Subaru Legacy GTB Estate.
Discussion
Are there any owners on here of the GTB? I am toying with the idea of importing a BH5 version from Japan. The yen is strong at the moment, but they are selling for peanuts as they are not as desirable as stuff like Impreza's etc.
Ive just sold a WRX uk Impreza (Bug eye) I didnt likre the wallowy handling. Please assure me the Bilstein suspension sorts that out.
What are they like to live with? is it super unleaded only? Are they good on motorways, is the gearing higher than Imprezas, what MPG. Anything to look for? all help apprechiated
I tried the UK legacy site but no spec sheet or buyers guide.
I am looking at a Low milage(45k) Manual grade 4 in blue or black at about £3200 £3500 back in the Uk On the road which seems quite a bargain to me. Most are for sale in the UK at more than this with higher miles, and i get to pick the spec.
Ive just sold a WRX uk Impreza (Bug eye) I didnt likre the wallowy handling. Please assure me the Bilstein suspension sorts that out.
What are they like to live with? is it super unleaded only? Are they good on motorways, is the gearing higher than Imprezas, what MPG. Anything to look for? all help apprechiated
I tried the UK legacy site but no spec sheet or buyers guide.
I am looking at a Low milage(45k) Manual grade 4 in blue or black at about £3200 £3500 back in the Uk On the road which seems quite a bargain to me. Most are for sale in the UK at more than this with higher miles, and i get to pick the spec.
I have a 2002 BH5 GTB E-tune (which is the top spec) and I'm very happy with it. Go for a Rev D (from mid 2001 onwards) if you can, they have a few improvements giving better power delivery, fuel economy etc.
Easy as anything to live with, comfortable and with heaps of space as you'd expect. Power delivery with the twin turbos as much wider and smoother than a single turbo Subaru- on boost from ~1600rpm, the turbos go into parallel mode around 4500 which is when they really shift. IIRC peak torque is 255 lb-ft @ 5000 but over 80% of that available from 2000-6500. Peak power 280bhp @ 6500, redline 7500. Autos are detuned to 260bhp but you don't want an auto anyway
No real complaints about handling (and my other car is an MX5) though a quicker steering rack would be nice. Heaps of grip, practically unbreakable traction, well judged damping soaks up bumps well while still cornering flat, pretty neutral balance though you do have to be very aggressive to induce any oversteer. A stiffer rear ARB is always an option to make them a bit pointier too.
They are higher geared than Imprezas AFAIK, mine pulls about 2600rpm at 65mph. I average 25-27mpg, and 30-33 is easy enough to achieve on a long run. Thats on 98, its around 10-15% thirstier on 95 as well as feeling a bit slower.
Any more questions fire away
Easy as anything to live with, comfortable and with heaps of space as you'd expect. Power delivery with the twin turbos as much wider and smoother than a single turbo Subaru- on boost from ~1600rpm, the turbos go into parallel mode around 4500 which is when they really shift. IIRC peak torque is 255 lb-ft @ 5000 but over 80% of that available from 2000-6500. Peak power 280bhp @ 6500, redline 7500. Autos are detuned to 260bhp but you don't want an auto anyway
No real complaints about handling (and my other car is an MX5) though a quicker steering rack would be nice. Heaps of grip, practically unbreakable traction, well judged damping soaks up bumps well while still cornering flat, pretty neutral balance though you do have to be very aggressive to induce any oversteer. A stiffer rear ARB is always an option to make them a bit pointier too.
They are higher geared than Imprezas AFAIK, mine pulls about 2600rpm at 65mph. I average 25-27mpg, and 30-33 is easy enough to achieve on a long run. Thats on 98, its around 10-15% thirstier on 95 as well as feeling a bit slower.
Any more questions fire away
Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 10th January 13:25
To be honest I've never had it let go on dry seal, and even in the wet it takes a lot to make it step out at all - I find as I get older I'm much less inclined to display that sort of commitment on public roads. Loose as a goose on gravel though! It takes an interesting mix of aggression and smoothness to get the best out of it, enough to stop me getting bored.
I think you've already seen the only Legacy video I have online, but here's the link if the OP wants to watch it - not that you can really tell too much about car handling from a hand-filmed video.
http://vimeo.com/2481437
Filmed a couple in the MX5 more recently, you might get a bit of a laugh from this one:
http://vimeo.com/8306432
Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 10th January 13:32
Ben thanks a lot thats brilliant.
I am after a cheap car as a bit of a run about so cant go over 1999 models really because then you start going into SVA tests and adding more money on. It needs to stay over 10 years old for a "bargain".
Sounds good to me. My UK Impreza was crap below 3000 revs, so 2 sequential turbos should do the trick. Do any have Cruise control as Ive not seen any?
I quite fancy one with the double sunroof too.
I am after a cheap car as a bit of a run about so cant go over 1999 models really because then you start going into SVA tests and adding more money on. It needs to stay over 10 years old for a "bargain".
Sounds good to me. My UK Impreza was crap below 3000 revs, so 2 sequential turbos should do the trick. Do any have Cruise control as Ive not seen any?
I quite fancy one with the double sunroof too.
No cruise control on mine, I don't know of any manual cars having it but heard a rumour (unverified) that some autos do. It would be a nice thing to have, with such a smooth power delivery (and they're quiet cars) its easy to end up going a bit quicker than you think.
Some (usually more tired) TT Legacies have a quite noticeable flat spot (affectionately known as the valley of death or vod) at just over 4k as the turbos change from primary to parallel mode, but that was more of an issue with the BD/BG5 and the BE/BH5 ironed more out with each revision - you only ever notice it in mine with a badly timed gearchange on part throttle. If it is an issue with the car you get there a wee gizmo called a zerosports sequential controller that helps smooth out the transition further.
Not sure how the mid-range torque feels in comparison to a WRX, but you'll find it more useful/flexible low down and also a bigger hit of top-end power. They're even with or slightly faster than an STi-RA above about 70mph, and a bloke on clubsub NZ said his GTB pulls harder up top than his Ver.9 STi. In 1998 they set the world record for the fastest production wagon (estate to you ) at 170mph, but being a JDM car it will be restricted to 112mph like everything else.
Some (usually more tired) TT Legacies have a quite noticeable flat spot (affectionately known as the valley of death or vod) at just over 4k as the turbos change from primary to parallel mode, but that was more of an issue with the BD/BG5 and the BE/BH5 ironed more out with each revision - you only ever notice it in mine with a badly timed gearchange on part throttle. If it is an issue with the car you get there a wee gizmo called a zerosports sequential controller that helps smooth out the transition further.
Not sure how the mid-range torque feels in comparison to a WRX, but you'll find it more useful/flexible low down and also a bigger hit of top-end power. They're even with or slightly faster than an STi-RA above about 70mph, and a bloke on clubsub NZ said his GTB pulls harder up top than his Ver.9 STi. In 1998 they set the world record for the fastest production wagon (estate to you
) at 170mph, but being a JDM car it will be restricted to 112mph like everything else.Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 10th January 21:44
Assuming you mean the 3.0R Spec B not the (JDM/NZ) GT Spec B its 240bhp cf 280 for the GTB so a bit slower, but that silky smooth H6 sounds fantastic! The only 4th-gen Legacy I've driven was an auto 2.0R which I didn't even drive far enough to get it warmed up properly. But I liked it all the same, the steering was more direct and feelsome than my GTB and the interior very nice too.
Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 10th January 21:55
nottyash said:
Ben thanks a lot thats brilliant.
I am after a cheap car as a bit of a run about so cant go over 1999 models really because then you start going into SVA tests and adding more money on. It needs to stay over 10 years old for a "bargain".
Sounds good to me. My UK Impreza was crap below 3000 revs, so 2 sequential turbos should do the trick. Do any have Cruise control as Ive not seen any?
I quite fancy one with the double sunroof too.
I've got a 1997 GT-B. Handling-wise, I'd report the same as has been said above. Tons of grip, pretty well-damped and a good balance. Near impossible to oversteer on dry roads without some real heroics. Jolly good fun on snow though I am after a cheap car as a bit of a run about so cant go over 1999 models really because then you start going into SVA tests and adding more money on. It needs to stay over 10 years old for a "bargain".
Sounds good to me. My UK Impreza was crap below 3000 revs, so 2 sequential turbos should do the trick. Do any have Cruise control as Ive not seen any?
I quite fancy one with the double sunroof too.
Economy isn't as good as the later models though - I average 24-25 mpg, with 28 just about possible on a motorway run if you keep to the limits..Mine's a BG5, which means it has quite a pronounced dip in power around 4000-4500rpm as the turbos switch from single to twin. It took a bit of getting used to, but I hardly notice it any more. However, most of my driving is pottering about town or up and down the motorway on just the single turbo, with only the occasional burst of flat-out mentalism on the twins
If you prefer to drive like a mentalist all the time then you'll come to hate the flat sport, and an imported Impreza WRX or STi (more power and stiffer suspension than the UK models) is probably a much less frustrating prospect.
ETA: Mine definitely isn't happy on 95 octane fuel. I'm told the BG5s are very sensitive to fuel, so I stick to Tesco 99 and V-Power just to be safe.
Edited by GHW on Tuesday 12th January 12:37
This is really spooky. I was just about to ask the same. I've been looking on Auto trader all week and seen a few early ones for sale - '95 / 96 models - particularly early examples under 3-grand. I've currently got an 03 Impreza WRX and although I'm chuffed to bits with it, for some reason these GTB's are really taking my fancy. It's useful to know about ownership but what is reliability like, generally? My Impreza has been super reliable so far, so how do the GTB's compare. Anthything to look out for?
I was quoted about £2500 for a 1996 model GTB, with lowish miles and top grade. Again its slightly cheaper than the ones already here, but I think I will go for a BH5 1999 for a grand more.
I just think they are the best value performance car at the moment, Ive had 2 imprezas, but you seem to get a lot more for your money with the Legacy.
I cant believe these 1999 top grade cars are actually only selling for about £800 in japan, the rest is fees, shipping and Taxes.
I just think they are the best value performance car at the moment, Ive had 2 imprezas, but you seem to get a lot more for your money with the Legacy.
I cant believe these 1999 top grade cars are actually only selling for about £800 in japan, the rest is fees, shipping and Taxes.
nottyash said:
I was quoted about £2500 for a 1996 model GTB, with lowish miles and top grade. Again its slightly cheaper than the ones already here, but I think I will go for a BH5 1999 for a grand more.
I just think they are the best value performance car at the moment, Ive had 2 imprezas, but you seem to get a lot more for your money with the Legacy.
I cant believe these 1999 top grade cars are actually only selling for about £800 in japan, the rest is fees, shipping and Taxes.
The 99 onwards is defo worth the extra doshI just think they are the best value performance car at the moment, Ive had 2 imprezas, but you seem to get a lot more for your money with the Legacy.
I cant believe these 1999 top grade cars are actually only selling for about £800 in japan, the rest is fees, shipping and Taxes.
edar said:
I'm looking at a 2000 GTB on Sunday. It's done 87,000 miles and it's also a manual. Not sure if it's too cheap - £2900? Anyway, we'll see.
Its a higher milage than what i was quoted. At the moment the Yen is about 150/£ where as 2 years ago it was 250/ £, so they were cheaper then. If someone imported one a few years ago, banged a few miles on it, they are not really loosing any money selling at that price.Just check condition and be extra critical. If you have to buy any parts it suddenly becomes not so cheap.
Oooh a Legacy thread... Here's mine waiting for a set of decent coilovers...
Anyway i agree with what has already been stated the Legacy is a terrific car. The BH5 can be remapped to UK fuel too so that is a bonus (and approx 320ishbhp after mapping). Everything is electric and you canget cruise on some autos but super rare.
The purpose of the sequential twin turbo is so that you have plenty of power to take off and a lot more to keep you going. You'll find that in town you'll very rarely use the second turbo as when you do your doing silly speeds really quick.
Handling on the cars is great, the thing just grips, if you push to hard the car will understeer so in a nutshell your going to really need to be trying before you stuff it. In the wet the car is very tractable and in the snow your going to sing praises to it.
Great cars...
Anyway i agree with what has already been stated the Legacy is a terrific car. The BH5 can be remapped to UK fuel too so that is a bonus (and approx 320ishbhp after mapping). Everything is electric and you canget cruise on some autos but super rare.
The purpose of the sequential twin turbo is so that you have plenty of power to take off and a lot more to keep you going. You'll find that in town you'll very rarely use the second turbo as when you do your doing silly speeds really quick.
Handling on the cars is great, the thing just grips, if you push to hard the car will understeer so in a nutshell your going to really need to be trying before you stuff it. In the wet the car is very tractable and in the snow your going to sing praises to it.
Great cars...
Who are people talking to about importing cars? I'm looking for one at the minute, and am debating as to whether to get one imported.
Went to look at a GTB earlier on in the week, really liked it but it had a very large and noisy exhaust on it which I doubt the Mrs would get on with! Was very impressed with how quick it was though.
Went to look at a GTB earlier on in the week, really liked it but it had a very large and noisy exhaust on it which I doubt the Mrs would get on with! Was very impressed with how quick it was though.
I used www.mashamoto.co.uk in 2008 to get a black EK9 Type R Civic and a Toyota Starlet Glanza V.
Thats where I have seen the GTB BH5s at the above prices.
Thats where I have seen the GTB BH5s at the above prices.
It's just a pity you can't map them. I had a chap ring me today asking if i could map a 99TT. I said no. He's gone to Zen as well and they said no so i looked around for some aftermarket options for him in either piggy back or aftermarket ECU.
There really aren't as many aftermarket options as there are with Impreza's unless you want to pay top dollar for something like Solaris as much as i know it's worth it...Eh Charlie
There really aren't as many aftermarket options as there are with Impreza's unless you want to pay top dollar for something like Solaris as much as i know it's worth it...Eh Charlie
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