Boylan

I own an RB5 but I want something more practical for the dogs, bikes, snowboard etc. I've been so impressed with my Subaru I thought I would stick with the marque and have decided to go for a manual 2003-2005 Forester XT, I don't want an STi as I'm keeping the RB5 as my quick car (although I wouldn't mind changing it for a V2 STi RA) but I'm not sure which engine to go for. I'm drawn towards the 2.5 for a bit more torque but I didn't know if they suffered from head gasket failures etc like the Impreza, or is it not an issue due to the fact they have smaller heads and only have around 220bhp. There seems to be a lot of 2.0 XT Foresters about so should I just look for a nice lowish mileage one of them?

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

Standard response is "jdm STI" and someone will post it soon.

Having said that if I were you I would take my time and find
one you are happy with as you will have lots to choose from.

I was going to buy a XT but was unfortunately in a rush and had
very little choice here in NI, unless I wanted to pay £3.5k for a
mid 2000's model with 144k miles.

Boylan

Definitely don't want a JDM STi, too expensive, too low, no sunroof, no heated seats. It's got to be able to drive down rocky dirt tracks and through deep snow.

Raptorman

iTrader: (1)

The guys here are a great bunch and know everything about
foresters also a lot of decent motors sold here too
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/

jonnyricer2

iTrader: (9)

Same as you I'm looking for some thing a little more practical then my type r

Just up the the road is a 2001 2ltr turbo s with 135k for 950 gonna take for a spin next week!!

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Legacy Outback?

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

I think you should consider selling the RB5 and just going for a JDM Forester STI as you get the best of both worlds in one package as well as only having running costs of one car as opposed to two lots of tax, insurance, mot, servicing etc.

Or you can do what I did and go for a Blob Wagon PPP with some handling mods and AP brakes, But I've kept my Type R under cover awaiting full restoration when time allows.

3rd option for you could be a Classic Wagon STi V3 onwards would be my choice.

Just some food for thought.

Boylan

No I like having 2 cars, it makes life so much easier for a lot of reasons. I did think about a V1 or V2 STi wagon but wouldn't want any later than 1996, besides I need something with a lot more ground clearance. The Impreza and the STi forester are just too low for some dirt tracks I drive down. If I was to buy a Forester STi I'd have to fit some small AP brakes to fit inside 15" wheels and some longer travel dampers such as Leda, Prodrive, King or Fox which would make for a mad Prerunner style beast but all that would cost the earth and it still wouldn't have a sunroof, heated seats etc. If I wanted a fast 4x4 I'd build a 70's Bronco with a screaming 302 that'd blow an STi's doors off. All I want is a sensible, economical, PETROL, soft roader that's cheap so I can save my money for more focused vehicles like a Type R or RA.
All I want to know is which out of 2.0 and 2.5 is best?

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

2.5 Leggy Outback.

Boylan

No thanks!

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Ticks all your boxes, so why not?

Boylan

I found the car that ticks all the boxes, it's called a Forester XT. But 2.0 or 2.5?

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

2.0L if it's a turbo, 2.5L if it's N/A.

fpan

iTrader: (11)

Go and test drive one of each and see what you prefer.
I used to have a 2.5 WRX wagon and my friend a 2.0 WRX wagon, he used to rave about the 2.0 but after swaping cars he realised that the 2.5 has much better driveability.
The 2.0 is nothing below 4k and suddenly gives you a kick in the back whereas the 2.5 is much more linear with a fuller torque curve.

Boylan

Yeah it's the same as my RB5, you have to rev it to 3000rpm to get it to go. That's why I would like the 2.5 turbo for more bottom end grunt, especially as it has the small heads which should produce even more low down torque for when it's full up with the dogs and all my gear. I'm just worried that it has the same problems as the 2.5 in the later Impreza.

fpan

iTrader: (11)

The problems with the 2.5 Impreza are due to the wrong map on the hatchback STi mainly, you hardly hear of any 2.5 WRXs (or XTs) going wrong.
I've done 87k miles (in total between my standard 2.5 WRX and remapped FSTi), which included a few trackdays without problems.
For a daily driver I'd definately go for the 2.5.
The only 2.0 I'd fancy is a twin scroll hawkeye or hatchback STi, they pull from low down and rev like the clappers.

Boylan

Cheers fpan, that's most helpful. I didn't realise it was mainly the hatchback STi. It puts my mind at rest as I would prefer the 2.5.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

I think if you do a poll of the engine builders on here you'll find they see plenty of 2.5L WRX's too.

2.5L = Lottery.