'05 Subaru Outback Wagon XT (1 Viewer)

[Jim_F]

I just brought home a minty fresh '05 Forester XT Premium. Traded in my '01 Forester L, since I coveted the turbo and LSD so. I like having side air bags as well.

What a hoot this car is! This little beastie tries to jump out from under me and I haven't really pushed it (I'm still early in the break-in, obviously)

How cool that I can go with a practical vehicle and work out some middle aged craziness at the same time

I decided to try leasing for the first time. Used some of my equity from the old one as a downstroke. Although the '01 would have been paid off in a year, it's pretty nice to have my monthly payment drop by $60, plus I drove out of the dealership in a much fancier car and a check for $3500 in my pocket. Life is good.

 

[Danny Tse]

I believe one of those sports/compact car magazines just chose the Forester XT as the ultimate sleeper.

 

[Seth_L]

Maybe the winnder of the unexpectedly fast but still rather ugly award?

 

[Jim_F]

That may be, but I like the ugliness of it. I'm a little bit disappointed that they went to a more "stylish" tail light design. The previous ones had more of an angular "Rover" knockoff look to them, IMO. Too many cars look like rolling suppositories these days.

I considered taking the plunge for an Audi Allroad (drooool) but couldn't convince myself to inflate the car budget in order to drive to work in Town each night in a car that just screams "Carjack me!"

 

[Eric Kahn]

I am too slow, was going to recomend a VW passat TDI wagon
i have a 2004 Passat TDI sedan and love it

 

[Jason_Els]

Congratulations on the XT!!

It's the best does-everything car out there and it is every bit as fun a year later.

I LOVE this car! Get studded snows all around and then get ready to own the road in bad weather. Coming from an L you probably don't need to be told this.

What I would recommend is getting an aftermarket screen for the turbo intake as it does seem to gobble a large number of bugs and leaves. Be careful of the intercooler fins! They bend if you even look at them the wrong way.

Have any questions let me know. I put synthetic in it at the first oil change. Also check out NASIOC.com for tips on how stuff works and what to look out for.

Do give your passengers a camera to capture the look on other drivers' faces when your safetymom-mobile smokes them at the stoplights. Not that I would ever do such a thing... :wink:

-- If you're driving that you certainly are. :p)

 

[Jay H]

Hey, get your own thread...

Just kidding After 3 or so months of ownership, getting to enjoy my outback, I have slept in it and it's comfy, and I have taken it on some beatup roads on my way to kayaking or hikes. It's kind of the defacto car for hikers, you get a great discount via the VIP program and they are fun to drive.

I hang out at

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/

which has a decent following that is broken down into various areas of the outback.

Waiting for the snow to see how it handles.

Jay