Estate that will keep me entertained - Legacy or ST220?

[Legend83]

Having decided I can’t justify the potential costs / pitfalls of owning a Merc E or BMW E39 estate, I have decided (much to my wife’s derision) to plump for a Legacy or, a late-comer to the shortlist, a Mondeo ST220 to fulfil the role of ‘family car that I can still enjoy’.

Good examples of both appear to be attainable for £5-6k.

I have asked about the Legacy on here before but would be interested in views on the ST220? Both are thirsty but not an issue given mileage.

Any pitfalls to watch out for? I understand doors can rust on early models but £6k should get me a late facelift version.

Legacy seems to be the PH choice but can’t ignore the impressive practicality that comes with the Mondeo.

Any thoughts welcome.

P.S. Anyone know how much a mk1 MX5 with 67k on the clock and 195bhp via a Jackson Racing supercharger might be worth?

[Legend83]

Helloooo?

[plenty]

Are you sure that the German options will be that more expensive to run? An E39 530i Touring won't cost the earth to maintain as parts are widely available, it's eminently DIYable and there are lots of independents around the country. An Alpina B10 3.3 is also within reach, if you can find a good one - shares many parts with the cooking E39 hence should alsoi be an affordable proposition.

I haven't tried an ST220 but owned a BH5 Legacy twin-turbo and have driven the 3.0 flat six estate. I assume you are considering the latter - a great car, very under-estimated and a bit of a sleeper particularly in Spec B guise. Be prepared to make friends with your local petrol station, though.

[Legend83]

Agree it's possible to run a 530 on a reasonable budget but the potential for big bills on an older more complex car is much higher. Plus, surprisingly, the e39 tourer boot is smaller than the other two options.

I think Fox on the BMW forums said it typically costs him 4 figures each year to run his 530. It's not out of the question but I think it would be heart over head!

Yes I meant the 3.0 spec b legacy which looks a cracking car. Fuel not an issue really as I only drive about 10k a year.

Was a passenger in the saloon version of the st220 and it shifted! Plus it was very comfy.

Torn!

[jfbrin]

If you are considering a Legacy, you should look at the twin turbo import that has the impreza twin turbo engine. I have no connection other than fond memories of the STI8 Prodrive that I once owned. This must be a more family friendly and stealth wagon?

Example on Autotrader

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[plenty]

I tend to believe the ST and Subaru could generate the odd big bill (particularly the Subaru with its boxer layout and more limited network of specialists), but you are right they are newer cars.

IMO the Spec B is a class above the ST220 - better made and appointed, better drivetrain, and the looks of the estate are seductive. Plus the 4WD handling is more interesting and gives you more options than FWD.

[Harji]

I only have a 2.5I Legacy estate, well equipped, lovely silky smooth engine (that does roar), and if you do chuck it around a bit it's handling will put many many cars to shame.

I bought it at over 95K on the clock, and I've done over 7k since October and has been trouble free.

[IanMorewood]

I would have the legacy out of the 2, but a fast estate for £6k I would have a look at what Alfa 156GTA SportWagon's are going for first.

[1981linley]

Careful with Mondeo ST's...check for clutch and flywheel probes on vehicles at 60000-70000 miles....usually go on them all apparently parts really hard to get hold of...just cost brother a grand.

[Legend83]

IanMorewood said:

I would have the legacy out of the 2, but a fast estate for £6k I would have a look at what Alfa 156GTA SportWagon's are going for first.

Love the Alfa but boot space is very limited.

Just shown the wife the 3 cars in question (leggy, st and e39). She nodded at all but there was a raised eyebrow to the BMW...

[Legend83]

IanMorewood said:

I would have the legacy out of the 2, but a fast estate for £6k I would have a look at what Alfa 156GTA SportWagon's are going for first.

Love the Alfa but boot space is very limited.

Just shown the wife the 3 cars in question (leggy, st and e39). She nodded at all but there was a raised eyebrow to the BMW...

[Liquid Knight]

Stagea?

[Caruso]

I bought an E39 540 estate. It got the Mrs' approval after a week or so as she appreciated the nice interior and airbags left, right and centre. Specialist servicing and OEM parts are cheaper than the Renault I was running before.

[Tonberry]

The MX-5 sounds interesting, anymore details?

[GravelBen]

Legacies are great

[Legend83]

jfbrin said:

Thanks for the suggestion. Is this a 4 cylinder car? I promised myself whatever I bought next would have at least one more cylinder than my current car!

plenty said:

Agree, and I understand some parts for Subaru’s are outrageous, but I am hoping given it is Japanese that it might not need them so frequently! Legacy > Ford but the Ford is great value for money.

Caruso said:

Caruso – what has the ownership experience been like to date? Has it cost you much so far (excluding fuel)? According to Parkers, the boot is only 400 litres which is was less than the Mondeo’s 550 – is it a more usable space than it sounds? I have 6 month old twins who seem to need an unholy amount of stuff when travelling – the reason for getting the bigger car is to be able to fit us all on in for driving holidays etc.

Tonberry said:

Tonberry – no problem. Mods – hopefully this is not breaking the rules as my car is not up for sale. If it, delete this post and I will PM.

My car is a red 1995 UK MX5 1.8. I bought it from Mark at OnlyMX5ives, trading in my old Dakar special. Mark is well regarded on the MX5 circuit for his aftermarket modifications and it was he who installed the Jackson Racing M45 supercharger with cold air intake so it has been done professionally.

The dyno was run just before I bought it in July 2009 – 193 bhp, 162 nm torque (at the wheels). She has the power the MX5 should really have had from the start and feels more like a revvy 2.5 v6. You get the useful low-down torque (I also found getting up to speed in my base 1.8 was a chore) but once in the 4k RPM range this car shifts! The S/C whine is addictive.

The previous owner took good care of the car and added some choice mods – Mk2 iS alloys, heavy duty clutch, lightened flywheel, Gaz coilover springs. She also has a Larini back box exhaust which sounds very, very nice.

Since owning her I have added Goodrich braided brake hoses and yellowstuff pads so she stops very well.

I wasn’t sure about the red at first but sitting on lower springs with the offset front number plate, I actually think the car looks very sleek and purposeful.

Any more questions, just shout! Can send pictures also (can’t put them up on PH as not internet hosted).

[GravelBen]

Legend83 said:

jfbrin said:

Thanks for the suggestion. Is this a 4 cylinder car? I promised myself whatever I bought next would have at least one more cylinder than my current car!

Yep they are 2.0 4-pot, but the 4th-gen GT posted has the twinscroll turbo (like the STi of the same year) with 280bhp (manual) or 260bhp (auto). 2nd and 3rd gen Legacy turbos have sequential twin turbos with the same power level.

[Potto]

I have owned neither a Legacy or an ST220, although I have had a Forester and a 53plate TDCi Mondeo. The Mondeo was an involving steer and seems to shrink around you expecially down the narrow lanes where I live. In comparison, the Forester's steering felt like a Wii controller, no feedback at all, although it had plenty of grip you just had to have faith that the front wheels are doing what you ask of them. This may be completely different to the Legacy however.

If it doesn't strictly have to be an estate, this has been in the classifieds for a while and looks like a bargain to me. It has all the goodies you could ask for and an LPG system as a bonus.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3576845.htm

[Tonberry]

Legend83 YHM!

[inman999]

I've got the legacy GTB. It's a bit older but a good one would cost you half your budget. The boot is huge and I get 25-30 mpg under normal driving conditions. The Only real downside is the're import only.

I've not driven the ST for comparison.