2010 FXT Build Thread
How I came to get an FXT
Bought the FXT in early August, 2010. My intention was to get a 2011. I heard that the engine, radio and MPG were all going to be better. I couldn’t get a confirmation on when the 2011 was going to be released, and my DD at the time (an AWD Audi A4) was starting to become unreliable, so I decided I’d search for a Forester. Many of my friends had Foresters and loved them, and it matched my needs well.
I test drove a 2.5 Premium and liked it well enough, but coming from a turbo equipped “sporty” car, I felt the power was lacking. My good friend is an Audi fanatic, and when I mentioned that I drove the Forester, he asked me what my thoughts were of the Subaru turbo power delivery vs. the Audi A4’s turbo? I thought at first that none the Foresters were turbo equipped. I didn’t realize that the FXT existed. My buddy schooled me on the Impreza platform and how it carries over to the WRX, STI and Forester. He also let me in on the upgradability of the stout 2.5 motor (though he firmly believes the Audi S4 he owns is the best platform from which to jump into the turbo culture).
I went back to the dealership and asked to look at an FXT. The first time I drove it…. honestly… I was underwhelmed. I could barely tell the difference between the 2.5i and the FXT. Maybe it was because the WRX/STI skewed my expectations. I thought the XT was going to be comparable, no, better than my A4. Still, I liked Subaru. My first brand new car was a Subaru Justy. That car was awesome, for what it was. I had hoped that Subaru had a CVT available for the FXT, but all that was available was the 4EAT. Little did I know how much that small lack of research would come to cost me in the end.
I decided to take the plunge and started searching for an FXT. I knew that I wanted leather, Bluetooth and a turbo; in black please. Easy, right? Nuh uh. While the 2010’s were well discounted, there weren’t many left to be had. There was a black one in Spokane. That was it for the entire state. The next closest black FXT with leather was in Las Vegas. Instead of going with a 2010, I plopped some Benjamin’s down at Walker Subaru in Renton, WA and ordered a 2011 FXT Premium with no extra equipment.
About a month later my worries about the reliability of the A4 proved justified, and I needed something NOW. Called Walker Subaru to see when the car I had ordered was going to arrive. Turns out they never ordered it. I canceled the order, but they refused and tried to hold my deposit. After a long argument and the threat of Small Claims Court, I got my deposit back and started calling around for a dealership that could get it right. I learned that the changes that I anticipated the 2011 model would have were not coming in that year. I negotiated over the phone and email and finalized on the black FXT Limited with 85 total miles clocked at Appleway Subaru in Spokane. It came with more stuff than I ordered on the 2011, but it was available, well discounted and they agreed to deliver it to downtown Seattle.
Brand new FXT