Absolutely! Especially the Galant Estate (Legnum) VR-4. Very pleased with mine (the wife's). Great handling, very safe, all the toys, lots of grunt. 2.5 quad cam 24v twin turbo 260/280 bhp depending on age. 4wd, ABS, AYC, ASC. Not the usual jelly-mould styling either. HJ is very complimentary in his guide.
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midlifecrisis, have you considered a Forester?
I've always fancied an XT turbo, but have been put off by reports of poor fuel consumption and high servicing costs. Although I understand that in recent years servicing intervals have got longer, mpg has improved and parts prices have been dramatically reduced - by over 50% in some cases.The current offer of free servicing for 3 years/30000 miles looks attractive and may persuade a lot of people (maybe me included) to give them a try.
According to the Fleet News website the Forester has much lower depreciation costs than the Legacy, which is quite poor in this respect.
On the other hand, the Legacy is available with the excellent 2.5 normally aspirated engine which is pretty economical compared with the 2.0 which is rather limp. And this is the advantage of the Legacy over the Forester which in its more powerful form is only available with a turbo.This is very nice to drive, but if kept on boost can deliver as little as 20 mpg.However, I've seen reports of mpg in the 30's on some US websites with the current generation of XT.
Personally, a Forester with the 2.5 normally aspirated engine would be ideal, but it isn't available!
I would be interested in any backroomers hands-on experience of
the Forester v Legacy.
HectorG
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I tried the Forester and the Legacy 2.0 and the outback before deciding on the Outback. This was at the end of 1998 so not the most recent versions.
The Outback had the same ground clearance as the Forester which was my main concern, the luggage area was much smaller and the ride less comfortable (more roll) in the Forester. Fuel consumption was worse for the Forester compared to the 2.0l Legacy perhaps due to the aerodynamics.
Of course the Outback has larger overhangs at front and rear which considerable limits approach angle to inclines but I didnt want a Subaru for serious off road, but the 200mm ground clearance and AWD was superb for Australian dirt roads.
Even on the very rough bluestone chippings used on sealed roads the Yokohama Geolander tyres were very quiet and the drive itself was very refined on all but the worst corrogated dirt roads.
I havent checked on the depreciation in the UK but this was certainly not the case In Oz where it was one of the best cars for depreciation in its class. I had no problems selling my Outback for 60% of its purchase price after almost 3 years. Subarus are very well thought of in country Australia for their reliability and suitablility for all types of roads. Thereofre they are always in demand there.
regards
StarGazer
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I should add that one of the reasons we were even considering the big Subarus was planning for a future arrival....the luggage area of the estate is huge, it would take a collapsable stroller (pushchair) either lengthways or across the boot opening. The load area has no step.
cheers
StarGazer
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I ran a Forester Turbo for a couple of years.
To compare with a Legacy is like chalk and cheese really.
The Forester was a nutty vehicle - amazing performance, crazy handling, big insurance (grp 17) and amazingly poor economy (sometimes less than 200 miles per tank...)
However, I loved it when I could afford it. As soon as things got tight it was like a millstone around my neck.
The Legacies I have had however have had completey different characteristics - much smoother, more refined and an altogether more 'grown-up' feel.
I must have said this many times on this forum, but the current Legacy/Outback is fantastically improved in all areas - not least insurance and mpg - without losing any of it's quirky difference to more run-of-the-mill cars.
The Legacy is also more practical in my view. The load area seems twice as big as the Forester - which I found tiny in comparison.
Hope you can enjoy a drive in both before deciding.
jd
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Unless the diesel Accord tourer is one of your run of the mill cars or you need 4x4 I would definitely take a spin. The engine is a revelation and the boot space is ludicrously vast.
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Like the sound of the Accord diesel, but I just can't get my head around the rear styling. It's too slab sided and the wheels look far to small.
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I agree about the rear styling of the Accord. Sometimes I think it doesn't look so bad, then at other times I think it looks seriously out of proportion. One car that hasn't been suggested is the Mazda6. I've no personal experience of these, except I'll take a serious look at them when I'm ready to change. The Mazda6 certainly gets good reviews.
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Currently on my third 2.0 litre estate,a '97 GLS and nothing but praise. My spirited 70 mile commute in North Yorkshire returns a constant 34/35 mpg on fast A roads and dual carriageways.
I cannot comment on main dealer servicing costs as I use a good local mechanic @ £20 per hour, and obtain all parts from a motor factors 250 yards away.Full servicing over the last 3 years, including recent Toyo tyres, front and rear discs and pads, and various suspension parts, plus all recommended srevicing, has cost less than £500 in total.The insurance cost, in my part of the world, is not really an issue.
The BRs have provided great advice on sourcing quality parts away from the dealer network, at a fraction of the cost (anti rear roll bar suspension link bushes £18 vs £136 for a complete unit from a dealer!)thanks chaps.
However, they do depreciate like stink, so I always buy at 3 years old. A friend recently offered me his 2 year old Forester, but this is much smaller,indeed the new Legacy Estate is smaller than my '97, 1649 cu litres vs 1691. Current Mondeo estate by comparison is 1700 cu litres.
Sadly it has to go as I have just purchased a retail business and need a van, although I hope to purchase a cheap fun runabout for occasional days when cargo space is not required.The interior of my '97 definitely lacks class, and cannot be compared to SWMBO previous C & E class estates, and 5 series, owned over the last 10 years, but the reliability and classlessness more than compensates, putting BMW and MB in the shade.SWMBO finds my Subs boring.I can forgive that for reliabilty and driving dynamics, especially on soaking wet roads
when the grip is soooo reassuring.
Good luck with whatever your choice.
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I have a three months old Legacy 2.0l Sports Tourer Auto, 4000 miles. Previously I had a 2.0l manual.
Unlike some of our more lively BRs I find no problem with the performance. In the icy roads of the Peak District winter the Legacy AWD is superb. Ten forward gears, two reverse - climb anything.
I would still have my manual if it wasn't for the heavy clutch action. The edge of the pedal, together with the necessary force to depress the clutch tended to crease the sole of my left shoes, making them uncomfortable to wear. The only problems I had were the clutch, replaced under warrany, and the usual things caused during servicing.
The auto box makes driving very relaxing. The ride is very smooth - I find that SWMBO falls asleep after the first couple of miles on most journeys.
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'I find that SWMBO falls asleep after the first couple of miles on most journeys.'
That car is worth every penny.
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hillman,
I have read that Subaru clutches can be problematic and have considered an auto Legacy or Forester myself. But I've also seen reports of the Legacy auto 'box hunting around for the right gear, which can be very annoying.
Do you find the auto box satisfying to use? What mpg are you getting and how does this compare with your manual Legacy?
HectorG
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Greetings all
Midlifecrisis : No! Swmbo is grumpy when she wakes up.
HectorG : I will feed all of the fuel/milage data into Excel and get the figures. Watch this space.
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Hillman,
I am surprised by this, I found my Outback's (MY99) Manual clutch
to be very light. In fact my slightly built 5'2" wife commented on how easy the clutch was compared to the Barina (old model Corsa) we were driving at the time. Certainly it is lighter than the clutch of the V40 we are currently driving. Perhaps it is symptomatic of a fault and in normal condition the clutch operation is very light?
StarGazer
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Perhaps Stargazer is correct, there was a fault. Garages will never admit to that, although the service manager did comment that the model usually had a very nice clutch action - he also commented that he had broken his leg earlier that year and could have done with my car for the exercise. The clutch was replaced at 17 000 miles due to self-destruct, but the replacement was no better.
The new car is 2004 year Legacy 2.0l Sport Tourer auto,
fuel consumption to date is : 29.49 mpg, 12.4 pence/mile, at 3475 miles.
For comparison the previous car was Legacy 2001 year 2.0l GL estate, manual,
fuel consumption was 29.91 mpg, 11.2 pence per mile, total over 25469 miles.
The auto box has had comments in the motoring press that it is fussy and hunts too much. They have to write something, don't they, and they are mostly schoolboys. The only time I notice that is up long steep hills with variable gradient. Then I just select the gear I want manually, no more problem. Likewise on long steep down hills to stop it running away. Ordinarily, changes are quite smooth, and it deals with any normal situation in a quite satisfactory manner.
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Likewise with my 'new' Outback 2.5 Auto.
The box is smooth, very little hunting around, and with a very nice sequential to use if needed.
Economy for me is averaging around the 32mpg area - this is mixed driving, motorways, local runs etc. My friend at the Subaru garage suggested the auto would be more economical than the manual in 2.5 guise - can't argue really.
All the best
jd
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Hi Legacy Lad, i noted your advice to midlifecrisis and noticed you may have a very good contact for Subaru parts. I have an imported outback which i am desperate for a windscreen. Any chance of your contacts name so I can see if i can get a reasonably priced part for it. Thanks in advance. nigel129.
PS Please reply directly to my email. nigel129@aol.com
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>>Sadly it has to go as I have just purchased a retail business and need a van,
Not again, Legacylad!
Is the van really going to be any bigger than your car? Those Legacies are as big as a Transit (almost)!
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Yes Mapmaker,
Sadly it really has to go.The retail business I acquired is of the pet trade variety, and, amazingly, rabbit hutches, bird tables and parrot cages do seem to fit better into my borrowed LWB HiRoof VW Transporter. On the plus side, SWMBO fancies a second hand IS200 once the Sub has gone, so I may get to drive that on odd occasions. Bet it's not as reliable, and heaven forbid 20 kg of budgie seed all over the back seats!
Will post for advice on which model baby Lexus to purchase once the Legacy is gone.Boo hoo.
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