Wanting to buy a new subaru legacy

[Suzysuby 1]

Hey folks. 

I currently drive a 2.0i subaru legacy 2007 b sport sedan. I enjoy it but find myself constantly wanting for just a bit more power. I haven't owned a manual before but I can drive okay, would like to improve and hopefully will drive some of my mates cars before I get my own, but I'm sure it'll be okay. I also find myself wanting more space and feel that a wagon will be most suited to my needs. Due to the above I find myself wanting a manual legacy (could be convinced to go outback) wagon and tossing up between the 2.0Gt and the 3.0r

 

Price range is flexible as I don't need a car urgently and can save up but currently would have no problem getting a 2007 legacy 2.0gt manual with 160000kms. Realistically I work quite a busy job so don't think I have the time to dedicate to modding my car. Ive also read that the 3.0 is a solid engine.

 

What in you guyses opinions are the main differences between the gt and the 3.0, and what years/trim levels are really worth waiting/spending extra on Thank you

 

 

 

 

Additionally I saw this car just popped up? 

Ideaaaallly I'd like to keep whichever car I get for a good few years, I also hear that the 3.0 is solid in reliability, my main question is is it 300km+++ good, or is it worth waiting for a lower km one to pop uphttps://www.trademe.co.nz/2924945081

 

 

 

[Loren 688]

Get a Ford Ranger.

 

And the 300,000 km Legacy might be really good or completely crap depending on how well it's been maintained.

Could be an extremely expensive car to keep on the road.

Edited January 3 by Loren

[Suzysuby 1]

19 hours ago, Loren said:

Get a Ford Ranger.

 

And the 300,000 km Legacy might be really good or completely crap depending on how well it's been maintained.

Could be an extremely expensive car to keep on the road.

 

Lol do you mean a ford ranger seriously, or just as a joke haha.

True might give this current listing a pass. 

 

Regarding the 3.0 manual, what's a reasonable price to expect to pay for a 3.0 six speed manual with the mcintosh speaker system. Ideally with leather seats?

Cheers

[Loren 688]

Kinda joking because we're on a Subaru forum, but I like my Ranger more than my Legacy wagons for sure. Keep in mind I don't care about having a road going car that corners any more

 

 Not many 3.0 manuals around... you might have to stick to an auto... looks like 10k is the max you should be paying... but really depends on kms.

 

 

 

Edited January 4 by Loren

[Suzysuby 1]

4 hours ago, Loren said:

Kinda joking because we're on a Subaru forum, but I like my Ranger more than my Legacy wagons for sure. Keep in mind I don't care about having a road going car that corners any more

 

 Not many 3.0 manuals around... you might have to stick to an auto... looks like 10k is the max you should be paying... but really depends on kms.

 

 

 

Yup no that's perfectly fair enough and I look forward to the day I'm in your position re the road going car criteria!

 

I think the manual gearbox is more important to me than the engine, that being said what kind of km should I be looking at for the gt wagon? And would you recommend holding out for a 6speed/spec b over a 5?

Thanks

[boon 1,713]

The 3.0 is a cruiser. It suits the auto.

[Suzysuby 1]

If I were to go down the turbo line (as I do really want a manual for a few years whilst it's still a common thing), is there a specific year/model/trim I should be trying for?

Are the gen V legacy gt just as good?

There's one on trademe that doesn't look terrible, but I'm unsure of how they measure up against the gen IV. I do prefer the aesthetic of the gen IV but could be convinced to go V if there is any advantage?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/2902871203

 

[Loren 688]

If you want the purist's driving experience, then stop looking at big fat Legacy wagons. Keep your current car and buy something really small and cheap you can throw around a bit while changing gears to your heart's delight. A s****y old mx5 or something maybe.

 

 

[Dairusire 1,283]

Honestly, there's a huge variance in things to buy. 

 

As far as it goes for getting a legacy with the McIntosh stereo systems, they're dated and likely just going to get ripped out anyway. Like the one in my legacy which is completely stuffed. But what can you expect for a 20yr old car. So don't let this be a selling point because the likelihood is it's trash or soon going to be.

 

Personally the late model (07) BP5 Legacys are really nice cars. They've got nice interior etc and really are the end of where the legacys felt like a 'drivers' car. To be fair, they never really were, but that's where it absolutely stops.
They're also overpriced imho. They're nice cars, but people know they're nice and the demand is enough to drive the market up. Unreasonably so for what realistically is a 13yr old car. 

Anything later, especially '12+ have a quite nice interior and do really get that nice quality feel where Subaru really did step their game up. 

 

As far as reliability goes, of the BP5 variant, the 3.0L is the more reliable engine comparatively to the 2.0

The 2.0 has problems with some models getting the crappy VF38 turbo I believe. It's also known for the JDM cars to nuke their engines when driven hard due to being made to run on 100 octane in japan, and without having been tuned for NZ fuels can lead to severe detonation.

tl;dr 

If you want a turbo (which sounds like you're sold on anyway), find one that's got a bloody good service history. 

If it's had a recently engine replacement, make sure it was a rebuild, you've got receipts to provide proof, someones word is not good enough. 
The 6spd models are far better than the 5 speeds. Just in general a nicer gearbox. 
Same with turbo replacement, if it's not a VF38, it's probably been replaced with I think the TD04-L. Someone confirm, because I can't remember exactly.

 

OR 

 

If you buy one from Japan, once again service history, but most importantly get it serviced from top to bottom and get it tuned by a reputable tuner.

[Joker 1,612]

Legacy Boi from Way back

 

get a WRX (like an Older GC8 

 

went through the shopping experience recently & found myself in a Santa Fe' : I s*** you not (family Wagon