Need to replace my Subaru 3.0R Spec B

[Giz92]

I have a 2005 Subaru Legacy estate, with the 3.0L boxer engine. Great car, but just passed 100K miles and is starting to show its age. I'm struggling to find something to replace it that has the same combination of space - it is a proper 4 door estate car - and performance. Subaru has no modern equivalent. I'm not a fan of SUVs - they seem to be compromised on inside space given how large they are - like a reverse TARDIS.

Anything out there at about 3-5 years old that I should be considering?

[samoht]

What sort of budget are you looking at?

A Legacy 3.0 was one of the cars I was considering recently, so you might possibly find some alternatives inspiration on my thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... although I was generally looking for older cars than 3-5 years.

Is a 3-series Touring worth considering, or too small? That seems to be the default sporting estate.

[Roboticarm]

I've got a legacy recently and tbf it they are great cars and hard to beat.

Octavia vrs or a superb would be my choice for a quick estate or newer vintage

[ZX10R NIN]

Lookout for the very rare Insignia VXR Estate, or the Mondeo or Superb estates.

540i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101047...

S6

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

[Giz92]

The budget is flexible up to €15,000, depending on what is available, and what I can get for the Subaru. Another point to note is that I'm leaving the UK - another reason for selling - and will be buying an LHD, EU spec car.

I 'm also more than happy to do my own work on the car, have done for 30+ years, and anything that is friendly to the home mechanic would be a bonus.

[Giz92]

ZX10R NIN said:

Lookout for the very rare...

Oh no thanks, I've already fallen down that rabbit hole a couple of times. Finding replacement rear calipers for the Subaru a case in point - eye watering dealer prices compared to aftermarket parts for the standard model, and a 4 week wait for them to be shipped from the motherland. Some years ago I even managed to convince myself that a Jaguar XJR-S was just a slightly fancy XJS, with the same parts availability. When time travel is invented I will go back and have a strong word with that idiot. I will not be looking out for "the very rare".

[ZX10R NIN]

Giz92 said:

Oh no thanks, I've already fallen down that rabbit hole a couple of times. Finding replacement rear calipers for the Subaru a case in point - eye watering dealer prices compared to aftermarket parts for the standard model, and a 4 week wait for them to be shipped from the motherland. Some years ago I even managed to convince myself that a Jaguar XJR-S was just a slightly fancy XJS, with the same parts availability. When time travel is invented I will go back and have a strong word with that idiot. I will not be looking out for "the very rare".

The hatchback version is easy to find so parts aren't an issue but depending on what country you're moving to, I think that'll dictate as to what car you go for.

[samoht]

Are you fussed about petrol or diesel?

Because tbh I think any recentish estate with a big petrol engine is going to be a rare model, almost by definition.

A unicorn Skoda Superb 3.6 estate

£13k, 31k miles
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102028...

The ubiquitous 330d

£13k, 66k miles
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010205...

Audi A4 3.0 TDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103099...

S4 2009
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101278...

or A6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009294...


(I know you're not buying any of these UK cars, just to give an idea)

[Pegscratch]

Giz92 said:

I'm struggling to find something to replace it that has the same combination of space - it is a proper 4 door estate car - and performance. Subaru has no modern equivalent.

Aside from BMW 3-series estate xDrives, Audi A4, VW Golf R estate, Skoda Superb estate (come in near 300bhp variants if not more)...

Apart from those, yeah, there's no modern equivalent.

[T6 vanman]

4Matic Mercedes Estate, C or E class flavour,

We didn't see them in the UK but plentiful in the good old EU