Legacy or Impreza???
Discussion
GT/GTB has always been the wagon (estate to you
) version of the fast Legacy. RS the gen 1 and 2 sedan (or RSB for the top spec gen.2), RSK the gen.3, gen.4 turbo Legacies are all GT or GT spec B whether sedan or wagon.GTB is the same spec as the RSK - Bilstein suspension, 280(manual) or 260(auto) bhp, and so on. I haven't driven an RSK but AFAIK handling is very similar, with the GTB allegedly having slightly less understeer on the limit. Never really looked into why but it may have slightly stiffer rear springs for carrying heavier loads.
I'm 24 and have owned Subaru wagons since I was 16
Only real difference with Legacies is the wagon has more space while the sedan is slightly quieter in the back - simply due to the acoustics of a big relatively unbaffled space over the rare wheels. But you can fold the seats down and sleep in it.
Only real difference with Legacies is the wagon has more space while the sedan is slightly quieter in the back - simply due to the acoustics of a big relatively unbaffled space over the rare wheels. But you can fold the seats down and sleep in it.
Edited by GravelBen on Friday 18th September 09:15
fathomfive said:
Has to be estate, unless you find one of the rare Blitzen editions.
Blitzens were made in both sedan and wagon form (and in 3.0 H6 as well as 2.0 turbo), but the only real difference is the (Porsche design) bodykit. As far as I know they were all auto though.Edited by GravelBen on Friday 18th September 09:18
fathomfive said:
BlueSmoke said:
Can't work out which I prefer out of saloon and estate. Am I old enough for a wagon at 27? 
Any pros and cons?
Has to be estate, unless you find one of the rare Blitzen editions. Any pros and cons?where abouts are you located... i've found a rather bargain looking one in the swindon area...
£2350 for an R plate Legacy turbo Estate.. not sure if its GT or GTB... ive only driven past as yet!
BlueSmoke said:
Can't work out which I prefer out of saloon and estate. Am I old enough for a wagon at 27? Any pros and cons?
I owned a Legacy Saloon 4CAM Turbo for several years and it was a fantastic car to drive and live with. Even on the older models like those, the boot and interior space was cavernous and the handling was well damped with little body roll. Very well designed ergonomically too, so I can only presume the newer models will have moved the game on significantly in both performance and design. Any pros and cons?Infact the missus (who appreciates a 'good' car) could probably be convinced to trade in the existing family car for a Legacy 3.0 spec B
BlueSmoke said:
Argh I really can't make up my mind!!!
I thought I wanted a classic Impreza WRX(post 97 280bhp model).... my mind was made up. Then I thought I wanted a Legacy B4 RSK Twin Turbo.... my mind was made up.
Now I'm thinking I want the Impreza again..... Jesus Christ what is wrong with me?!
I need to make up my mind because I'll be selling my car in a few weeks!
I currently commute 45 miles a day, mostly motorway, but I live near the Pennines etc. so great places to go driving. Any advice/views much appreciated in my time of need!
Impreza is faster, better handling, probably more economical considering hp and pace, looks better and less of a sensible family car.I thought I wanted a classic Impreza WRX(post 97 280bhp model).... my mind was made up. Then I thought I wanted a Legacy B4 RSK Twin Turbo.... my mind was made up.
Now I'm thinking I want the Impreza again..... Jesus Christ what is wrong with me?!
I need to make up my mind because I'll be selling my car in a few weeks!
I currently commute 45 miles a day, mostly motorway, but I live near the Pennines etc. so great places to go driving. Any advice/views much appreciated in my time of need!
I don't believe anyone who says an Impreza or even an STI is not comfortable enough, if they do they must have lived a pampered existence.
Personally I'm gunning for an STI III or IV, will hopfully be next month due to sorting a few things out. I'm buying it as a daily driver to complement my weekend car.
GravelBen said:
fathomfive said:
Has to be estate, unless you find one of the rare Blitzen editions.
Blitzens were made in both sedan and wagon form (and in 3.0 H6 as well as 2.0 turbo), but the only real difference is the (Porsche design) bodykit. As far as I know they were all auto though.Edited by GravelBen on Friday 18th September 09:18
Pretty rare over in the UK though, something to do with model reports for import. Think they needed a separate one which made it very expensive compared with importing a standard GTB / RSK. Happy to be corrected on that score though.
BlueSmoke said:
Thanks so far guys. Very helpful If I bought an Impreza it'd be running 280bhp anyway so economy surely couldn't be that far out. I do have the ambitions of a European road trip next year and a return to the ring within the next 18 months...
I think it depends what you want from a car. If I bought an Impreza it'd be running 280bhp anyway so economy surely couldn't be that far out. I do have the ambitions of a European road trip next year and a return to the ring within the next 18 months...The Legacy is bigger, more refined and more grown up. Thus its a little less barmy, but by the same measure its a little less exciting.
Personally I think an Impreza would be fine for a road trip. I know I'm used to older classics and 4x4's. But people still seem content to drive across Europe in Elise's, TVR's and Caterhams. Any Impreza will be more comfy than any of these and I suspect more comfy than any supercar too.
If you need the space then the Legacy. But if both cars are making ~280hp I can't see the Legacy offering the same thrills, nor being any more fuel efficient.
300bhp/ton said:
Impreza is faster, better handling, probably more economical considering hp and pace
STi is faster up to about ~70mph, Legacy has the legs on it above that. WRX a bit slower than an STi If you have modification in mind then go for the Impreza, the sequential TT setup is not a simple thing to tinker with.Both handle very well, though the extra size and weight of the Legacy can sometimes be felt in very tight stuff.
I average around 26mpg in my GTB, 30-33 easy to achieve on a run while making good progress. Legacies can actually be more economical due to a)better aero and b)more torque down low.
300bhp/ton said:
The Legacy is bigger, more refined and more grown up. Thus its a little less barmy, but by the same measure its a little less exciting.
Agreed - I have an MX5 as well for more accessible laughs, if I only had one car to do the job of both it would most likely be a STi-RA Impreza.
Edited by GravelBen on Friday 18th September 09:51
If you throw the more contemporary 3.0R B-spec Legacy into the equation it makes it a more interesting choice. I loved my Impreza and it's one of the favourite (and quickest) cars I ever had but I would still have to say the Legacy is a better and more rounded car. Way more practicality, more refined, better looking, better quality and fittings, one of the best long-distance cruisers I've ever encountered, plenty of fun when you want it, no chav connotations, Q-car anonymity and an engine that, while lacking the outright turbo grunt and character of of the B4 or Impreza, is silky smooth with plenty of power. The handling is excellent (if purposely not quite as sharp as an Impreza - which isn't necessarily a bad thing in long-distance cruising terms). It's also one of the best value performance cars you can currently pick up. As a daily hack in the terms you describe with mainly motorway miles but a bit of a cross-country blast thrown in it would be the Legacy every time for me.
... Having just spent a month in that beautiful country, I have left with a burning desire to buy a Subaru Legacy GTB! Or a V8 Holden pickup with some dogs in the back maddog993 said:
If you throw the more contemporary 3.0R B-spec Legacy into the equation it makes it a more interesting choice. I loved my Impreza and it's one of the favourite (and quickest) cars I ever had but I would still have to say the Legacy is a better and more rounded car. Way more practicality, more refined, better looking, better quality and fittings, one of the best long-distance cruisers I've ever encountered, plenty of fun when you want it, no chav connotations, Q-car anonymity and an engine that, while lacking the outright turbo grunt and character of of the B4 or Impreza, is silky smooth with plenty of power. The handling is excellent (if purposely not quite as sharp as an Impreza - which isn't necessarily a bad thing in long-distance cruising terms). It's also one of the best value performance cars you can currently pick up. As a daily hack in the terms you describe with mainly motorway miles but a bit of a cross-country blast thrown in it would be the Legacy every time for me.
Whats the mpg on one of those flat-six Leggys?Maybe not the most exciting of questions, but I've had a hankering for one for a while and might just tempt myself in a couple of months time.
Edited by fathomfive on Friday 18th September 10:09
Two brothers I know, one with a '98 WRX Imp and one with the '98 Legacy GTB import. We used to travel " in convoy " quite regularly and there was a fair amount of sibling rivalry.
Comments :
The Legacy's power felt nowhere near 280 BHP, and it all seemed to be at the top end in the last 1000 rpm where the second turbo kicked in.
The WRX walked away from it round roundabouts, accelerating on the straightaways, under braking, everywhere. With the two cars side by side, it was a complete rout of the Legacy, which suprised me as we initally thought the legacy would be quicker with more power and more stable with a larger wheelbase. On the motorway, the legacy would overhaul the WRX eventually.
Legacy also suffered very bad brake fade.
At the end of the day. the legacy is not as stiff, its heavier, its longer geared, and it is missing out on a lot of the midrange shove of the WRX. In the real world the WRX romps away from the Legacy.
Two other considerations are maintinence and resale.
The twin turbo engine in the Legacy is a pig to work on. There is no space, and everything is buried in a odd place. There are lot of vaccum lines and complicated plumbing. There is virtually after market support for the legacy in the UK, very few cheap parts are available, very few scrap parts.
In contrast although the the WRX engine is not a dream to work on, it is much simpler. The real difference is the parts and the aftermarket. You can get anything for it cheaper and quicker. Something simple like a thermostat ? 21 pounds, only available special order at a subaru dealer for a legacy with a delay of a week. For a WRX, its available at any parts counter for around 7 quid.
Something like a MAF ? 360 pounds special order only from a Subaru dealer, two week delay for a Legacy. You can get one on ebay for 80 quid for a WRX, you can get one from countless subaru specialists
The WRX sold in a week.
The Legacy took a month to sell and had to be discounted. It's a much smaller market.
Both brothers say that although the Legacy was a nicer motorway car, they would have the WRX everytime over the Legacy.
One of them now has a BMW 330ci and one has a Fiat Ulysees due to kids. Poor chap.
Comments :
The Legacy's power felt nowhere near 280 BHP, and it all seemed to be at the top end in the last 1000 rpm where the second turbo kicked in.
The WRX walked away from it round roundabouts, accelerating on the straightaways, under braking, everywhere. With the two cars side by side, it was a complete rout of the Legacy, which suprised me as we initally thought the legacy would be quicker with more power and more stable with a larger wheelbase. On the motorway, the legacy would overhaul the WRX eventually.
Legacy also suffered very bad brake fade.
At the end of the day. the legacy is not as stiff, its heavier, its longer geared, and it is missing out on a lot of the midrange shove of the WRX. In the real world the WRX romps away from the Legacy.
Two other considerations are maintinence and resale.
The twin turbo engine in the Legacy is a pig to work on. There is no space, and everything is buried in a odd place. There are lot of vaccum lines and complicated plumbing. There is virtually after market support for the legacy in the UK, very few cheap parts are available, very few scrap parts.
In contrast although the the WRX engine is not a dream to work on, it is much simpler. The real difference is the parts and the aftermarket. You can get anything for it cheaper and quicker. Something simple like a thermostat ? 21 pounds, only available special order at a subaru dealer for a legacy with a delay of a week. For a WRX, its available at any parts counter for around 7 quid.
Something like a MAF ? 360 pounds special order only from a Subaru dealer, two week delay for a Legacy. You can get one on ebay for 80 quid for a WRX, you can get one from countless subaru specialists
The WRX sold in a week.
The Legacy took a month to sell and had to be discounted. It's a much smaller market.
Both brothers say that although the Legacy was a nicer motorway car, they would have the WRX everytime over the Legacy.
One of them now has a BMW 330ci and one has a Fiat Ulysees due to kids. Poor chap.
Gassing Station | Subaru | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff