Why invest in Subaru Forester XT turbo rather than in TLC

It is more fun with four wheels.

Rizal Philippines
May 31, 2017

After being in Negros and after being showed around the province in TLC 200, I was eager to get a TLC which could set you back by P4.9 for local version and as much as P8.00 for Dubai and imported versions.  But after researching and when the kuripot in me got better I am for the Subaru XT  which has a 2.0 liter engine I am more inclined to get a Subaru:

These are the basis of comparison:

A  Price:                                         Subaru                                  TLC  200

1, Total Amount               P1,948,000                                  P4,930,000        +    3,000,000 more

2,  DP                                  278,000 all in                              986,000               4x more

3.  Monthly         36 mos        56,336                                       126,227

                          48 mos        44,700                                        99,442

                          60               38,367                                        83,662

              The monthly amortization of TLC is 2x the monthly amortization for the subaru

B   Dimensions and weight

                         Length           4610    mm                         4996   mm    (396 mm longer)

                         Width            1795                                  1980   mm    (185 mm wider)

                         Height           1735                                  1945   mm   (210 mm taller)

                        Weight           1,524 kg                             2,740 kg  (1116 kg heavier)

     The Subaru XT may have lower powered engine (say vs the diesel version) but compensated by lower weight

C.  Engine power

                    HP                   247 hp                                385

                    Torque             350 nm                               650

                    0 -  100             6.3 (the fastest                   10.1 second
                                            in its class)
                                         

D.  Fuel economy                    14.1 combined                  7.1 for combined  (thirsty)

E   Safety                                 6 airbags                            8 airbags

                                                2 curtain, knee
                                                2 front passengers
                                                2.  knee

F Off road                                X mode for descent              descent, EBD, and dynamic
                                               hill stop, EBD                         suspension control

G. Other special features           eyesight (a $1,300 option)
                                              collision avoidance
                                              SRH (Steering responsive headlight)
                                              Seat memory
                                              Power rear gate
                                              Leather seats
                                              Paddle shifter

It is a great value for money:  suv like because of bigger heft:  wider and taller, and race car like:  because of powerful engine that are near the TLC power train and responsive because it is 1,11l kg lighter.  And with drag race car 0 to 100 tine of only 6.3 seconds.   It is like its cousin the wrx sti.

And it performs like a great SUV great offroader in x mode.  Great in snow and mud.   Unlike any other car.  I wish I could get one before the excise tax kicks in

                 

It used to be Lr, now its Subaru Forester - the best of the best

It is more fun with four wheels.

Rizal Philippines
May 26, 2017

Subaru in its playground - mud snow and sand; an all around extreme SUV

It is more fun with four wheels.

Rizal Philippines
May 26 2017

Not your typical city Subaru doing extreme 4x4

It is more fun with four wheels.

Rizal Philippines
May 25, 2017

Pictures of 4x4 vehicles seen on the road today November 24, 2013

It is more fun with four wheels.

Here are the latest 4x4 off road vehicles that I saw on the road today; and I took their pictures.  They are that of CJ that is lifted, and TLC.  Both have leaf springs:

  A CJ

 Extreme TLC

 Whats that, snorkel exhaust;  dangerous for passengers;  its hot

Performance review of 2012 DMax and Colorado

It is more fun with four wheels.
 


Rizal  PHL  | November 23, 2013

From HE Motor report: Colorado vs Dmax

From Top Speed

The review places Dmax and Colorado as cousins (this is correct since GM and Isuzu were on JV before)  We can talk briefly about the engine. Colorado comes with a 2.8 liter engine which has higher towing capacity than Dmax.  DMax comes with  a 3 liter 4JJ1 - TC diesel engine and delivers 130 kw and 380 nM of torque.  (A Dakar version can deliver 180 kw, and 590 nM of torque)

Colorado has 3.5 tonnes towing capacity vs Dmax 3.0 tonnes only.

Off road - D max is given good rating.  It says that its traction control operates much like a diff lock



Power comes from a 2.5 liter diesel engine which is big improvement compared to the old unit. This unit is surprisingly refined and there isn’t felt any diesel clatter at idle. The maximum torque is rated at 400 Nm and it’s available between 1400 – 2000 rpm. Step a big to on the go pedal and you’ll be rewarded with a strong and punchy response mostly and a wide torque band. The engine does its job in a great way and pulls any load without breaking a sweat, never feeling strained. It’s true that there are more powerful engines out there, but the D Max’s unit is well matched to its chassis. The five speed manual gearbox is able to shift gears pretty easy, but there is pretty long throw between them. The automatic unit it’s a bit sluggish for our tastes and needed shorter gear ratios for better performances. Isuzu D Max Engine Specifications Engine Hp@rpm Nm@rpm 2.5 163 @ 3600 400 @ 1400-2000 Ride and handling Isuzu D-Max The new generation D-Max ladder frame is 42 percent more rigid than the old one and the new model has also a wider track, hence increasing the stability not only on difficult terrains but on normal roads too. Thanks to this improvement, the vehicle feels well balanced and stays planted on its wheels with more determination, even during harder cornering. The new Isuzu D-Max also benefits from a new suspension setup with independent double wish-bone with coil springs and gas shock absorbers up front and long-span leaf springs at the rear. While the old model find it hard to keep your back away from the biggest potholes, the new suspensions are more forgivable and offer a slightly better ride quality. Verdict Isuzu D-Max With the new D-Max, Isuzu has showed everyone that it’s back in the pickup business. While the old model didn’t had enough grunt to keep its head up against its main rivals, the new model is a quantum leap forward for the Isuzu brand and represents a pretty interesting package that is worthy to be taken into consideration. The 2012 Isuzu D-Max offers a modern exterior design, which is backed up by a fairly spacious and decent cabin. The diesel engine may not be the strongest unit in the segment, but it gels great with the utilitarian nature of the vehicle and offers adequate performances. The vehicle comes pretty well equipped too and the price won’t scare buyers away either. *Registration is required to post in this forum Log in via Facebook Picture Gallery (20) 2012 isuzu d-max 1 2012 isuzu d-max 2 2012 isuzu d-max 3 2012 isuzu d-max 4 2012 isuzu d-max 5 Picture Gallery (20)

Compilation of Hi Lux Off roading (the old and the new)

Life is short; enjoy the great outdoors

The Hi Lux keeps the TLC tradition for off roading.  Most of the Hi Lux shown here are the old ones which are 4x4 thorough bred:

Top 4 cross overs that can never go off road

Life is short; enjoy the great outdoors

Subaru Forester off road test drives

Life is short; enjoy the great outdoors


Various test drives in various countries:

In Varna, BG



In Teesdorf 2009


The diagonal test. Many 4wd and AWD fail this test. The so called 3 wheeling, hanging test


Super diagonal test


Subaru at Motocross track at Pertoltice

Other Subaru Forester shows of Strength

Life is short; enjoy the great outdoors

Subaru climbs without 4low




MOre Subaru Off roading, demonstrates diagonal spin


Subaru Forester in deep mud; gets away


Subaru Forester 2.5 xt


Subarus Love snows?

Series 40 Toyota Land Cruisers

Ever since there was the movie Mercenaries, the TLC then the series became very popular. In the movie Merceneries, the TLC was used to pursue the enemies and neither river, trees, shrubs, rock could stop the main character.

Here is the example why the old FJ 40 is very popular and still the best and affordable 4x4 in the PHL and used in most 4x4 challenge:

Defender 4x4 Extreme

From You Tube, more on defender extreme: