Legacy versus Outback
Discussion
I've more or less decided to buy either an Outback or a Legacy and was hoping for some advice on the differences between the two.
I've got about £6k to spend and it'll spend most of it's time running around rural Aberdeenshire mixed with the odd longer trip South or over to the West Coast. Don't do a massive mileage so thinking a 2004 - 2007 with either a 2.5 or 3.0 petrol
I've driven a Legacy and was impressed with the handling/balanced chassis and while the extra clearance of the Outback sounds useful, I don't want something that handles like a barge - I've got an old Land Cruiser for that!
So, has anyone driven both and if so, does the Outback share the chassis talents of it's lower slung sibling?
I've got about £6k to spend and it'll spend most of it's time running around rural Aberdeenshire mixed with the odd longer trip South or over to the West Coast. Don't do a massive mileage so thinking a 2004 - 2007 with either a 2.5 or 3.0 petrol
I've driven a Legacy and was impressed with the handling/balanced chassis and while the extra clearance of the Outback sounds useful, I don't want something that handles like a barge - I've got an old Land Cruiser for that!
So, has anyone driven both and if so, does the Outback share the chassis talents of it's lower slung sibling?
I haven't driven a legacy for a few years, but I have a 2007 3.0R outback, which is an excellent beast, and certainly not a floaty barge. I was open minded regards legacy v outback when looking for mine, I ended up buying the outback as it seemed to be the best one of either type I could find within a 50 mile radius, at a decent price
I've got an Outback 3.0R and whilst it may not be the sharpest thing in the twisties, it more than makes up for it with ride comfort on bad country roads. I'd go as far as saying that it must be one of the best real world cars out there. The only snag is the thirst of the 3 litre but I'm running mine on LPG.
We have an outback 3.0Rn. Its great in the country, handles ok with surprising grip, but has quite large amounts of bodyroll. Ride is super smooth as is the engine. Body and mechanicals seem well made and Outback has some mods for off roading and wears all season tyres as OEM spec
We average 26.4mpg in ours, servicing (dealer) and road tax are pricey on the 3.0, but it has enough power for most situations and sounds like a 911 when in sport mode with your foot to the floor
We average 26.4mpg in ours, servicing (dealer) and road tax are pricey on the 3.0, but it has enough power for most situations and sounds like a 911 when in sport mode with your foot to the floor
Thanks gentlemen, given it'll be mostly "making progress" across some fairly demanding roads I didn't want something that would be tiring to drive quickly. Sounds like it's still capable enough even if it's a bit softer than the standard Legacy.
Now to find one! I like the idea of the 3.0 but the auto only option isn't very appealing, a manual 2.5 will probably not be much slower and be quite a lot more economical!
Now to find one! I like the idea of the 3.0 but the auto only option isn't very appealing, a manual 2.5 will probably not be much slower and be quite a lot more economical!
from what I have read the 4 pots are not much more economical than the 6 pot. I am averaging 27.5 mpg in my 3.0r over 15k miles.
The auto box is fine (not as good as my previous merc w201), mine has the SI modes and in sportsharp is quite suited to a cross country blast, esp if you use the flappy paddles for downchanges
The auto box is fine (not as good as my previous merc w201), mine has the SI modes and in sportsharp is quite suited to a cross country blast, esp if you use the flappy paddles for downchanges
furrywoolyhatuk said:
Legacywr said:
I had a JDM Twinscroll 2.0 Legacy, and, it was the best 'all round' vehicle I have owned.
Iv seen a few of these pop up on AT and often wondered about the power output, fuel economy etc, how did you get on with it?I had no major parts replaced in over 4 years!
Legacywr said:
I loved it, smooth, powerful, and capable of over 30mpg.
I had no major parts replaced in over 4 years!
I have the earlier 3rd-gen (twin turbo rather than single twinscroll) GTB and while the 4th-gen version is certainly better overall, I'd say pretty much the same things about mine - over 5 years, one minor sensor failure and nothing else but routine maintenance. Its the longest I've ever kept a car for.I had no major parts replaced in over 4 years!
The extra clearance of an Outback or Forester definitely makes a difference off road though! Driving the NA 2.5s after the GTB they still feel torquey and responsive enough at low speed, its just when the revs and speeds get up a bit that you wonder why nothing is happening.
snowandrocks said:
Thanks gentlemen, given it'll be mostly "making progress" across some fairly demanding roads I didn't want something that would be tiring to drive quickly. Sounds like it's still capable enough even if it's a bit softer than the standard Legacy.
Now to find one! I like the idea of the 3.0 but the auto only option isn't very appealing, a manual 2.5 will probably not be much slower and be quite a lot more economical!
What you need is a Legacy Spec B Wagon so you get the 3.0 with the manual 6 speed from the Impreza STi and Bilstein suspension.Now to find one! I like the idea of the 3.0 but the auto only option isn't very appealing, a manual 2.5 will probably not be much slower and be quite a lot more economical!
Sorted.
Mr Gearchange said:
What you need is a Legacy Spec B Wagon so you get the 3.0 with the manual 6 speed from the Impreza STi and Bilstein suspension.
Sorted.
Sorted.
I loved mine for the whole 6 weeks I had it (black with black leather), until a dozy bint drove into the back of it. Took me a month to find a good one and had to travel 150 miles to get it, they are getting rare! Still miss my Spec B 1 year on, never had a car with such great turn in to corners.
The reason for preferring manual is that, ideally, I want to be able to teach my girlfriend to drive in it! Not only that, but it'll be the car she'll drive most often after passing her test so probably best to give her some experience with a clutch.
As much as a spec B appeals it's not really what I had in mind for the car - It'll be mostly used as a workhorse and filled with bikes, canoes and climbing gear!
Leefee - would that be a certain car centre in Banchory? I've been keeping an eye on your stock list but the perfect car hasn't appeared just yet! Will keep a look out though.
As much as a spec B appeals it's not really what I had in mind for the car - It'll be mostly used as a workhorse and filled with bikes, canoes and climbing gear!
Leefee - would that be a certain car centre in Banchory? I've been keeping an eye on your stock list but the perfect car hasn't appeared just yet! Will keep a look out though.
snowandrocks said:
As much as a spec B appeals it's not really what I had in mind for the car - It'll be mostly used as a workhorse and filled with bikes, canoes and climbing gear!
Mine is used to cart around mountain bikes and fishing gear.It gets me to the mountain/lake more quickly.
Plus leather is standard so the mud wipes off the interior really easily
snowandrocks said:
As much as a spec B appeals it's not really what I had in mind for the car - It'll be mostly used as a workhorse and filled with bikes, canoes and climbing gear!
Bikes, climbing gear, rifles, dead animals and many other things all get thrown in the back of my GTB!There are times when the extra ground clearance would be useful for outdoor antics though - if they had made a 3.0 manual Outback it would be my top choice.
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