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.
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