Critque my thinking: Legacy 3.0R Spec B
Discussion
I do this a lot... I deliberate about cars, talk myself round in circles, over analyse, look at a few for sale, decide it's a crap idea, do some more procrastinating then ignore the subject for several days then find myself on a train headed south with a handful of cash whilst telling myself if it's crap, walk away but generally end up[ driving whatever it is home with varying degrees of success.
So here we are at "procrastinating" stage which means I'm fairly well down the path but shall throw it out and hope the answers tip me one way or another. So sit, rep as it stands... I have a P3 XC70 that the wife drives, the kids travel in and it gets lots of abuse but it's a fabulous family tool for soaking up crappy roads, Scottish winters and cost me very little. But it's a tool there's no love or enthusiasm for it as a drivers car.
I also have an old V50 diesel which we've had for about 5yrs - I say we as I bought it for my wife / as our first sensible family estate when No.1 arrived and over the years it's been great. Never went wrong, 50mpg+, handles ok, drives well... just does the job but lately it's been a second car so mainly a short commute and used as and when the XC70 was unavailable. Lastly, I have a non MOT'd old V70 T5 that I've owned twice now - bought back as a project with my rose tints on and it's been sat in the garage since, mainly no time and also not really sure what to do with it but it has sentimental value but as a car, it's a bit tatty, thirsty and it's an auto.
So, issue is that I'm now being given the use of a company vehicle but only for company use - great as that means no more commuting but it also means it's at the house and that's now one vehicle too many. Plus, the V50 will now barely get used aside for the rare occasion when we as a family need two cars, which happens but not daily. The short term plan is the old T5 has gone to storage, the V50 will be in the garage (purely for space) and thus family car / wifes daily and the company tool sat on the drive.
Yes, get to the point...
Point being, the V50 is definitely a shed now and whilst it does all I need and more... thus sensible head would say just keep it until it dies and the old T-5, I think maybe the rose tints need to come off as even if I invest much time, money and effort I still not convinced it'll be what I need. It's not a fun car for random, rare drives and it's not that brilliant as a back up car for the XC70 / family duties - no isofix, no aircon and my wife isn't that blown away with it. So, something has to go... or both the V50 and the T-5 will go and be replaced with one, do it all machine.
That's where I finally cut to the chase... a Legacy Spec B wagon, with a manual box.
I've liked these for a long time. A colleague had a 2.0 and it was a nice looking, fairly pleasant thing to drive if a bit slow and sadly the mad world of JDM twin turbo imports stretches my budget (an optimistic £3k but can be a bit more) way too much as they're all sort of £8k and up. Lovely but just no, more so as such a thing would just become too much of a tart whereas I need something that can still be the family estate, is pretty dependable, is good fun to drive (relatively speaking) and has enough get up and go and appeal to try and rekindle a bit enthusiasm for cars given its faded of late, see the aforementioned dreary fleet and unfinished / unstarted projects.
However, the fear of the unknown scares me and I've spent ages pouring over various project threads, reviews and the like and have deduced that a rusty one is really bad, an auto one is pretty bad and they can be like any other car, a bit nasty if they've been neglected. But things like a flat 6 engine scare me as does Japanese general fit and finish - I've driven Volvo for years, the only Japanese car I've had was a 1985 Datsun Cherry back in 98, for about 2 weeks. I could get a quick Volvo but I don't want a P2 V70 T5 because I've been there and they're a bit dull as is the V50 T5 which ok is quick but it doesn't interest me, I'd rather keep the remapped 2.0D I have and save the money. I debated the likes of a vRS wagon or a reasonably quick A4 Avant but the Subaru quirkiness appeals and seemingly they drive rather well too.
So basically... a Legacy Spec B wagon that'd mostly see action at the weekends be it as a second car for general estate car based abuse, a few cross country trips loaded up with the bikes, for the wife to take to Tesco if required and to be something to try and ignite a bit interest for cars again as I've missed it of late. Don't get me wrong, a Clio 172 or an old Cavalier SRi 16v appeals too but ultimately it has to be an estate, has to be quick and good fun but also not ruinous to own.
So, if you're still with me... a good path to carry on down or does it all just sound like a monumentally crap idea and a crap car to boot?
So here we are at "procrastinating" stage which means I'm fairly well down the path but shall throw it out and hope the answers tip me one way or another. So sit, rep as it stands... I have a P3 XC70 that the wife drives, the kids travel in and it gets lots of abuse but it's a fabulous family tool for soaking up crappy roads, Scottish winters and cost me very little. But it's a tool there's no love or enthusiasm for it as a drivers car.
I also have an old V50 diesel which we've had for about 5yrs - I say we as I bought it for my wife / as our first sensible family estate when No.1 arrived and over the years it's been great. Never went wrong, 50mpg+, handles ok, drives well... just does the job but lately it's been a second car so mainly a short commute and used as and when the XC70 was unavailable. Lastly, I have a non MOT'd old V70 T5 that I've owned twice now - bought back as a project with my rose tints on and it's been sat in the garage since, mainly no time and also not really sure what to do with it but it has sentimental value but as a car, it's a bit tatty, thirsty and it's an auto.
So, issue is that I'm now being given the use of a company vehicle but only for company use - great as that means no more commuting but it also means it's at the house and that's now one vehicle too many. Plus, the V50 will now barely get used aside for the rare occasion when we as a family need two cars, which happens but not daily. The short term plan is the old T5 has gone to storage, the V50 will be in the garage (purely for space) and thus family car / wifes daily and the company tool sat on the drive.
Yes, get to the point...
Point being, the V50 is definitely a shed now and whilst it does all I need and more... thus sensible head would say just keep it until it dies and the old T-5, I think maybe the rose tints need to come off as even if I invest much time, money and effort I still not convinced it'll be what I need. It's not a fun car for random, rare drives and it's not that brilliant as a back up car for the XC70 / family duties - no isofix, no aircon and my wife isn't that blown away with it. So, something has to go... or both the V50 and the T-5 will go and be replaced with one, do it all machine.
That's where I finally cut to the chase... a Legacy Spec B wagon, with a manual box.
I've liked these for a long time. A colleague had a 2.0 and it was a nice looking, fairly pleasant thing to drive if a bit slow and sadly the mad world of JDM twin turbo imports stretches my budget (an optimistic £3k but can be a bit more) way too much as they're all sort of £8k and up. Lovely but just no, more so as such a thing would just become too much of a tart whereas I need something that can still be the family estate, is pretty dependable, is good fun to drive (relatively speaking) and has enough get up and go and appeal to try and rekindle a bit enthusiasm for cars given its faded of late, see the aforementioned dreary fleet and unfinished / unstarted projects.
However, the fear of the unknown scares me and I've spent ages pouring over various project threads, reviews and the like and have deduced that a rusty one is really bad, an auto one is pretty bad and they can be like any other car, a bit nasty if they've been neglected. But things like a flat 6 engine scare me as does Japanese general fit and finish - I've driven Volvo for years, the only Japanese car I've had was a 1985 Datsun Cherry back in 98, for about 2 weeks. I could get a quick Volvo but I don't want a P2 V70 T5 because I've been there and they're a bit dull as is the V50 T5 which ok is quick but it doesn't interest me, I'd rather keep the remapped 2.0D I have and save the money. I debated the likes of a vRS wagon or a reasonably quick A4 Avant but the Subaru quirkiness appeals and seemingly they drive rather well too.
So basically... a Legacy Spec B wagon that'd mostly see action at the weekends be it as a second car for general estate car based abuse, a few cross country trips loaded up with the bikes, for the wife to take to Tesco if required and to be something to try and ignite a bit interest for cars again as I've missed it of late. Don't get me wrong, a Clio 172 or an old Cavalier SRi 16v appeals too but ultimately it has to be an estate, has to be quick and good fun but also not ruinous to own.
So, if you're still with me... a good path to carry on down or does it all just sound like a monumentally crap idea and a crap car to boot?
How far I'm down the path... potentially the flight path...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324864345759?hash=item4...
I've already looked at the logistics involved in getting to Chesham... I mean obviously it's about 6 million miles away but if I used a plane to go from Edinburgh to Heathrow etc etc. And ignoring "Kash 4 Kars" and how terrible that is, but it's a used car, pays your money etc etc.
It does "look" nice, has four matching Rainsport tyres, it's the right colour combo, it's not big miles, it's had a few quid spent on plugs etc and the MOT history looks ok with only one fail in 2012 but pinch of salt and all that, buyer beware and it's a manual.
Even my wife stopped being bored at my chat long enough to interrupt after she heard "Subaru" with comments about chavs and how she's divorce me if I got one of the "noisy" ones with gold wheel and stickers and if I want to have a mid life crisis, she'd rather I got a motorbike or went to Amsterdam...but eventually finished her rant and said "Looks ok" followed by "So have you bought it yet?" then wen't to bed.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324864345759?hash=item4...
I've already looked at the logistics involved in getting to Chesham... I mean obviously it's about 6 million miles away but if I used a plane to go from Edinburgh to Heathrow etc etc. And ignoring "Kash 4 Kars" and how terrible that is, but it's a used car, pays your money etc etc.
It does "look" nice, has four matching Rainsport tyres, it's the right colour combo, it's not big miles, it's had a few quid spent on plugs etc and the MOT history looks ok with only one fail in 2012 but pinch of salt and all that, buyer beware and it's a manual.
Even my wife stopped being bored at my chat long enough to interrupt after she heard "Subaru" with comments about chavs and how she's divorce me if I got one of the "noisy" ones with gold wheel and stickers and if I want to have a mid life crisis, she'd rather I got a motorbike or went to Amsterdam...but eventually finished her rant and said "Looks ok" followed by "So have you bought it yet?" then wen't to bed.
I have one. Its great.
Mines an auto. Apparently the 6 speed is the one to have but I like the auto. If you get a facelift version (like mine) it has flappy paddles and a 3 way controller for throttle map. The manuals will eat the centre diff at around 100k. The auto don’t.
I paid shed money for mine and having a bit of fun tidying it up and replacing warn mechanicals. Its quickly got under my skin so it’s getting the parts it needs thrown at it. I’ll comfortably spend the purchase price again on getting it mechanically to a level I’m happy with.
Some parts are getting difficult to get. The spec b came with bilstein struts. These are £1.7k from Subaru. After market b6 and 8 dampers are available but Bilstein only make a small batch of b8 and b6 in legacy fitment, so like now there’s none in stock until jan 2022. The y pipe on the exhaust go, but repro parts on ebay are £60.
The 3.0 is solid as long as its had regular oil changes. Mines on 110k miles but still the smoothest engine this side of a Rolls.
The bodies don’t tend to rust as badly as other jap cars but be aware that the components will be a brown mess underneath.
Tax is £600, fuel is 20mpg town 34 on a run.
Best place for help is uklegacy forum. There’s not a lot they don’t know about these cars.
Mines an auto. Apparently the 6 speed is the one to have but I like the auto. If you get a facelift version (like mine) it has flappy paddles and a 3 way controller for throttle map. The manuals will eat the centre diff at around 100k. The auto don’t.
I paid shed money for mine and having a bit of fun tidying it up and replacing warn mechanicals. Its quickly got under my skin so it’s getting the parts it needs thrown at it. I’ll comfortably spend the purchase price again on getting it mechanically to a level I’m happy with.
Some parts are getting difficult to get. The spec b came with bilstein struts. These are £1.7k from Subaru. After market b6 and 8 dampers are available but Bilstein only make a small batch of b8 and b6 in legacy fitment, so like now there’s none in stock until jan 2022. The y pipe on the exhaust go, but repro parts on ebay are £60.
The 3.0 is solid as long as its had regular oil changes. Mines on 110k miles but still the smoothest engine this side of a Rolls.
The bodies don’t tend to rust as badly as other jap cars but be aware that the components will be a brown mess underneath.
Tax is £600, fuel is 20mpg town 34 on a run.
Best place for help is uklegacy forum. There’s not a lot they don’t know about these cars.
Edited by sam.rog on Saturday 20th November 22:36
Looked into getting one of these last year, only didn't because it failed the wife test. The other two cars I was initially thinking of was an IS300 SportCross (a bit old now) and a 330i Touring.
I think the biggest issue is that they're so cheap, most of them haven't been well cared for. However, I didn't uncover any particular issues with them. Also they're rare, the manuals more so, so you're scavenging a small number of cars of widely varying condition and price. But yeah, seem like good cars, if you can find a decent condition manual in budget.
Damn, op is close enough to me for us to be chasing the same cars!
Wifee had a poke around a 2l and gave the nod. I drove it and was pleasantly surprised with sound, poke, feel etc.
Steering felt very odd though, like it didn't want to unwind itself exiting a bend. I presume thats not normal.
Interior was tired too.
I too am now after a 3l.
Wifee had a poke around a 2l and gave the nod. I drove it and was pleasantly surprised with sound, poke, feel etc.
Steering felt very odd though, like it didn't want to unwind itself exiting a bend. I presume thats not normal.
Interior was tired too.
I too am now after a 3l.
Davie said:
How far I'm down the path... potentially the flight path...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324864345759?hash=item4...
I've already looked at the logistics involved in getting to Chesham... I mean obviously it's about 6 million miles away but if I used a plane to go from Edinburgh to Heathrow etc etc. And ignoring "Kash 4 Kars" and how terrible that is, but it's a used car, pays your money etc etc.
It does "look" nice, has four matching Rainsport tyres, it's the right colour combo, it's not big miles, it's had a few quid spent on plugs etc and the MOT history looks ok with only one fail in 2012 but pinch of salt and all that, buyer beware and it's a manual.
Even my wife stopped being bored at my chat long enough to interrupt after she heard "Subaru" with comments about chavs and how she's divorce me if I got one of the "noisy" ones with gold wheel and stickers and if I want to have a mid life crisis, she'd rather I got a motorbike or went to Amsterdam...but eventually finished her rant and said "Looks ok" followed by "So have you bought it yet?" then wen't to bed.
What are you waiting for? You got clearance (& I don't mean from air traffic control) go & get it figure the rest when you're there.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324864345759?hash=item4...
I've already looked at the logistics involved in getting to Chesham... I mean obviously it's about 6 million miles away but if I used a plane to go from Edinburgh to Heathrow etc etc. And ignoring "Kash 4 Kars" and how terrible that is, but it's a used car, pays your money etc etc.
It does "look" nice, has four matching Rainsport tyres, it's the right colour combo, it's not big miles, it's had a few quid spent on plugs etc and the MOT history looks ok with only one fail in 2012 but pinch of salt and all that, buyer beware and it's a manual.
Even my wife stopped being bored at my chat long enough to interrupt after she heard "Subaru" with comments about chavs and how she's divorce me if I got one of the "noisy" ones with gold wheel and stickers and if I want to have a mid life crisis, she'd rather I got a motorbike or went to Amsterdam...but eventually finished her rant and said "Looks ok" followed by "So have you bought it yet?" then wen't to bed.
I'd be cheeky & ask if they could pick you up from Luton (easier to drive to than Heathrow) airport as it'll also mean you get a decent test drive.
The worst they can say is no.
Dolf Stoppard said:
Where's that guy that had one and loved it? I seem to remember some epic thread which included a fantastic Photoshop of his car.
You must be thinking of "ericmcn" who seemed to think his Legacy was a bigger event than the 2nd coming. 
Here is a link to some of his more rational input - others are available if you search! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Anyway OP if it is what you want then why not take a trip? I've only been in one as a passenger and while it was decently quick it didn't feel noticeably quicker than the 123d I had at the time, so don't expect it to feel like a rocketship.
But they are slightly left-field alternatives to the German defaults even if economy isn't great and tax post 23 March 2006 is expensive.
Mr Tidy said:
You must be thinking of "ericmcn" who seemed to think his Legacy was a bigger event than the 2nd coming.
Here is a link to some of his more rational input - others are available if you search! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Anyway OP if it is what you want then why not take a trip? I've only been in one as a passenger and while it was decently quick it didn't feel noticeably quicker than the 123d I had at the time, so don't expect it to feel like a rocketship.
But they are slightly left-field alternatives to the German defaults even if economy isn't great and tax post 23 March 2006 is expensive.
There's a few plonkers in that thread.Here is a link to some of his more rational input - others are available if you search! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Anyway OP if it is what you want then why not take a trip? I've only been in one as a passenger and while it was decently quick it didn't feel noticeably quicker than the 123d I had at the time, so don't expect it to feel like a rocketship.
But they are slightly left-field alternatives to the German defaults even if economy isn't great and tax post 23 March 2006 is expensive.
Much appreciated gents.
So, I think the best course of action will be to sign up to a couple of owners sites and keep the eyes peeled for something similar but perhaps through a decent private seller or trader and ideally, a little closer to home. In no huge rush and I'd rather hold out for the right car / situation then barrel in all guns blazing... even though I keep going back to that one and thinking that as far as colour, spec, miles... it appeals.
Low 20's MPG wise is scary but then my monthly mileage will be tiny so I need to get over that worry.
ZX10R NIN said:
What are you waiting for? You got clearance (& I don't mean from air traffic control) go & get it figure the rest when you're there.
I'd be cheeky & ask if they could pick you up from Luton (easier to drive to than Heathrow) airport as it'll also mean you get a decent test drive.
The worst they can say is no.
Unfortunately I'm away with work for the next few days and the following few weeks are looking busy too however a friend did some digging and the car appears to be in the hands of your typical uncle's, brother's cousin's outfit with several name changes to its CV. Granted, treat it as a private sale / seller deploys due diligence but as good as that car look in the images, the thought of a 900 mile round trip to be faced with issues isn't filling me with enthusiasm. I was burned by a similar set up a couple of years back and wasted a day in the process. I'd be cheeky & ask if they could pick you up from Luton (easier to drive to than Heathrow) airport as it'll also mean you get a decent test drive.
The worst they can say is no.
So, I think the best course of action will be to sign up to a couple of owners sites and keep the eyes peeled for something similar but perhaps through a decent private seller or trader and ideally, a little closer to home. In no huge rush and I'd rather hold out for the right car / situation then barrel in all guns blazing... even though I keep going back to that one and thinking that as far as colour, spec, miles... it appeals.
Low 20's MPG wise is scary but then my monthly mileage will be tiny so I need to get over that worry.
I don't know the details of this specific case, but I feel that your plan seems to be perhaps underestimating how rare these are on the market. Specifically, the 3.0R is rare, the wagon is rarer, most of them are auto, and many of the manuals that come up are above your budget. And even if a car does come up just down the road, I'd have thought it would be more likely to be rusty being in Scotland.
Now, I'm not saying you should immediately wire the full asking to "Kash 4 Kars" and request they send it up on the next available truck. There may well be a good reason not to buy this particular car. But unless you take some more steps to investigate, you've dismissed this car without learning anything wrong with it (apart from the selling dealer). Also, if you go and test drive this car, you'll learn a lot more about them that'll make it easier to know what you're looking at with the next one.
Yes, taking time off and travelling to see cars is a pain/expensive. But in my experience of driving the kind of cars where you never see another on the road, that's part of getting what you want.
If you can't get down there, you could consider getting an inspection done - ideally a nearby specialist garage, otherwise AA or RAC. That way you'd have a stronger basis to decide whether or not its worth your time to travel for it.
Now, I'm not saying you should immediately wire the full asking to "Kash 4 Kars" and request they send it up on the next available truck. There may well be a good reason not to buy this particular car. But unless you take some more steps to investigate, you've dismissed this car without learning anything wrong with it (apart from the selling dealer). Also, if you go and test drive this car, you'll learn a lot more about them that'll make it easier to know what you're looking at with the next one.
Yes, taking time off and travelling to see cars is a pain/expensive. But in my experience of driving the kind of cars where you never see another on the road, that's part of getting what you want.
If you can't get down there, you could consider getting an inspection done - ideally a nearby specialist garage, otherwise AA or RAC. That way you'd have a stronger basis to decide whether or not its worth your time to travel for it.
You know I'm a fan. That one has been briefly discussed on the Facebook group, general consensus was the dealer reviews were terrible and to keep away.
Personally I'd consider it of looking for one, but it's worryingly cheap for a manual.
They rot like a b
d in the UK, I'd be a bit concerned about taking it so far North but if you look after it you should be okay. I don't think that si-drive either, which someone mentioned above.
Old hubnut did a review on one of a similar vintage https://youtu.be/AOaAmmDx1Uw
I'd ask for a video underneath. Assuming that looks good then you can't really go wrong. Think it's on NI plate for some reason...
A lad recently got this one...lived in Cornwall most of its life apparently
Personally I'd consider it of looking for one, but it's worryingly cheap for a manual.
They rot like a b
d in the UK, I'd be a bit concerned about taking it so far North but if you look after it you should be okay. I don't think that si-drive either, which someone mentioned above.Old hubnut did a review on one of a similar vintage https://youtu.be/AOaAmmDx1Uw
I'd ask for a video underneath. Assuming that looks good then you can't really go wrong. Think it's on NI plate for some reason...
A lad recently got this one...lived in Cornwall most of its life apparently
Edited by S100HP on Monday 22 November 11:46
The 3.0 h6 motor is a gem. I ran an outback with the 3.0 for a few years, was the facelift one with SI drive, overall a cracking machine, went through a few drop links and bushes and when the y piece rotted out treated it to a stainless custom exhaust. No other maintenance issues at all averaged 26.5 mpg over 70k miles
S100HP said:
Actually, would an outback be a better option for you up there?
Not necessarily... though I did debate one before I bought the XC70 but a 3.0 as a daily doing 20k a year was too much to stomach and the boxer diesel don't get a good reputation. However on that note, the XC70 will be remaining - that's in essence the family car / what my wife runs mostly so I'm debating chopping in the old V50 diesel commuter (as I don't commute now) and the old V70 T-5 in lieu of a sort of do it all car - something that's quite quick, fairly solid, can be good fun to drive but also still do backup family stuff, estate tool when needed and it'd probably do a handful of miles, hence not hugely fussed about MPG. Not sure why a Legacy appeals, I think they're just a bit more interesting than the usual German alternatives and I've pretty much done the quick Volvo thing to death now. samoht said:
I don't know the details of this specific case, but I feel that your plan seems to be perhaps underestimating how rare these are on the market. Specifically, the 3.0R is rare, the wagon is rarer, most of them are auto, and many of the manuals that come up are above your budget. And even if a car does come up just down the road, I'd have thought it would be more likely to be rusty being in Scotland.
Now, I'm not saying you should immediately wire the full asking to "Kash 4 Kars" and request they send it up on the next available truck. There may well be a good reason not to buy this particular car. But unless you take some more steps to investigate, you've dismissed this car without learning anything wrong with it (apart from the selling dealer). Also, if you go and test drive this car, you'll learn a lot more about them that'll make it easier to know what you're looking at with the next one.
Yes, taking time off and travelling to see cars is a pain/expensive. But in my experience of driving the kind of cars where you never see another on the road, that's part of getting what you want.
If you can't get down there, you could consider getting an inspection done - ideally a nearby specialist garage, otherwise AA or RAC. That way you'd have a stronger basis to decide whether or not its worth your time to travel for it.
All very valid points and to an extent, I agree in part. Now, I'm not saying you should immediately wire the full asking to "Kash 4 Kars" and request they send it up on the next available truck. There may well be a good reason not to buy this particular car. But unless you take some more steps to investigate, you've dismissed this car without learning anything wrong with it (apart from the selling dealer). Also, if you go and test drive this car, you'll learn a lot more about them that'll make it easier to know what you're looking at with the next one.
Yes, taking time off and travelling to see cars is a pain/expensive. But in my experience of driving the kind of cars where you never see another on the road, that's part of getting what you want.
If you can't get down there, you could consider getting an inspection done - ideally a nearby specialist garage, otherwise AA or RAC. That way you'd have a stronger basis to decide whether or not its worth your time to travel for it.
With regards to scarcity, yup I agree they're hard to come by but I've got a history of buying rather random and / or very specific older things thus I'm not adverse to a fair amount of effort to get them - for example my current, somewhat sheddy XC70 came from South Wales and that was about 17hrs / 900 miles to collect and it's not exactly that special or rare, but it was exactly what I wanted.
This specific Legacy does on paper seem to be the right spec, colour, miles etc but yes I must admit the dealer and subsequent background digging doesn't inspire me and S100's previous post has also confirmed that sadly, they don't seem to have that great a reputation and yes I know the proof is in the pudding but I'd be slightly reluctant to embark on a pretty significant round trip to view it unless the seller bestowed me with confidence before I set off. The XC70, once the trader accepted I wasn't joking... was a complete gent and went above and beyond and the car was actually better than described. But, conversely I wasted a day and enough money travelling to view a V70R sold by a similar setup as the Legacy, on the promise that it was a good one / ready to go etc etc. Was it hell... I walked round it once and left. Total liar.
The other sticky point is as said, fear of the unknown... I've never driven a 3.0 manual before and would rather try and do so locally first to conform if it's for me or not rather than get all the way to the other end of the country to drive one and go "Actually, I don't like this" then fly all the way home again. But that's sometimes the issue with buying random stuff - how do you try before you buy or do you just jump in and hope it works out. So yes, maybe pull that specific car off the table, try and find one locally to try (maybe a kind hearted owner) and then, assuming I like it, then keep an eye out for a suitable car. There's no rush really, I don't 'need' a car urgently so I have the luxury of time.
S100HP said:
I've put a post on the Legacy page for you to see if anyone local can let you have a look around
Excellent, much appreciated! I've a friend who's a bit of a Subaru pervert and his dad owned a Spec B a few years back and he really rates them and is clued up as to what goes wrong, so the sort of knowledgeable mate I'd drag along to look potential victims but within reason which again makes buying local a bit more appealing too.
So yes on that note, anybody who has one near Edinburgh / Central Belt sort of region who'd be happy to let me have a look, maybe a passenger run or a drive and I'll shout you some beers / lunch / gratitude...
My hope is being sort of stones throw of Perthshire and the Highlands, some frightfully agreeable old chap, the 17th Earl of Sutherland or something will have one tucked away and is thinking of parting with the old girl, you know the FSH, low miles, wants for nothing sort of cars that have done nothing more challenging than transporting the Holland & Holland shotgun around the estate.
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