Trés chic sports cars, that is. Yes, folks, this is about cars, and not only cars but performance cars. And not only performance cars but a very unlikely performance car, the Subaru Forester XT, which looks to the naked eye (and to many automotive reviewers) to be nothing more than your average everyday small SUV, or “sport ute” as they’re called. Looks, however, can be deceiving; in real life, the XT is a veritable tiger in house cat’s clothing. So, if you’re not interested in this sort of thing, tune out now.
On the other hand, it is altogether fitting and proper that I do this. After all, if SuperBloggers Mickey and Glenn can interrupt their usual high-brow commentary from time to time to discuss matters automotive, why shouldn’t I? Especially since they seem mainly interested in sports cars (Mazda RX-8 and Nissan 350z) that actually look like sports cars. Indeed, maybe car commentary is all it takes to make me a Great Blogger like them! (For some of Mickey’s gearbox goings-on see here, here, here, here, here, and here. For Glenn, here, here, here, here, and here.)
The Mazda RX-8 and the Nissan 350z, the object of their affections, are hot, high performance sports cars. They will carry two people with little luggage in fine style, and fast. The Subaru Forester XT, a newly turbocharged version of the venerable van-looking family box, will carry your kid’s basketball team — minus the coach, if one kid sits in the open area behind the rear seat (or is tied to the roof rack).
Now, let’s look at some numbers. But first, let me say that numbers aren’t everything, and I’m only giving two of them anyway, 0 – 60 speed (the first number in parens) and elapsed time to 1/4 mile (the second number in parens). Still, since those of us who are interested in performance are particularly interested in those two numbers, I think the comparisons will be worthwhile. I apologize for not taking the time to figure out how to make the following list look better, but at least you’ll be able to read it. These numbers were taken from the August 2003 issue of Car and Driver, but every issue of C&D has a road test summary in the back. Prices are manufacturers suggested base prices taken from the same issue; your prices will vary. So, without further ado:
SPORTS CARS (0 – 60mph / 0 – 1/4 mile) $Price
Mazda RX-8 (5.9 / 14.5) $28,300
Nissan 350z (5.7 / 14.3) $33,788
BMW Z4 (5.4 / 14.2) $45,320
Porsche Boxster (6.0 / 14.6) $43,365
Porsche Boxster S (5.3 / 13.9) $58,088
Porsche 911 (5.5 / 14.0) $85,934
SPORTY SEDANS (just for the heck of it)
Audi A4 3.0 (7.5 / 15.9) $44,385
BMW 330i (7.4 / 15.6) $40,319
Mercedes E500 (5.8 /14.3) $63,602
Jaguar S (7.9 /16.1) $46,775
SUVS (again, just for the heck of it)
BMW X5 3.0i (8.1 / 16.2) $46,570
Mercedes ML 500 (6.7 / 15.3) $45,615
Volkswagen Toureg (7.5 / 15.7) $46,500
Porsche Cayenne Turbo (5.0 / 13.5) $94,980
And now, the ugly duckling that’s always ignored in these automotive comparisons:
SUBARU FORESTER XT (5.3 / 13.8) $25,520
We had a 1999 BMW M3, a fabulous performance car, and a 2001 Subaru Forester with about 90,000 trouble-free miles on it. We hated to give up the M3 but thought Jessie’s final year at Bryn Mawr was more important (though it was a close call), and so we sold it and then traded the Forester for a new Forester XT.
What’s the best thing I can say about the XT? I don’t miss the M3 at all. Charlotte, our yellow Labrador, likes the XT much better, but I wouldn’t put too much stock in her opinion since we never let her in the M3.
ADDENDUM
If you look at Glenns last couple of posts linked above, you’ll see that Mazda has given recent purchasers of its RX-8 an offer to buy back their cars at full purchase price or a whole basketfull of expensive goodies because it overstated the RX-8’s horsepower. Interestingly, the various Subaru discussion boards (a good one is here) have been teeming with speculation that Subaru understated the XT’s horsepower (given as 210) so as to minimize competition with its own WRX and WRX Sti performance cars. (The consensus seems to be, however, that the combination of variable valve timing, a very responsive turbocharger, and a very fast final drive ratio make it possible for its claimed 210 horses to perform like more.)
Nice post. I’m a bit dubious of C&D’s 5.3 0-60 number, though, but hopeful it’s true since I’m considering one. Prodrive has a PDF on their site for their XT performance pack, and they listed their own tested 0-60 time of 8.0 seconds for the 5-speed. (They also say their performance kit lowers that to 6.6 seconds.)
Subaru Forester XT 0-60 in 5.3 sec
Yes, that time is honest. I believe it was Car and Driver and I remember reading in the mail section one skeptical reader who wrote in regarding that.
His point is that the Forester XT not only has an unbelievable 0-60, but that it’s 0-30 in 1.2 seconds (with 210hp) is faster than that of the Ferrari Enzo with 600+ hp. C/D responded that their test was accurate and they managed to pull that off by dumping the clutch at 4500rpm.
I went out to test drive one last week since I am looking to replace my ailing Maxima SE 5 speed. Actually, the engine of my car is still phenomenal but it’s the body and shocks that are falling apart after 11 years. My current car should do 0-60 around 7.0 sec and the Subaru felt considerably faster than that even though I was respectful of the test drive vehicle and shifted at 4000rpm or sooner. Actually, it felt even faster than the standard 2.0L WRX I tried last year.
With that rear limited slip differential, this car is a real pisser. I would recommend anyone intersted in a HIGH (and I mean high) performance car to try this car because not only will it dust most HIGH performance cars on the dragstrip, but its considered a NORMAL vehicle for insurance purposes. And when you are keeping up with that porsche on the highway, guess who the cop will stop first?
Hi John,
I bought an XT in November (’03). This car totally ROCKS. Get one now!
Subaru compared the 350Z to XT also. Here’s what their Wall Street Journal Ad says: “The Mighty 350Z Just Got Smoked By A Family of Five and a Dog. 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive”. You should send a copy to your friends Glenn and Mickey ;)
Another point: Changing out the very SUV oriented crappy OEM tires to 225/50R17 Falcon Ziex 512’s (others are using Michelin Pilot A/S or even summer tires) made my XT take the twisties like my Miata! I especially enjoy the ride up Mt Hamilton from S.J. and down to Livermore (and then maybe across Morgan Territory Road to boot!). Three Plus Hours of fantastic country roads with no stop lights and little traffic! Try it when you get your new XT. And come join our little XT Group at :
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/foresterxt/
Cheers,
Bob
Sure. You can doubt the C/D numbers if you wish. Lord knows I thought them too good to be true myself.
But I was pretty confident they were real after my first test drive, and now with 700 miles on my XT, I am completely sure. The thing just kicks butt.
I work with a few real car-nuts, and I think the best complement I have heard yet about the XT came from one of them who owns a chipped Audi S4 (330 bhp on the dyno…). He recounted how the WRX beat the S4 and M3 in a C/D comparo a couple years back, and said based on that he almost bought a WRX instead of the S4. “Only one problem… the WRX is just too wierd looking… so I sucked it up and bought the S4 instead.” Then, while gazing upon my white XT which still has temporary tags on it, he added, “Ahhhhhhh. If only there had been an XT back then…”
So, there you have it. I am sure that I have now torqued off all WRX lovers out there… sorry folks. But you gotta admit, your cousin XT is not just another grocery hauler. Not by a longshot. See ya on the road…
I’m a WRX owner; the piss has been driven out of this car on a Brooklyn-to-Middletown, NJ daily commute. Nothing has gone wrong with it in 2-1/2 years of flogging; you can imagine what the roads are like, and I hit 100 every clear day. I love and respect my WRX, and I have just decided to buy an XT. Why?
First, it should be possible to get 325 hp out of the engine with @$2k in mods; this mostly consists of turning the engine back into the STi plant it is, with the advantage of variable valve timing, better throttle response and low-end torque. That conservatively computes to 0-60 times in the low 4s, 0-100 in about ten, and at least a full second off the 1/4 mile. Ponder those numbers for a moment in a daily driver station wagon.
Second, this is a landmark vehicle. Nothing has ever been made like it before, and it’ll rock the automotive world. Word is on the street. It may even start to kill off the ever-expanding SUVs which haul their glabrous hulks over our protesting earth, and even if it doesn’t, I’ll be proud to own one. An ass-kicking, light emissions, people-hauling family car for $27k. Maybe I’ll get two.
Carnival of the Consumers #1
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Carnival of the Consumers! If you want to know more about the Carnival or submit a blog entry for inclusion in the next edition, visit the Carnival of the Consumers Explained page. This Carnival features some use…
>>>His point is that the Forester XT not >>only has an unbelievable 0-60, but that >>it’s 0-30 in 1.2 seconds (with 210hp) is >>faster than that of the Ferrari Enzo with >>600+ hp.
do not compare a forester with an enzo moran
I own a MY02 WRX with Full Zorst, up pipe and ECUTek2 good for about 200KW at the crank. Took a FXT for a test drive last weekend and it sure didnt feel as quick as my rex, mind you the FXT only had 20k’s on the clock and the CEL light was flashing… It did however feel as quick as my WRX did when it was stock if not a little faster, surely had a lot more low down torque than even my modded wrx…. Needless to say we signed the papers and the FXT will now join the WRX in my Garage :)