Legnum VR4 v Nissan Stagea v Legacy GTB - Review
Discussion
blindswelledrat said:
Good write up.
Always fancied having one of the above.
SO which do you actually prefer?
If you were to have one of the three long term which would it be?
Good point!!Always fancied having one of the above.
SO which do you actually prefer?
If you were to have one of the three long term which would it be?
Errrrrrr
If I wanted to be doing some winter trackdays or lived out in the twisties, Legnum or Scooby. For runs to the Alps it'd be the Stagea. If it was me doing the servicing stuff I'd prefer the Stagea they are simple enough. If I had to have one & one only then it'd be the Legnum it does everything well & is relatively refined & looks the best too.
cptsideways said:
blindswelledrat said:
Good write up.
Always fancied having one of the above.
SO which do you actually prefer?
If you were to have one of the three long term which would it be?
Good point!!Always fancied having one of the above.
SO which do you actually prefer?
If you were to have one of the three long term which would it be?
Errrrrrr
If I wanted to be doing some winter trackdays or lived out in the twisties, Legnum or Scooby. For runs to the Alps it'd be the Stagea. If it was me doing the servicing stuff I'd prefer the Stagea they are simple enough. If I had to have one & one only then it'd be the Legnum it does everything well & is relatively refined & looks the best too.
redgriff500 said:
I had a 260bhp VR4 after my 300bhp BMW 330...
The BMW cost 3x more...
and it was worth every penny.
So...The BMW cost 3x more...
and it was worth every penny.
You didn't like it?
We'd be replacing a 150bhp W124 E220 with a dumb 4-speed, though my daily driver is a 340bhp ALPINA B10 V8...
It's got to be a step ahead of the E220.
fluffnik said:
redgriff500 said:
I had a 260bhp VR4 after my 300bhp BMW 330...
The BMW cost 3x more...
and it was worth every penny.
So...The BMW cost 3x more...
and it was worth every penny.
You didn't like it?
I'd be interested to know how many horses actually make it to the ground after going through the box and 4wd it felt like half the amount the BMW had.
redgriff500 said:
fluffnik said:
redgriff500 said:
I had a 260bhp VR4 after my 300bhp BMW 330...
The BMW cost 3x more...
and it was worth every penny.
So...The BMW cost 3x more...
and it was worth every penny.
You didn't like it?
I'd be interested to know how many horses actually make it to the ground after going through the box and 4wd it felt like half the amount the BMW had.
Were all the turbo's working properly? a simple wastegate stuck open would make them be very lethargic indeed !!
cptsideways said:
fluffnik said:
cptsideways said:
For runs to the Alps it'd be the Stagea.
For extra comfort on the long drive there I presume, rather than superior in-mountain performance?
of the bunch, though I'm sure one would be handy enough up & down the passes 
My GTB is as quiet or quieter than the Stageas I've been in. Comfier than my mates one, but dads had the full leather interior which was nicer.I guess it depends which Legacy you're comparing them with though, they are more refined than the BG('93-97) Legacy but the BH('98-02) was a significant step up. As the Stagea and VR4 you're comparing are '96-01 versions its probably fairer to line them up with with the BH Legacy.
To say any legacy is quieter than a standard Stagea is plain daft.
I had a twin turbo legacy (95 model) it was like driving a very fast tractor. Standard RS Fours make virtually no exhaust noise at all. With standard induction they really are quiet.
At this point I should declare an interest - I have been importing Stageas for three years and am chairman of the stagea owners club which is just starting.
It also seems to me that people are not comparing like for like. Stageas are much larger and most are autos. They are fast crusing estates .Also like lagacys and there was a big upgrade in 1998/9
In standard trim the early series one RS FOUR single turbo produces 240bhp. All stageas with "FOUR" in the model have AWD ATTESSA like a GTR .
Like most japanese makes there was a big upgrade in 1998 when the manual models (called RS FOUR S )were introduced. These have the hicas steering as in a GTR. All models of RS Fours can be got to 350bhp easily without problems.
Then there is the "rare" RB26 ones as stated before These are sports cars.
And as it is based on a GTR tuning is easy . Air filters , exhaust and Power Fc will give around 400bhp.
I actually have one of the these "rare" Stageas with a twin turbo RB26 engine and manual gearbox.
Mine is tuned (Stage 2 600ish bhp) and has lots of upgrades. Performance wise it is way in front of where you could get a legnum or a legacy to.
On low boost 1 bar it still gives 525 bhp and 450ish ft lbs tourque (dyno) . At this level it is perfectly tractable and drives like a pussy cat untill you apply the right foot. At 1.7 it is more interesting,
If anyone wishes any more detilas there is a stagea forum on the GTRoc site. and I have a website stagea.co.uk which has a lot of info about them altough the part about my car has not been updated since its recent engine rebuild.
I had a twin turbo legacy (95 model) it was like driving a very fast tractor. Standard RS Fours make virtually no exhaust noise at all. With standard induction they really are quiet.
At this point I should declare an interest - I have been importing Stageas for three years and am chairman of the stagea owners club which is just starting.
It also seems to me that people are not comparing like for like. Stageas are much larger and most are autos. They are fast crusing estates .Also like lagacys and there was a big upgrade in 1998/9
In standard trim the early series one RS FOUR single turbo produces 240bhp. All stageas with "FOUR" in the model have AWD ATTESSA like a GTR .
Like most japanese makes there was a big upgrade in 1998 when the manual models (called RS FOUR S )were introduced. These have the hicas steering as in a GTR. All models of RS Fours can be got to 350bhp easily without problems.
Then there is the "rare" RB26 ones as stated before These are sports cars.
And as it is based on a GTR tuning is easy . Air filters , exhaust and Power Fc will give around 400bhp.
I actually have one of the these "rare" Stageas with a twin turbo RB26 engine and manual gearbox.
Mine is tuned (Stage 2 600ish bhp) and has lots of upgrades. Performance wise it is way in front of where you could get a legnum or a legacy to.
On low boost 1 bar it still gives 525 bhp and 450ish ft lbs tourque (dyno) . At this level it is perfectly tractable and drives like a pussy cat untill you apply the right foot. At 1.7 it is more interesting,
If anyone wishes any more detilas there is a stagea forum on the GTRoc site. and I have a website stagea.co.uk which has a lot of info about them altough the part about my car has not been updated since its recent engine rebuild.
Edited by WOTS A STAGEA on Friday 21st November 09:15
I'm glad this got post got brought back to life. Very good write ups by the way. I'm toying with the idea of the Stagea for my work but I contract for a guy who has two Legnums and they are a magic motor to drive, strange at first, but awesome for an estate.
I have been looking at getting a R33 Gtr as well
(I want want want). But once I take my potato head off I have to be sensible (ish) I tend to head back to the Stagea..... Damn Damn.... I'm off to the classifieds.
I have been looking at getting a R33 Gtr as well
(I want want want). But once I take my potato head off I have to be sensible (ish) I tend to head back to the Stagea..... Damn Damn.... I'm off to the classifieds. dan1981 said:
Just to resurrect this - any further views a bit further down the line?
What sort of mpg are you getting from the Legnum?
The Legnum is lots of fun, comfortable and practical too.What sort of mpg are you getting from the Legnum?
The INVECS-II auto box is responsive in auto and a pleasure in manual mode.
It's very nimble for a big car and feels RWD in most circumstances, you're only really aware of the front wheels being driven accelerating out of tight corners.
AYC is spooky, it sort of tucks both ends of the car in...
23mpg is fairly easily achievable, but so is 17mpg.
Anyone got further views on the legacy also?
any real world mpg stats - pretty much for long motorway runs?
and am i odd?
I have an mx5 i need somethign for motorway and longer runs when the mx5 is not comfortable enough.
I think the stagea is too big for me and what a ineed so its down to the legnum and the legacy.
any real world mpg stats - pretty much for long motorway runs?
and am i odd?
I have an mx5 i need somethign for motorway and longer runs when the mx5 is not comfortable enough.
I think the stagea is too big for me and what a ineed so its down to the legnum and the legacy.
I went for a Stagea - Soooo much car for the money!!! £1500 for a low mileage, immaculate DAYZ RS4!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Great vehicle, and ridiculously cheap!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Great vehicle, and ridiculously cheap!
dan1981 said:
Anyone got further views on the legacy also?
any real world mpg stats - pretty much for long motorway runs?
Today's Edinburgh -> Pitlochry -> Edinburgh including M-way, A-road overtakes, staying warm and creeping traffic: ~22mpgany real world mpg stats - pretty much for long motorway runs?
The Legnum VR4 does like a drink...
dan1981 said:
and am i odd?
It's entirely possible. dan1981 said:
I have an mx5 i need somethign for motorway and longer runs when the mx5 is not comfortable enough.
I think the stagea is too big for me and what a ineed so its down to the legnum and the legacy.
It's notable that in all three cases the people who own the cars like the cars...I think the stagea is too big for me and what a ineed so its down to the legnum and the legacy.
I'd probably have gone for an E39 540i touring `as community estate car if I didn't have an ALPINA B10 V8 and it would probably be a better car than the Legnum in pretty much every way, but I'd never drive it rather than the B10 if I didn't need the space. The Legnum is FUN, and very capable too.
dan1981 said:
Anyone got further views on the legacy also?
any real world mpg stats - pretty much for long motorway runs?
and am i odd?
I have an mx5 i need somethign for motorway and longer runs when the mx5 is not comfortable enough.
I think the stagea is too big for me and what a ineed so its down to the legnum and the legacy.
any real world mpg stats - pretty much for long motorway runs?
and am i odd?
I have an mx5 i need somethign for motorway and longer runs when the mx5 is not comfortable enough.
I think the stagea is too big for me and what a ineed so its down to the legnum and the legacy.
I have an MX5 and an '02 GTB, doesn't seem too odd a combination to me.Fuel economy - I generally average around 27mpg, with 30-33 being easily achievable on the open road. Mate has a '97 GT which is slightly thirstier than mine but in the same general ballpark. Just make sure you run them on good fuel, I find mine is 10-15% thirstier on 95 than 98 as well as making less power.
cptsideways said:
Nissan Stagea RS-4
Often to referred to as the Skyline estate which in essence it is (its actually an R34 chassis code) they all come in 4wd, utilising a lighter version of the R33 GTR 4wd system, otherwise much the same running gear as an R33 GTS-T. So parts availability is plentiful & so are tuning options. All the ones I have ever seen are always auto's (4spd with overdrive)A more common sports version is the DAYZ RS-4 which has the factory bodykit, stiffer suspension, pearl paint etc & few nice trim additions being the top spec one.
Mechanicals
They seem to come with two RB25 straight 6 engine options the 160bhp non turbo (base model) often in flat colours!! & the 2.5 240bhp single turbo RS-4. Essentially a a bombproof engine in standard trim. Some very rare GTR engined ones about but as I say very rare. Dead easy DIY servicing btw.
Interior
The most luxurious of the 3, nice big comfy seating, more plush than sports car, quietest of the 3 on the road by a long way. Nice long distance cruiser. The Stagea is a HUGE car, bigger than an Audi A6 for example, masses of room, rear seats recline which is nice, or fold flat out of the way & a big big estate car it is.
Handling
Surprising for something so big, two stage boost so good poke to start with then hit about 5k rpm & second boost stage kicks in & they do go! very surefooted but rwd biassed so fun can still be had. I do believe they are fitted with a viscous rear diff as standard which helps. These have a fairly basic 4wd set up nothing fancy no trickery though you can lock the centre diff for snow conditions. Probably the last of the 3 you'd want to a trackday in but I'd imaging it'd cope quite well.
Common Faults & reliabilty
Nothing mechanical if they've been looked after, only issues I've ever come across are small patches of rust under the wing mirror which is obviously a very common fault! Never any rust anywehere else on them. In standard trim they are utterly reliable.
Running costs
Its a big car, realisticly does 23-28mpg average, parts are cheap & plentiful due to being the same as a Skyline so mechanical bits are well catered for.
Overall
A BIG fast comfy load lugging barge that will surprise you & you neighbours won't have a clue what it is
Captsideways, are you getting royalties for your car reviewing skills :Often to referred to as the Skyline estate which in essence it is (its actually an R34 chassis code) they all come in 4wd, utilising a lighter version of the R33 GTR 4wd system, otherwise much the same running gear as an R33 GTS-T. So parts availability is plentiful & so are tuning options. All the ones I have ever seen are always auto's (4spd with overdrive)A more common sports version is the DAYZ RS-4 which has the factory bodykit, stiffer suspension, pearl paint etc & few nice trim additions being the top spec one.
Mechanicals
They seem to come with two RB25 straight 6 engine options the 160bhp non turbo (base model) often in flat colours!! & the 2.5 240bhp single turbo RS-4. Essentially a a bombproof engine in standard trim. Some very rare GTR engined ones about but as I say very rare. Dead easy DIY servicing btw.
Interior
The most luxurious of the 3, nice big comfy seating, more plush than sports car, quietest of the 3 on the road by a long way. Nice long distance cruiser. The Stagea is a HUGE car, bigger than an Audi A6 for example, masses of room, rear seats recline which is nice, or fold flat out of the way & a big big estate car it is.
Handling
Surprising for something so big, two stage boost so good poke to start with then hit about 5k rpm & second boost stage kicks in & they do go! very surefooted but rwd biassed so fun can still be had. I do believe they are fitted with a viscous rear diff as standard which helps. These have a fairly basic 4wd set up nothing fancy no trickery though you can lock the centre diff for snow conditions. Probably the last of the 3 you'd want to a trackday in but I'd imaging it'd cope quite well.
Common Faults & reliabilty
Nothing mechanical if they've been looked after, only issues I've ever come across are small patches of rust under the wing mirror which is obviously a very common fault! Never any rust anywehere else on them. In standard trim they are utterly reliable.
Running costs
Its a big car, realisticly does 23-28mpg average, parts are cheap & plentiful due to being the same as a Skyline so mechanical bits are well catered for.
Overall
A BIG fast comfy load lugging barge that will surprise you & you neighbours won't have a clue what it is
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110954959125?ssPageName=...
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