RE: Shed of the Week: Subaru Legacy
Discussion
Jesus - 26 official mpg from a car that only makes 125bhp and isn't all that heavy? I now understand where Subaru's reputation for making thirsty cars comes from. I've got the next gen 3.0 petrol Outback from which I get a genuine 28mpg - seems positiviely frugal compared to this! I do like an old Subaru but I don't think I could live with this one even if it is good in the winter (and I know from experience that they are very, very good in winter - and I'm talking tackling untreated 1-in-5 hills in the North York Moors on a daily basis, not a bit of slush on the bypass).
JMF894 said:
You could have a Saab 9-5 Aero estate with change from a bag...................
Sure no 4wd but for a few quid more on mods you'd have a stage 3 with circa 290 bhp. And I mean just a few quid. DP 2nd hand and a noobed ECU for 90 sheets.
You could, but I'm not sure how many of those 290 horses you could use on a cold winter morning. Different prospects really, though both interesting in their own way.Sure no 4wd but for a few quid more on mods you'd have a stage 3 with circa 290 bhp. And I mean just a few quid. DP 2nd hand and a noobed ECU for 90 sheets.
I have been looking for a cheap estate and a Legacy did really appeal. Went to look at an 06 one last week and it was a total dog. Every panel was damaged, the interior was destroyed and it was making all sorts of strange creaks and groans. Was really disappointed, as it's a car I'd really like to own. Did find a 3.0 Spec B, but the owner didn't reply to my messages until I'd bought something else. Shame. Though I suspect the fuel economy would have ruined me. Maybe next time though.
I've had three Legacies, starting with a '92 2-litre non-turbo saloon which had similar power to this one. Yeah it wasn't firebreathing but it did haul itself along pretty nicely, would run at high revs for as long as your eardrums could stand it, and I still think it's the sweetest handling car I've driven, on its skinny 14" wheels, with a really compliant ride. That got replaced by a Legacy turbo from the same era, which outlived two cars I originally planned to replace it. That car remains our favourite of all the ones we've had.
Then a BH5 twin-turbo GTB from the same era as this week's shed. Lovely car, absolutely mental quick, pin-sharp handling, good over the uneven roads where I was living. Awful awful seats. That's what made me get rid after nine months, it was doing my back and legs in.
On the MPG, I seem to remember there was a thing about Legacies, that they all got 28mpg, regardless of what engine they had or what state of tune. It certainly was the case for me, 28mpg. Which I didn't think was too bad considering how I used to drive.
Then a BH5 twin-turbo GTB from the same era as this week's shed. Lovely car, absolutely mental quick, pin-sharp handling, good over the uneven roads where I was living. Awful awful seats. That's what made me get rid after nine months, it was doing my back and legs in.
On the MPG, I seem to remember there was a thing about Legacies, that they all got 28mpg, regardless of what engine they had or what state of tune. It certainly was the case for me, 28mpg. Which I didn't think was too bad considering how I used to drive.
A lot of people not really getting this car; keep talking about power and economy figures and suggesting 2wd alternatives. My guess is they live in town; if you live in the sticks, when the beast fro m the east has just dumped its load all over everything and you find you've just run out of milk, this thing at 15 mph will be the quickest car on the road.
When I was a nipper, the mk1 seemed to be *the* car to have around the villages - you barely even saw conventional 4x4's, save for the farmers, who had Defenders. One neighbour had the 1.8, which was okay, but another had a very rare 2.2 variant, in white; that thing looked the business to my young eyes. Today, my mum has an Outback, and so to does her neighbour. There are only 18 households, so that's 1 in 9 - not a bad stat for Subaru in this world of SUV's...
When I was a nipper, the mk1 seemed to be *the* car to have around the villages - you barely even saw conventional 4x4's, save for the farmers, who had Defenders. One neighbour had the 1.8, which was okay, but another had a very rare 2.2 variant, in white; that thing looked the business to my young eyes. Today, my mum has an Outback, and so to does her neighbour. There are only 18 households, so that's 1 in 9 - not a bad stat for Subaru in this world of SUV's...
mrbarnett said:
A lot of people not really getting this car; keep talking about power and economy figures and suggesting 2wd alternatives. My guess is they live in town; if you live in the sticks, when the beast fro m the east has just dumped its load all over everything and you find you've just run out of milk, this thing at 15 mph will be the quickest car on the road.
Funnily enough when the beast from the east hit we had to get home from the Lakes to North Yorkshire, and our Outback was virtually the only thing that was moving on the Sedbergh - Hawes road (our usual A66 route was shut). It was the worst weather I've ever driven any distance in - much of it was done at 15mph like you say - but it didn't seem like much drama really so I don't need to be convinced that a decent AWD system is worth sacrificing a few mpgs for. However this is a bridge too far even for me. I'd either use it only when the weather was really bad, in which case the cost in pence per mile is actually a hell of a lot, or I'd use it more often, in which case the thirst-to-performance-ratio would quickly get on my nerves. Apparently Subarus were the first cars/wagons to be specifically marketed towards lesbians.
Subaru discovered that they were popular with the outdoorsy-type who didn't want a pickup as they were seen as too large or masculine.
It's quite interesting and worth looking up, assuming you're into marketing campaigns and whatnot.
Subaru discovered that they were popular with the outdoorsy-type who didn't want a pickup as they were seen as too large or masculine.
It's quite interesting and worth looking up, assuming you're into marketing campaigns and whatnot.
Way back in the early Stones Age I applied for a post as a car salesman and was quizzed as to why a person would buy a new car. I suggested many things such as mpg, 0-60 times, depreciation etc, etc. The Sales Manager said there were many reasons, especially how comfortable the seat was ! I didn't get the job and I thought he was a twit.
Many decades later I bought a Subaru Legacy Outback and my mates gave me the thumbs up despite the engine knocking loudly on starting up when parked on a steep hill and the high cost of labour at our Subaru dealers. It was a great driver's car but I had to sell it in the end as the seating was so uncomfortable and I would arrive home after a long journey and look in Yellow Pages for a local chiropractor. I traded it in for a Saab 9000 despite the thumbs down from friends, but it was the most comfortable barge I have ever driven.
Many decades later I bought a Subaru Legacy Outback and my mates gave me the thumbs up despite the engine knocking loudly on starting up when parked on a steep hill and the high cost of labour at our Subaru dealers. It was a great driver's car but I had to sell it in the end as the seating was so uncomfortable and I would arrive home after a long journey and look in Yellow Pages for a local chiropractor. I traded it in for a Saab 9000 despite the thumbs down from friends, but it was the most comfortable barge I have ever driven.
I had the BH5 GTB version of this as well and it gave 25 mpg whether I drove it like I bought it or I stole it. Great old shed and rapid.
Bought for £1,700 @ 130k miles, sold for £1,750 @ 150k miles 2 years later. Insurance was over half the cost of the car, running costs weren't cheap and there was always a small worry in the back of my mind it could go 'pop' at any point.
Wish I hadn't sold it as it would have been a good tip car.
Bought for £1,700 @ 130k miles, sold for £1,750 @ 150k miles 2 years later. Insurance was over half the cost of the car, running costs weren't cheap and there was always a small worry in the back of my mind it could go 'pop' at any point.
Wish I hadn't sold it as it would have been a good tip car.
teacake said:
I've had three Legacies, starting with a '92 2-litre non-turbo saloon which had similar power to this one. Yeah it wasn't firebreathing but it did haul itself along pretty nicely, would run at high revs for as long as your eardrums could stand it, and I still think it's the sweetest handling car I've driven, on its skinny 14" wheels, with a really compliant ride. That got replaced by a Legacy turbo from the same era, which outlived two cars I originally planned to replace it. That car remains our favourite of all the ones we've had.
Then a BH5 twin-turbo GTB from the same era as this week's shed. Lovely car, absolutely mental quick, pin-sharp handling, good over the uneven roads where I was living. Awful awful seats. That's what made me get rid after nine months, it was doing my back and legs in.
On the MPG, I seem to remember there was a thing about Legacies, that they all got 28mpg, regardless of what engine they had or what state of tune. It certainly was the case for me, 28mpg. Which I didn't think was too bad considering how I used to drive.
Then a BH5 twin-turbo GTB from the same era as this week's shed. Lovely car, absolutely mental quick, pin-sharp handling, good over the uneven roads where I was living. Awful awful seats. That's what made me get rid after nine months, it was doing my back and legs in.
On the MPG, I seem to remember there was a thing about Legacies, that they all got 28mpg, regardless of what engine they had or what state of tune. It certainly was the case for me, 28mpg. Which I didn't think was too bad considering how I used to drive.
I got a Gen 2 3.0 legacy Outback and love how smooth and quiet it is. As I live in the “sticks” the 4wd is a necessity as no gritters come near our house. Only paid £2k for it and it hasn’t missed a beat. Not an economical car fuel wise but I don’t use it for long journeys very often.
I found the seats fine in mine - the base was a bit flat, but never had any grief with pains over journeys and i’m ‘Comfortably built’ so tend to feel poor seat frames.
I had the 2.5 with 165ish BHP, the handling made up for the lack of outright pace and it was torquey enough to chug along regardless of load but losing 30 ponies would be a tad too sluggish I think.
I had the 2.5 with 165ish BHP, the handling made up for the lack of outright pace and it was torquey enough to chug along regardless of load but losing 30 ponies would be a tad too sluggish I think.
I ran a 2.5 Legacy for about 8 months as a general winter/tip run/dog car.
I quite liked it, but again didn't find it particularly comfortable.
Not a rocket ship but it's grip in corners made up for the lack of outright speed. Mine was a bit leggy and rattly but generally just trundled along at whatever speed I felt like at the time.
The only winter issue was lack of ground clearance in deeper snow compared to proper 4x4s, apart from that it went well and warmed up really quickly. The little heated bits on the windscreen under the wipers were a great idea too!
I got rid of it due to a failing left knee and the need for an automatic. My father in law got it as a free car as I preferred to give it to him rather than a dealer and his Audi A6 had expired while I was driving it sensibly and the core plug let go.
I quite liked it, but again didn't find it particularly comfortable.
Not a rocket ship but it's grip in corners made up for the lack of outright speed. Mine was a bit leggy and rattly but generally just trundled along at whatever speed I felt like at the time.
The only winter issue was lack of ground clearance in deeper snow compared to proper 4x4s, apart from that it went well and warmed up really quickly. The little heated bits on the windscreen under the wipers were a great idea too!
I got rid of it due to a failing left knee and the need for an automatic. My father in law got it as a free car as I preferred to give it to him rather than a dealer and his Audi A6 had expired while I was driving it sensibly and the core plug let go.
Roger Irrelevant said:
Yeah I've done some really long journeys in mine (e.g. over 700 miles with only two quick piss n'petrol stops this August), without any discomfort; just shows how different people can be.
Yeah, I had the standard seats in my Legacy Turbo replaced with Recaros, and I could do 1000 miles in a weekend with no problem at all, but the standard GTB seats had me in agony within 50 miles. I was quite tall and boney at the time. Now I'm still tall but a bit more padded I might find it easier...
Mine was a 2.5 that I had for two years. Bought at auction with nearly all Subaru stamps in the book, one owner etc that was professor owned.
Paid about £750 for it and sold it for the same about two years later.
Ou53fzy went pop a few months later after I sold it to a friend who ragged it everywhere.
Used to almost fly down rough and rutted country lanes and could maintain speed well.
I liked it but was very slow on straight smooth tarmac.
Paid about £750 for it and sold it for the same about two years later.
Ou53fzy went pop a few months later after I sold it to a friend who ragged it everywhere.
Used to almost fly down rough and rutted country lanes and could maintain speed well.
I liked it but was very slow on straight smooth tarmac.
Roger Irrelevant said:
Jesus - 26 official mpg from a car that only makes 125bhp and isn't all that heavy?
They're not brilliant. And if they come with a turbo bolted to them and another 100bhp, the mpg doesn't shift much.The one thing I will say, is I've always found a Subaru will actually manage the listed MPG in the real world. As opposed to a lot of cars that claim 40 and give you 30 (yes, Ford... you
).I love my SpecB, handling is sublime and during the last beast from the east my biggest problem was avoiding all the other cars on the road (and thats with summer tyres). I am getting almost 30mpg on average (mostly stop start traffic in the south east so not too bad). One of the odd things about this car is that the economy seems to improve the faster you go, dawdling around just kills the economy.
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