* Click HERE to see a video on the Subaru Forester *
What an engine!
My '86 Subie had plenty of space for me and my friends cutting class. Just like a clown car, 10 of us could climb aboard, the engine clattering for mercy. Its big black bumpers were great; I could frequently push my buddy's Chevette right through a red light as he was scrambling to shift into reverse. Its five doors made Chinese Fire Drills a daily hobby. But there was one typical teenager pastime that I could never do. With an engine that revved slower than a can opener, I could never imagine dropping the clutch and drag race down the streets of my hometown. Now, if I would've had this Forester XT instead of my GL wagon, I would have ruled the streets and be the Chinese Fire Drill master at the same time. With 230 horsepower, this 2.5XT sport-utility is a veritable road rocket. Its acceleration is pretty impressive, and it's so much fun to embarrass Mustangs and slammed Civics at stoplights. Imagine getting smoked by a family wagon. I feel like I'm sixteen again! That is, until I yell "Chinese Fire Drill!", run around the car and get back in, but my girlfriend and kids are looking at me like I was cracking up. I hate getting old.
Like I've mentioned above, the 1.8-litre flat-four in my old Subaru GL was slow to rev, but not the one in the Forester. It claps to its 7,000 rpm redline without warning, so if you're not paying attention, you'll accelerate right past its rev limit, which will cut off the fuel supply as well as the fun. Lots of low-rpm torque is good; it allows to you pass on the highway
Although the powertrain is addictive, the heavy clutch is not. Under hard acceleration, you don't give it too much thought, but when you're stuck in traffic, your left leg feels like it's going to break straight down your femur. Maybe this problem only affected this abused press vehicle. We'll have to find out when we get our hands on another test car. Recent Articles
|
Recommendations |