In reply to Jus brother, the weights of the 2 cars are almost identical due in part to the aluminum hood and tailgate.
I have been talking with an independent repair service that only works on Subarus. I was told that the unresponsive throttle problem eg, floor it and no to sluggosh response is a gov't mandate to improve gas mileage ? WTFO Or could it be an excuse to start changing and controling the way we drive? I have just ordered 2 ea OBD II/CAN bus scanners. One is a handheld the other is a computer interface between the OBDII port on the car and your laptop. I can check for codes with the handheld, but with the interface I can check what the car is doing from all the sensors and log it in real time if I understand it correctly. Also there are websites out there and cables for re-tweaking the ROM maps in the ECU. Now that would be interesting if I had all the knowledge required. If it is infact true of not having the electronic throttle algorythm done or the gov't involed, I can see one helluva an aftermarket business potential!
Even when the service rep went with me for a ride before the area rep visit, and I slammed the pedal to the metal and ther was close to a second delay, he said it wasn't a second and a half as I had claimed happened previously and that he was listening to the "noise" I was also complaining about so he wasn't really paying attention!!
It is good to know that others have experienced the same problem and in other makes. When I get the diagnostic tools, I will report back on what i find. If I can log an anomaly in throttle response, a bunch of people are going to have a lot of egg on their face!! Stay tuned! I think it is time to fill out the 2 dealer reports from SOA, the consumer reports survey and the JD powe survey. What might be interesting is for you other owners who have 2005-2006 try the floor it test and see what happens. I think it is bes tried at 40 mph. Do a quick slam it to the floor as if you are in an emergency situation. The throttle response does seem reasonable if you slowly increas the throttle. Try that too. I do know that when in sportmatic manual mode the car WILL go 40 mph in second gear before the rev limiter kicks in. I think the car in standard automatic mode will not ususally down shift into second but go into third gear, then perhaps unlock the torque conver with more prodding but by then you have managed to exceed the max speed in second so you are stuck in third which doesn't do much untill you reach 55mph. Well enough ranting, but that is the way it looks from here. I think Subaru knows they have a problem, but don't want to admit to it, especially the customer.