Subaru Forester II (2002 - ) - New Forester 2.5X - is it nippy?

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Sat 16 Feb 2008 15:28
New Forester 2.5X - is it nippy? - Nickdm
I'm looking to buy a car in the United Arab Emirates. Everyone seems to buy new here, so I thought I'd be canny and look in the second-hand market...

But all the second-hand 4WDs on the market are the full size Land Cruiser/Touareg/Cayenne/Jeep size and seem overly big for my needs.

Subaru is offering a brand new Forester 2.5X with full leather interior and free servicing for under UK£12 grand. I've never driven or own a Subaru before but I recognise that they have their fans on this forum.

Two questions - is the 160HP engine powerful enough to give the car some poke, in view of its 4WD drivetrain and brick-shape aerodynamics? And will it roll like a barge in corners? I want to like the car but am a bit worried that the car will be a dullard/sluggard, and because it is not a "proper"-size 4WD will not hold much value?
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Sat 16 Feb 2008 17:50
New Forester 2.5X - is it nippy? - oldtoffee
It should in manual form, do 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds and go on to 122mph. So not blisteringly quick but certainly has "some poke."

It's not a big car - it is built on the Impreza platform and only weighs 70kg more. So it's Focus/Golf size but looks bigger because it is taller. As it has an Impreza chassis and running gear one thing it won't do is "roll like a barge." On the tarmac it will easily out handle all of the bigger 4x4s you mention except maybe the Cayenne which might get close but for how many times the money? Don't go sand racing the others in it though!

If the 160 bhp model is available in the UAE for £12K, how much can you pick up the turbo 230 bhp, 0-62 in 6 seconds variant for? ;-)
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Sat 16 Feb 2008 18:40
New Forester 2.5X - is it nippy? - Nickdm
There are only 3 models available in the UAE - all are the 2.5X, with 3 different trim levels, and all have automatic gearboxes. Guess that'll slow it down a bit?!

The base spec one retails for about UK£10,500! I'm really looking for "the catch" here, 'cos it all sounds too good to be true?! Maybe the car is simply not sexy enough for all the wealthy locals?!
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Sat 16 Feb 2008 19:22
New Forester 2.5X - is it nippy? - MichaelR
No, with those stats its far from nippy.
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Sun 17 Feb 2008 00:06
New Forester 2.5X - is it nippy? - Wilco {P}
Really you need a turbo on a Forester to describe it a "nippy".
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Sun 17 Feb 2008 09:35
New Forester 2.5X - is it nippy? - Nsar
"Cayenne might get close"
I think the Cayenne would leave a Forester standing, straight line and bends.



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Sun 17 Feb 2008 16:27
New Forester 2.5X - is it nippy? - Happy Blue!
We have had a 2.0Turbo Forester in the family for over three years. It is an auto with just 175bhp and light pressure turbo, so very similar to the latest 2.5X with auto. In fact you can't buy the 2.5 non turbo Forester here, its 2.0 with 163bhp or 2.5Turbo only.

Ours was certainly quick enough for long distance trips and was very comfortable. Assuning you have high profile tyres the ride will be superb, even our Turbo on low profile had a good ride. Strongly recommended.

My only criticism is that the interior is a bit plain and not very big compared to the exterior size. However the driving position is just perfect.
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