Latest legacy. Anyone else running one?

[Screaming Beagle]

Despite lots of reports that the latest legacy was not a patch on the former I recently took the plunge for a 2.5 nav plus tourer. I was expecting that the now non frameless doors would annoy, that the handling would not compare, that having a 2.4 flat four with a cvt as opposed to an h6 with a normal auto would be a problem, that the latest looks would turn me off. But having had the car for a couple of weeks I find she is a very well screwed together piece of kit, the cvt works well, the decrease in power is marginal on a day to day basis in urban driving and the looks are growing on me. In fact I would go as far as to say that that this is an underrated and much maligned car. So if you can get over the fact that the legacy has moved on this is a car that deserves more credit than most subaru fans want to give it. Any one else had experience? Anyone else prepared to give the new legacy a second chance?

[Goldmember1]

I personally cant help as I have jus a humble WRX , but my cousin is on his 2nd Legacy.
His 1st one , a 10 plate Leggy Estate 2.0 Diesel, wasn't great .. endless DPF problems, stiff gear selection when cold, and poor mpg , average 37! After a year he traded it in and is happier with this 1.
As you said, they seem screwed together better, rides and feels better too. He went for the diesel again and he says it goes better too. Plus it does look better. Again his only complaint is still the same poor economy, and he doesn't drive it hard either.
I've had 2 Outbacks , a 2.5 Auto and a 3.0 H6 Auto and curious how good the CVT is.. To me the autos were ok , there were times tho' the box just wouldnt be in the right gear. The 4 speed was pretty bad .. loooooong ratios , the 5 in the H6 was a lot better, but I doubt I'll ever go back to an Auto. I even tried a DSG in a Skoda Octavia and felt there was a terrible delay between puting your foot down and actually going. Maybe I'm just a control freek

[Screaming Beagle]

First time I've had a cvt. it's very smooth and very linear and with flappy paddles you've got manual control too. Only thing is when you want an immediate kick down in auto it takes a bit more time to find the power. My last outback had the si mode and its certainly not as sharp as that. But then that was in sport plus mode! However the benefits and better economy are probably outweighing its one fault. As the car is new to me we will see what the next 10,000 miles bring. But I reckon this car could easily do 200k plus.

[Watchman]

I am nearing the end of my partnership with my MY05 Legacy 3.0Rn. It's been a great car with a few niggles of late (120K miles) but they seem to be working their way out (fixed) now.

I have had a few nice cars over the years but this has been my favourite because it feels so good to drive and works in any weather condition. I quite like the facelifted version of mine but I don't really like the look of the new Legacy however I had opportunity to pore over one recently and agree entirely that it's a really nicely built machine.

I am about to inherit a MY08 Merc ML which we've had from 2 years and 20K miles. It's a great truck but I know I'll miss the Legacy so I'm going to give a few months to see how I get on with the ML and then consider a 3.6 litre Outback.

There are a few things I don't like with the new Legacy/Outback but the loss of the frameless doors isn't one of them. I'm intrigued why you weren't keen - surely this means the doors thump shut more convincingly and wind noise is reduced?

What I currently don't like with the new one is the fact that the lights now stay on when you turn off the ignition. I liked the fact that, in the Winter months, I could just leave my lights on and not consider them until Spring.

I also don't like the new SatNav but truth is, I haven't sat with the instruction manual for it yet. And it's (miles) better than the Mercedes COMAND system so WTH eh?

Once I've given away my current Legacy, I expect I'll be back in a Scooby before the next flurry of snow. I just can't see me living with the ML for long - although it is quite an imposing and powerful machine in its own right.

[Screaming Beagle]

Well the looks certainly grow on you. I've really got used to it but I'd like to put a twin exhaust on. You are right about the frameless doors. They are indeed better in every way. Just miss the fact that they were on there and different to everything else. Re lights with the se pack you get auto lights so problem solved and I'm pretty sure that even when I've had the lights on manual they have still turned off when engine is off. I was warned off a 3.6 due to dire mpg but I'm sure you know that. The sat nav is worth having if only for the excellent Bluetooth and phone system. Overall loving it and, as ever, a rare sight - especially in 2.5 petrol mode. Took the recent snow in its stride and is very solid at high speeds.