Subaru Legacy Estates ......any good ?

[alfaman]

I need to find something to replace my very old Alfa 164 with soonish ....

I thought one of these might just do the job .... I'd ideally like a sporty estate big enough to take mtn bikes and climbing gear etc....preferably something that can do long motorway journeys in comfort too ..


a few Q's if any enthusiasts on here know ...

Are the post 2004 models an improvement over the previous generation ?

Are the Outbacks any better to drive than the normal estates ?

Are the turbo'd variants available in the UK ?

Is the Legacy particularly thirsty ?

Any particular problems to look for ?



any advice gratefully received......thanks.

[flamingm0]

Not exactly the answer to your questions, but a Mitsubishi Galant Estate fits that bill quite well..

[GravelBen]

alfaman said:

I'd ideally like a sporty estate big enough to take mtn bikes and climbing gear etc....

thats why I have mine, carries heaps of gear on any road in any conditions and is a nice drive for a biggish wagon.

alfaman said:

Are the post 2004 models an improvement over the previous generation ?

Haven't driven the latest model myself but generally considered to be nicer, more luxurious, etc, though slightly heavier I think. New single-turbo motor is better than the sequential-turbo version, doesn't have the flat spot between the little turbo tailing off and the big one kicking in.

alfaman said:

Are the Outbacks any better to drive than the normal estates ?

Different - more ground clearance so a bit better off road, but they also have a bit more body roll etc. Which means less outright grip on sealed roads, but easier to slide round a bit and have some fun.

alfaman said:

Is the Legacy particularly thirsty ?

In general, yes fairly thirsty. My 1997 2.0 wagon isn't too bad - probably 30-35mpg average I guess. They'll always be thirstier than a 2wd equivalent due to the extra weight & drivetrain drag of AWD. The 3.0 and turbo version are pretty thirsty, esp with foot down, though their new "SI-drive" feature may help with that for easy cruising.

alfaman said:

Any particular problems to look for ?

Not really, clutches are the weakest point in Subaru drivetrains so any clutch slip is a bad sign. Cambelts can be a bit more expensive to do than some cars due to boxer engine, but if you're buying a newer car it should be well before thats due (100,000 km). Autos are best avoided, you don't need a slushbox soaking up torque as well as AWD losses. Auto turbos are also detuned to 260bhp instead of 280.

Edited by GravelBen on Monday 23 October 00:52

[chevy-stu]

lOOKED AT THE LEGACY 2.0 TURBO, AS WELL AS SAAB 9-5 ESTATE, AUDI A6 AVANT, DROVE ALL OF THEM, ENDED UP WITH MITSUBISHI GALANT VR4 ESTATE (LEGNUM). FITS YOUR BILL EXACTLY SIR..

[GravelBen]

Similiar discussion happening here:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=319738&p=1

[alfaman]

GravelBen said:

Similiar discussion happening here:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=319738&p=1

thanks for that .... BTW ... your comments bring back some memories of having a bit of a blast on the gravel roads round Glenorchy last year

[identti]

alfaman said:

I need to find something to replace my very old Alfa 164 with soonish ....

I thought one of these might just do the job .... I'd ideally like a sporty estate big enough to take mtn bikes and climbing gear etc....preferably something that can do long motorway journeys in comfort too ..


a few Q's if any enthusiasts on here know ...

Are the post 2004 models an improvement over the previous generation ?

Are the Outbacks any better to drive than the normal estates ?

Are the turbo'd variants available in the UK ?

Is the Legacy particularly thirsty ?

Any particular problems to look for ?



any advice gratefully received......thanks.

Well ours is great. Its one of the 2005 facelifted (over 04) new cars, and it's the mid range 2.5SE. It's great in the corners for a hefty estate (it wears the same rubber avaliable for ferrari f430s), and I would expect that the outlander is similar, but slightly worse due to its 2" loftier stance. The economy is one of the few pitfalls, returning an average overall of 27mpg, but considering it is nearly always under a full load and sometimes dragging along a horse and trailer, it's ok.

I'm very sure the newer (post 04) cars are a vast improvement in all areas over the older cars - looks, enines, handling, and most of all interior quality are far superior. Scoobys are renound for their build quality, and generally ours has been great. We have had a couple of very minor issues, sorted out by the dealers under warrenty (we also got 3 years frfee servicing included in the purchase).

The turbocharged varients are only avaliable as imports as far as i know, and the UK powerplants were 2.0l (a bit underpowered really), 2.5l (averagely pokey) and the 3.0 (quicker but very thirsty - around 20mpg!). The sportiest model was the 3.0R Bspec, which came with a manual an very sorted suspension.

There are also alternatives such as the outlander, although barely changed, and the Forresster, its more visceral cousin.

Good luck on your search, they're great family all-purpose cars.

[GravelBen]

alfaman said:

your comments bring back some memories of having a bit of a blast on the gravel roads round Glenorchy last year

Its one big playground up there