How does a standard 2005 Forester XT handle?

[Jimny]

Can anyone tell me how the standard car should handle? I've just bought 2.5XTEn, and it's wallowy (but comfortable). Rolls into corners noticeably into corners. 76,000 miles, shocks look OK and no rear sag.

For ten years I had an MY99 Impreza Turbo wagon and it was decisive and firm. I remember on the Mway it felt more secure the faster you were cornering. This Forester aint that!

[road_rager]

I have the same car 57 plate xten, and I wouldn't say it's particularly wallowy.

[jeffreywoodham]

I had a 2006 n/a XE for 10 years and there was hardly any wallow at all. It didn’t corner like my previous Impreza STI but I would imagine that something is wrong with yours. What tyres are you using?

[Debaser]

It should handle worse than any BMW.

[jeffreywoodham]

Debaser said:

It should handle worse than any BMW.

Is there a point to this statement? Not that it makes any sense anyway.

[Ed.]

I think my old Forester xt handled better than my current 1 series, similar miles and age.
The forester did lean more when pushed but felt more connected.

[vxr2010]

At that mileage suspension is quite worn , check tyre pressures , coilover time ? , my fsti at the age suspension was comfy but worn , coilovers transformed the car

[Sad Weevil]

My '06 2.5XT had new KYB struts all round (ditching the under-damped self levellers at the rear) with 1" shorter and stiffer Springcoil springs and Whiteline 22mm ARBs. It handled great, not as good as my '99 Impreza on Prodrive Bilsteins, but vastly better than standard.

[corvus]

My 2005 Forester has replacement KYB shocks and springs at back, original shocks at front, uprated whiteline rear anti roll bar. It handles great. The uprated anti roll bar makes a big difference, reducing understeer. I would also check your alignment.

It's not going to handle like an Impreza, the centre of gravity is higher.

[R12many]

My 06 XTen on standard front shocks and Pedders rears was ok but it was no Impreza by any means. If anything it was way overpowered for the brakes!

[Jimny]

Thanks for your replies. Sounds like my shocks are tired, from what you all are saying. It's running Continental AllSeasons.

[vxr2010]

look at the Tein basics good value 500£ or so and work well , bc and blitz are good , used ones on ebay come up occasionally , it will transform the car , preferably different wheels with lower profile tyre will reduce the roll , up rated arb not really needed if you do the suspension

[mikal83]

I'm looking at a newer forester, say 2014/5/6 any owners out there

[Bansheemax]

mikal83 said:

I'm looking at a newer forester, say 2014/5/6 any owners out there

Yep, '63 XT here.

[durbster]

I had a 2005 XT and I found it highly amusing the way the nose lifted up when you accelerated. Made it very theatrical

Aren't they pretty much the same as the Impreza underneath though, so the differences are primarily down to physics?

[vxr2010]

they are an impreza on stilts lol , i believe a lot is interchangeable , if i was going xt it would be coilovers and drop it down a bit , a great sleeper lol

[Hol]

I put Forester STI struts and springs on mine. It made a huge difference to handling, but gave a compliant ride with the 17in alloys, but at the time both the car and the replacement STI suspension had done less than 25k miles, so all the other suspension components were still tight.

The new owner is on PH somewhere.

[Hol]

vxr2010 said:

they are an impreza on stilts lol , i believe a lot is interchangeable , if i was going xt it would be coilovers and drop it down a bit , a great sleeper lol

You can also fit Impreza wagon suspension, but that would lower it.

Fitting the Blobeye Impreza STI rear roll bar to the rear will reduce the understeer tendencies.


The downside of all such mods is that you loose the height and some off road ability.

[vxr2010]

i ran my first fsti to around 100k miles till i put coilovers on it , it made a massive difference , i don’t have the suspension on a harsh setting , it is still a firm but not uncomfortable ride , if you do coilovers doing a thicker rear arb is not worth it as it is not noticeable , you can still have the fsti running fairly high off the ground and have it handle very well , tyre profile has an effect too , i’m on the 2 nd and third fsti , all i do is a remap cat back exhaust both came with sports cats and coilovers , running around 340bhp plus around that it foot pound , goes like a stabbed rat stops very well and great handling plus decent mpg if driven sensibly

[supacool1]

First mods for handling should be thicker Rear Anti roll bar. On the Xt you will need to get some re inforcements for the lower arms where the drop link connects to the ARB such as these

https://www.whiteline.com.au/product_detail4.php?p...

I've got the above for sale unused-Pm me.

Then I would also recommend the rear subframe lock out bolts.