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Legacy? Outback? Forester? Petrol / diesel?


sandspider
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Hi all

 

I've already posted part of this in the new users section, but thought I'd put it here too as more people are likely to see it.

 

So. Newbie in Bristol here. Not got a Subaru yet, but thinking of a Legacy or Outback perhaps - probably an estate car for practicality. Up until Monday of this week I had a Suzuki Jimny for dirty work - logs, shooting, dogs, snow, camping, country roads, touch parking etc. and an ancient Porsche for long journeys and fun. However, on Monday my gf rolled the Jimny! Luckily she and the dog were fine, but the car is a gonner. So, I'm looking for a replacement, but thinking possibly of going for one car to avoid the expense and hassle of two. I was considering a 3.0l Subaru Legacy estate car - practical, fun to drive, reliable, reasonable soft off roader, only a bit thirsty! Ideally a 2005 ish manual model for the newer interior, but not the higher tax band.
Or possibly even a more modern diesel Legacy. Or perhaps an Outback, though the higher ground clearance probably wouldn't be needed much really...

 

Any thoughts on the best model for my needs? Also, what are Subarus like to service? I service my other cars myself, but I saw somewhere that you have to take the enginge out of a Subaru to change the spark plugs if you don't have a special tool that Subaru garages have... Is this right? Sounds ridiculous! Can you service a Subaru on your drive, or do you need any old garage, or a specialist Subaru garage?

 

Also, are there any buying guides on here for Legacies / Outbacks? I could only find one for an Impreza... Or, what is there to look out for when buying a Legacy? (Besides the usual...)

 

Cheers all, lots more to read here.

 

Giles

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Hi mate welcome, sorry about the car glad everyone's ok though,

As for servicing plugs are hard to reach ig you remove the airbox and washer bottle it's fairly straightforward. Google specialists in your area as main dealer prices are a joke. The layout ofbthe engine means it's fairly easy to work on. Remove the rad for belt changes and you can get at just about everything.

Imprez's will handle just about all conditions apart from really thick stuff. I'm in the forester camp so have a little more clearance 66cm as standard. I'm sure yhe outback owners will be along soon

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Thanks chief. Yes, could've been much worse - metal can be replaced. Got ya. I found a video on youtube, and the plugs look fiddly but doable. Can't really justify an Impreza to go with my Porsche! Need at least one practical car between us... :s

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I would be inclined go for outback or if want all in one a Forester XT.

Extra ground clearance is useful, amount of legacy's I see in with damaged sills & bumpers due to grounding even if just a high curb or deep ditch on a tight road, Forester or Outback cope better & tend to be found in better condition too.

For versatility The Forester is hard to beat, dogs,logs, camping or spirited drive (XT)

Outbacks can be found at bargain prices due to running costs.

Forester 2.0XT wins here too as can be reasonably close mileage to the naturally aspirated engine if driven gently.

Any of these cars normally have minimal common faults & mileage in access of 120K can still run superb.

Always best buying with close to full service history & 1 or 2 long term owners, sometimes 2 or 3 owners can be better as new owners tend to splash bit at a newly purchased car & tick off some service items & minor faults that a 1 10 year owner may want avoid.or live with.

Other thing is view & test drive a few perhaps from local dealers even if not exact price colour or whatever as helps gain knowledge & value plus perhaps reduce model options you think are suitable.

Happy hunting ...

I would cross diesel off the list as early ones not the best & they hold a premium & can be costly unless buy wisely & do enough mileage compensate extra purchase & running costs.

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Thanks Mr B, that's useful. Realistically i don't do much off roading, and none of it's hard core. I only put the Jimny in 4wd two or three times a month, and that was more because I could than because I needed to!

 

I'm guessing the Forester has worse fuel consumption on average than the Legacy as it's higher and more boxy? And that XT = turbo? Good thought on two or three owner cars - as and when I get one, the first thing I do will be a thorough service and fix any niggles. Also agree about diesel - there're fewer of them, and they're expensive, and I don't do that much mileage really either. Yes, think I need to do some test driving.

 

Can anyone comment on handling and fuel consumption of auto vs manual? And performance vs consumption of 2.0l, 2.5l and 3.0l? Is there a sweet spot for decent peformance with reasonable consumption?

 

Cheers.

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Legacy is bigger than the Forester, fuel consumption about the same.

Forester driving visibility/position is superb.

Personally my favourite is the Forester followed by the Outback.

Manual is better fuel consumption but not by much.Best performance to cost is the XT as if needs be it gets close to standard consumption of the non turbo 2 litre .

All of them handle great & have superb permanent 4wd system which happy in a muddy field or snow covered road etc.

Very safe cars & won't tip over like the Jimny :-S

A forester XT pro drive would make your Porsche redundant possibly which would save some bills annually.

Outback 2.5 & 3.0 are very nice & some bargains & super good good example can be found if automatic an option.

Best thing is look at some & see how you feel after driving & reviewing each models practicality for you use.

Fuel & car tax is always going up so I would play safe here to avoid possible major change in tax rules/pricing .

 

2-3 car owner is something I noticed from being in the trade. Many 1 owner vehicles tend get a bit thin on servicing quality & minor maintenance issues are untouched when near that point of moving on, while 2 & 3 owner cars tend have fresh enthusiasm & cash so things like recent cambelt change, new tyres & minor faults fixed that had been left buy previous owner/s are quite common.

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A late 2005 outback 3.0 auto will return 27mpg real world on high octane fuel and will come with the power, luxury feel, ride height and practicality you desire....not to mention the fun factor when you open her up and leave people wondering what the hell you are running in your normal looking estate car haha

Lower tax band too if registered pre 23 March 06

Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk

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Thank you gents, that's useful. I hadn't really considered the Forester - it seemed a bit too hardcore 4x4 for my needs, but I'll have a look at one. I heard tell that the Outback handles a bit more boat like than the normal Legacy, and surely the Forester would be similar? More wallowy than the legacy, similar to the Outback?

 

Need to do some viewings and test drives.

 

Cheers all B)

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Love my Forester 2.5XT .

 

 

She is my first Subaru and I looked long and hard before deciding to take the plunge but now I am glad that I did.

 

 

High mileage at 146,000 but she can manage 30+ MPG on a steady run which isn't bad for an almost 2 Tonne, permanent 4X4 estate car with plenty of horses on tap.

 

 

 

The road holding seems to be very good, as you would expect from a Subaru.

 

There is some slight body roll on corners but that is due mainly to the increased ground clearance which is better for rough tracks, fields and potholes. My Forester now has a set of higher profile 17" tyres rather than the low profiles so she rolls a little more but has extra ground clearance which is what i wanted.

 

 

After you have bought a Subaru, should any problems arise in the future there are some really knowledgeable and helpful members here who can point you in the right direction.

 

 

There are a few common faults as there are with all makes and models of cars but many of them are DIY able.

 

 

As mentioned, take a few test drives if possible before deciding on which car to buy.

 

 

Good Luck.

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A little bit of front end understeer is par for the course with it being awd. Quite a few owners who are 'enthusiastic' in driving style often change the rear ARB for a thicker one. Or just drive around the problem. Since I've changed the struts you can really lean on her into the corner and just use the grip to come through the other side. Wet weather performance is in a diffrrent league

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perhaps a Forester is a bit too off road but worth looking at one just to tick it off.

I think Outback would be best & tend to be bargains too. Handling & performance is very good.

You can get a lot of car for small money & in incredibly close to perfect condition with the Outbacks plus they very very versatile.

David1972 is good source of opinion as he recently went from Forester to Outback, great looking car too.

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I've got a legacy saloon. It's flippin marvelous. I love it. :)

 

i'd say either a legacy estate or an outback would be a good option. Although, if you want/need the higher ground clearance then go for the outback. I do find my legacy is quite low and rough farm tracks can be a little be awkward. But other than that its !Removed! lovely.

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Tbh I went for the outback diesel. Seems ok so far (touch wood) and if driven carefully will easily average 45 to 47 mpg. I have seen over 50 on the inboard computer thing.

Power is nice and cruising on the motorway is very comfortable.

I don't think you'd be disappointed in any of them tbh.

Cheers

Alan

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A late 2005 outback 3.0 auto will return 27mpg real world on high octane fuel and will come with the power, luxury feel, ride height and practicality you desire....not to mention the fun factor when you open her up and leave people wondering what the hell you are running in your normal looking estate car haha

Lower tax band too if registered pre 23 March 06

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As above..............although I wish I could get 27 average in mine :lol:

Not at all wallowy, flat through the bends and drives superb. eBay is a good place to look, you`ll find they (Mostly) have FSH and stamps to match. 

 

Dave.....what juice do you use.....Un-Leaded or Super?......ive not tried super as there`s not many round here sell it but if its bett MPG i`ll find a cup or 3 :)

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As above..............although I wish I could get 27 average in mine :lol:

Not at all wallowy, flat through the bends and drives superb. Ebay is a good place to look, you`ll find they (Mostly) have FSH and stamps to match.

Dave.....what juice do you use.....Un-Leaded or Super?......ive not tried super as there`s not many round here sell it but if its bett MPG i`ll find a cup or 3 :)

I use tesco momentum mate, so super unleaded. Only 5p a litre more than the normal stuff, as opposed to the Shell v-power which tends to be 8-9p a litre more. More than pays for itself with better mpg, not to mention being better for the engine [emoji106]

Sent from my iphone using Tapatalk

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I picked up a one owner 05 auto Outback 2.5 with full dealer history and 80k miles for £3k. Its virtually immaculate and only the alloys let it down as they are all damaged from snow chains. It has full leather and all the extras. Went for the Outback as already mentioned they are a lot of car for not much money and the extra ground clearance is useful. Forester would not fit in my garage as it has a low ceiling. It drives and handles very well and is super comfy on long trips. Large boot also fits all our crap so no need to sit with stuff on your lap for family holidays. Also has oodles of space when the rear seats are folded its almost like a small van.

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