Newbie - Advice Sought Long Dirt Commuter

Melaleuca · Post by **Melaleuca** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:40 pm

All,

Your advice on my choice of commuter is greatly appreciated.

In a few weeks, we're moving further rural. It's going to mean a daily commute of 120kms+ per day (trust me the place is worth it!). A good 30% is graded dirt (looks like it will get pretty slippery in the wet), 60% iffy bitumen and the rest the city drive into Canberra.

Been doing my research and have narrowed it down to a Soobie - be no.3 for me. As you can imagine I want something that will ride smooth and offer good grip on the dirt - especially if turns into a mud pit. But also it must be reasonable on the fuel. Highest priority is reliability!!! I need to get to work and back every day....to pay off the dream house. Looking to spend around $15k.

Impreza - I was entertaining the RV for a bit, but am concerned about the short range with the small tank.

Liberty - Had the Heritage. Loved the ride, but jeez it was thirsty. Maybe a 2.0L instead?

Forester - Probably top of my list - though still not discounting the Liberty 2.0L???? As much as I'd like to go a Turbo - let's be honest it doesn't scream "economy" - so I'm crossing it off. So I thought the 2.0L (Limited). Funny thing is that the stats show the consumption of the 2.0L and the 2.5L (both aspirated) to be almost identical.

Redbook says:
Forester 2.0L Limited 66kw/tonne 8.6L/100 km
Forester 2.5L XS 82kw/tonne 8.6L/100 km

Hmmm...is this just wrong, or something to do with the 2.0L working hard to lug the weight around? I'd prefer the extra power....

So with this in mind, I would appreciate your experienced perspective.

...oh yeah and sorry about the L O N G essay.

Post by **Captain Obvious** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:46 pm

forester would be my choice as well, but deff go the 2.5, once they are on the hiway/cruising they a quite good on fuel!! any 2.0 will/is underpowered, even a 2.5 outback could be something to look at.

bryan

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:49 pm

With the situation and I know someone who is also in simular situation in country victoria, he owns Gen 2 Liberty & 2.5 litre Forester, he drives approx 20kms gravel to access to his property, he said he did have FWD Liberty and had AWD and he said he isnt looking back with AWD that provides in Liberty & Foz and comes to Melbourne 5 hours drive every week for businesses, Ive always seen him driving the Foz when he drops at my work, I asked him why? He said Foz is more economical to run than Liberty, and some how I dont believe that but It depends his situation.

With my 2.2 litre Gen 2 Liberty, a few times I've reached 600kms to a tank (till the point of the fuel light showing) which works out to be approx 8.6litres per 100kms.

For your situation I think I would go for 2.5 litre Forester. But I would rather go for Outback over Forester... (more comfortable)
Cheers
AP

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:22 pm

Outbacks are quite thirsty - 10l/100km if you are lucky.
I'd go turbo Forester.
My RS turbo (even with the V2 STi RA motor and very short gearing - 3250rpm at 100kmh!!) still did better than 10l/100km.
Even if it used 1l/100km more than the NA 2.5 Forester it would still only cost an $1.50 per day and I would gladly pay that for the extra power

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:49 pm

I've met a few people who buy old cars of the same type every few years for their dirt road longevity. Funny how old Rangeys , Series 2 Volvos and old Falcons are common choice. I'd prefer some sort of four wheel traction meself, good choice to go Subaru, but don't let the turbo scare you off fuel efficiency - it's how you drive. Of my various old EA powered subies I get same economy from either turbo or NA same capacity. I know I prefer the turbo to drive.... the Brumby's are parked when the GLTA is road going. Some say NA Foz a bit under powered before the 2.5litre anyway.

Melaleuca · Post by **Melaleuca** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:49 pm

Guys,

Thanks for the advice so far.

Good to see I'm on the right track with my Soobie choice.

Although I do rate the comfort of an Outback, all owners I know (and there are many in Canberra!!) have all griped about the economy. Again I found this with my Heritage and so it's hard to shake this concern -and most of you seem to agree.

So let's say it's the Forester. This weekend I hope to take a 2.5i and 2.0T for a spin - everyone who owns the turbo does rave about them. Again I'm not convinced but the figures back you all up that the smaller T matches the larger i for economy. Hmmm... Again I reckon a drive is the telling truth for responsiveness and comfort...and I'll have to take your word on the economy.

Curiously does the 2.0T drink 91 or 95 RON?

So honing in on the Forester, any recommended year/series? Like I said my budget is 10-20k so I have to be realistic. Also any better model in a series - e.g., X vs XS considering my need for a comfortable ride on long drive with a good dose of dirt?

Again thanks for all your help...otherwise it would be my luck to buy blind ...again...God knows I've bought into enough lemons back in my impulsive youth.

Barry1956 · Post by **Barry1956** » Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:33 am

I drive 700km+ a week 5 day commute in a manual 4 cylinder N/A 05MY OBW. ($15,000 on road last January.

)

I regularly get +/- 700km from a tank of 91RON.

Mix of 500km highway / 200km City (Melb - Geelong commute).

Apart from cruise control on the highway the secret to economy is to keep speed at the lower end of the rev range it is comfortable in for any gear.

(Keeping the revs just under 2.5k only costs me about 2 minutes on a 60 minute trip!)

With an intelligent right foot a n/a flat 4 needn't be thirsty.

The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Newbie - Advice Sought Long Dirt Commuter

Newbie - Advice Sought Long Dirt Commuter

Thanks all

Don't write off MY05+ Outback