Friday 20th February 2015

Shed Of The Week: Subaru Legacy GTB

An actually not too leggy twin turbo Legacy tickles Shed's fancy this week

---

In last week's Celica ramble we ruminated briefly on the subject of the perfect PH Shed. This week we have another strong contender for the title.

JDM kudos without too much of the 'yo'

Fast estates always get the red-blooded PHer's 'buy it now' fingers twitching, and they don't come much faster than the Subaru Legacy GTB, a five-seat estate produced between 1993 and 2002 with four-wheel drive, a characterful twin-turbo boxer engine, and (in this top-rated GTB model, which weighed as little as 1390kg in its older iterations) 280hp and the potential to rip through the 0 to 60 dash in under six seconds.

Even if you're not testing the manufacturer's performance claims you'll find it hard to resist the allure of sequential turbos in everyday motoring. This setup gives you the best of both worlds, with serious grunt right through the rev range. Our Shed is a manual too, getting you nicely around the dread prospect of trans rebuilds that Subaru autos have been known to demand at this sort of mileage.

Even so, you wouldn't want to buy this as an economical little runabout. Subaru boxers like a drink at the best of times, and a twin-turbo 280hp lump isn't really going to improve matters. Achieving the 35mpg mentioned in the spec would be worthy of a celebratory beer; mid 20s will be nearer the mark in PH-type mixed use. Use all the performance and you'll burn through rubber faster than a modern-day Casanova. Subarus generally are expensive to run if you stick to the dealership network.

Double turbo, double trouble? Hopefully not...

In the course of creating his ad, the owner has been tripped up by the dreaded spellcheck, which has given the Legacy an eclectic pack. Eclectic could so easily describe this type of JDM car, bedevilled as they so often are by a random mish-mash of add-ons and motley servicings, but that's certainly not the case here. The spec is borderline awesome, mixing proper names like Tommy Kaira and Zero Sports with first-tier Euro brands like BBS and those OE Bilsteins. Even as a scrapper you'd most likely get your money back.

But what a shame it would be if it met that fate. With less than 100K miles up, some sensible parts fitted, the belts just done and a near-full MoT it's surely worth gambling the mendability of a vacuum system issue against the possibility of a year's worth of fast 4WD fun. The handling on these cars belies their size, with light but somehow solid steering and that planted feel that comes with the boxer format's low c of g. Plus you get the Impreza buzz without the 'council' image.

OK, so that wheel is a bit grisly

What about that vacuum thing though? And what else could poop on your parade? Well, Shed got 18 per cent in his last physics exam, but even he knows that really successful vacuum systems depend on the absence of air, so it might be something as simple as a leaky or dislodged pipe. Having said that, it's quite a complex system on the Leg. Code 66 on your friendly diagnostic machine could indicate incorrectly refitted turbo piping or only one of the turbos working. There might be a problem with the intake or exhaust air control valves. One of the vacuum lines off the boost solenoid has a restrictor 'pill' or bead in it which will affect power delivery if it gets out of position. Or it could be perished actuator lines. Or simply a winky sensor.

Our Shed has a new MAF sensor, ruling out another potentially expensive Legacy problem. You don't need to be Hercule Poirot to link front bumper damage to some sort of traffic incident, so a crash damage inquiry would be a sensible investment.

Overall a quirky and appealing Shed

These flat-four engines are picky about oil and filters. Skimp on these and you might find yourself staring at a big bill for bottom end failure. Main crank bearing number three is known to be weak on some models. 99RON juice is good for peace of mind too. Check the coolant for signs of head gasket failure and the Bilsteins for leakage. Windows and calipers stick, and headlight bulbs blow a lot.

The great news with this Shed though is that previous owners seem to have spared little expense on maintenance, and the vendor - who appears to have a genuine reason for the sale - has kept that going. Having the original Japanese service book with it is a rare and pleasing bonus.

Interior wise, they're nowt special, and this one doesn't have cow, but the seats grip well enough and someone has tried to lighten things up a bit by throwing on an aftermarket wheel. A Momo or Nardi would have been nicer but hey, we're talking a grand here. It's all about the management of expectation.

---

Here's the ad

The car had a bit of damage to the front bumper I was quoted 100 to repair and the bumpers would also need painted. The car has also developed a intermittent problem with the vacuum system. I have spent 1100 last month on the timing belt and service. This car will be a bargain for someone as the bbs alloys are worth a bit on their own. Please no stupid offers as I do need the car gone due to my health but I will not let it go cheaper.

Sadly due to an on-going medical condition my Subaru Legacy GTB is up for sale it has 11 months MOT and no tax due to new law. The car was owned by a local Subaru Specialist for the past 4 years till it was sold to the last owner who used it till his new car arrived and I purchased the car at this time.

The car has just had its timing belt and water pump done as well as a set of coil packs and spark plugs and an oil filter change using genuine Subaru parts. The car also benefits from a brand new genuine Subaru MAF sensor.

The timing belt and service was carried out by a local Subaru specialist and I have all the paper work to prove this. In my ownership the car has been maintained well but with me now unable to travel for work the car has to go and this is a genuine reason for the sale.

The car also has a roof rail and twin sun roofs as well as automatic climate control. The car is specked really well for a car of its age and it benefits from the sports interior and full eclectic pack which includes retractable and heated wing mirrors as well as a cd player which is iPod compatible. Fitted with a Thatcham approved cat 1 alarm with installation certificate.

The only performance modification on the car is a Cat back Stainless steel exhaust.

Being a GTB model it also comes from the factory with Bilstein suspension. The car also has the original service book from Japan with it. The car still reads in KM/H this can easily be converted to miles but this has never bothered me and has guaranteed that the mileage is correct and not a mix of miles and KM/H.

Body Work modifications
Zero sports Front Bumper.
Genuine Tommi Kaira rear bumper and spoiler.
Genuine BBS LM Split rims with good tyres all round.
Privacy glass.
The Bad bits now as most cars have them. There is a crack in the top of the back bumper. The bumpers will be an easy fix but this has never bugged me. The BBS alloys could do with a good clean. There is a small bit of rust on the front left wing which can easily be changed. Both back wings have no rust on them and are in good condition. This car is in good condition for a 19 year old car so please keep this in mind.
Please feel free to contact me at any time by email or phone and I will do my best to help with any questions.

Cheers Mike

 

[Ved]

Mighty shedding! Just needs a Ghostbusters sticker on the back and a labrador in the boot.

[Ved]

Can't wait to see this under PH stewardship.

[Ved]

Highway Star said:

Now advertised at £1500?

I hope he'll honour the price since there's a guy seeing it today. Or perhaps they've come to an agreement already. Either way, if it's worth more, it's his car and can do what he wants. Still a bargain.