Thursday 1st March 2012

Spotted: Subaru Legacy rally car

After his shed BMW purchase, Harris spots something else to scratch the rallying itch

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Never raced or rall-... oh, hang on

You are, it is suggested, either a Legacy man or an Impreza man. Suppose I’m a bit of both – but maybe a little more of the former.

Remember the group tests back in 1992? The arrival of this subtle but rather dignified Japanese saloon car with enough pace to stay with an Audi S2? And then the sight of Vatanen on the telly. Actually it was the sound of Ari and then Colin that did it for me. Ever since then, I have wanted a Legacy Turbo.

Sporadically I search the classifieds, but 20 years later they seem to be rarer than an operational Italian cruise liner. This is the first I have seen in months. And it’s a rally car.

Stripped out and ready for action

Which kind of makes it even more appealing. Maybe you could turn it back into a kind of fast-road car, more likely it would be best to use it on gravel and pretend you were on Rally New Zealand and trying to set some kind of sideways record.

I have asked a rally mate if he wants to go halves.

The answer was no.

Now, lots of YouTube linkies of Legacys at work please.

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Subaru Legacy rally car
Engine: 1,994cc flat-4 turbo (probably)
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Power (hp): Undisclosed, but 200@6,000rpm as stock
Torque (lb ft): Undisclosed, but 193@3,600rpm as stock
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: Undisclosed
Recorded mileage: Undisclosed
Price new: £18,499
Yours for: £5,900

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See the original advert here.

Whetted your appetite? See what other Subarus the PH classifieds have to offer

[Aizle]

My head says that costs too much for what it is, but I'm probably wrong.

[Scooby_S2K]

Seeing things like this makes me regret selling mine. You should have bought it Chris!

[anonymous-user]

I see one quite a lot of the time, a localish guy owns one almost exactly the same as in the pic. Its near the country roads where I go to play race cars.

Sounds brilliant when he is giving it the beans,

[rhinochopig]

This also put you straight into 4x4 Turbo category, which is expensive and very very competitive.

[belleair302]

I had the second last Legacy Turbo saloon brought into the UK, tweeked it to beyond 220bhp and drove it hard for 40,000 miles. An epic car, very rare, fast enough, stunning grip levels and a blast. Loved the rough sound of the engine, put on a decent exhaust and did some light engine remapping.

[rwindmill]

I love these cars and prfer them in rally form to the Impreza (except the 99 WRC version of the impreza). I would love an authentic series 1 Legacy in Rothmans colours, just like McRae had back in the British open rally championship in 1991/92.

They are rare, but i have found that if you look on www.trademe.co.nz (a New Zealand Auto Trader style website) that you can still find a fair few examples of the Legacy RS (and even the odd Legacy RS-RA)for good money.

I have spoken with Litchfields importers, and they said they could get it over here for around £400. So, if you guys really want one, thats where i would recommend you look

[NismoGT]

I love these things. Have a fond memory of seeing one at some rally stages in South Wales 15 years ago. We were following it up a steep hill in my uncles 309 GTi.

Burst of flame from the exhaust , anti-lag pops and bangs. Boom! and it disappeared over the horizon

[Liquid Knight]

Expensive?


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUBARU-IMPREZA-WRX-CLUBM...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rally-car-Subaru-impreza...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Impreza-GC8-Rally...


Yep.

Edited by Liquid Knight on Thursday 1st March 14:43

[Chunkychucky]

I'm a Legacy man and these are my favourite shape, my dad had a UK wagon from 2000 to 2007, clocked around 70,000 miles in it. So sad when he got rid, almost like having the family labrador put down

[moskvich427]

There you go Chris... Legacy heaven, if a bit truncated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYQeOaxc_aY

Oh and it's a pity McRae smashes most of them up

Edited by moskvich427 on Thursday 1st March 14:50

Edited by moskvich427 on Thursday 1st March 14:51

[V88Dicky]

I had a 4CAM Turbo saloon between 1998 and 2002, it was a great car. K211 BNY, I think it died in 2006

[rhinochopig]

Liquid Knight said:

Expensive?


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUBARU-IMPREZA-WRX-CLUBM...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rally-car-Subaru-impreza...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Subaru-Impreza-GC8-Rally...


Yep.

Edited by Liquid Knight on Thursday 1st March 14:43

It's not the purchase cost it's the entry and keeping the thing running. I had some work done on my lancer a couple of years ago at a well known rally prep garage and as I was busy pestering the lad with questions while he was carrying out the work the topic got onto costs for 4x4. He reckoned circa £7k a rally over the course of a season if you're not doing all your own spannering. This was based on normal running costs, typical failures and W&T, and minor offs.

[Gorbyrev]

Mate had a silver one - swore by it as an ultimate Q car. Bit like the spec B's to follow, a fast car for people who know but don't want to shout, Rothmans stickers not withholding. Just had a reminder how much Skoob parts are with a brake service on my old Legacy. Go in with your eyes open!

[Stack]

I love Legacy's , I drive one now, but the really early models are my preferred choice.

I have great memories of Colin McRae & in particular Richard Burns in the early 90-'s British Championship.

Yes Malcolm Wilsons Michelin Pilot Escort Cosworth looked a lot more flash , but Burnsies Elonex Legacy was the car I really wanted ..

[RichTBiscuit]

Here's my leggy - best car I've ever owned

I think the rally car looks pretty good value depending on the spec. Full Rothmans livery and it would look awesome

[jamespink]

Boy, what a lot of fun for not a lot of dosh! Makes going to the shops much more fun!

[555 Paul]

Scooby_S2K said:

Seeing things like this makes me regret selling mine. You should have bought it Chris!

Didn't realise you'd sold that Paul I wonder if my old one is still around.

[Baryonyx]

I'm definitely more on an Impreza man, but that is very cool. I remember the article in Evo with the Legacy Turbo and Mitsubishi Galant VR4 saloon being compared and they both looked stunning. Talk about dream machines! My appreciation for Subaru is at an all time high at the moment, having purchased my dad's Impreza GX from him and adopting that as my new daily driver. It's a beauty.

[Hairoil]

moskvich427 said:

There you go Chris... Legacy heaven, if a bit truncated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYQeOaxc_aY

Oh and it's a pity McRae smashes most of them up

Edited by moskvich427 on Thursday 1st March 14:50

Edited by moskvich427 on Thursday 1st March 14:51

I love the commentary.... Mcrae wheels burst two wheel drive busted brake lines and hauling you know what!

[squareflops]

Scooby_S2K said:

Seeing things like this makes me regret selling mine. You should have bought it Chris!

Walters?

/massive punt