9-9-2005 2006 Subaru Forester by Dave Stall |
Turbo makes this 2006 Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Limited the ride of your life Do you need a vehicle that can get your groceries home so fast that nothing will defrost? Then the 2006 Subaru Forester 2.5- Turbo XT Limited just may be the vehicle for you. It has all-wheel drive plus turbo power for the ride of your life. It just doesn't seem natural to be able to accelerate this quickly in a little station wagon. I really shouldn't call it a "little" station wagon because this hauler has plenty of room inside for gear or people. Subaru has kept the frameless windows that I truly enjoy - no more stabbing yourself in the chest. Once Subaru was a cult car and only a few understood what Subaru was trying to accomplish. But now the word is out that if you need a vehicle that can take you just about everywhere with confidence, then Subaru has solved your problem. This is accomplished with features such as symmetrical all-wheel drive, a process that sends power to the wheels for better traction. Also incorporated in the system is a viscous limited slip differential along with the 2.5-liter turbocharged Subaru flat motor and a four-speed automatic. You can opt for a manual transmission, which is the true backbone of the Subaru and where all the money is. The funny thing about driving a Forester is you really don't notice anything different until you hit the gas pedal - other than that it rides and drives like a normal crossover vehicle. The interior is very functional with large knobs for operating the climate control system. The instrumentation is done in a sport design, which is nice. The sound system is an AM/FM/WB stereo with an in-dash six-disc CD changer and a rear sub woofer. It makes sense that the Subaru Forester would have Weather Band incorporated in the radio. The designers want you to go off into the woods to really experience what Subaru has to offer. The vehicle has been lifted slightly in case you venture off-road. All four wheels are independently suspended and the 16-inch tire and wheel package helps in that off-road excursion. The seats are very comfortable no matter where you sit. My test vehicle had a champagne gold opal exterior and a tan interior. Another nice touch is a sliding armrest between the driver and passenger that's not big enough to share but supportive. You also get a gaggle of cup holders and 12V receptacles. All five doors open big and wide for easy loading and unloading. The driver's seat adjusts eight ways electronically and there's the option to heat those front seats when needed. Subaru has added leather trim for a touch of luxury. Of course it has power windows and door locks, along with keyless entry When it comes to safety, Subaru works hard to protect its precious cargo. The Forester is equipped with front air bags, active front seat head restraints, and side air bags for the driver and front passenger. It also has an engine immobilizer built in. I really liked the Forester. It gets an estimated 21 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the freeway, which isn't bad for an all-wheel drive vehicle. It comes with the basic three-year/36,000-mile warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. You can opt for a factory extended warranty that will push your coverage out to 100,000 miles with 24/7 roadside coverage. Speak to Charles Hedemann, the F&I Manager who not only can answer all your finance questions but is very knowledgeable about Subaru products. Hedemann is located at Rancho Imports at 8104-8118 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Or you can call him at (619) 252-1623. If you haven't been in a Subaru lately, you need to "try the ride!" . |