5 as an overall more practical and fast car.
Too late now.