I've realized that most truckish stuff that I do with my truck involves moving other people's crap around, so I might as well get something that gets better mileage and is more fun to drive.

I was looking at '02 Subaru WRX wagons, but I've been told that the transmissions suck and '06 is the year to get (redesigned, better transmission, better engine)...but part of my rationalization for downsizing was to also save money immediately (my truck books for over $15k and '02 WRX's are usually well under $10k). Since an '06 WRX wagon is going to run me about what my truck is worth, I'm a little hesitant.

Someone suggested the Saab 9-2X Aero, which is essentially the same thing...but they're practically impossible to find (06 anyway).

Someone also suggested the Subaru Forester XT. A little research shows that an '04 Forester XT has the engine from the WRX STi (albeit with a different tune and a smaller turbocharger), gets 18/23mpg, and pulls a quarter mile in 13.8 seconds. Add in standard heated seats, mirrors and windshield wipers, and it equates to pure :awesome:. The only downside is they're much easier to find in automatic than with a 5sp manual.

Unless I'm missing something. So, am I missing something?

Example

Dude, I hate subarus, they suck to work on.

My dad has had a version of a Subaru wagon for a heavy duty work car for 15-20 years. Legacy's are great for hauling stuff, I've never dealt with any newer than '98 but from him I've heard the new ones are even better at what they can handle and go through, which is telling in itself. He drove all over with the car filled to the brim with tools for years, they can handle a lot.

Go for an Outback wagon of sorts is my recommendation. I'm partial to the Impreza's myself.

and Rob's a poop that likes to sit on threads about engines he doesn't like

lol I have an MR2...I'm used to it.

Boxer engines are pretty neat but yea like rob said, suck to work on. Nice exhaust note though. Like a small V8 (by small I mean 3 liter).

On that note if the Subaru hunt doesn't fare too well there's always hemi Dodge magnums =D. I've been wanting one of those to cart my drum kit around in for awhile now. That or an srt8 Jeep.. one can only wish!

I need it for wintery stuff. In my case, AWD >>>>>>> RWD.

i drive an '06 outback

Do you like it?

I'm between a WRX wagon and a Forester XT...leaning towards the Forester mostly because it's faster. Epic sleepers are :ninja::awesome:

i dont know much about cars, someone at work told me that their friend had an outback that lasted 300 thousand miles without any engine problems, ive heard other stories like this

Ohh.. well I think the jeep is awd =D

Get an Isuzu Vehicross. I have one. I love it. It's ****ing badass.

My impreza is at 244k and all we've done is replace the timing belt last week. They run amazingly well if you treat them fine.

I thought only lesbians and rally drivers drove Subarus.

I drive an '06 WRX sedan. Love it.

I'd say you've got it right, Yecti.

Also, I have to take issue with 13.8s. Mine's 14 flat stock, and lighter with the same power. That being said, looking up that stats, 3300lb is really light for a small SUV, and good numbers come from that. Not sure if it just looks bigger in the pictures.

Only problem with the transmission is that sometimes it won't engage reverse (usually on start up). You have to let it roll a bit or row through the gears until it will engage reverse. It still happens on the '10.
It's only a minor gripe, it only takes a couple more tries to engage, but I learned manual on the car, so having to force it into reverse, when I already felt I was getting in everyone's way was a little stressful.

You do hear people say the 5spd transmissions sucks and will blow up 2nd or 3rd (depending on the year). I really think it's just people beating on the car, and the car does attract that crowd. I could go into it further, but I'll leave it at that.

That's crazy, I'm not a rally driver.

I know.

That's what my friend told me as well (he has an 05 Legacy GT) - he said people were blowing the synchros on 2nd from racing. Hopefully being a Forester, this won't have been as abused.

Yeah, I was floored when I saw the stats - 13.8 quarter, 6.2 to 60, 210hp / 235tq. Weight is 31xx to 33xx depending on where I look. My MR2 is about 2900 empty...haha..

4.44 gearing and a motor built for torque helps as well.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/subaru-forester-25-xt/
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=385335&highlight=forester

Drop in an STi intercooler and STi/WRX suspension stuff and bingo, fast and fun SUV.

[quote=Vishnu Performance]
Just thought I'd share the news. It made 175 wheel hp on our Dyno Dynamics Dyno, or about 10-15 more whp than the regular WRX. Peak hp was generated by approx 5000, which is really early. IIRC, peak torque as around 180ft-lbs as well. Needless to say, the claimed power rating is understated. Assuming that SOA is honest with the WRX rating, the Forester Turbo is making at least 240bhp.

Cheers,
shiv[/quote]
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=424011&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

How the hell is your MR2 so heavy?? I thought those were under a ton.

I can understand the thought that the trans may have been designed to handle the stock power and not a whole lot more (word is it can't handle more than 300 to the floor, and I think a lot lower depending on the level of abuse). On the other hand, it is four wheel drive, and if the tires aren't going to give something else will. I really think it's people who are used to cars that will either spin the tires or the clutch when beaten on, and have this idea that their other transmissions were bullet-proof because of it. I'm also 23 and this is my first reasonably powerful car, so I may just be dead wrong.

My brother-in-law has the '06 wagon and is looking into a 1-4 set of gears from PPG to handle his plans.



Yeah, I had no idea the forester was that light. I had heard about people doing near STi-conversions on it, and thought they were just into money pits. The popular thing to do is the 3" exhaust back from the turbo with or without the STi Intercooler, and some engine management (dyno tune, or off-the-shelf reflash).

I pretty much have the heaviest one ever. Turbo, t-tops, loaded. The 2000+ MR2s are about 2100lb.



Yeah...if I end up getting one, I will probably just do a mild tune and leave it be. I need reliability out of a year-round daily...despite the temptation to turn it into a monster sleeper...

Oh okay. You have a second gen MR2, right? I sort of want to get one of those in a few years, maybe.

Yep. I love it...but if I had the same amount of power in a 2100lb chassis, it'd be way better.

I like the looks of the 2nd gen over the newer Spyders, though.

Aren't the 2nd gens faster anyway with the 2.0L engine?

Oh yeah, especially modded. However, you can put the 1.8l 2ZZGE with 6sp from a Celica GTS / Matrix XRS into an MR-S (Lotus Elise drivetrain) and have a pretty quick ride.

I've been the same way. I've only done attrition things like summer tires and better pads/rotors.
It's very tempting, but it's my daily driver. The exhaust/dyno tune is supposed to be very safe and be a big difference, but I worry. Trying to avoid the ricer image also places some limits.

Regarding subarus being tough to work on ... well it depends on what kind of work you have to do. I've owned 3 older wagons (mid to late 80s; yes, they all had boxer engines) that all had more than 250k miles on them before I sold them -- all still running (and one from CA that still passed smog tests). The work I've had to do on them and it was all relatively easy:

a bunch of front cv joint replacements
one power steering rack
timing belt replacements (did you know you could break one of your two timing belts and the damn things would still run and drive!?)
disk brakes
wheel bearings
headlights
regular maintenance

I can't talk about major engine work -- never had to do it.
I can't talk about transmission work -- never had to do it (all had sticks).
I can't talk about 4wd/drive train issues, never had any.
No electrical issues, either.
Not even any exhaust issues (all stainless).

My brother had a 2.5rs for a time and they seemed to be built basically the same. He only owned it for a year or so but he didn't have any problems, either.

Do they still make them the same or better? Don't know. I certainly didn't put any hop-up parts on them, though.

WOOT WOOT WOOT

gonna pick her up after I sign the paperwork.

it's a car

You should... uh... pick it up before you sign the paperwork.

Paperwork is at the credit union down the road..pending loan approval.

I love my dog.

Anyone remember the old Nissan commercials? Dogs looove trucks!

I signed the loan docs today. 48 months at 3.69%, loan for $7390. NADA is over $11k...

Now to sell the Tundra. Anyone want to buy her?

A truck shouldn't be a she.

/shrug Anyone want to buy him?

Nip trucks should be a she.

subarupus!