Discussion
They're a really versatile car - I've used mine to cross countries in comfort, trailer my kit car to track days and yet still have fun blasting down a B road.
The suspension is great, comfortable and soaks up bumps really well but still controls what is a big car at the end of the day nicely if you're pushing on too. There's absolutely loads of grip, wet or dry and it works really well in snow too
I find the steering far too light and the twin turbo setup takes a bit of getting used to (change gear at the wrong point and you end up in the 'valley of death' - effectively in between the 2 turbos and you have to wait for it to spin the big turbo up...). It can be temperamental too and is very sensitive to having all the sensors working properly. One that's working well should pull hard from low revs with a sudden surge of acceleration around 4.5k RPM - any significant hesitation before it transistions onto the big turbo means it isn't working right.
Don't expect to see more than 30mpg and only that on a motorway run, more like 18 if you're permanently in town rush hour traffic.
The suspension is great, comfortable and soaks up bumps really well but still controls what is a big car at the end of the day nicely if you're pushing on too. There's absolutely loads of grip, wet or dry and it works really well in snow too
I find the steering far too light and the twin turbo setup takes a bit of getting used to (change gear at the wrong point and you end up in the 'valley of death' - effectively in between the 2 turbos and you have to wait for it to spin the big turbo up...). It can be temperamental too and is very sensitive to having all the sensors working properly. One that's working well should pull hard from low revs with a sudden surge of acceleration around 4.5k RPM - any significant hesitation before it transistions onto the big turbo means it isn't working right.
Don't expect to see more than 30mpg and only that on a motorway run, more like 18 if you're permanently in town rush hour traffic.
I have a 2002, the final revision from mid-01 onwards has a few improvements - higher compression for better off-boost response, newage ECU etc.
Agreed that the steering is too light and slow geared, though you adjust to it easily enough and apparently an STi steering rack bolts in if you don't. Suspension (factory Bilstein) gives a very good balance of bump absorption and body control.
The VoD flatspot isn't an issue with mine compared to the earlier cars, it comes on boost from around 1600rpm and pulls smoothly through to 7500 - different power delivery to the single turbo Subarus though, being much more linear without the big surge in the midrange.
I usually average around 26mpg in mixed use, and 30-33 on the open road is easy enough to achieve while still making decent progress. Those figures are on 98RON, its 10-12% thirstier on 95 as well as feeling a bit lazy - so run them on good fuel.
Tons of space, smooth and quiet etc... it can be fun to surprise people who think its just a regular Legacy until you open the taps.
Agreed that the steering is too light and slow geared, though you adjust to it easily enough and apparently an STi steering rack bolts in if you don't. Suspension (factory Bilstein) gives a very good balance of bump absorption and body control.
The VoD flatspot isn't an issue with mine compared to the earlier cars, it comes on boost from around 1600rpm and pulls smoothly through to 7500 - different power delivery to the single turbo Subarus though, being much more linear without the big surge in the midrange.
I usually average around 26mpg in mixed use, and 30-33 on the open road is easy enough to achieve while still making decent progress. Those figures are on 98RON, its 10-12% thirstier on 95 as well as feeling a bit lazy - so run them on good fuel.
Tons of space, smooth and quiet etc... it can be fun to surprise people who think its just a regular Legacy until you open the taps.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 28th February 04:31
Thanks for the info guys. Funnily enough both your other cars are very much in my dream garage - Raw Striker (is that with a 4age?) and MX5 with turbo - (I had a great Eunos which I loved and always wanted to super or turbocharge it - never got round to it though.
I'm just considering changing my Forester (JDM) S/TB (240bhp) which I love with a GTB as I can't get away from the fact that the forester is an ugly thing while I love the look of the GTB!
Have been looking at http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2539608.htm
Do they all come with Bilsein shocks as standard? What does the e-tune actually mean?
I'm just considering changing my Forester (JDM) S/TB (240bhp) which I love with a GTB as I can't get away from the fact that the forester is an ugly thing while I love the look of the GTB!
Have been looking at http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2539608.htm
Do they all come with Bilsein shocks as standard? What does the e-tune actually mean?
All the BH5 GTBs came with Bilsteins AFAIK, the BG5 (2nd-gen) had a lower-spec GT with 260hp and no Bilsteins as well as the GTB though.
E-tune (like mine) is just a trim level rather than mechanical changes, I've never been able to find details of exactly what options it includes though.
E-tune (like mine) is just a trim level rather than mechanical changes, I've never been able to find details of exactly what options it includes though.
Yeah my Striker is 20v 4AGE powered. Polar opposite of the Legacy though!
The Bilsteins are standard but autos are 260bhp rather than 280.
Mine had a broken centre diff when I got it - it doesn't seem to be completely unheard of on imports, I wonder if they sometimes get towed with one axle on the ground or something while they're being moved about in Japan and that knackers them. Unfortunately you can't really tell until the car is properly warm, then the centre diff binds up and you can feel it as the car hopping round tight corners. Its expensive to fix so best avoided!
The Bilsteins are standard but autos are 260bhp rather than 280.
Mine had a broken centre diff when I got it - it doesn't seem to be completely unheard of on imports, I wonder if they sometimes get towed with one axle on the ground or something while they're being moved about in Japan and that knackers them. Unfortunately you can't really tell until the car is properly warm, then the centre diff binds up and you can feel it as the car hopping round tight corners. Its expensive to fix so best avoided!
Ok mines a 1996 GTB in White its only been in the country 18 months i've had it for three weeks now its bloody fantastic and looks superb its not been too molested either just lowered induction kit turbo timer,the other good thing is there ain't that many about i'm still yet to see another GTB.
Its a performance car you take the family out in it even has a dog guard as standard
the only downside its a tad thirsty with twin turbos its got to be expected.
Its a performance car you take the family out in it even has a dog guard as standard
the only downside its a tad thirsty with twin turbos its got to be expected.
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