The 3.0 will have less lag during acceleration, and you will be able to have
longer oil change intervals. Starting with the 2008 models, all turbo
engines require more frequent oil changes to stay within warranty. Finally,
based truedelta.com data posted, the 3.0 fuel economy should be better, with
almost the same power.

I have a 3.0 Outback, and have never regretted that choice over the turbo.
<swat@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:1193171518.096216.232390@i13g2000prf.googlegr oups.com...
> Has anyone driven both? Last week I test drove a 2.5i Limited, and
> although I liked the car, there definitely wasn't enough pop when I
> pulled out into traffic on the highway. They just got a 2.5GT in
> today and another dealer has a 3.0 R and I'm going to test them both
> out. Just wondering though; is the turbo faster than the 6-cylinder
> 3.0 R or vice versa? ...and is there any reason to consider one over
> the other if the speed is anywhere near even?
>
> I'm definitely not a racer, but I like to be able to jump out on to
> the highway without waiting for a giant break in traffic (I live in
> New Jersey, and um... people aren't alway kind to drivers trying to
> get on to the highway). My most recent vehicles have been a 1990
> Maxima, a 2000 Maxima and a V8 Ford Explorer, so I'm used to having
> some power to work with. It was a bit alarming when stepped on the
> gas in the 2.5i 4-cylinder and it sort of took its' time getting up to
> a decent speed, lol. I've never driven or owned a turbo, but I hear
> that the Subbie turbo doesn't have that lag that I always heard about,
> so if the turbo 4-cylinder is comparable and costs a little less, why
> not?
>
> Oh yeah, since the GT is manual, and I haven't driven a stick in 7
> years, I may not be able to get the true feel for the car during my
> test drive because I'll be concentrating too hard on shifting for the
> first time in a while...
>
> Any input is appreciated...
>