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Morning All,
Its been many years since I've been here, but I'm looking for some advice from the combined knowledge of you all!
I'm currently driving a 2008 Forester 2.0 na. 2008 Forester XC 2.0 NA, manual
.....dull as ditchwater, but it reminds me of why i still love the Scooby brand. Only issues are that its a bit small for me to get comfy in at 6ft3 and it definitely needs more POWER!!!!!!
I'm looking at its replacement and have seen a few import Outback 2.5T's come up at up to £8k...I only do 4-5k a year and wonder if these would be a good idea? I was looking at the facelift 3.0R, but anything that isnt really leggy doesnt seem to exist.
What should i be looking for on these?
With my practical hat on re legroom which I get, and having had a few Foresters (2.0 + 2.5 turbo) plus a 2.5 Legacy, how about checking out a couple of other brands:-
- Skoda Octavia Scout 2.0TDi or 1.8 Turbo.
- Audi A4 Allroad 2.0T / Tdi or 3.0 Tdi
I've had all of these in a previous job - both can manage dirt tracks and the alps, but I prefer the permanent 4wd system on used A4/A6 over the Haldex of the Skoda. The Skoda has a huge boot though and is very comfortable.
Personally unless boot space has to be high and square with the seats up, I would seek out an A4 with lots of extras fitted - ideally the 3.0 tdi but it might be a 2.0 to get in budget. I never found the 2.5 non turbo Legacy particularly quick and the power is about the same as your very late 2.0 Forester so unless you are going the import route I dont think you would gain much.
I currently have an old A6 3.0TDi Allroad with a Revo remap. I would recommend everything about it except the air suspension, which is why the conventionally sprung A4 is a better bet. Still have a Subaru...
Last edited by Flat4x4-again; 23 May 2020 at 03:01 PM.
With my practical hat on re legroom which I get, and having had a few Foresters (2.0 + 2.5 turbo) plus a 2.5 Legacy, how about checking out a couple of other brands:-
- Skoda Octavia Scout 2.0TDi or 1.8 Turbo.
- Audi A4 Allroad 2.0T / Tdi or 3.0 Tdi
I've had all of these in a previous job - both can manage dirt tracks and the alps, but I prefer the permanent 4wd system on used A4/A6 over the Haldex of the Skoda. The Skoda has a huge boot though and is very comfortable.
Personally unless boot space has to be high and square with the seats up, I would seek out an A4 with lots of extras fitted - ideally the 3.0 tdi but it might be a 2.0 to get in budget. I never found the 2.5 non turbo Legacy particularly quick and the power is about the same as your very late 2.0 Forester so unless you are going the import route I dont think you would gain much.
I currently have an old A6 3.0TDi Allroad with a Revo remap. I would recommend everything about it except the air suspension, which is why the conventionally sprung A4 is a better bet. Still have a Subaru...
Thanks for the ideas.....I cant bring myself to go down the VAG cars again....been there and just not that interesting and been burned by my last A6. Also with only doing 4k miles a year, i have to go down the petrol route...options on my shortlist are..
Subaru Outback 3.0 or 2.5 turbo (import)
Subaru Forester SJ XT (seen 2013 high miler for £10k)
or Lexus Rx400h.....
Forester XT is CVT gearbox only in Uk which put me off getting a 14 plate one last year with high miles, I presume it comes with a manual box in Japan?
58 PLATE SUBARU LEGACY TWINSCROLL TURBO FACELIFT SPEC-B, 6 SPEED WITH Si-DRIVE
Ok the link didn't work but this ticks all the boxes and can be found at Pro Drift in Edenbridge on their ebay shop
To be honest I've tried other brands and dull as dishwater. Only thing I miss is super light clutch pedals. And sometimes when you fancy a relaxing drive, doesn't happen often though.
Not sure how old are you willing to go but forester xt or sti or legacy/outback spec B ( getting very rare now)are great allround cars, legacy more comfy and car like. VAG cars more comfy, cheaper to run etc but oh so dull...i just bought an almost new Skoda Kodiaq as a main family car and I’m alteady regretting it, just so dull and no character at all.
if you like your Forester, i would go for xt in the shape up to 2008 or Forester sti - they are great cars and nothing else like it out there!
Yep, I've had a legacy mk4 and then a Skoda Superb 4x4. The Skoda outperforms on every level except handling and chassis dynamics, and has been a brilliant family car for over 100000 miles....however it has never made me smile, never taken me through a storm and made me think "Kin' 'Ell, that was good"
As above, a Spec B Leggy or mapped XT would make a cracking choice.
.i just bought an almost new Skoda Kodiaq as a main family car and I’m alteady regretting it, just so dull and no character at all.!
I have to agree with you on the Kodiaq. Had one for 6 months at work. Soulless, mismatched DSG and engine, lurchy stiff suspension. Preferred Yeti, Octavia, Superb as honest, decent cars that weren't pretending to be anything else .
23 May 2020, 10:53 AM
Buying Advice
