Legacy 3.0 R Spec B

[RiccardoG]

I am looking for a car to keep at our place abroad. It needs to be a comfortable (read silent) motorway cruiser but also entertain on the Alps when going skiing etc. It needs to be able to carry back and forth to the UK boxes of food and furniture. It also needs to be able to sit unused for a few months (garaged) and not seize itself to death (calipers, etc).

One of the cars I am thinking of is the Legacy, would really prefer the 3.0, am not particularly concerned about fuel economy. Budget (£5k) buys me an 05 reg with around 60k miles.

Would this be a good buy? What are they like to own?

[PompeyTim]

I'd rate mine as one of the most competent all round cars I've ever driven... massive boot, enough toys to keep you entertained, near silent running, more than enough go for most occasions, and grips like a mountain goat if the going ever gets slippery. The only downside really is the fuel economy (I'm currently averaging 18.9 mpg) but as long as yuo buy with this in mind I don't think you can go far wrong for the money.

[Mr Gearchange]

They are great I love mine (05 Spec B Sports Tourer).

Quick, incredibly sure footed due to proper symentrical 4WD, handledsbrilliantly with the Bilstein suspension and Impreza STI steering rack.
Loads of toys - sunroof, sat nav, heated electric leather seats.

Very quiet on the motorway (well it was until I put a stainless sports exhaust on it)

I've averaged 23mpg on mine - I can get 27-28 mpg on a long steady motorway run.

It's done 120K now and all it's needed is Tyres, Brakes and an exhaust.

[PGM]

Agree with all above, ours we've had for 18 months and done one skiing trip in it with the two kids. Perfect tool for the job.

Averaging around 25mpg on b roads mostly and 28 on the ski run.

[RiccardoG]

Thanks for the replies guys, seems very positive all round.

How does the Legacy compare in terms of high speed road noise to some of the other cars you have owned? Looking at your profiles I see BMW E90 325 (current steed used abroad, my mom's), a Passat diesel (previous steed used abroad, long term rental) and a BMW E46 330 (other option I am looking at, preferred but worse value for money).

Sorry to bang on about this but its probably the one thing I won't ever be able to assess until I have bought it and am enroute abroad, so any feeback is welcome on this. Slightly concerned about the frameless windows making wind noise.

[Mr Gearchange]

I've never noticed it to be a problem - in fact i think the frameless doors actually make less noise than normal ones.
The wing mirrors are enormous - but again, it doesn't seem to be an issue.

Engine noise is negligible as it's quite anyway on the standard exchaust and 6th gear is some kind of intergalactic ratio.

I've sat quite happily at 140mph+ and could easily hold a conversation without raising my voice.

[PGM]

Agreed, very refined, there is a little tyre roar on some surfaces but nothing worse than any other car like BMW really.

[PompeyTim]

I certainly don't think road / wind noise is any worse than the E90....

[RiccardoG]

Guys, thanks again for the responses.

Very keen on the Legacy now, just need to a) test one, b) find a reasonable one within my budget and c) convince my partner its a nice car (she hates the looks )

[smifffymoto]

If you do buy a Legacy remember to clear the snow of the roof and around the windows.It's a pain when the door freezes because there is no frame around the glass to give you leverage
Outback would be a better car all round,more ground clearance.

I've got a set of alloys with 1 season old Nokian WR G2 if you go ahead with a Subaru.

[PGM]

RiccardoG said:

convince my partner its a nice car (she hates the looks )

Funnily enough I had the same problem but she loves the thing now!

[RenesisEvo]

Good to hear such positive things being said, I am deeply considering one (in budget, insurable, ticks all the boxes). Except it'd have to be a manual saloon - so plenty of choice out there then

[nismogreen]

I have had my 55 3.0 r spec b tourer for 6 months and it is simply fantastic. Enough pace, supreme handling, nice interior, very refined and subtle styling.

The only downside is the fuel economy, I get about 23 average.

It sounds like it will fit the bill, the only other suitable metal would be a fast Audi (s/rs avant) and you ain't getting one of those for £5k.

Good luck trying to find one!

[RiccardoG]

Finding one isn't easy, at least not within my budget which I've now noticed is at the very start for a 3.0 Spec B.

Will let you know when I do eventually find one.

[LeggyB]

I'm a bit late to the party but I'd agree with everything that has been said; fast, comfortable, sure-footed, quiet, and uber-reliable. No matter what I have driven during the day I'm always happy to get into my Legacy Spec B for the drive home.

[RenesisEvo]

I'm going to have a look at one of these at the weekend - is there anything I should look out for beyond the usual?

TIA

[cailean]

Brakes

[PGM]

The brakes are not a great part of the car, but they are all like it so don't worry too much on test drive.

I replaced the front disks and pads for Pagid stuff with under £100 on one of the Euro Car Parts special deals and an hour of my time.

Now much improved.

[RenesisEvo]

Thanks for the advice, I've searched a lot on the internet, and the fact there seems little to be looking for, beyond the usual, is rather encouraging! I have learnt to check that the struts are yellow (Bilstein), and a few people saying the sound quality of the stereo system isn't too great. Will wait and see how much truth there is to that.

[Mr Gearchange]

Stainless sports exhaust. You won't want to listen to the stereo.

But it's really not bad.

Buy now - Evo declared it to be in the top 10 heroes of Q. Prices will probably harden as a result - and they are difficult enough to track down as it is.