Subaru Legacy Spec B. Any good?
Discussion
I'm seriously considering replacing my 2004 Impreza WRX Estate with one of these. I really like my Impreza but it is simply too small now for my growing family! I have considered alternatives (3-Series Touring (E46), A4 Avant, Passat etc) but the Audi and BMW do not seem significantly bigger, the Passat is a great estate but a bit dull and I am reluctant to give up the performance and 4WD (which pretty much restricts me to Audi or Subaru). I'm not averse to diesel but reliability on older diesels concerns me. My budget is no more than £10k but I would be happy to spend significantly less!
On paper, the Legacy Spec B Estate seems to tick all the boxes. They seem good value, very well-equipped and as commodius as some bigger Audis and Volvos. I also like the Q-car looks compared to my Impreza and S4 or RS Audis, which is good in terms of keeping the tea leaves and rozzers at bay! Will running costs be considerably higher than my Impreza and as they seem fairly few and far between, do they drive as well and is the manual or auto the one to go for? I have also read that the ride is quite firm. I find the ride on my Impreza perfectly acceptable, as I do the rid on a friend's Focus ST. However, I have driven an Evo VIII and been in a friend's Altea FR, which both had terrible rides. This would definitely be a deal-breaker for me.
Any experiences from ownership or driving would be much appreciated. Could this be the car for me?
On paper, the Legacy Spec B Estate seems to tick all the boxes. They seem good value, very well-equipped and as commodius as some bigger Audis and Volvos. I also like the Q-car looks compared to my Impreza and S4 or RS Audis, which is good in terms of keeping the tea leaves and rozzers at bay! Will running costs be considerably higher than my Impreza and as they seem fairly few and far between, do they drive as well and is the manual or auto the one to go for? I have also read that the ride is quite firm. I find the ride on my Impreza perfectly acceptable, as I do the rid on a friend's Focus ST. However, I have driven an Evo VIII and been in a friend's Altea FR, which both had terrible rides. This would definitely be a deal-breaker for me.
Any experiences from ownership or driving would be much appreciated. Could this be the car for me?
white_goodman said:
I'm seriously considering replacing my 2004 Impreza WRX Estate with one of these. I really like my Impreza but it is simply too small now for my growing family! I have considered alternatives (3-Series Touring (E46), A4 Avant, Passat etc) but the Audi and BMW do not seem significantly bigger, the Passat is a great estate but a bit dull and I am reluctant to give up the performance and 4WD (which pretty much restricts me to Audi or Subaru).
Once you've had a Subaru 4WD system, other makes will disappoint.white_goodman said:
I'm not averse to diesel but reliability on older diesels concerns me. My budget is no more than £10k but I would be happy to spend significantly less!
Well, Subaru's 3-litre petrol is a thirsty bugger but worth it IMO.white_goodman said:
On paper, the Legacy Spec B Estate seems to tick all the boxes. They seem good value, very well-equipped and as commodius as some bigger Audis and Volvos. I also like the Q-car looks compared to my Impreza and S4 or RS Audis, which is good in terms of keeping the tea leaves and rozzers at bay! Will running costs be considerably higher than my Impreza and as they seem fairly few and far between,
I started off having my 3.0Rn (same as a Spec-B in all but the Bilsteins) serviced by Subaru. That was expensive. Now I get it serviced for a lot less and carry out component changes (as they wear out) mostly myself, occasionally at a garage. I've just save myself £650 by changing the rear hubs myself, for example.white_goodman said:
do they drive as well
Longer wheelbase than the Impreza means it's less choppy on bumpy roads but doesn't feel quite as chuckable. It's also 1536Kg which is a little heavier than an Impreza.white_goodman said:
and is the manual or auto the one to go for?
That entirely depends on your preference. I prefer autos but others...white_goodman said:
I have also read that the ride is quite firm. I find the ride on my Impreza perfectly acceptable, as I do the rid on a friend's Focus ST.
They corner flat because of the low CoG (the boxer engine) but they're not a harsh ride at all. Technically the Impreza has the capability for a longer-travel suspension but that's rarely implemented for road cars so I'd bet you will find the Legacy fine. The longer wheelbase makes it ride very well.white_goodman said:
However, I have driven an Evo VIII and been in a friend's Altea FR, which both had terrible rides. This would definitely be a deal-breaker for me.
The Evo *does* have a terrible ride, I agree. The Evo is nothing like the Legacy though. It's closer to the Impreza. Remember the Legacy is the "luxury" end of the brand.white_goodman said:
Any experiences from ownership or driving would be much appreciated. Could this be the car for me?
You won't get as wide an audience here as perhaps the PH Subaru forum however you're more likely to get a more balanced view here.If you want a totally partisan view, then the UKLegacy forum is a good place to talk.
Ours has been superb for the 2.5 years and 40k miles we've had it for. See profile for details.
Great family car and we also went to this from 2 Imprezas because of growing family and dog.
If you don't like harsh suspension then this will be good for you.
Running costs and performance certainly on a par with the Impreza I'd say although delivery more refined.
Great family car and we also went to this from 2 Imprezas because of growing family and dog.
If you don't like harsh suspension then this will be good for you.
Running costs and performance certainly on a par with the Impreza I'd say although delivery more refined.
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