Subaru Forester

**pup2** · June 19th, 2007 01:44 AM

OK, just brought my unit home. While I was there, there were 2 other deliveries (all FXT) plus the displayed neon blue Impreza WRX got sold! Bodes well for Subaru and (hopefully) our resale value, eh?

First impressions -- sobrang galing talaga ng ride comfort! Walang kalabog at very quiet inside. I didn't even know I was going 70 on EDSA at rush hour til I glanced at the speedo. Since medyo dumidilim na, I tried opening the sun roof and voila -- any impressions na hindi ganoon kaluwag sa loob disappeared. I felt like I was at an indoor atrium!

Power was quite adequate for an AT. Fastest acceleration non-CVT AT I've driven so far (even faster than the US-spec Taurus circa 2001 IMHO). Yung tungkol sa 10m test sa MT 1.6 Civic VTi ko, it would be close but I think panalo pa yung Civic sa 10m. I'm pretty sure iwan na siya nung FXT after that though since I can seem to climb to 100 without the gas reaching half way even.

I was actually surprised at the tranny response. Usually may hesitation yung AT trannies from a standing stop eh. Without using the Sportshift though, the Subaru tranny seems to have been able to keep that to a bare minimum -- hardly noticeable, in fact. Can't wait for an out of town test. Probably mga 1st or 2nd week of next month.

The first time I turned it on, I smiled because the gauge area lit up like a christmas tree there were so many gadgets (I still don't know what 3 of the buttons do). It wasn't as quick a click as my Civic but it wasn't as big a struggle to start as my sis' Toyota.

My biggest peeve so far is the side mirror. It's convexed(?) about 3/4 of the way. My problem is it's sort of giving me a headache, I think. Sorta like looking through dual-grade glasses. Sure hope I get used to it. Also, a backup sensor (or at least mini-window) would've been nice.

Questions:

1. Our Starex Turbo Diesel 'whistles' whenever the Turbo activates and that's usually at about 80-85 kph. How come my FXT doesn't whistle? Or does it whistle but I don't hear it?

2. The battery seems kinda odd. It's almost like a cube na white and still with those cap things! Hindi pa ba siya maintenance free? Sa Subaru lang ba may battery na ganoon?

3. I have a question about the Power button -- am I supposed to press it to have 4th gear available to me or do I let it stay off? Naguguluhan kasi ako dun sa kabilang thread eh. Basically kasi for extra power I can always just use Sportshift so I want my 4th gear there almost all the time to save a little on gas.

**Horsepower** · June 19th, 2007 02:04 AM

4-speed lang ba ang FXT?

It probably whistles but you just don't hear it because it's super quiet. hehehe.

**jjmichaels** · June 19th, 2007 07:09 AM

Another one bites the dust!

Originally Posted by pup2

Power was quite adequate for an AT. Fastest acceleration non-CVT AT I've driven so far (even faster than the US-spec Taurus circa 2001 IMHO). Yung tungkol sa 10m test sa MT 1.6 Civic VTi ko, it would be close but I think panalo pa yung Civic sa 10m. I'm pretty sure iwan na siya nung FXT after that though since I can seem to climb to 100 without the gas reaching half way even.

I'm thinking you don't really notice because it's so smooth. Depressing the gas pedal at 1/4 throttle and letting it accelerate by itself is already great. Try manual mode then you'll really feel the difference. Though there are a lot of powerful cars today on the road, nobody will want to challenge you when they see you out accelerate them just from the stop light!

Originally Posted by pup2

I was actually surprised at the tranny response. Usually may hesitation yung AT trannies from a standing stop eh. Without using the Sportshift though, the Subaru tranny seems to have been able to keep that to a bare minimum -- hardly noticeable, in fact. Can't wait for an out of town test. Probably mga 1st or 2nd week of next month.

Made by Prodrive kasi. It's nice to learn when the turbo releases it's power upon spool-up given different conditions and gear position.

Originally Posted by pup2

Also, a backup sensor (or at least mini-window) would've been nice.

Yup i agree. A back-up sensor would have been a good option.

Originally Posted by pup2

Questions:

1. Our Starex Turbo Diesel 'whistles' whenever the Turbo activates and that's usually at about 80-85 kph. How come my FXT doesn't whistle? Or does it whistle but I don't hear it?
.

It will whistle upon break-in.

Originally Posted by pup2

3. I have a question about the Power button -- am I supposed to press it to have 4th gear available to me or do I let it stay off? Naguguluhan kasi ako dun sa kabilang thread eh. Basically kasi for extra power I can always just use Sportshift so I want my 4th gear there almost all the time to save a little on gas.

Keep the power button off to save gas and to let it shift through all the available gears. Anything that can produce that kind of power will consume a lot of gas.

Congrats again and welcome to the fold! ;)

**Horsepower** · June 19th, 2007 11:13 AM

It will whistle upon break-in?

That's kind of weird. You mean the Turbo of FXT doesn't work until the break-in is over?

The Turbo of SantaFe whistles from 900rpm (before 1000rpm increment) - ever since we used it.

**HyBrideVo** · June 19th, 2007 03:13 PM

It will whistle upon break-in.

This is the first time i have heard about it.. My Fozzie "whistled/spooled" when i first test drove it, "whistles" on my way home when i bought it and during the "break in period". And even after 28k miles i can still hear it "whistle" Maybe you'll just have to drive with your windows open so you can really hear it

It's more of like a whine than whistle..woooossshhh

*pup2

congratulations on the purchase and welcome to the crew..so i guess there's a new "good looking" FXT owner? :lol:

**Lupisak** · June 19th, 2007 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Horsepower

Any of the two would have been great being Global models. But being a hi-tech diesel lover that i am, i prefer the SantaFe CRDi especially when chipped, its power can be unleashed. 180Hp/395Nm of adrenaline rushing pulling power.

At 150Hp/335Nm (stock power) of SantaFe, heck, i enjoy driving it every time. Even a BMW 325i E46 with its screaming engine didn't win against me from katips to marcos hway (until i stopped to have a fuel fill). hehe.

:-)

The Subaru 2.5L Sports DOHC intercooled turbocharged engine generates 224-hp and 226 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. With that kind of power and a body which its not as bulky as Santa Fe, your behind will get pressed on your seat.

..but that's only for bachelor though, not ideal to fit big family with kids and their yayas.

**jjmichaels** · June 19th, 2007 08:35 PM

Hehe. What i meant or failed to stress from experience of owning approximately 5 turbocharged vehicles is that the turbo whine gets louder as it is broken-in and so pup2 should be able to take notice.

**jjmichaels** · June 19th, 2007 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by Horsepower

At 150Hp/335Nm (stock power) of SantaFe, heck, i enjoy driving it every time. Even a BMW 325i E46 with its screaming engine didn't win against me from katips to marcos hway (until i stopped to have a fuel fill). hehe.

:-)

IIRC the BMW 325i has approx 193hp as compared to the Santa Fe diesel' 150hp.

**Lupisak** · June 19th, 2007 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by jjmichaels

IIRC the BMW 325i has approx 193hp as compared to the Santa Fe diesel' 150hp.

The BMW 325i must have not been in the mood for a race..

**Horsepower** · June 19th, 2007 10:57 PM

Probably. Makes me wonder why his engine is so loud from the hood and why he's in my tail. hehehehehehehe.

That 193hp is from a gasoline engine (3.0L?). Probably low torque (since it's gasoline). Diesel 2.2L 150hp:248 Ft-Lbs of Torque (335Nm) from SF is quite hard to follow esp uphills for a gasoline sedan unless it redlines on low gear (which is what the driver of the 325i probably did which made his engine scream so hard. hehhe).

That is why i'm saving up for a CRDi BMW. (335d or 530d and X5 3.0d). Life is short so i should spend it on pleasure and doing good deeds to my fellowmen. hehe.