RE: Subaru Legacy Spec B: Spotted
Discussion
GravelBen said:
aaron_2000 said:
I remember a couple of years ago seeing a P1 for sale on AutoTrader with the flat 6 in it.
There are quite few old Imprezas rallying here in NZ with H6 motors swapped into them. Reliable, fun and apparently lower running costs than the turbo cars.I’m also a fan of this generation of Legacy - and have had 2, a GT and a NA 2.5 - driven a few 3.0 and really like them. Current Gen 5 is quicker and better equiped but somehow not quite as nimble. Similar sensation of being well-thought out though.
Hi that's just not a true statement, I have run 3 of these and now a JDM Twinscroll variant, and whilst parts are not as cheap as the main stream manufacturers, they are easily available, and you are driving something a little bit special.
They have their common issues, as does every car.
Our local Police Force had an unmarked one for a few years, due to the lack of " look at me" status and that its ability to be understateably quick.
They have their common issues, as does every car.
Our local Police Force had an unmarked one for a few years, due to the lack of " look at me" status and that its ability to be understateably quick.
Krikkit said:
Looks a great car, but Subaru parts availability puts me off massively: If you wanted to do anything but run this into the ground, it could be very expensive and tricky.
I had a saloon auto H6 for a few years before changing to an ISF. Brilliant cars: reliable, good to drive and 4wd is useful in our climate. However, servicing costs and fuel consumption were bad, in fact the 5.0 Lexus actually gets better MPG on a run due to 8 gears and the lack of front drive shafts.
I do miss the noise of the flat 6 though, with a stainless exhaust they howl beautifully.
I do miss the noise of the flat 6 though, with a stainless exhaust they howl beautifully.
I have a facelift 3.0R, with the auto, currently on 140k miles. Servicing I do myself, and service parts are readily available and no more expensive than anything else. The aftermarket caters well for them, a new catback exhaust with centre box and 2 back boxes comes in at just over £100 for example. Fuel consumption around town is pretty tragic tbh, but on a run I regularly see 34-36 mpg. This is my 6th consecutive Subaru, none of them has ever had any mechanical attention at all beyond regular servicing and preventative maintenance.
Here's the trip readout after Bristol-Hitchin-Bristol via M4, M25, M1, at 70mph max, 36mpg, not too shabby for a 3 litre awd:
.
Here's the trip readout after Bristol-Hitchin-Bristol via M4, M25, M1, at 70mph max, 36mpg, not too shabby for a 3 litre awd:
.
Edited by Sad Weevil on Wednesday 9th January 15:56
RB Will said:
How were you managing that? I have always been a defender of these when people say about dire fuel economy and my real world MPGs were normally above what anyone else gets but even I never got more than 31-32mpg even on a gentle run (had one auto and one manual)
My bad! I meant low 30s (33 or 34 to be exact, around 8.5l per 100km). Thanks for pointing it out. I'll correct the original post 
Having said that, longer runs on at Mway speeds would usually yield around 33 mpg.
Edited by Bladedancer on Wednesday 9th January 13:47
I have one.. an 2004 manual estate.. and it's awesome..
I've slightly opened up the exhaust and upgraded the stock discs and pads, otherwise it's un-modified.
The engine is one of subaru's finest, howl at high revs is addictive, the handling is still sharp and its easily quick enough to get into trouble without even thinking.. (although after a few years of ownership I am tempted to try to get more out of it..)
For £2500 it would be a bargain. Mine was £3800 about 4 years ago, with only 60k on the clock..
As I told the wife, "it's a sensible, practical, comfortable, family car.... "
(just don't mention the mid to low 20s MPG when driven 'enthusiastically')
I've slightly opened up the exhaust and upgraded the stock discs and pads, otherwise it's un-modified.
The engine is one of subaru's finest, howl at high revs is addictive, the handling is still sharp and its easily quick enough to get into trouble without even thinking.. (although after a few years of ownership I am tempted to try to get more out of it..)
For £2500 it would be a bargain. Mine was £3800 about 4 years ago, with only 60k on the clock..
As I told the wife, "it's a sensible, practical, comfortable, family car.... "
(just don't mention the mid to low 20s MPG when driven 'enthusiastically')
Firstly, the 2 guys getting 30-35mpg out of a facelift model... HOW?!?!?! 
I've got a facelift automatic spec b, on a recent mostly motorway run with some country roads I was just about able to stay at 30mpg, maybe if I was sat at 50mph on a motorway I'd get 35mpg but not by any other means!
Awesome car through, loads of traction off the line (it's hilarious launching in [s#] mode in the wet, just a tiny bit of tyre slippage and then you're off like a weasel!) and with the auto there's a real 'Jekyll & Hyde' thing about the car, stick it in auto and [i] or [s] mode and it'll waft you along with barely a sound from the engine. Then put it in [s#] and manual mode, keep it in 2nd and 3rd gear and it sings along to the redline, and corners really flat.
I've got a facelift automatic spec b, on a recent mostly motorway run with some country roads I was just about able to stay at 30mpg, maybe if I was sat at 50mph on a motorway I'd get 35mpg but not by any other means!
Awesome car through, loads of traction off the line (it's hilarious launching in [s#] mode in the wet, just a tiny bit of tyre slippage and then you're off like a weasel!) and with the auto there's a real 'Jekyll & Hyde' thing about the car, stick it in auto and [i] or [s] mode and it'll waft you along with barely a sound from the engine. Then put it in [s#] and manual mode, keep it in 2nd and 3rd gear and it sings along to the redline, and corners really flat.
Edited by Tall_Paul on Wednesday 9th January 15:46
Sad Weevil said:
Tall_Paul said:
Firstly, the 2 guys getting 30-35mpg out of a facelift model... HOW?!?!?!
It's not 36 mpg all the time by any means Edited by Tall_Paul on Wednesday 9th January 15:46
. My average over the last 10k miles is 27mpg. I do a lot of short journeys in mine, not including the current tank which is sitting at 30mpg, my average over a few tanks is 20.5mpg
Interestingly the parts prices are steep in this country, but I was in the Subaru dealer with my cousin in NY state, and a genuine oil filter, sump plug/washer, plus gasket for the oil cooler totalled about $12, and they were all in stock.
Obviously that doesn't mean all parts are cheap, but I bet a filter is retailing here at £15, and it'd be a week wait for the gasket.
Like these, but not as much as the original Legacy Turbo...
Obviously that doesn't mean all parts are cheap, but I bet a filter is retailing here at £15, and it'd be a week wait for the gasket.
Like these, but not as much as the original Legacy Turbo...
Love my Spec B - I even had a chequered start to Spec B ownership with a HG failure (rare but does happen to the H6) but even that failed to put me off this car. I too am surprised at some of the MPG figures I’ve seen here! On my boring slog to and from work not exactly pushing it and lucky to see 25MPG...30+ is definitely possible on a good run though. Really not fussed though as it’s only 3-4 less than the slow 2.5 Outback it replaced and is in another league and if you’re worried about fuel Subaru’s are not the you...
Mine is an auto I can imagine it’s not as sharp as the manual but it’s a good cruiser. Even in auto form you hit the throttle in Sports # and it’s off like a scalded cat even in crappy weather.
Parts prices are scary if you don’t shop around but ICP are good and I don’t feel it’s anymore hassle than getting parts for the German fleet I’ve owned before and I’m also lucky to have a decent local breakers. I bought with a blowing exhaust but only paid 120 quid for a whole new mild steel replacement off eBay.
Engineering wise it’s feels quite well put together like my old E34 535 and interior feels a little dated but I probably like it that way!
Mine is an auto I can imagine it’s not as sharp as the manual but it’s a good cruiser. Even in auto form you hit the throttle in Sports # and it’s off like a scalded cat even in crappy weather.
Parts prices are scary if you don’t shop around but ICP are good and I don’t feel it’s anymore hassle than getting parts for the German fleet I’ve owned before and I’m also lucky to have a decent local breakers. I bought with a blowing exhaust but only paid 120 quid for a whole new mild steel replacement off eBay.
Engineering wise it’s feels quite well put together like my old E34 535 and interior feels a little dated but I probably like it that way!
sledge68 said:
Krikkit said:
Looks a great car, but Subaru parts availability puts me off massively: If you wanted to do anything but run this into the ground, it could be very expensive and tricky.
Hi that's just not a true statement, I have run 3 of these and now a JDM Twinscroll variant, and whilst parts are not as cheap as the main stream manufacturers, they are easily available, and you are driving something a little bit special.They have their common issues, as does every car.
Our local Police Force had an unmarked one for a few years, due to the lack of " look at me" status and that its ability to be understateably quick.
I'm not talking about service parts, which are easy, I'm talking about the unusual bits that break out wear out after higher miles.
I also found the lack of a decent parts catalogue frustrating, compared to how easy the PSA service box and Mercedes EPC are, although the pdf service manuals available on the web are magnificent.
Tall_Paul said:
Firstly, the 2 guys getting 30-35mpg out of a facelift model... HOW?!?!?!
I've got a facelift automatic spec b, on a recent mostly motorway run with some country roads I was just about able to stay at 30mpg, maybe if I was sat at 50mph on a motorway I'd get 35mpg but not by any other means!
Awesome car through, loads of traction off the line (it's hilarious launching in [s#] mode in the wet, just a tiny bit of tyre slippage and then you're off like a weasel!) and with the auto there's a real 'Jekyll & Hyde' thing about the car, stick it in auto and [i] or [s] mode and it'll waft you along with barely a sound from the engine. Then put it in [s#] and manual mode, keep it in 2nd and 3rd gear and it sings along to the redline, and corners really flat.
I have had the lambda sensors replaced a good while back, having the car is good condition can aid the economy - not a bad thing! I frequently get 30+ mpg on long runs as others have also said, and thats including some hoonigan antics in Ireland on deserted MotorwaysI've got a facelift automatic spec b, on a recent mostly motorway run with some country roads I was just about able to stay at 30mpg, maybe if I was sat at 50mph on a motorway I'd get 35mpg but not by any other means!
Awesome car through, loads of traction off the line (it's hilarious launching in [s#] mode in the wet, just a tiny bit of tyre slippage and then you're off like a weasel!) and with the auto there's a real 'Jekyll & Hyde' thing about the car, stick it in auto and [i] or [s] mode and it'll waft you along with barely a sound from the engine. Then put it in [s#] and manual mode, keep it in 2nd and 3rd gear and it sings along to the redline, and corners really flat.
Edited by Tall_Paul on Wednesday 9th January 15:46
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