Legacy 3.0 Spec B for / against

[Mr Taxpayer]

I've long admired the Legacy 3.0 Spec B as a family-friendly, yet discreetly fast, machine. I'm interested in one as my next car as the children get bigger and outgrow my WRX Wagon. I'm primarily interested in manual estates but am not closed to an auto. I'd be using the car on my 30-mile Welsh fast A-road commute plus family holidays and domestic stuff.

I know that the £500 VED is offset by the lack of need to change the timing belts, and that it's a nightmare to try and switch to an after-market stereo. I know most are over 100k miles and that doesn't upset me; I've had Vauxhall Cavaliers with 140k :-)

What are they like to own and run? What's real-world mpg? Suitability as tow-cars? Is there any real gain over a 2.5? These plus answers to questions I haven't asked. Thx.

[Mr Taxpayer]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'm I'll be buying a second set of wheels to run winter tyres and may well get 17" for the winter.

Thanks for the tip to look at the 3.0R as well. I've heard plenty good things about the auto-box but I still love manuals.

[Mr Taxpayer]

Thanks VED. I've now had a look at afew on Autotrader. I could be tempted as previously I'd only looked at Legacys. How different is the handling twixt the two? My main drive will be Pontypool-Hereford... spiritedly ;-)

[Mr Taxpayer]

tonyb1968 said:

Have a look for the GTB, JDM import, twin scroll and it will cost you less in road tax due to them being from around 2003-2006 time, probably set you back anywhere from 5-8k but its sportier and quicker, plus it will give you similar economy to the B but not have the tax. You will need to run it on Shell v power/tesco momentum or get her remapped but it should be more fun than a UK model

I run the WRX on LPG and would be converting the Legacy ss well. I know some people rave about JDM cars and that a 10-year old car is a 10-year old car irrespective of the original market, but...

I know the 2.0GTB has ~280BHP but is that at the expense of driveability and torgue lower down? I've 240bhp in my Impreza and if you're in the wrong gear, i.e below 3000rpm, nothing happens. Some years ago I went round the Nurburgring as a passenger in a WRX STi and the 'off-boost' effect was even more pronounced.

[Mr Taxpayer]

Orangecurry said:

ps I fitted 225/40/18 tyres onto the 7J OE wheels, as it gives you a hugely bigger tyre choice with no downsides. (OE size is 215/40/18).

When we took it skiing I used my ex-Impreza Prodrive 17s and fitted 225/45/17 winter tyres.

Big thanks for the tyre info Orange Curry. I have a spare set of winter-shod 17"s and am glad that I'll be able to continue using them. They took me very happily over the ice-covered Gospel Pass in Wales back in February.