Rusti

iTrader: (4)

Hi all,

As above i am thinking of getting a second gen Forester XT as a daily and mountain bike taxi.

Love my Hawk spec D but useless for bikes and dont really want to leave it in a forest car park all day either!

could I get by with an X or are they ridiculously slow/ under powered.

What are peoples thoughts?

Cambs_Stuart

iTrader: (3)

It'll be slow compared to a spec d, but they're good tough awd cars and perfect for bike duties. I don't know what kind of budget you've got but this version always appealed:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152489059495

Rusti

iTrader: (4)

That is seriously nice looking. My budget at the moment is 3 grand and preferably the right side of 06 if you get what I mean as my hawk is the wrong side and i dont think i could live with paying a grand a year in tax

Cambs_Stuart

iTrader: (3)

Dont take thus as gospel, but don't JDM'S get a reduced rate of tax?

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

£230 for my Foggy 2.5 STi when I had it

Rusti

iTrader: (4)

I am assuming that they are fairly reliable cars and subject more or less to the same sort of maintenance as an STi 2.5 lump?

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

The 2.0 XTs are WRX's with a different body and a softer cam. They'd probably be a better buy than a later 2.5 with your budget.

Rusti

iTrader: (4)

Thats a good shout actually buddy

Can anyone report back on how they drive, most online reviews suggest that they are decent?

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

Like a slightly heavier, softer WRX.

Cambs_Stuart

iTrader: (3)

I've seen people tracking fsti's. I don't know how different the chassis/suspension and set up are but it would suggest that they can be made to handle.

averyp2

iTrader: (25)

I have a 54 plate XT as a daily. Its nippy at circa 180bhp but not the same acceleration as even a WRX, its a smaller turbo than even a TD04. Parts are inter-changeable with Imprezas of the same years so i have STI exhaust manifold/up-pipe, 4 pot front calipers, STI Impreza suspension.

Fuel consumption is not great, i'd say its no different from an Impreza WRX if i'm honest. Although i can run it on standard unleaded.

It is however big, has heated seats, sunroof, aircon etc and is practical.

I paid £6k for a UK XT with 40k on the clock, full history etc about a year ago

TECHNOPUG

iTrader: (1)

The mechanicals underneath are as near as damn it an Impreza STi, so no real surprise there.

As said the 2.0 XT is basically a WRX with a different body. Engine has softer cam and slightly different turbo. Good for maybe 270bhp following the usual WRX tuning routes.

Cambs_Stuart

iTrader: (3)

So that's settled then. You should definitely get one.

averyp2

iTrader: (25)

My daily XT and my Type R

averyp2

iTrader: (25)

...and yes the type R has a flat front tyre :/

Rusti

iTrader: (4)

Dont worry, I badly want one and will continue my search especially after seeing the one posted above

I was surprised to see so many automatic ones around it never really dawned on me that they would be popular, not a route I want to go however, In would imagine the fuel economy is even worse then!