Legnum/VR4 estate vs Legacy GTB estate

[Cheeky Jim]

Am currently flogging my Jag XJ8 as I have a hankering for some jap mentalista.

Having owned 2 Impreza turbo's in the past, I'm a signed up member of the Jap car's ability.


With a considerably larger family than when I owned the Impreza's, the estate is a necessity!

Anyone owned either cars? Care to comment, good bad or indifferent.

Unfortunately, will be a sub £4k car, but am hopeful of picking up something in good nick.

Cheers.

[sherman]

FLUFFNICK

He has a VR$ legnum

[chevy-stu]

here's a thread from a while back that compared both, and a nissan stagea by a guy that had owned all 3

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

checkout clubvr4.com for more legnum info

I'm sure 'gravelben' will be along soon with a Legacy report....

Edited by chevy-stu on Wednesday 30th September 03:21

[GravelBen]

I have a GTB (280bhp) which I'm very happy with. Did consider a VR4 as well but was put off largely by the quite remarkable thirst and reputation for producing large, frequent repair bills. Performance is pretty much identical, VR4 has a slight edge in a straight line with advantage to the Legacy in the corners.

Feul economywise (if that matters), I average around 26-27mpg in mixed use, 30-33mpg on the open road while making reasonably swift progress.

Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 30th September 07:23

[Cheeky Jim]

Thanks chaps, thirst is only a small consideration, after a 4 litre Jaguar that does about 18mpg if you are at all heavy on the foot!

Am more interested in reliability and driveability. I don't want to be lavishing tons on parts that are suspect. I obviously don't mind consumables, tyres, discs etc.

Having had 2 scoobies, 1 saloon and 1 modded estate (305bhp on the dyno), I am naturally drawn the legacy, for the sound and known reliability. But the vr4 does look nice!!!

[Cheeky Jim]

After reading that thread, am going to have to look at the stagea now as well!!

[GravelBen]

Stageas are nice too but a fair whack bigger and heavier, and good luck finding a manual! I've driven 2.5NA (VVT) ATTESSA Stageas and still much prefer Legacies.

As with anything its down to personal taste though, drive as many different cars as you can and see what you like best! There is a big difference between gen2 and gen3 Legacies so keep that in mind - older cars can have quite a flat spot at ~4000 rpm as the turbos change over from primary to parallel, but its not an issue at all with my 2002 GTB.

[WildCards]

I had a VR4 and my old man has had a VR4 for the last 3 years. Ignore what people say about reliability, it's poppycock, if services and general maintenance is kept up to date they're supremely reliable. They've a comfortable ride, with hardly any turbo lag and alot of grip in the corners.

However, they're not a drivers car in any sense of the word despite their ability to hussle impressively along any B road. The steering is numb, suspension too wallowy and the torque converter on tiptronic cars saps a hell of alot of power, my car for instance was a 260bhp version but only made 172bhp at the wheels. Again, tiptronic equipped cars struggle to return more than 20mpg on a run, mine averaged 16 however I drove it.

I always said if/when I get another loopy Jap car i'd seriously look at the Legacy as Ben suggests, i've never driven one, but as a drivers car, the package looks alot better and they have alot more support and shelf stocked parts to improve areas your not happy with.

[Cheeky Jim]

It's a tricky one indeedy. The Stagea is awesomely big, which having 3 kids and a dog is always appealing, I suspect though that it's almost too big!

Was chatting the mechanic at the garage today (Jag being serviced) and he was also recommending the scooby...he'd owned a vr4 and had loads of issues.


I shall defo be testing them all.