Leaning towards Legacy 2.5 GT Limited

[Kamakura kid]

I'm in the market for a new car. It will be used for commuting and it needs to be a "respectable" car for work purposes. I prefer AWD for the Washington state winters. Normally I prefer a manual tranny, but for traffic jams a slushbox can't be beat. The Sportshift auto tranny seems like it will allow me to commute with ease, but when I turn the wick up it'll scratch my itch.

Plus, the GT Limited version gets the turbocharged and intercooled engine. One misgiving is that it requires premium fuel, not sure if I can use lower grade gas with the normally aspirated 3.0 mill.

Anyone out there have a Legacy? Any feedback much appreciated.

[xurusaibobx]

by all means the legacy is a tight ride!

if i had a family i would def buy that car...

get the GT limited

[corytomo]

Very good reliability ratings. I've actually been thinking of getting a legacy or outback for the daily driver! Keep the miata at home under cover, and drive a nice sensible suby.

[Im Faster]

get it tell me if you like it.. haha.

[ArchangelX]

I've got a Best Motoring video that details how great the car is...they were pretty impressed. It's in Japanese though. :D

[Kreggae]

I have two friends that own one, a black manual and a silver automatic. Both of them have similar mods, and put down 270-280 awhp.

I got to detail (and drive, of course!) the silver one:

http://www.pakshak.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1630

Car hauls when the boost kicks in. Since it was reflashed, the boost comes in stronger but later than stock. Car is very stable, but doesn't isolate like a Camry or Accord. Very easy to drive. I think you'll like it!

[Kamakura kid]

So now I'm leaning towards the 3.0 R Limited. By the time I option the 2.5 GT Limited with the Sportshift slushbox and navigation package (both of which are standard features on the 3.0 R), the price is pretty much the same.

The bad news: Although peak HP is about the same (2hp difference), I'll be taking a 40ft-lb hit in torque. So the 3.0 won't accelerate as fast as the 2.5.

The maybe good news: Next item to check is insurance. I know insurance companies are nervous about turbo equipped cars, so maybe the 3.0 will be cheaper to insure.

The good news: Although the 3.0 engine uses 91 octane fuel for optimum performance, it CAN use 87 octane fuel albeit at a reduced performance level.

The REALLY good news: The 3.0 comes with the column mounted paddle shifters, which I lust for. :biggrinbounce2: (The 2.5 has steering wheel mounted shifter controls.)

[shaggadelic]

^^^ did you ever get one? i work at subaru and can help you out if you still are iterested in one

[corytomo]

He lives in Washington...

[shaggadelic]

ahhh yeh subys are big up there

[Kamakura kid]

^^^ did you ever get one? i work at subaru and can help you out if you still are iterested in one

Nope. I went to the dealership and tried one out. My problem is that due to some medical problems my flexibility is greatly reduced from what it used to be. The Legacy, while a very attractive and desirable car, was just too low slung for me. And, the ease of ingress/egress was hampered by a realtively small door opening. I didn't even test drive one, the moment I sat in the driver's seat I knew it wasn't the car for me.

Ended up trying out a whole bunch of cars with AWD. My final choice was a G35xS.

[corytomo]

Ooo, you gonna get the G? It's a nice nice car!

[Kamakura kid]

Ooo, you gonna get the G?

Done deal!

Actually, another car I really really wanted was the Cadillac CTS AWD. However, that car is surprisingly tiny. Small door, B-pillar really far forward. Hard to get in/out. Even though the car is narrow, its got this uber-wide waterfall center console. Its really a quite cramped seating position. I have more leg room in my Miata, believe it or not. Back seat was more cramped than the G. I know a car is too small when my Mom, your typical little old Japanese lady, gets in the back seat and says she feels cramped.

So, went with the G.

[corytomo]

Nice! Congrats! SO where's the pics :D

[Kamakura kid]

Nice! Congrats! SO where's the pics :D

Maybe this weekend. Car is at the dealership getting Lojacked right now, I'll pick it up Thursday.