Forester XT lineartronic
Discussion
I have the new diesel XC but have driven the XT Lineartronic when I was loaned one for a weekend plus I've taken one around the off-road circuit at Lowther Show. It's a very impressive car, the performance is swift rather than fast and the lineartronic transmission is very good. The D.I.T engine very smooth and the levels of grip are incredible. Off road on slippery steep grass banks the traction was incredible on standard Bridgestone duellers. I opted for the diesel for economy and no other reason. The XT is a great car.
Shop around for a deal and don't be afraid to play 'hard ball' between the dealers. Around 250 XT's have been sold since launch so they're keen to move units. I'm aware one dealer (Woodfords) often posts here and I'm aware they are always keen to deal, If i were in your shoes I would try Adam Grieve at Ian Grieves in Falkirk and use their price as a very competitive starting point before trying locally to where you are, Simpsons, Cross Roads and Ashburton are also worth a try.
Shop around for a deal and don't be afraid to play 'hard ball' between the dealers. Around 250 XT's have been sold since launch so they're keen to move units. I'm aware one dealer (Woodfords) often posts here and I'm aware they are always keen to deal, If i were in your shoes I would try Adam Grieve at Ian Grieves in Falkirk and use their price as a very competitive starting point before trying locally to where you are, Simpsons, Cross Roads and Ashburton are also worth a try.
My mum's partner is very interested in an XT but can't find one to test drive locally. Based in Colchester Essex so I think that same Woodford Garage in E London is the closest...no wonder they have shifted so few.
I own a 2.5 XT and my mum a 2.0n/a and they're fantastic cars...but like you I'd have to test drive that lineartronic gearbox first!
I own a 2.5 XT and my mum a 2.0n/a and they're fantastic cars...but like you I'd have to test drive that lineartronic gearbox first!
I bought one a US spec one few months ago, it has a slightly different engine map to the Euro spec; the engine is rated at 250 bhp as opposed to the 237 bhp Euro spec. I find the Lineartronic very responsive. In S# mode it’s simulated gear changes are very quick and in my opinion it’s as good as any double clutch gearbox that I’ve used, it even lets you hold on to a gear indefinitely in manual mode. When driving in Intelligent mode, the CVT doesn’t select a high enough ratio for the fastest acceleration so its best left for economical driving.
The XT is not as fast as an Impreza WRX but is fast enough to put a smile on your face and potentially lose your license. I would say that it has similar straight line performance to a Focus ST or Golf GTI (average hot hatch). The handling is pretty competent now that I'm used to the body roll but the Bridgestone all weather tires aren’t the grippiest when on maximum attack. On the whole, I think its a very good car and a good choice for a family man who needs driving fun as well as the ability to go off road or negotiate harsh winter weather.
The XT is not as fast as an Impreza WRX but is fast enough to put a smile on your face and potentially lose your license. I would say that it has similar straight line performance to a Focus ST or Golf GTI (average hot hatch). The handling is pretty competent now that I'm used to the body roll but the Bridgestone all weather tires aren’t the grippiest when on maximum attack. On the whole, I think its a very good car and a good choice for a family man who needs driving fun as well as the ability to go off road or negotiate harsh winter weather.
Interested in one myself (in Australia) will probably buy it too.
Went for a test drive in a 2014 2.0XT today and I was impressed. We looped the dealership's off-road track and the Foz had no drama getting around it. The course environment was as extreme as I’d ever go and appropriately tricky.
On road, it was also fairly astonishing. Performance pretty similar to my Focus XR5 (ST) - handling, stability and braking worked like a charm. As for the CVT, as far as autos go it seemed DSG-esque (without the farting) certainly much better than any torque converter/fixed ratio auto I've driven before. My only critique was when cruising, if you hit the throttle hard, there was perhaps a 1 second delay on getting power delivery, but driving on the paddle shifters corrected this.
Like anything though, if you’re going to plunge money into it, have a good go first.
Went for a test drive in a 2014 2.0XT today and I was impressed. We looped the dealership's off-road track and the Foz had no drama getting around it. The course environment was as extreme as I’d ever go and appropriately tricky.
On road, it was also fairly astonishing. Performance pretty similar to my Focus XR5 (ST) - handling, stability and braking worked like a charm. As for the CVT, as far as autos go it seemed DSG-esque (without the farting) certainly much better than any torque converter/fixed ratio auto I've driven before. My only critique was when cruising, if you hit the throttle hard, there was perhaps a 1 second delay on getting power delivery, but driving on the paddle shifters corrected this.
Like anything though, if you’re going to plunge money into it, have a good go first.
StangGT said:
Cheers for replies folks.
For several very dull reasons I think I might have to delay a new new car for a year or so, but I do need to swap my mpv for an SUV. Decisions decisions.
If the dull reason is money then good Mazda CX7's are going for just £6k+. 2.3T with 260bhp and a quick shift manual in the same type of package as the new Forester...For several very dull reasons I think I might have to delay a new new car for a year or so, but I do need to swap my mpv for an SUV. Decisions decisions.
yardman said:
Interested in one myself (in Australia) will probably buy it too.
Went for a test drive in a 2014 2.0XT today and I was impressed. We looped the dealership's off-road track and the Foz had no drama getting around it. The course environment was as extreme as I’d ever go and appropriately tricky.
On road, it was also fairly astonishing. Performance pretty similar to my Focus XR5 (ST) - handling, stability and braking worked like a charm. As for the CVT, as far as autos go it seemed DSG-esque (without the farting) certainly much better than any torque converter/fixed ratio auto I've driven before. My only critique was when cruising, if you hit the throttle hard, there was perhaps a 1 second delay on getting power delivery, but driving on the paddle shifters corrected this.
Like anything though, if you’re going to plunge money into it, have a good go first.
I've also had a go in one over here too. If it came with a manual box, I'd have bought one there and then. In fact, if anyone from Subaru is reading this and can arrange for a manual version over here, I'll be first in the queue. Its size and ability are just about perfect for my needs, but cannot abide the CVT.Went for a test drive in a 2014 2.0XT today and I was impressed. We looped the dealership's off-road track and the Foz had no drama getting around it. The course environment was as extreme as I’d ever go and appropriately tricky.
On road, it was also fairly astonishing. Performance pretty similar to my Focus XR5 (ST) - handling, stability and braking worked like a charm. As for the CVT, as far as autos go it seemed DSG-esque (without the farting) certainly much better than any torque converter/fixed ratio auto I've driven before. My only critique was when cruising, if you hit the throttle hard, there was perhaps a 1 second delay on getting power delivery, but driving on the paddle shifters corrected this.
Like anything though, if you’re going to plunge money into it, have a good go first.
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