'Turbo Boost'

[lostkiwi]

I'd say a Forrester is as much a Sport Utility Vehicle as a Vitara, Rav4 or any other of that ilk.
I'm surprised so many haven't figured out the 'Sport' isn't referring to sports car like handling and performance but 'Sport' as in surfing/fishing/canoeing or other outdoor pursuits which is their original intent.

[Bibbs]

eliot said:

Fit a boost controller.
Can't see the point though, easier to not boot it everywhere.

Yup, APEXi AVCR would do it.

Doddle to fit. Would also allow you to have a 'lots of turbo' mode.

[GC8]

A doddle?

Physically fitting, perhaps. Setting up and making it work properly: the very opposite is true.

[ORD]

otolith said:

They're not all the same type of car, though - the Tiguan, Touran, Q3, Yeti and Altea are all on the same platform as the Golf. Whether the Forester is an SUV or not, you certainly could put an SUV body on an Impreza floorpan and running gear - would that not be an SUV?

Amen. I don't think what I am saying is remotely controversial. A lot of sensitive flowers around here!

It sounds like the earlier Forester was a lot more credible than the current one, but my only experience is one from around 2014 or so.

[lostkiwi]

ORD said:

otolith said:

They're not all the same type of car, though - the Tiguan, Touran, Q3, Yeti and Altea are all on the same platform as the Golf. Whether the Forester is an SUV or not, you certainly could put an SUV body on an Impreza floorpan and running gear - would that not be an SUV?

Amen. I don't think what I am saying is remotely controversial. A lot of sensitive flowers around here!

It sounds like the earlier Forester was a lot more credible than the current one, but my only experience is one from around 2014 or so.

Had a mate with a first generation Forrester and all I can remember of it was it was quick in straight lines but an understeering pig when pushed hard.

[Bibbs]

GC8 said:

A doddle?

Physically fitting, perhaps. Setting up and making it work properly: the very opposite is true.

Not really, the APEXi stuff is pretty simple.
Took about 30mins to dial it in, in my old car.

[PomBstard]

Just coming back to, I think, a point made in the OP, as someone who has run a 2007 NA 2.5 Forester from new, and for some time had a 2005 2.0T Liberty alongside on the driveway. I reckon the Forester averages around 28mpg day-to-day and will do about 35mpg on a steady run. The Lib did around 24 day-to-day dropping to 18 on a decent thrape, and up to 35 on a cruise. Not quite a direct comparison with the 2.5T in the Forester XT, but shows there's not much to be gained from not having a turbo on the 2.5

As for those getting their lederhosen in a knot about the Forester's handling ability, they should really have a proper go in one - either the 05-08 version or the new one - I think the 09-13 version was a bit of a let down.

[V8RX7]

lostkiwi said:

Had a mate with a first generation Forrester and all I can remember of it was it was quick in straight lines but an understeering pig when pushed hard.

As with all Jap Turbo cars - it's not what they can do as standard, it's what they can do after you've spent £1000 or so modifying them.

Mine:
Uprated rear anti roll bar, Upgraded to 17" alloys with Continental tyres - improves the handling massively.
Decat x3 - that boosts power but more importantly improves throttle response
Upgraded exhaust and Remap - boosts power from 220ish to 275ish - not really needed but remapped for safety after decat / exhaust.

The same spent on a BMW would perhaps buy you a better set of alloys with non runflats.