Forester STi

[SOOBDUDE]

There's a road test in this months issue of the British magazine EVO of the Japan only Forester STi. It has 18's and a detuned 2.5 STi turbo putting out 261 bhp @ 279 lb-ft of torque. The price is L14,784 (Japan) which if in pound sterling is approx. $24,000 US. This would be looked at favorably by potential Legacy GT owners like myself if Subaru decided to sell it stateside. Anybody hear any rumors about this model being sold here?

[PPower]

Nope. No rumors, just idle wishes. I would much rather efforts be given to a Legacy STi w/ 300hp/300tq.

[GTRob]

I drove a Forester XT and loved it. Still can't decide between the GT and the XT, both are great.

[gtguy]

Those Forester STi specs aren't too far from the real USDM Forester specs, which certainly aren't what Subaru is claiming.

The XT is a verrry nice ride, that's for sure, that was drawing me for a long, long time. People have been grousing about the short final drive, mostly on highway runs, as apparently the Forester doesn't have as much attention being paid to the NVH as does the new Leggy. But it's definitely a killer ride, and cheap as heck these days.

And, this year, the premium package (leather, and that monstrous sunroof) can be had with the manual transmission.

Kevin

[SOOBDUDE]

If you get that issue of EVO you'll see the big difference between the XT and the STi. 50 hp and 18's are two, plus handling tweeks and big Brembo's are some more. England is not in line for this model, but it mentions nothing about the US. This little suv reminds me of the old 2-door GMC Typhoons and Chevy Cyclones of the 90's.

[SUBE555]

Will be interesting to see if Subaru may place the Forester as the wagon-type variant of the next Impreza/Forester redesign for 07 Impreza, 08 Forester. Both based on same chassis, lots of similarities.

Give an LegGT gearing addition to a lower suspension as a WRX Wagon alternative would make a nice sleeper and allow the Impreza to evolve even more. Maybe hatch/sedan/coupe-type style.

Just making ya'll think a little. ;)

[gtguy]

Sube, if the XT had a taller final drive, I would already have one. I think those cars are awesome, and for my purposes, would actually work better than a GT wagon. Just get some STi Forester springs, some nice 17s with good rubber, and off you go, happily ever after.

Heck, had the XT been around when I was buying my WRX wagon, I wouldn't have bought the WRX at all.

Then again, it doesn't look at good as the GT... :D

Kevin