I just don't learn, it's my Legacy
Discussion
As the title states, I just don't learn do I....?
You might remember this disappointment from 2018...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I promised myself I'd not do it again. I was wrong. This one can't go as badly, can it?
Well, we'll find out tomorrow. I've once again purchased a car blind, without test driving it (or a local version) and then logged onto Shipley to get some bloke to deliver it.
What is it, cried nobody. Well after 2.5 years of being an old fart in my XC70 it was time to remember my distant youth and get me a little JDM. Despite the flaws in the Impreza I had, I quite liked the idea of it. I'm sure if it had been a better version it might have stuck around for a bit. I did however find it a little small for a family of 4. I also didn't feel I'd given Subaru as much of a chance as I should. This lead me to give the Legacy a bit more consideration. I honestly couldn't come up with another alternative, despite spending hours looking at anything and everything else.
My criteria was: petrol, fast(ish), estate, auto, no older than my Volvo and not stupid tax.
The Legacy ticked all these boxes, except the tax one. I then found out that you didn't have to get the H6 engine (3.0 R Spec.B) which cost £570 a year to tax, because in Japan they got the twinscroll. This is a 2ltr turbo which is a tiny bit faster, more economical and because JDM costs less to tax.
I then found out that around 06 they updated the Legacy and fitted a gadget called Si-Drive. This enables you to change the map between Eco, Normal and Sporty. Now I knew this, it ruined the idea of a Legacy as the only ones I could find within budget (of not a lot) didn't have Si-Drive. Ones on eBay with Si-Drive were in the late 5k bracket. I ended up putting a post up on the Legacy Facebook page and was offered an 06 black one for 3k which I was tempted to get but I didn't decide quickly enough and it went. It had been in the UK for a while which put me of too.
Scrolling through the page the other day I then spotted this one for sale
Pretty much my perfect spec. White, Si-Drive, auto, keyless with starter button, 117km on the clocks. I messaged him straight away and after chatting via messenger and finding out he runs an import company and this was his dad's daily since it arrived a year ago I agreed to purchase it. It's been looked after, new tyres all round, new brakes etc. He's been great, I've had lots of photos of the underside and it looks good. It's also had a new MOT today. I'm feeling much more confident than I did about the Hawkeye. We'll see if it's misplaced tomorrow.
Current plans are underseal (Kitchski will help with this, he doesn't know it until he reads this) and possibly a map (they need this for UK fuel unless you use 99ron) which should take it to circa 320bhp. I'll also aim to swap out the Jap nav with the UK version soon. Who knows what else it might need.
Wish me luck, or laugh at me. It's up to you
You might remember this disappointment from 2018...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I promised myself I'd not do it again. I was wrong. This one can't go as badly, can it?
Well, we'll find out tomorrow. I've once again purchased a car blind, without test driving it (or a local version) and then logged onto Shipley to get some bloke to deliver it.
What is it, cried nobody. Well after 2.5 years of being an old fart in my XC70 it was time to remember my distant youth and get me a little JDM. Despite the flaws in the Impreza I had, I quite liked the idea of it. I'm sure if it had been a better version it might have stuck around for a bit. I did however find it a little small for a family of 4. I also didn't feel I'd given Subaru as much of a chance as I should. This lead me to give the Legacy a bit more consideration. I honestly couldn't come up with another alternative, despite spending hours looking at anything and everything else.
My criteria was: petrol, fast(ish), estate, auto, no older than my Volvo and not stupid tax.
The Legacy ticked all these boxes, except the tax one. I then found out that you didn't have to get the H6 engine (3.0 R Spec.B) which cost £570 a year to tax, because in Japan they got the twinscroll. This is a 2ltr turbo which is a tiny bit faster, more economical and because JDM costs less to tax.
I then found out that around 06 they updated the Legacy and fitted a gadget called Si-Drive. This enables you to change the map between Eco, Normal and Sporty. Now I knew this, it ruined the idea of a Legacy as the only ones I could find within budget (of not a lot) didn't have Si-Drive. Ones on eBay with Si-Drive were in the late 5k bracket. I ended up putting a post up on the Legacy Facebook page and was offered an 06 black one for 3k which I was tempted to get but I didn't decide quickly enough and it went. It had been in the UK for a while which put me of too.
Scrolling through the page the other day I then spotted this one for sale
Pretty much my perfect spec. White, Si-Drive, auto, keyless with starter button, 117km on the clocks. I messaged him straight away and after chatting via messenger and finding out he runs an import company and this was his dad's daily since it arrived a year ago I agreed to purchase it. It's been looked after, new tyres all round, new brakes etc. He's been great, I've had lots of photos of the underside and it looks good. It's also had a new MOT today. I'm feeling much more confident than I did about the Hawkeye. We'll see if it's misplaced tomorrow.
Current plans are underseal (Kitchski will help with this, he doesn't know it until he reads this) and possibly a map (they need this for UK fuel unless you use 99ron) which should take it to circa 320bhp. I'll also aim to swap out the Jap nav with the UK version soon. Who knows what else it might need.
Wish me luck, or laugh at me. It's up to you
Edited by S100HP on Friday 29th May 20:12
Thanks for the positive comments all
RDB said:
Good choice!
I reached the same conclusion when looking for an interesting daily that could also perform family load lugging duties, although mine's a manual. I bought it last February and the novelty still hasn't worn off yet.
In case you haven't found it yet, there's a great forum at uklegacy.com.
That looks fantastic with those wheels. Is it the same as mine inside? Anything you wish you'd known before it arrived?I reached the same conclusion when looking for an interesting daily that could also perform family load lugging duties, although mine's a manual. I bought it last February and the novelty still hasn't worn off yet.
In case you haven't found it yet, there's a great forum at uklegacy.com.
Spantney said:
Awesome, it looks like a good one! I also picked up a Legacy just before the lockdown hit, mine is JDM also but in manual.
That's also a lovely one, a WR isn't it? Not many in that blue. Happy with it?
Well it's arrived. 2 blokes from a new transport company called DNR transport delivered it. Really nice guys.
The car is incredible. The condition is amazing outside, inside and underneath. I took it for a short spin around the block. It's incredibly refined and certainly shifts. Should be fun on my early starts!
Absolutely in love with it already.
The car is incredible. The condition is amazing outside, inside and underneath. I took it for a short spin around the block. It's incredibly refined and certainly shifts. Should be fun on my early starts!
Absolutely in love with it already.
RDB said:
The wheels were what sold me on this one. They're the OZ Racing Prodrive wheels which are the same design as used on the Impreza P1.
I spent ages reading about them before I bought mine so there weren't really any surprises.
My interior is the same as yours, except I don't have the second screen between the vents (looks like yours may be an aftermarket sat nav from the pictures). Mine had already had the stereo swapped to a double-DIN Pioneer unit when I got it. Watch out for the cost of the fascia panels if you do come to swap the stereo as last time I looked they were only available bundled with the climate control panel, which makes them stupidly expensive.
As long as they're not remapped too ambitiously (300bhp seems to be a safe target when remapping, although I haven't had it done yet), the biggest weak point on these seems to be the centre diff. There's plenty about the issue online, but the main symptoms are noise and wheel skipping on full lock. The other less critical thing to watch is the Y-pipe where the exhaust splits to the two backboxes as these often rust. Mine's got a bit of surface rust but is still solid and will get replaced with a stainless section when the time comes.
Some people consider them to be under-braked in their standard form and swap the calipers for Brembos from the Tuned by STI model or Impreza, but mine came with uprated discs and pads and I've been perfectly happy with the brake performance. I also wanted to be able to fit a set of 17" wheels for winter, which you can't with 4-pot front Brembos.
Hope it meets your expectations when it turns up. Not long to wait now
Cheers for this. I missed it in my excitement. Yes, it looks like the top unit has been replaced, but I have a UK version to be fitted thankfully. Just need to find some time to do it. I found a reversing camera and an alpine box and another box with some kind of card in the boot area yesterday which I'll need to look at.I spent ages reading about them before I bought mine so there weren't really any surprises.
My interior is the same as yours, except I don't have the second screen between the vents (looks like yours may be an aftermarket sat nav from the pictures). Mine had already had the stereo swapped to a double-DIN Pioneer unit when I got it. Watch out for the cost of the fascia panels if you do come to swap the stereo as last time I looked they were only available bundled with the climate control panel, which makes them stupidly expensive.
As long as they're not remapped too ambitiously (300bhp seems to be a safe target when remapping, although I haven't had it done yet), the biggest weak point on these seems to be the centre diff. There's plenty about the issue online, but the main symptoms are noise and wheel skipping on full lock. The other less critical thing to watch is the Y-pipe where the exhaust splits to the two backboxes as these often rust. Mine's got a bit of surface rust but is still solid and will get replaced with a stainless section when the time comes.
Some people consider them to be under-braked in their standard form and swap the calipers for Brembos from the Tuned by STI model or Impreza, but mine came with uprated discs and pads and I've been perfectly happy with the brake performance. I also wanted to be able to fit a set of 17" wheels for winter, which you can't with 4-pot front Brembos.
Hope it meets your expectations when it turns up. Not long to wait now
I think I'll be keeping an eye out for some similar wheels too.
Edited by S100HP on Sunday 31st May 07:37
TheJimi said:
I'm honestly staggered that you've bought another car unseen, after the last round of shenanigans!
Still, cracking car and I really hope it turns out as good as it looks.
Was the seller a trader? I see a few interesting cars dotted about the driveway & street in the sellers photos.
Think Kitchski said on the last thread "you win some, you lose some". I had a lot more confidence with this one and got more pictures etc. Plus Wigan is a long way away from me!Still, cracking car and I really hope it turns out as good as it looks.
Was the seller a trader? I see a few interesting cars dotted about the driveway & street in the sellers photos.
Yeah he is, sort of. He's an importer and runs a company called import central. This was his dad's car, verified by both V5 and the private plate that was on it. I took that as a good sign. It was still a punt, but it's worked out (so far).
mercedeslimos said:
There is an external speaker on his one, from some old phone kit. He has it on a switch, as it can get mega annoying!
I wonder if he got a genuine Japanese toll card would it say something different? He just has an old credit card in there at the moment.
Mine has a card of some sort. Will have to have a look. Debating ripping it all out currently.I wonder if he got a genuine Japanese toll card would it say something different? He just has an old credit card in there at the moment.
bern said:
I find this site really useful for checking part numbers etc.
http://opposedforces.com/parts/legacy/en_b13/type_...
Thanks for that. Really useful. http://opposedforces.com/parts/legacy/en_b13/type_...
Currently trying to work out the best boot protection, but am rocking the Peppa pig and unicorns look at the moment...
Also found out that with keyless entry I can open the car just using the button on the door rather than the fob. Mind blown.
bern said:
stickleback123 said:
Great left field car, but it's got me wondering what happened to that slightly mental poster/troll who was always on about his Legacy R Spec and posting really boring dashcam footage of him lane hogging and frothing at the mouth about how he dominated a BMW 320d driving 900 yards behind when the driver was clearly just drinking his coffee and thinking about the cricket?
Eric something? Still around I think, but has calmed down on the weird stuff i think! 
Had another quick poke around the engine today. Pleased to report that all fluids look in good condition, having been changed in the not too distant past. Trying to confirm exactly what was done when but sure the information will follow shortly. Gearbox oil was my biggest concern as however it seems in good condition too. Will need to check level once warmed up but all looks positive.
Think I fancy some new wheels for it once the nav/radio is fixed (Monday hopefully).
Bloody love it.
Think I fancy some new wheels for it once the nav/radio is fixed (Monday hopefully).
Bloody love it.
A week and a half now with the Legacy. Very pleased with it. Have been using it backwards and forwards to work, even had a little snooze in it the other morning (night shift) and took this as the sun came up.
Wacked some new wiper blades on today
Also swapped the stereo only to find out it's not plug and play due to coding issues, so back in went the Japanese one. Also found out the nav that was included is a 6 pin version, when my car needs a 5 pin version. Thankfully found the correct one for sale on eBay so awaiting delivery of that, along with a replacement surround for it. ETA is Friday for both. I don't even want the nav, but I want the extra dials it provides.
Also took this photo today, but couldn't cope with the plate being so low, so repositioned it. Much better!
Apart from that, love the car. Seems to use much more fuel that the Volvo.....it's quicker tho!
Wacked some new wiper blades on today
Also swapped the stereo only to find out it's not plug and play due to coding issues, so back in went the Japanese one. Also found out the nav that was included is a 6 pin version, when my car needs a 5 pin version. Thankfully found the correct one for sale on eBay so awaiting delivery of that, along with a replacement surround for it. ETA is Friday for both. I don't even want the nav, but I want the extra dials it provides.
Also took this photo today, but couldn't cope with the plate being so low, so repositioned it. Much better!
Apart from that, love the car. Seems to use much more fuel that the Volvo.....it's quicker tho!
Disappointingly my replacement nav unit arrived today. Despite asking and them confirming it has 2x5 rows of pins on the back, it did in fact have 2x6.
I'm now questions if I've got the wrong plug or something as I cannot find another 5 pin unit.
Can I ask a favour of any Legacy owners who are reading this, especially those with imported versions. Would you be able to remove the nav (it's really easy and quick) and let me know how many pins your nav has? I'm trying to work out if the 5 pin thing is Japanese specific or if I've got the wrong plug....
I'm now questions if I've got the wrong plug or something as I cannot find another 5 pin unit.
Can I ask a favour of any Legacy owners who are reading this, especially those with imported versions. Would you be able to remove the nav (it's really easy and quick) and let me know how many pins your nav has? I'm trying to work out if the 5 pin thing is Japanese specific or if I've got the wrong plug....
Before
After
I've always had a thing about Japanese cars in white, with dark wheels. It harks back to Gran Turismo 3. Every car I purchased was white, with black wheels but in the real world I'd never managed it, until today. Wheels are Oz Prodrive in 18s. Previous wheels were 17s. Might be a bit cliché, but I think it looks awesome.
After
I've always had a thing about Japanese cars in white, with dark wheels. It harks back to Gran Turismo 3. Every car I purchased was white, with black wheels but in the real world I'd never managed it, until today. Wheels are Oz Prodrive in 18s. Previous wheels were 17s. Might be a bit cliché, but I think it looks awesome.
Edited by S100HP on Sunday 21st June 21:12
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