1999 Legacy GTB - Would ya?
Discussion
I'm very tempted by a Legacy GTB estate (2.0 twin turbo) that I've seen for sale.
Anyone on here got any experience or advice regarding taking on one of these old beasts as a family bus?
It's a 1999 on a 'T' plate with just over 90k on the clock. Looks to be in good condition. Any specifics I should be looking for? I've trawled the web and can't find a 'buyers guide' for the Legacy.
Anyone on here got any experience or advice regarding taking on one of these old beasts as a family bus?
It's a 1999 on a 'T' plate with just over 90k on the clock. Looks to be in good condition. Any specifics I should be looking for? I've trawled the web and can't find a 'buyers guide' for the Legacy.
Edited by V8Wagon on Sunday 14th October 10:02
Great cars, the mid-01 facelift made some mechanical/ECU changes that are good if you can find a newer one - less lag, smoother delivery etc. Manuals are much better than autos, 280bhp vs 260. Love my '02 GTB and can't think what I'd replace it with.
Think there are a couple of older threads on them in here somewhere if you can find them.
Think there are a couple of older threads on them in here somewhere if you can find them.
I've got the saloon version. Comfy, nice to drive, good performance, steering is precise but very light on feedback. The brake calipers needed refurbed and the radiator burst, other than that it's been very reliable. Plenty of room in the back and good luggage space, the estate will have way more 
. The 99 will have a significant "valley of death" between the first and second turbos. Just remembered, the McIntosh in car CD player is a bit temperamental especially when cold, the boot changer works fine but the headunit one throws up errors sometimes.
Downside is mpg, 26-27 in typical tootling about, 30 on long runs, <20 if you hoof it.
. The 99 will have a significant "valley of death" between the first and second turbos. Just remembered, the McIntosh in car CD player is a bit temperamental especially when cold, the boot changer works fine but the headunit one throws up errors sometimes.Downside is mpg, 26-27 in typical tootling about, 30 on long runs, <20 if you hoof it.
[quote]Would Ya?
[/quote]
I have before
MY98 GT-B
Don't discount the auto's, even with the quoted 20bhp difference between them and the manual transmission. The nice thing with the Auto is that the VOD isn't as bad as in the manual, the bad thing is that the MPG will be worse
Had mine (an auto) for 3+ years and loved it to bits, would definately get another one although I would look for a GT spec B (JDM BP5 shape)
Not a buyers guide as such but well worth a read http://www.uklegacy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic... also a great forum for sourcing information.
Whilst the normal check for knocks, rattles and nasty noises from the engine is a must, when driven from cold the Legacys have a tendancy to have a noisy solenoid which can 'tick' whilst under acceleration....should go when warm, so don't be too hasty to diagnose a fault. If you look at an auto, the box should have no delay when engaging from standstill. The speed sensitive steering will be something to get used to and they are very light, with little feedback through the wheel at speed....... the issue mainly being because the gearbox ecu will remain in KPH and you'll be driving around with a displayed MPH. You do get a feel for the car though and will soon get used to how they corner well.
[/quote]
I have before
MY98 GT-B Don't discount the auto's, even with the quoted 20bhp difference between them and the manual transmission. The nice thing with the Auto is that the VOD isn't as bad as in the manual, the bad thing is that the MPG will be worse
Had mine (an auto) for 3+ years and loved it to bits, would definately get another one
although I would look for a GT spec B (JDM BP5 shape)Not a buyers guide as such but well worth a read http://www.uklegacy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic... also a great forum for sourcing information.
Whilst the normal check for knocks, rattles and nasty noises from the engine is a must, when driven from cold the Legacys have a tendancy to have a noisy solenoid which can 'tick' whilst under acceleration....should go when warm, so don't be too hasty to diagnose a fault. If you look at an auto, the box should have no delay when engaging from standstill. The speed sensitive steering will be something to get used to and they are very light, with little feedback through the wheel at speed....... the issue mainly being because the gearbox ecu will remain in KPH and you'll be driving around with a displayed MPH. You do get a feel for the car though and will soon get used to how they corner well.
I've got a 97 GTB and I love it. No regrets so far and it's the longest I've kept a car for a long time with no intention of getting rid. The VOD can be mapped out but it's expensive to do. You learn to drive round it and actually get used to the top end surge. There can't be many turbo cars that pull strongly passed 7k. Piston slap from cold is common but nothing to necessarily worry about.
I have a 99 RSK B4 (The saloon version) It only has around 60k miles 1 owner car in japan with docs to prove, i paid just £1900, but would of been happy paying twice that.
It needed Discs, which are the same as an Imprezza so cheap parts.
VOD is noticable but adds to the fun.You learn to be at about 4200 revs and its fine.
Power steering is over assisted which is a shame, but saying that the Mrs loves it, its easy to drive.
you need to stick to decent super unleaded such as 99octane shell and tesco stuff really if you can. Reason being they use something like 103 Octane stuff in japan, and My average is always 24MPG, but i cant resist booting it on empty roads.That second turbo really makes them move along, to the point it feels faster than an E46 M3. (It probably isnt much over 100MPH, but its the delivery)
The etune version of the GTB has longer gears and 300BHP.
It needed Discs, which are the same as an Imprezza so cheap parts.
VOD is noticable but adds to the fun.You learn to be at about 4200 revs and its fine.
Power steering is over assisted which is a shame, but saying that the Mrs loves it, its easy to drive.
you need to stick to decent super unleaded such as 99octane shell and tesco stuff really if you can. Reason being they use something like 103 Octane stuff in japan, and My average is always 24MPG, but i cant resist booting it on empty roads.That second turbo really makes them move along, to the point it feels faster than an E46 M3. (It probably isnt much over 100MPH, but its the delivery)
The etune version of the GTB has longer gears and 300BHP.
GravelBen said:
Where did you get that info from? Mine is an E-tune, as far as I'm aware its just a trim level.
On the net. Been a few years since I imported them but definatly remember seeing that on a few sites. They were always a premium over standard too.Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 24th October 06:07
Having said that Ive had another quick google and cant find the power confirmed as 300, but only found 1 reference to a 2001+ model having higher gearing.
Maybe it was on an importers site.
Edited by nottyash on Wednesday 24th October 12:22
Found a fair bit of speculative info on the net when I bought mine, but nothing ever backed it up with references. It was a Subaru specialist down here that told me it was just a trim level.
There were some significant mechanical differences with the mid-2001 (Rev-D) facelift though - different turbo combination (VF33 primary/VF32 secondary), higher compression, newage Denso ECU, probably longer gearing as you said (mine pulls around 2600rpm at 60mph), can't remember what else off the top of my head.
There was also the STI s402 which was a special edition 320bhp 6-speed, STI suspension/brakes etc. Really nice piece of kit if you can find one.
There were some significant mechanical differences with the mid-2001 (Rev-D) facelift though - different turbo combination (VF33 primary/VF32 secondary), higher compression, newage Denso ECU, probably longer gearing as you said (mine pulls around 2600rpm at 60mph), can't remember what else off the top of my head.
There was also the STI s402 which was a special edition 320bhp 6-speed, STI suspension/brakes etc. Really nice piece of kit if you can find one.
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 25th October 11:58
GravelBen said:
Found a fair bit of speculative info on the net when I bought mine, but nothing ever backed it up with references. It was a Subaru specialist down here that told me it was just a trim level.
There were some significant mechanical differences with the mid-2001 (Rev-D) facelift though - different turbo combination (VF33 primary/VF32 secondary), higher compression, newage Denso ECU, probably longer gearing as you said (mine pulls around 2600rpm at 60mph), can't remember what else off the top of my head.
There was also the STI s402 which was a special edition 320bhp 6-speed, STI suspension/brakes etc. Really nice piece of kit if you can find one.
And the Blitzen, which were quite rare and pricey for whats basically a body kit I seem to recall.There were some significant mechanical differences with the mid-2001 (Rev-D) facelift though - different turbo combination (VF33 primary/VF32 secondary), higher compression, newage Denso ECU, probably longer gearing as you said (mine pulls around 2600rpm at 60mph), can't remember what else off the top of my head.
There was also the STI s402 which was a special edition 320bhp 6-speed, STI suspension/brakes etc. Really nice piece of kit if you can find one.
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 25th October 11:58
I cant sell mine, as there is nothing else around with the value/ performance. There is a noticable VOD on mine.
nottyash said:
And the Blitzen, which were quite rare and pricey for whats basically a body kit I seem to recall.
I cant sell mine, as there is nothing else around with the value/ performance. There is a noticable VOD on mine.
Some Blitzens got a front LSD which would be nice but yeah other than that is just bodykit/wheels and the leather interior option. They do look nice though.I cant sell mine, as there is nothing else around with the value/ performance. There is a noticable VOD on mine.
Know what you mean about not being anything to replace it, I have the same problem!
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