On Sun, 21 May 2006 01:18:28 -0700, "Boris" wrote:
>One complaint I have: the engine isn't powerful enough, especially at higher
>elevations...every day driving (I don't live in mountain area) is fine...but
>whenever I go to the mountains, the engine power (or is it transmission?)
>seem not very strong.
>
>Boris
>
(USA 2005 XT) That's where the XT shines. No problems with a lack of
power at higher elevations. Driving through Mountain Pass between Las
Vegas and Baker (I-15), it cruises right along passing most other
cars.
I live in the Las Vegas metro area regularly drive it up into the
local Spring Mountains for hiking trips. The Lee Canyon route is from
2500' (town) to 7800' (trailheads) carrying 4 adults with hiking
gear. No shuttling back and forth between gears like other cars I have
been in on that road..
While up in the Lake Tahoe area it cruised along on US-50 climbing up
to the Tahoe basin from both the Placerville and the Carson City
sides. On one side trip we drove up from Gardnerville into Stateline
via the Kingsbury Grade and had fun driving on the twisty mountain
road.
On the way home we stopped into visit the Inyo National Forest,
Bristlecone Pine (Patriarch Grove). This route starts climbing in Big
Pine, CA, at just under 4000' and ends at about 11000'. Excellent
performer.
Complaints? (Sort of, but not really) The turbo requires the use of
premium grade gas 91/93 octane. That puts the fuel cost at 20 cents
per gallon more than regular. The other problem is with have a faster
car, you tend to drive a little faster, and the gas mileage drops as
you push the turbo. . But to me it's worth a few extra dollars a week
in fuel costs.
These stats are from Car & Driver
2006 model:
http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/9837/subaru-forester-25xt-l...ted.htm
0 to 30 mph in 1.5 sec
Zero to 60 mph: 5.9 sec
Zero to 100 mph: .15.8 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 7.3 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 14.3 sec @ 96 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 128 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 182 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.75 g
EPA fuel economy, city driving: 19 mpg
Engine type: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve flat-4,
aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 150 cu in, 2457cc
Power (SAE net): 230 bhp @ 5600 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 235 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
C/D-observed fuel economy: 18 mpg
2005 model:
http://www.caranddriver.com/besttrucks/9164/5best-trucks-page3.html >> Stay informed about: 2006 forester vs. 1999 forester