What to replace my Forester STi with?

[BUG4LIFE]

I've been planning what car to replace my Subaru Forester STi with for a while now [my FSTi is up for sale on here, if you're interested].

The boxes that need to be ticked are; interesting, auto, more luxurious and relaxing to drive than my Foz, under 80k[ish] miles, as fast as I can get for my budget....so, on my list is a Merc C55, CLS55, E55, Jag XFR, Lexus ISF, E91/F31 BMW 335i etc etc.

However, with the idea of putting money towards a new house being floated by my OH, my budget may have to drop by say 40/50%?!

If I was looking to spend 8/9k, my amended list is now Jaguar S-Type R, Subaru Legacy Spec-B, Merc C55 [or more likely C32 as good 55's can be more than my new budget].

Just wondering if you guys can better my 3 car list?!

I'd like the car to be slightly bigger than my Forester, age isn't a massive issue [though maybe the year 2000 is my cut off point]. I don't mind going to say 85k miles if the service history is spot-on. The car needs to be something interesting though.

Cheers.

[ZX10R NIN]

C55 AMG above mileage wise but worth considering

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006130...

Rare 5.5 E500 Sport very understated performance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008293...

CLS55 AMG Bombastic drivetrain

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009063...

5.0 XF Portfolio

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008242...

Premium Luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008242...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008082...

550i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

S4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006130...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

Leftfield:

Infiniti M GT Premium Hybrid

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007241...

G37 GT Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006170...

[BUG4LIFE]

ZX10R NIN said:

C55 AMG above mileage wise but worth considering

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006130...

Rare 5.5 E500 Sport very understated performance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008293...

CLS55 AMG Bombastic drivetrain

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009063...

5.0 XF Portfolio

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008242...

Premium Luxury

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008242...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008082...

550i M Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

S4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006130...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

Leftfield:

Infiniti M GT Premium Hybrid

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007241...

G37 GT Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006170...

I am hoping to get a car with less mile than a few of those options, just to make it as sellable as possible in the future.

I have considered the 5.0 XF, just not sure if it's interesting enough [maybe a bit to middle management]! I like the BMW 550i and S4 but both of these have documented engine issues I believe.

A chap on a Merc forum recently sold his very nice [and low-miles] S211 5.5 E500, for under £10k. I was gutted to see it get sold.

Another car I was at yesterday...a gen 3 Lexus GS450h. Might be dull as hell though, and as course has a CVT.

[MDMA .]

Just landed.

https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/black-legacy-gt-spec-b...

[BUG4LIFE]

MDMA . said:

Just landed.

https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/black-legacy-gt-spec-b...

Yes, that might just be perfect for my new, reduced budget requirements [even though it's black]!

Think I'd be giving them a call if my Foz had already sold.

I guess I'd need to figure out what I'd need to do to the car [underseal, map, ICE] and how much that would take me over my budget...I imagine this will sell in a flash though?!

[MDMA .]

BUG4LIFE said:

MDMA . said:

Just landed.

https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/black-legacy-gt-spec-b...

Yes, that might just be perfect for my new, reduced budget requirements [even though it's black]!

Think I'd be giving them a call if my Foz had already sold.

I guess I'd need to figure out what I'd need to do to the car [underseal, map, ICE] and how much that would take me over my budget...I imagine this will sell in a flash though?!

Dark blue one due in anytime too. Worth a call. Mine is due in January.

[BUG4LIFE]

MDMA . said:

BUG4LIFE said:

MDMA . said:

Just landed.

https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/black-legacy-gt-spec-b...

Yes, that might just be perfect for my new, reduced budget requirements [even though it's black]!

Think I'd be giving them a call if my Foz had already sold.

I guess I'd need to figure out what I'd need to do to the car [underseal, map, ICE] and how much that would take me over my budget...I imagine this will sell in a flash though?!

Dark blue one due in anytime too. Worth a call. Mine is due in January.

Yeah, just saw they have another coming in. A Legacy would be a perfect fit - my preference would a TBSTi like yours, but I guess putting money into a new house would be a better option

Saying that, I do like the idea of something like a Jag S-Type R as I've never really had a car with a 'luxurious' interior. I guess the Legacy would feel a little better built than my Foz, but not by much!

[MDMA .]

BUG4LIFE said:

MDMA . said:

BUG4LIFE said:

MDMA . said:

Just landed.

https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/black-legacy-gt-spec-b...

Yes, that might just be perfect for my new, reduced budget requirements [even though it's black]!

Think I'd be giving them a call if my Foz had already sold.

I guess I'd need to figure out what I'd need to do to the car [underseal, map, ICE] and how much that would take me over my budget...I imagine this will sell in a flash though?!

Dark blue one due in anytime too. Worth a call. Mine is due in January.

Yeah, just saw they have another coming in. A Legacy would be a perfect fit - my preference would a TBSTi like yours, but I guess putting money into a new house would be a better option

Saying that, I do like the idea of something like a Jag S-Type R as I've never really had a car with a 'luxurious' interior. I guess the Legacy would feel a little better built than my Foz, but not by much!

House will be the better option. Cars can wait! Regarding the Jag, they're not that great inside. Don't know if you noticed that next door have one. I cleaned it the other month for him as he's not so good at the moment. I wouldn't class them as luxurious Seats are comfy though.

[BUG4LIFE]

My brother-in-law used to have a 2007 XJ. I drove it a number of times and always felt it had a comforting and opulent interior [for a car that was 10 years old and compared to the E36 BMW and Honda Integra I was used to]!

The other plus point of the STR is obviously the supercharged V8

A Legacy ticks sooo many boxes though, I definitely have to consider one.

[BUG4LIFE]

Actually Rob, as a previous owner of a Forester and current owner of a Legacy, would I be correct in assuming the drivers seat in the Legacy is a tad lower than in the slightly 'jacked-up' Foz [meaning the drivers legs are a little more stretched out, if that makes sense]?!

Not sure if you remember, but my height was a bit of an issue when I first sat in the drivers seat of the Foz. The flat-bottom DAMD steering wheel I now have certainly helps, but I'm hoping the seating position of a Legacy would put me further down and back.

Also, regarding general cabin noise, is the Legacy better at insulating you from the outside than a Forester?

Ta.

Edited by BUG4LIFE on Thursday 17th September 16:54

[MDMA .]

The seat is a lot lower and moves back quite a long way. Will measure edge of seat to pedals later so you can check against the Forester. As for noise, the Legacy is a lot more insulated and quieter too. It's a completely different ride to the Forester.

Just got in. There's 585mm from the edge of the front seat to the accelerator pedal. There's also 225mm from the seat base to the bottom of the wheel. That's with the seat fully back and the wheel raised.

Edited by MDMA . on Thursday 17th September 17:52

[defblade]

I'm 6'4".

I went into a garage to have a try of a Forester STi, thanks to the articles on PH... and came out with my squiggle on the paperwork for a Leggy BGT twinscroll wagon.
The twinscroll was (just about) big enough; the FSTi definitely not.
Plenty of room for me on the back seats, too, in the Legacy.

I would definitely recommend a go in Legacy if you want something a little bigger, more refined, more grown up, than the FSTi... but with a surprising amount of hooligan still under your right foot, and that handles exactly like a fairly big estate shouldn't

[BUG4LIFE]

MDMA . said:

The seat is a lot lower and moves back quite a long way. Will measure edge of seat to pedals later so you can check against the Forester. As for noise, the Legacy is a lot more insulated and quieter too. It's a completely different ride to the Forester.

Just got in. There's 585mm from the edge of the front seat to the accelerator pedal. There's also 225mm from the seat base to the bottom of the wheel. That's with the seat fully back and the wheel raised.

Edited by MDMA . on Thursday 17th September 17:52

Cheers for the info mate [I'll get my measuring tape out].

[BUG4LIFE]

defblade said:

I'm 6'4".

I went into a garage to have a try of a Forester STi, thanks to the articles on PH... and came out with my squiggle on the paperwork for a Leggy BGT twinscroll wagon.
The twinscroll was (just about) big enough; the FSTi definitely not.
Plenty of room for me on the back seats, too, in the Legacy.

I would definitely recommend a go in Legacy if you want something a little bigger, more refined, more grown up, than the FSTi... but with a surprising amount of hooligan still under your right foot, and that handles exactly like a fairly big estate shouldn't

I'm 6'6", so I definitely need a more suited driving position in my next car. It sounds like a Legacy ticks that box. The DAMD starring wheel I have in my FSTi has been a god send though, just gives me enough room for my knees!

[anonymous-user]

BUG4LIFE said:

MDMA . said:

The seat is a lot lower and moves back quite a long way. Will measure edge of seat to pedals later so you can check against the Forester. As for noise, the Legacy is a lot more insulated and quieter too. It's a completely different ride to the Forester.

Just got in. There's 585mm from the edge of the front seat to the accelerator pedal. There's also 225mm from the seat base to the bottom of the wheel. That's with the seat fully back and the wheel raised.

Edited by MDMA . on Thursday 17th September 17:52

Cheers for the info mate [I'll get my measuring tape out].

This won’t work if the seat cushions are different lengths.

[defblade]

BUG4LIFE said:

defblade said:

I'm 6'4".

I went into a garage to have a try of a Forester STi, thanks to the articles on PH... and came out with my squiggle on the paperwork for a Leggy BGT twinscroll wagon.
The twinscroll was (just about) big enough; the FSTi definitely not.
Plenty of room for me on the back seats, too, in the Legacy.

I would definitely recommend a go in Legacy if you want something a little bigger, more refined, more grown up, than the FSTi... but with a surprising amount of hooligan still under your right foot, and that handles exactly like a fairly big estate shouldn't

I'm 6'6", so I definitely need a more suited driving position in my next car. It sounds like a Legacy ticks that box. The DAMD starring wheel I have in my FSTi has been a god send though, just gives me enough room for my knees!

Talking of knees, mine was an auto... I did think from time to time that that was just as well, as there might not have been the knee room for me to use a clutch... try before you buy!!

[BUG4LIFE]

So, the time has come...the Forester has been sold and I can starting searching for a new [to me] car

Now just to decide what I bloody want!!