Test Drove Jetta TDI (Diesel), Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback

[SteveJobs]

I gotta say, I really like the Jetta/Golf/Rabbit interiors a lot. Fit me to a T.
This TDI is a very interesting powertrain. Salesman said people get up to 50 MPG HWY. I liked it. A little noisy at idle especially. But felt good. The extra torque is obvious from launch. But, even at 50 MPG, compared to say an xA in the high thirties and $8k cheaper, it'd be hard to make up $8,000 in fuel costs. (that's used TDI pricing, by the way) I liked the FIVE heat-levels on the heated seats. I'd seriously be interested in one of these for a few thousand less.

The Subaru Forester XT - Turbocharged.
I won't go into too much detail here. But I did not like it. The suspension and powertrain did not mesh well together for me. Felt kinda like my old Cherokee, but worse.

The base ($19,995) Subaru Outback - bottom line THUMBS UP.
This is special pricing they have right now. Base had 5-spd. Very peppy boxer engine withe smooth shifting transmission. Fit me nice, too. The all wheel drive was very transparent. I could not detect any clunkiness or truck-like feel. EPA up to 29 or so.

[blusubaru]

I've not driven a Forester yet, but the Outback wagons are very nice. I drove an older Impreza Outback hatch on Friday that was suprisingly roomy for being a small car. Did you go up to the dealership on 96th for these?

[SteveJobs]

speedway. vw/sub

[M A V I C]

The Forester should drive about the same as an Impreza Outback. Same car, different body. The Forester sits a little higher so it probably feels a bit different.

[blusubaru]

[quote M A V I C]The Forester should drive about the same as an Impreza Outback. Same car, different body. The Forester sits a little higher so it probably feels a bit different.
I think you have your models confused. The Forester should drive about the same as the Legacy Outback, only taller. The Impreza is the smaller car (Impreza, Outback, RS, WRX, WRX STI).

[M A V I C]

[quote blusubaru][quote M A V I C]The Forester should drive about the same as an Impreza Outback. Same car, different body. The Forester sits a little higher so it probably feels a bit different.
I think you have your models confused. The Forester should drive about the same as the Legacy Outback, only taller. The Impreza is the smaller car (Impreza, Outback, RS, WRX, WRX STI).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Forester

The Subaru Forester, is a compact crossover SUV (or arguably a station wagon) produced since 1998 by the Japanese automaker Subaru. Released in the United States in 1998, it is based on the chassis of the Subaru Impreza.

[SteveJobs]

The salesman said forester/impreza = same chassis

[Racer X]

and you always trust the salesman?

[blusubaru]

Wow, I can't believe that. Being that the Impreza is the smallest Subaru car and there's lots of room in a Forester. But, ok.

[elmo3]

[quote blusubaru]Wow, I can't believe that. Being that the Impreza is the smallest Subaru car and there's lots of room in a Forester. But, ok.
There isn't "lots" of room in a Forester. Just sit in the back seat and you'll see.

But consider: the Honda CRV is based on the Civic chassis, yet the CRV is much bigger. And the Odyssey is based on the Accord chassis, yet it's much bigger.