Spec B Legacy

[GreenArrow]

...with a bit of cash coming in 6 weeks from a redundancy, I am in the market for a car upgrade...the Legacy Spec B stands out as something different and unlikely to depreciate massively....however a bad experience with a 1998 Impreza Turbo which dropped a bottom end bearing leaves me wary of Subarus.

So, what is the Spec B like? Is it fairly tough and reliable? Any major flaws to be aware of, such as the bottom end bearing issue that existed on the 1998 model year Impreza which I was unaware of!!

[Garynogrip]

I've had 2, sold the first as it was a bit dull in a car park but great car, bought the second because I remember it being a great car, then sold it because it was a bit dull in a car park lol, the H6 lump is a great engine, bottom ends can go on any car if not looked after properly, Scooby lumps need oil checks a bit more regularly along with oil changes, all down to this and how abused they are

[GreenArrow]

Garynogrip said:

I've had 2, sold the first as it was a bit dull in a car park but great car, bought the second because I remember it being a great car, then sold it because it was a bit dull in a car park lol, the H6 lump is a great engine, bottom ends can go on any car if not looked after properly, Scooby lumps need oil checks a bit more regularly along with oil changes, all down to this and how abused they are

I like understated so dull isn't a problem for me!

How did It drive? I understand it is n/a engine which is good for me....is It massively thirsty as that appears to be the only drawback. Cheers

[Mud_]

Very thirsty, yes...and short gearing on the manual means you'll struggle to break ~25-27 mpg even on a long run. <20 mpg around town.

I agree they are a bit dull, but a great place to be at the moment, if only for the heated leather, 4wd, and quiet competence

[Garynogrip]

GreenArrow said:

Garynogrip said:

I've had 2, sold the first as it was a bit dull in a car park but great car, bought the second because I remember it being a great car, then sold it because it was a bit dull in a car park lol, the H6 lump is a great engine, bottom ends can go on any car if not looked after properly, Scooby lumps need oil checks a bit more regularly along with oil changes, all down to this and how abused they are

I like understated so dull isn't a problem for me!

How did It drive? I understand it is n/a engine which is good for me....is It massively thirsty as that appears to be the only drawback. Cheers

They both drove great, thirsty yes but it is a 3ltr, I have a legacy gt 1997 still, guess I was just used to the sporty look, I pulled up in a car park and someone asked me if it was a new mondeo, killed it for me!

[cailean]

Lots of info here http://www.uklegacy.com/forums/

Got one 6 months ago. Very solid, smooth, reliable, great Q car.

[Sargeant Orange]

Had my 55 plate about 5 months. Bought as a dog carrier but seem to be using it more and more lately as it's a lovely place to be. It's an auto and averages 24mpg which is reasonable (to me).

Had a transmission cooler pipe replaced for £70 but other than that it's carrying it's 115k well.

Brakes are the weak point & will drive you mad unless you upgrade. I just bought some Hawk HPS pads from eBay which improved it massively. It's a heavy lump after all I guess

[GreenArrow]

Saw this one on Autotrader today, decent miles and not too expensive, but post 2005 so £490 VED..eek!

Is the auto much slower than the manual?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[Garynogrip]

GreenArrow said:

Saw this one on Autotrader today, decent miles and not too expensive, but post 2005 so £490 VED..eek!

Is the auto much slower than the manual?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

If your going post 05 then spend a bit more for the later one, comes with paddle shift if auto is your thing, cabin a bit nicer too, I had a manual on an 08 plate, stereo was the dogs nuts too with its surround sound! Better then any of my German cars I've had.

[Garynogrip]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Just an example though a manual, plus I forgot they also have si drive too

[Ved]

GreenArrow said:

Saw this one on Autotrader today, decent miles and not too expensive, but post 2005 so £490 VED..eek!

Is the auto much slower than the manual?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Auto is around 2 seconds slower off the blocks to 60. Quite flexible across the range though but it's not fast at all.

[Mr Taxpayer]

Fix the fuel economy problem with an LPG conversion. Will cost around £1500 on 6cyl and with LPG at around 55p per litre it'll pay for itself in a year.

[Mr Gearchange]

Mine has done 175k on consumables.
Engine still wonderful.

[Legacywr]

Ran one of these for 4 years, fantastic and reliable car!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

[GreenArrow]

Garynogrip said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Just an example though a manual, plus I forgot they also have si drive too

I've seen this ad too....looks nice but thought the vendor was asking rather a lot for an 07 reg car, my enquiries suggest book value is nearer 6....

[mersontheperson]

I have a Jdm Gt Spec B with the two litre turbo engine that puts out 280 bhp, it's a 2004 estate and has arrived in Southampton for UK prep. Let me know if you are interested

[Garynogrip]

GreenArrow said:

Garynogrip said:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Just an example though a manual, plus I forgot they also have si drive too

I've seen this ad too....looks nice but thought the vendor was asking rather a lot for an 07 reg car, my enquiries suggest book value is nearer 6....

I gave around 9k for mine 2 years ago, he is a bit pricey but not many other later models around

[PomBstard]

Import your own...

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-...

2008, 3.0SpecB manual, one owner and FSH. Bit of haggling would see that down to $14,500, which is about GBP7k. It'll be in good nick as they tend to be looked after over here and run by people who know what they are. Not all, of course, but generally.

Or this 2008 manual GT STi...

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-...

I'd be very tempted by that one - not as powerful outright as the 2.0 STi, but still 260bhp

[Legacywr]

Why would you import a car that is available over here?

[PomBstard]

I understood there weren't many Liberty/Legacy 3.0SpecB in the UK and I don't think the GT was ever formally sold there. AUS is a good source of well-maintained, generally rust-free, RHD Gen4 Liberties with both auto and manual boxes. They were, and still are, v popular cars here.

TL:DR - offering another option

Edited to add that exchange rate is now just over AU$2 to GB£1

Edited by PomBstard on Tuesday 1st December 07:28