Legacy GT-B to newage STi, or Evo 5/6?
Discussion
The cursed car-buying itch has struck again, and has got me perusing the classifieds for something to possibly replace the Legacy BH5 twin-turbo.
There are many things I like about the Legacy - its versatility, its understated, quirky character, the mid-range thump of the twin-turbo setup, and suspension that offers an ideal compromise between compliance and sharpness. What I don't like is the steering, which is far too light and vague and really lets the side down. Also, strange as it may sound, the useless main beams really annoy me - for a car that's mainly used in the winter months, for pleasure driving, good lights are a must. The Legacy's lamps are so poor that I end up taking well-lit motorways instead of my preferred country roads, which kind of defeats the purpose of having the car.
I want to invest no more than 5-6k in the replacement, less if possible, as this is change for change's sake and I already have too many cars. So I'm looking at bugeye Impreza STis and older Evos, among others. I want four doors as this is a family car, and 4wd would be nice for the slippery months although not essential (I'm also looking at BMW E39s, ST220s, Leon Cupra Rs etc.). I'm looking for a driving experience that is focused but not the the total expense of comfort, a car that communicates through every interface but isn't so bone-jarring that the family will be sick after a long run. And yes, good lights.
I looked at classic Imprezas before ending up with the Legacy, and immediately realised I couldn't live with the cardboard build and nasty interiors. The Evo isn't that much better in these departments but I could just about tolerate it, and while I actually don't like the looks of the Evo 5/6, I could probably cope with the naff styling if they are as good a steer as everyone says. I'm not a fan of the popular image of the STi or the Evo, nor of the attention that these cars attract, but that worries me less than a good drive and ownership experience.
The obvious response is to go test-drive a few cars, but this being a discussion forum and all, I would welcome any discussion from people who have experienced any of the cars above.
There are many things I like about the Legacy - its versatility, its understated, quirky character, the mid-range thump of the twin-turbo setup, and suspension that offers an ideal compromise between compliance and sharpness. What I don't like is the steering, which is far too light and vague and really lets the side down. Also, strange as it may sound, the useless main beams really annoy me - for a car that's mainly used in the winter months, for pleasure driving, good lights are a must. The Legacy's lamps are so poor that I end up taking well-lit motorways instead of my preferred country roads, which kind of defeats the purpose of having the car.
I want to invest no more than 5-6k in the replacement, less if possible, as this is change for change's sake and I already have too many cars. So I'm looking at bugeye Impreza STis and older Evos, among others. I want four doors as this is a family car, and 4wd would be nice for the slippery months although not essential (I'm also looking at BMW E39s, ST220s, Leon Cupra Rs etc.). I'm looking for a driving experience that is focused but not the the total expense of comfort, a car that communicates through every interface but isn't so bone-jarring that the family will be sick after a long run. And yes, good lights.
I looked at classic Imprezas before ending up with the Legacy, and immediately realised I couldn't live with the cardboard build and nasty interiors. The Evo isn't that much better in these departments but I could just about tolerate it, and while I actually don't like the looks of the Evo 5/6, I could probably cope with the naff styling if they are as good a steer as everyone says. I'm not a fan of the popular image of the STi or the Evo, nor of the attention that these cars attract, but that worries me less than a good drive and ownership experience.
The obvious response is to go test-drive a few cars, but this being a discussion forum and all, I would welcome any discussion from people who have experienced any of the cars above.
Edited by plenty on Wednesday 27th October 15:48
What about a WRX . You’ll get a newer one with slightly nicer interior (the subtle difference between the 04 and 05 is worth it IMO). You can make s few mods to up the power and the ride is a good compromise. An STi (which I have now – again 05 plate) is a different kettle of fish – the ride is harder, it drinks petrol etc. A WRX with PPP is not wildly off the pace of an STi in terms of acceleration etc (very different handling thu).
paulmoonraker said:
What about a WRX
A rational choice, but I'd probably always be wishing I'd got the STi instead. The newage WRX Impreza doesn't feel enough of a change from the GT-B, and the reviews I've read indicate it suffers also from poor steering.belleair302 said:
Why not keep your car and change the lights and get the front steering / geometry / suspension re engineered?? Upgraded lights plus reflectors are a no brainer...
I doubt there's much that can be done to the steering to get it close to where I would like it. The light units are already the best that you can get for this model - the HID dippeds are great, but the mains add nothing at all due to poor reflector design. Plus, if I'm honest this is about scratching an itch first and foremost - I get to a point where I've browsed the classifieds so much that I just have to buy a car.paulmoonraker said:
Oh yeah - and IMO, all subaru lights are like candles in jam jars 
they were rubbish my my WRX, and are rubblish on my STi... i hold a touch out of the window when night driving...
the lights on my legacy are very bright indeed, and the impreza not bad either. certainly not worse than any other cars i have owned except the xenons on my old focus st which could light up the world. they were rubbish my my WRX, and are rubblish on my STi... i hold a touch out of the window when night driving...plenty said:
I looked at classic Imprezas before ending up with the Legacy, and immediately realised I couldn't live with the cardboard build and nasty interiors.
i have a legacy and a classic impreza, the impreza bodywork is of a very thin build hence the lightweightednesss and the interior is basic but it feels so much more special and alive than the legacy (admittedly not a gt-b) inside and out and to drive.i would avoid a bugeye and try and get a blobeye sti or an evo6 if you dont like the (best) classics.
Hmm - could there be an issue with my projectors? I know I'm not alone as other Legacy BH5 owners have commented on their crap lights.
Just to be clear, I'm talking about the main beams specifically - the dippeds are HID and work well, but the mains use H1 halogens in a separate compartment of the light unit and scatter rather than aim, so add no range whatsoever - basically about as effective as a foglight.
Just to be clear, I'm talking about the main beams specifically - the dippeds are HID and work well, but the mains use H1 halogens in a separate compartment of the light unit and scatter rather than aim, so add no range whatsoever - basically about as effective as a foglight.
rb5230 said:
plenty said:
i would avoid a bugeye and try and get a blobeye sti or an evo6 if you dont like the (best) classics.
I know that the bugeyes got a mixed reception on launch, but the Scooby boards seem to be full of people who love their bugeyes. Anyway to be honest I wouldn't want to be spending the kind of money that blobeyes go for on an Impreza - at that level I'd rather be looking at Evo 7/8s, or M5s. So it's more of a case of a bugeye STi or no Impreza at all.rb5230 said:
paulmoonraker said:
Oh yeah - and IMO, all subaru lights are like candles in jam jars they were rubbish my my WRX, and are rubblish on my STi... i hold a touch out of the window when night driving...
the lights on my legacy are very bright indeed, and the impreza not bad either. certainly not worse than any other cars i have owned except the xenons on my old focus st which could light up the world. they were rubbish my my WRX, and are rubblish on my STi... i hold a touch out of the window when night driving...You are not going to go wrong with a Bugeye Impreza STi. Providing you can live with the fuel consumption and ride, then you'll have a barrel of laughs.
plenty said:
Hmm - could there be an issue with my projectors? I know I'm not alone as other Legacy BH5 owners have commented on their crap lights.
Just to be clear, I'm talking about the main beams specifically - the dippeds are HID and work well, but the mains use H1 halogens in a separate compartment of the light unit and scatter rather than aim, so add no range whatsoever - basically about as effective as a foglight.
my full beams in the legacy certainly make a big difference. sounds like yours may have issues.Just to be clear, I'm talking about the main beams specifically - the dippeds are HID and work well, but the mains use H1 halogens in a separate compartment of the light unit and scatter rather than aim, so add no range whatsoever - basically about as effective as a foglight.
Lights on mine aren't bad either - when I first got it they were badly adjusted and gave a frustratingly short range, but once set right they were fine.
Also (just in case you've missed it) there is a small dial to the right of the steering wheel which lets you adjust beam height... make sure that isn't set to its lowest option.
Also (just in case you've missed it) there is a small dial to the right of the steering wheel which lets you adjust beam height... make sure that isn't set to its lowest option.
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff