Monday 20th November 2017

Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT: Spotted

Thought you knew all the 300hp Legacy specials? Think again!

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Of all the Japanese Domestic Markets curios that Gran Turismo introduced a generation of gamers too, the fast Subaru Legacys were some of the most intriguing. Various GT-Bs and Spec Bs offered damn near all the performance of the Impreza in a much more modest, mature and unassuming body. Well, as long as it didn't have gold wheels. The combination of turbocharged speed and stealthy looks is a recipe that's appealed for decades, made especially compelling in the case of those Legacys by some Subaru handling nous.

To our collective mind the fast Legacy, er, legacy ended with the fourth-gen Spec B cars of the mid-2000s - but no! Here is the fifth generation - and rather more awkward looking - Legacy in 2.5 GT specification. Doesn't sound like much; however it turns out that this plain and almost staid Subaru boasts the best part of 300hp and a standard six-speed manual gearbox. Intriguing...

Truth be told it's difficult to find much information on this particular car, so now's the time for Subaru aficionados to speak up. Despite the presence of a bodykit, STI front spoiler and STI strut brace, this is not a car officially tinkered with by Subaru Tecnica International. To all intents and purposes, this would simply appear to be a Legacy with quite a lot of power. Doesn't want to make too big a deal about it.

Of those reviews that can be found - specifically of a saloon tested in the States - there aren't a great many positives said about the car. Which does make it a bit of a tough sell, granted. As a Subaru that isn't spectacular to drive or incredibly cheap or in any iconic, the odds are stacked against it. As they are against this story convincing anybody...

So why is it here? Because it's different. Because it's interesting. Because it's rare, and not simply another German estate. Subaru didn't need to make this car, but it did so presumably because it looked like a cool idea - that should be applauded.

Subarus are never going to be cheap to run, of course, although this particular one does benefit from a full service history and a fresh cambelt last year. Plus, with just 25,000 miles recorded, the car is cosmetically fresh: the interior looks barely used as well, the capacious cabin ready for a lifetime of whatever you need to throw at it.

Alright, £15K will also buy you a 335i or an S4 - good cars both. You can get an older Spec B for less money, too. And being quirky can of course only get you so far. Still, for opening our eyes to another fast Japanese car and showing Subaru's commitment to the ever so slightly bizarre, this Legacy 2.5 GT deserves its 15 minutes of PH fame. Probably.

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SPECIFICATION - SUBARU LEGACY 2.5 GT

Engine: 2,458cc 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 286@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 258@3,600rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2011
Recorded mileage: 25,000miles
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £15,747

See the original ad here

[Oliver-2optb]

Good shout, but a complete anomaly, hence why no comments yet.
288BHP and no turbo!!!
How have they worked the power from an NA in 2.5 form. Even with a big turbo they only achieved 300bhp in 2011 on the STI using the same engine.
I think there are some typo's going on here.
Quite like it though.

I think its more likely to be a 2.5 with some body kit, ie massively overpriced
A new smaller flat 6- very unlikely,
Has a turbo, like all GT's did previously.

Anyway I look forward to reading more on this once someone more knowledgeable comes along.
Not really a comparison to a 335 as real wheel drive, and the 335i not really utilitarian style vehicle, and very small in the boot etc...
As to an S4 well they are completely markets, whilst both 4wheel drive and fairly quick and comfy, no country/farmer type is going to buy an AUDI S4. and in the same way no urban city dweller is going to buy a scooby, much to there loss, as the scooby is likely to keep serving for many years.

[MDMA .]

^^

Has a turbo, hence the intercooler on top of the engine. These were the WRX based EJ255 version 2 engines, not the EJ257. So quite similar to my Forester STI. Be good for 330bhp with a re-map. It's a good car. Bit ugly, but quick and unassuming.

[Kosy]

I love my subarus but that is a push. Especially when a very nice hatchback STi could be had at that money. Almost as practical and fairly discreet with subtle colour / wheels combo.

[was8v]

Do they handle?

[DBRacingGod]

0-62 in 9.6 seconds?
Shurely shum mishtake?

[DBRacingGod]

Check the specs on the ad.

[aaron_2000]

£15k buys either a really nice Impreza with some work done to it, or it buys a really nice 335i Touring. Both I imagine will be quite a bit better than this.

[sledge68]

aaron_2000 said:

£15k buys either a really nice Impreza with some work done to it, or it buys a really nice 335i Touring. Both I imagine will be quite a bit better than this.

Have you driven one of these?

[pd2]

There was also a GT tS version, evo done a small review on it...

http://www.evo.co.uk/subaru/legacy/6950/subaru-leg...

[aaron_2000]

sledge68 said:

Have you driven one of these?

Family car is a 340i Touring which I get to drive semi-frequently. My uncle has had an Impreza Type R since 1999 with an RCM built engine, AP 6 pots, unsure what the suspension setup is and Speedline ST2's. I've driven it albeit not many times. So infact yes I have.

[BuzzBravado]

Legacy GT-B was one of the best cars I've owned. Flies well under radar which suited me.

[Oliver-2optb]

Has a turbo, hence the intercooler on top of the engine. These were the WRX based EJ255 version 2 engines, not the EJ257. So quite similar to my Forester STI. Be good for 330bhp with a re-map. It's a good car. Bit ugly, but quick and unassuming.

MDNA- Thanks for the info. The EJ255 suffer the same issues as the EJ257, ie weaker pistons, ringland failure etc....?

[rastapasta]

I have one of these. Great car. Thirsty though but never gives a minutes bother and Im just hitting 80km on the clock doing 120km a day to/from work here in switzerland. Its a beast in the snow. The navigation system is utter ste but otherwise I can highly recommend it. But not at the cash they want. I paid 26k chf for mine (2013 model) in 2015 with 17km on the clock. Also the 17'' rims make the ride firm as anything so i swapped my winters for 16'' to make the ride a bit easier on the snow. Theres a serious amount of room in them also. Three roadbikes on the flat stacked on top of each other will easily fit. If anyone fancies this and wants more info, feel free to PM me.

swiss cops like them also

Edited by rastapasta on Monday 20th November 15:57

Edited by rastapasta on Monday 20th November 16:01

[rastapasta]

was8v said:

Do they handle?

Yes. bit o roll but the grip doesnt let got. Especially on snow

[MDMA .]

Oliver-2optb - mapped by someone decent, for use on vpower, you wont have a problem. 0-60mph 5 seconds and it'll do 160mph. The ts version they did is the one to go for.

[Gorbyrev]

Now that's a powertrain for a BRZ! What an intruiging vehicle.

[aaron_2000]

sledge68 said:

Have you driven one of these?

Let's also note that I said "I imagine they'll be better", I never said that they do, I speculated. Let's read before we post, K?

[rastapasta]

sledge68 said:

aaron_2000 said:

£15k buys either a really nice Impreza with some work done to it, or it buys a really nice 335i Touring. Both I imagine will be quite a bit better than this.

Have you driven one of these?

Yes I have as the below would attest and trust me when I tell you it would seriously surprise. Especially on the twisty bits. And in the snow.

[PomBstard]

Think I can help here. Current family truckster is a 2012MY13 Liberty GT wagon with 6sp manual. Not pretty but quick, fun, spacious, comfortable and from previous experience, reliable. Yes, they do handle, AWD a bonus in a place with lots of hills and rain. Also not German which is (a) nice and (b) cheaper...

[rastapasta]

PomBstard said:

Think I can help here. Current family truckster is a 2012MY13 Liberty GT wagon with 6sp manual. Not pretty but quick, fun, spacious, comfortable and from previous experience, reliable. Yes, they do handle, AWD a bonus in a place with lots of hills and rain. Also not German which is (a) nice and (b) cheaper...

The grill on yours is slightly different to mine (mine is 2013 and the same as the one advertised) and yet ive seen cars here in switzerland with the same grill as yours. Is yours the early version or??