Subaru Legacy B4 or GT MY07 - Reviews? Advice?

[Cheggers]

Hi there,
I'm considering an MY07 Subaru Legacy B4 or GT Saloon as my daily hack. I've got a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids under 3yrs old) Has anyone driven one?

Presently, I'm saddled with driving the "family bus". It's a MY06 Skoda Octavia vRS. I'm very pleased with it (I hasten to add). I like the car but, I want something else out of my daily driver and have been investigating the MY07 Legacy GT and B4 Turbo range.
Other cars I'm looking at include used beemers either a 330/335d touring (unlikely to be able to afford the 335d) or a 530d Sport Saloon, again, a used example.

WRT the Subaru, I'm attracted by:
a) Price (27-29k OTR)
b) Value - the options and std eqt are excellent eg: leather, sat nav, si-drive
c) Performance: 290 bhp 6,000rpm / 290lbft 2,300rpm
d) Stealth (I'm not sure that many others aside from those "in the know" actually know what it is)


Questions:
1) I'm confused about the 2 different cars on offer by Subaru. There is a Japanese GT and a B4 spec but I can't seem to see the difference: can someone explain please? Both seem to offer 290bhp from a 2 ltr turbo, but I can't see much difference.
2)I spend a LOT of time in traffic, I'm attracted by the "Sport Shift" Auto option - has anyone tried this? How much transmission loss is there? Is it as good as VW's DSG? Same as Beemer's SMG?

Any info greatly appreciated !
PS: The info on the JDM legacy I got from Litchfield Imports website:
http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/subaru_legacy.a...


Thanks in advance, Stu

[stevieb]

I will throw you a curve ball but why not a Forester STi???

I do not know the differences between the GT and Spec B, But i was under the impression that the spec B was a bit more beefed up on the suspension for sportier handling.

Another note if you are getting a uk spec is to see if it has a single or twin scroll turbo the later is standard fit on the JDM model, but it never usually makes it over here. It will just make the engine more responsive and giev you a better power and torque curve

Steve

[stevieb]

also just reading the spec again

the only difference i can see between the TG and Spec B are

Legacy Spec. B models also feature:
Sports front grill
6-speed close ratio gearbox
18” alloy wheels and tires

Steve

[GravelBen]

Not sure about the difference between a GT and B4 with the current model, for a while the RSK-B4 was the sedan and the GT-B the wagon, but now (for NZ cars anyway) both are just called the GT. unless B4 is just another name for spec-B which I think is a bit more driver focussed, better suspension etc. Used to be B-spec was more power and bilstein suspension but not sure of the exact details with the current model.

'sportshift' AFAIK is just another name (like tiptronic) for an auto with buttons on the steering wheel, not an SMG type sequential manual. I'd always go for the manual personally, generally Subaru turbo autos have been detuned from the manual engine spec as well.


Legacies are great cars, more comfortable/practical/'nice' than the Impreza but still a very good drive. I'm on my second (older NA ones though) but they don't really have any direct competition IMO.

[cottonfoo]

The B4 is the saloon and the GT an estate. The Litchfield GT Spec B manual would be my choice, considering what I have now.