C
Chris Phillipo
Subject: Re: Forester questions (hill climbing)
I brought up the V6 because that was the only way the power in a VW could
come close to the Forester's turbocharged motor, which is quite capable of
competing with brands you've mentioned, even the Murano, which Consumer
Guide )(see
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/38207) says
weighs over 3,900 lbs. Hauling all that--at least 600 lbs. more than a
Forester XT--with a mere 246 HP, it would be no match for an XT. Though
nominally the XT is rated at 210 HP, word on the street has it really
turning out something more like 230-240 HP. Virtually the same engine in the
2005 Outback is rated at 250 HP, and starts at just over $28K. By the way,
to get that kind of power in the Outback, the buyer needn't go to the H-6,
which has the same horsepower rating. So the $33K for an H-6 is irrelevant.
As for Nissan, yes, they make good motors. But would you really want to live
with their interior materials quality?
I'd take it over Subarus disposable wheels bearing and head gaskets.