Forester XT 2.0 / 2.5 Much Difference ?

[V8RX7]

I've decided I'm getting a Forester XT

I can see that the 2.5 has more power as std but I think I'm right in saying that the 2.0 can be mapped to a similar value.

As this is a functional car (kids, dogs etc) that level of performance is fine - I wouldn't bother mapping the 2.5

However does the 2.5 offer better low down torque / faster response etc or is the 2.0 better in some way (reliability ?)

I will be converting it to LPG should that make a difference.

Thanks

[V8RX7]

From the response I'm guessing - Not much of a difference then

[Harji]

I am also curious, I seem to have a Forster itch even though I have no need for one and have previously slagged off everyone who drives a 4x4 in the city.

[DJFish]

No idea, but I find a standard 2.5 plenty quick enough....try here; http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/

[Ved]

No difference for the most part other than much more torque and power. To drive they both respond well to tuning.

Ours is driven everywhere and is frankly magnificent. Scratch it with an STI and you'll be in heaven.

[Motorrad]

If the 2.5 has the same issues as the Impreza I'd worry about owning one.

[V8RX7]

Harji said:

I am also curious, I seem to have a Forster itch even though I have no need for one and have previously slagged off everyone who drives a 4x4 in the city.

I haven't got much of a need but I've recently moved to the countryside and the rough roads are making my BMW convertible rattle and creak and I'm sick of driving my van as I'm frequently taking my dog with me and I'm not putting her in the BMW, higher seating and 4x4 will come in handy and I'm a bit old for an Impreza.

[V8RX7]

Motorrad said:

If the 2.5 has the same issues as the Impreza I'd worry about owning one.

Haven't heard of them... off to google

[V8RX7]

Motorrad said:

If the 2.5 has the same issues as the Impreza I'd worry about owning one.

Just this ?

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/legal--motoring-a...

If so that's only 08 onwards.

I don't like the look of them, I was looking at an 04/05 model

[leefee]

Pre face lift 2.5manual would be my choice forester, they didnt have those troublesome warm up valve things. I would be gassing a subaru though. Lots say you need x y or z type conversion, im not clued up on gas conversions to know, but have had lots of them already converted through my hands and all but one has been a nightmare

[SidJames]

Had a 57 2.5 turbo with a Prodrive map and backbox (a dealer fit option), mapped to about 260bhp. Fabulous engine, but couldn't go round a corner to save its life!

[Hol]

I had the 2.0 STurbo and I have the wife old 2.5 Xten as my daily and I did notice a difference when we owned both together for a year.


The 2.5 feels much stronger in the mid range, which is understandable as there is 60bhp difference.






I get a new Audi in June and my Xten will be up for sale, straight after if you are still looking then.

[Hol]

SidJames said:

Had a 57 2.5 turbo with a Prodrive map and backbox (a dealer fit option), mapped to about 260bhp. Fabulous engine, but couldn't go round a corner to save its life!

I cheated and fitted Forester STI shocks to both of mine. But I image low mile sets are hard to get now.

It's still no sports car though, but that's not the point of them.

They go everywhere, you can park anywhere, an they have useful toys like Satnav and heated seats, and can out drag any sub 200bhp car. Hence, I have had two over seven years.








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Edited by Hol on Friday 25th April 19:21

[billzeebub]

The 2.0 Turbo has always been plenty quick enough for me in that type of car. I absolutely love them, brilliantly talented, quirky, subtle vehicles. Mine had done. 80k when I bought it, now on 105k, always gets abuse but it's been rock solid and not a thing has broken or needed replacing. The rear shocks are the only major issue I've heard of. Mine had been replaced just before purchase from Subaru Garage. You see a few around that have sunk. Apart from that and regular oil changes, they do. Like a drop of oil

I will definitely get another if this one ever throws in the towel.

[SidJames]

billzeebub said:

Apart from that and regular oil changes, they do. Like a drop of oil

They sure do!

[Ved]

SidJames said:

Had a 57 2.5 turbo with a Prodrive map and backbox (a dealer fit option), mapped to about 260bhp. Fabulous engine, but couldn't go round a corner to save its life!

Strange as mine was very good even before I threw the Whiteline catalogue at it.

[aarondbs]

Who said too old for an Impreza! I look at Foresters every now and then but always wonder what it would do an Impreza would not.

I'd love another Impreza! As for the 2.0 or 2.5 i would guess the Forester versions are the same as the Impreza. As the Daily Truth Internet tells me the 2.5 will break i would go for a 2.0

[Zyp]

We have an '03 Forester 2.0 AWP with 125k miles on it.

Love it!

Not exactly fast or frugal, but like the OP we live pretty rural and it saves the wife having to use the Alpina in the winter, and it makes a great airport/station/tip/beach car.
It was cheaper to buy and insure for a year than the cost of a set of winter wheels and tyres for the Alpina...

Have Toyo winter tyres on (came with them) but haven't had the weather to try it out on sadly.

[iloveboost]

I've done the maths and the difference is 0.5. You can thank me another time.

[DJFish]

Ha!

I considered another impreza & still look at them wistfully, however as much as a standard Forester isn't great at cornering, it sails over speed bumps & I like that.