Shed Of The Week: Subaru Legacy Turbo
Familiar fast estate territory for Shed this Friday, but perhaps not the Subaru you expected
Towbar already installed and ready for winter
The kind of legacy Shed would really like of course is a Subaru one. The £999 specimen that's up for grabs in the PH Classifieds this week would easily find a space in his yard of broken dreams.
This '95 example is from the second generation, produced from '93 to '99. This was a car that resonated well with European owners, scoring high marks in most of the major satisfaction surveys. Some of the Legacy's rear details give a clear nod to the SVX, Subaru's cryptic 3.3-litre flat-six coupe. The flat-four Legacy's ability to tote or tow big loads while offering a surprising turn of speed in solo mode was particularly admired by enthusiastic British fans. That deep, distinctive and usefully big-booted back end that succeeded in pulling the Legacy free from the usual black hole of '90s Japanese blandness also gave it a slippier body than the Impreza, so it didn't need much encouragement to burble along at silly speeds.
Who doesn't love a bit of boxer rumble?
The tuning options are of course legion, but whether you'd want to throw several grand at a one-grand car is open to debate. With winter approaching, AWD in place and a towbar already bolted up, it may be better to concentrate on the Legacy's ability as a tool rather than a jewel. In this Shed spec it is a nice blend of utilitarian and purposeful.
The Legacy cabin is famously Lidl, but our Shed does have a splash of driver appeal in the Subaru-trademark Momo steering wheel and of course the option is always there for some subtle lowering and the attachment of nifty wheels and bodykit bits, should you be that way inclined.
Momo wheel and a redline at 7? Nice!
Despite that, and risky running costs in general, one thing to be aware of is that Legacy owners tend to be once bitten, never shy. The statement at the end of the ad says that your man is interested in a part-ex with a more recent Spec B Wagon. Cynics may therefore wonder if this one is being intelligently sold now to avoid upcoming costs.
You can't blame someone for doing that. We've said it before about the pokier models, but it bears repeating here: the Legacy is motoring's equivalent of Medusa's head, weirdly alluring and always with the dread potential to turn your bank account to stone.
That's the Subaru effect. Owners who sell nice ones almost always end up regretting it. At least this one will give you ten months to not regret it.
Plus, better a Medusa's head than a nest of vipers. Those V10s really do chomp through the non-renewables.
Here's the ad.
A very rare Subaru Legacy Turbo 4WD Wagon. Good condition for age and a very reliable workhorse. Still pulling well and sounding great with no smoke on startup or acceleration. Fully undersealed by a previous owner this car sailed through it's last MOT (July '15) and only showing one real rust spot on the driver's door. I have recently replaced the battery, but other than that it has been pretty much perfect for hauling stuff around. Sad to see it go but the wife hates looking at it in the garden and I only covered 800 miles in it last year.
I'm open to sensible offers, but won't give the car away.
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Got me thinking about legacys, guessing that the tuning options for these are the same as a same era Imprezaq.
Great Shed !
As for giving a nod to the SVX, the Legacy was in production first so its more the SVX giving the nod really.
Good cars though and a good shed choice. Still a few guys having a lot of fun rallying old Legacies down here too.
I had a '90 2.0NA 4cam version, only 150bhp but loved to rev... 60mph was about 7700rpm in second gear.
As for giving a nod to the SVX, the Legacy was in production first so its more the SVX giving the nod really.
Good cars though and a good shed choice. Still a few guys having a lot of fun rallying old Legacies down here too.
I had a '90 2.0NA 4cam version, only 150bhp but loved to rev... 60mph was about 7700rpm in second gear.
te like this. A true dull as dishwater (DAD) car. It looks as exciting as a cardboard box. Even if you dump a 1000 bhp engine in this, it isn't for me, 2 out of 10. You would think this car came out in the 1970's or 80's by the looks of it.te like this. A true dull as dishwater (DAD) car. It looks as exciting as a cardboard box. Even if you dump a 1000 bhp engine in this, it isn't for me, 2 out of 10. You would think this car came out in the 1970's or 80's by the looks of it.IMO this is what it's all about. Uncommon, slightly oddball cars which while being dated, can still be fun and with plenty of poke on offer - this week's is a winner with me!
te like this. A true dull as dishwater (DAD) car. It looks as exciting as a cardboard box. Even if you dump a 1000 bhp engine in this, it isn't for me, 2 out of 10. You would think this car came out in the 1970's or 80's by the looks of it.Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia EFi
Nissan Cherry 1.3 GL
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