Subaru Forester STI: PH Fleet
Does the Forester STI reality live up to the dream? Dan reports back on life with his new Subaru
I realise a blacked out biscuit tin on wheels with a bonnet scoop isn't your typical automotive pin-up. But if you asked me to sketch my ideal car I think I'd end up with something pretty much Forester shaped. I need to haul kids and associated clobber, I want room to carry a bike or two, it needs to have boring stuff like ISOFIX mounts and airbags and Mrs Trent needs to be confident driving it. Four-wheel drive would be a handy bonus too for when the weather gets a bit grim up north. Which it has been.
On top of that I want something with PH credibility, some engineering intrigue, the ability to entertain when opportunity strikes and - naturally - a bit of performance. Boxes ticked. With the added bonus of gold Brembos!
So how does it go? Perhaps unsurprisingly it's pure Subaru, from the slightly apologetic cough on start up to the astonishing pace it'll carry when the weather, road conditions and topography suggest otherwise.
I speak as the former owner of a classic Impreza WRX wagon (a MY95 import) and custodian of the PH Fleet WRX STI we ran last year. Characteristics of both of those cars are shared with the Forester. It's got the close gearing and typical short-throw, notchy gearshift. And you have to contend with a bit of lag before things get interesting. The steering is pretty light and the front end quite darty, though the initial turn-in balance errs towards understeer. It's also not shy in the chassis set-up, which is surprisingly stiff and perhaps the one main compromise over the more softly sprung UK car I thought I wanted. The benefit of that, of course, is Impreza-like cross-country pace with the comedy value of deliberately fugly proportions.
Steering lock, throttle, lateral load - the more you ask of the tyres the happier the Forester seems and if the nose is pointing where you want it to go you probably should have been on the power already. It's a hoot - the more you throw at the car the more it seems to respond, encouraging increased overlap between your braking, steering and throttle inputs to deliver lovely neutral drifts out of the corners, squatting down as the rear axle pushes the nose into the turn and the front wheels pull you out. I appreciate the fact it's all being done mechanically too - there's no brake nibbling, electronic torque distribution or any of that synthesised stuff you get in modern equivalents.
Conversation with fellow owners indicates a stiffer rear anti-roll bar is a popular mod and tips the balance further in the direction described above. Officially I'm happy with the quoted 265hp but I think it would benefit from a little more boxer burble. Domestic negotiations are a little tense on this matter and I don't want the full chav bean tin backbox. But a Subaru should sound like a Subaru. Recommendations on this front gratefully received. Before collection it was mapped and had a basic oil and filters service too but I think it'll merit a proper going over soon, not least the brakes which feel a little lacking in bite given the bling within the wheels. I'm hoping fresh fluid and some braided hoses will sort that.
Elsewhere the ICE update has been a huge success too, the Pioneer system fitted recently by Halfords bringing the car bang up to date in terms of connectivity, navigation and entertainment. I had feared a new head unit in an old car would look out of place but the screen integrates into the interior very nicely indeed.
It's long overdue a proper wash and buff-up as well. But the weather's been awful. Plus it would be both a waste of time and the opportunity to enjoy what the car does best. I usually hate this time of year and the sense winter will never end. Right now I'm loving every minute!
FACT SHEET
Car: 2005 Subaru Forester STI (JDM import model)
Run by: Dan Trent
Bought: December 2015
Mileage: 122,843km (at purchase)
Purchase price: £9,500
Last month at a glance: It's boxy, it's ugly and it's mine!
Photos: Sim Mainey
Fuel consumption is fairly hideous isn't it?
Mine was a JDM in WR Blue, fond memories of blatting across the South in it loaded up with mountain bikes and a little later on with kids, dogs etc.
It never missed a beat in comparison to my UK STi Imprezza (utter st box of unreliability and hopeless main dealers)
Enjoy!
Regarding the brakes, I also tried to improve the performance of the brakes, like you mentioned you want to do, but it still required improvement.
I upgraded the brake discs and pads to some Tarox grooved discs and Tarox replacement pads and it made all the difference to the braking, although the noise under very heavy use increased quite a bit. I highly recommend them and would say they are worth every penny.
Regarding the exhaust, I would recommend contacting Litchfield as they worked with Milltek to produce a good exhaust system and when fitted with their power upgrade will take the power to a safe, reliable 330bhp and it isn't too noisy. I think they will also supply the exhaust for you to fit, if you want to go down that route.
Also, just my personal view, ditch the 'import style' (square) front number plate and get a 'UK style' one, it make the car look a lot better.
Also, in response to an earlier post, the fuel economy isn't bad and no way as bad as the UK 2.5XT, as it has a 6 speed box whereas the UK 2.5XT has a 5 speed box, which makes hard work of motorway work.
And - CS400 - thanks for the tips ref. brakes and exhaust. Food for thought.
That UK front numberplate installation looks neat too. But I have to confess I do actually like the import look square front plate.
Cheers,
Dan
Miltek it is then.
Loved my Prodrive one with sports cat but not sure if they do a version for the Forester.
Maybe use your position of influence to negotiate mates rates from Cobra or Hayward & Scott for a bespoke system. Russ Fellows also make some great exhausts.
May I also suggest you consider a Kartboy short shift upgrade coupled with new Whiteline bushings. Part of the joy of the car is the gearbox... and the Kartboy will really add to the driving experience.
I also run full whiteline ARBs, strut bars (quick release in the rear), bushings etc., Tein coilovers and are all highly recommended before you get to the list of power upgrades... for another day
Exhaust you want (if you are keeping the 2.5" DP) is a ScoobySport classic backbox; right volume without being a knob and it has a rolled tip so thankfully a million miles away from those JDM Baked bean can jobbies
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