Talk to me about Subaru's - Legacy and Forester
Discussion
Hi knowledgeable peeps. I'm after info on the above models because one of them will (hopefully) be my next motor some time later this year.
Specifically, are Subaru's as bulletproof as their reputation? Do the engines and/or turbo's and/or intercoolers have a finite life? Are there any specific things to watch out for, or expensive repairs/maintenance required during their lifespan? Do the turbo models have to be run on 97RON/super-unleaded?
The car will be a daily-driver used on a cross-country commute of about 14 miles - mostly A/B road with some in-town driving at the end. I've not made my mind up on what particular model I'm after, but to give you an idea, here are what I've been looking at:
Legacy Tourer GT or GTB (possibly too hardcore and expensive to run?)
Legacy Tourer 3.0B (poss. not quick enough for the fuel costs?)
Forester XT 2003-2008 (as above)
Legacy Tourer 2.0 MY2003-on (the sensible, cheap-but-slow option)
All thoughts, input and abuse appreciated!
n.b., if there's a decent owners club/forum you could point me towards, that would be very helpful.
Specifically, are Subaru's as bulletproof as their reputation? Do the engines and/or turbo's and/or intercoolers have a finite life? Are there any specific things to watch out for, or expensive repairs/maintenance required during their lifespan? Do the turbo models have to be run on 97RON/super-unleaded?
The car will be a daily-driver used on a cross-country commute of about 14 miles - mostly A/B road with some in-town driving at the end. I've not made my mind up on what particular model I'm after, but to give you an idea, here are what I've been looking at:
Legacy Tourer GT or GTB (possibly too hardcore and expensive to run?)
Legacy Tourer 3.0B (poss. not quick enough for the fuel costs?)
Forester XT 2003-2008 (as above)
Legacy Tourer 2.0 MY2003-on (the sensible, cheap-but-slow option)
All thoughts, input and abuse appreciated!
n.b., if there's a decent owners club/forum you could point me towards, that would be very helpful.
The impression I get is that the bigger engines are a bit underpowered for their capacity. Or perhaps a better way of putting it is that their headline performance figures are not quite as good as some other manufacturers. Not that it means much "in the real world". This is the conundrum I am faced with - I like the idea of having a bit of performance, but do I really need it and can I justify the cost? Litchfield have a lovely looking Forester 2.0 Turbo with 208bhp, but do I need that as a daily-driver? Same applies to the 3.0 Legacy really.
The 2.5 strikes me as being a bit pointless - not much faster than the 2.0 but with an economy penalty. Is that a fair assessment? The current 2.0 is about on a par with other manufacturers i.e. 9-and-a-bit seconds to 60 and ok economy considering the 4x4 drivetrain. And the 2.0 seems quite a bit cheaper to buy than a 3.0.
I hope this doesn't make me sound like Welshbeef!
The 2.5 strikes me as being a bit pointless - not much faster than the 2.0 but with an economy penalty. Is that a fair assessment? The current 2.0 is about on a par with other manufacturers i.e. 9-and-a-bit seconds to 60 and ok economy considering the 4x4 drivetrain. And the 2.0 seems quite a bit cheaper to buy than a 3.0.
I hope this doesn't make me sound like Welshbeef!
George 500 said:
Don't know what the newer ones are like but I had an '01 Forester and it absolutely chowed jungle juice. Suffice to say that the replacement BMW 330i blinded me with its efficiency and it averages 24mpg! If fuel efficiency is an issue don't buy a Forester!
Big thing to watch out for is that the 60,000 mile service (think it was this one from memory) where they need a cambelt change. Two cambelts so you won't get much chage from £700 for the service
!
Have to say it (although know it won't probably interest you) but have you considered a 330i? Cheaper than an equivalent age Scooby and in the long run a much nicer thing to be inside. Other than that current economic gloom has brought least gen Boxster S's/Audi S4s and Merc CLK 500s to silly money levels...
2 cambelts! Fark me, I didn't realise that. Big thing to watch out for is that the 60,000 mile service (think it was this one from memory) where they need a cambelt change. Two cambelts so you won't get much chage from £700 for the service
!Have to say it (although know it won't probably interest you) but have you considered a 330i? Cheaper than an equivalent age Scooby and in the long run a much nicer thing to be inside. Other than that current economic gloom has brought least gen Boxster S's/Audi S4s and Merc CLK 500s to silly money levels...
I had been looking at 330s, but I think I might just get a bit bored of one. That and I think they're over-priced.
Thanks for the info chaps. A reliable load-lugger suitable for families who travel long-distances - sounds ideal! Also, I didn't appreciate the Forester is significantly shorter than the Legacy, so thank you for that tip.
What of this question about fuel? I can accept reasonably poor mpg on 95 RON, but poor mpg on super-unleaded quickly starts getting expensive! How much do the turbo's dislike "regular" petrol? Presumably the n/a cars don't care?
What of this question about fuel? I can accept reasonably poor mpg on 95 RON, but poor mpg on super-unleaded quickly starts getting expensive! How much do the turbo's dislike "regular" petrol? Presumably the n/a cars don't care?
Post pics or it doesn't exist!
I am quite cheered by what I'm reading here. I think - sensible hat on - that a n/a model is probably the way to go, due to the cheaper jungle-juice and frankly, I'm hardly ever going to use the performance of a turbo model.
I might look at the 330 Touring angle too, as I've found a reasonable-looking local one, but they're just soooo boring! 2 of my last 3 cars have been beemers, and I think the time is right for a change, especially as my next car will be a long-term keeper.
I am quite cheered by what I'm reading here. I think - sensible hat on - that a n/a model is probably the way to go, due to the cheaper jungle-juice and frankly, I'm hardly ever going to use the performance of a turbo model.
I might look at the 330 Touring angle too, as I've found a reasonable-looking local one, but they're just soooo boring! 2 of my last 3 cars have been beemers, and I think the time is right for a change, especially as my next car will be a long-term keeper.
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