Legacy/Outback - a couple of questions

[LimaDelta]

I'm looking at buying a 2007-ish Legacy Spec B or Outback. I know they did the Outback with the H6 3.0 S-drive option (with paddle shift). Is this the same setup used in the Legacy of the same era? Other than the slightly higher ride height is there any real difference between the two?

Also, there is a large (2-sec) difference in the 0-60 times of the H6 3.0 manual vs auto. As 0-60 is largely meaningless, is there much of a real-world difference in performance between the two 'boxes?

Cheers!

[74merc]

AFAIK, the Outback and Legacy are mechanically identical except for the ride height,LSD and self levelling rear suspension, which the Outback has.
They are available only with an auto gearbox, apart from the Spec B, which has the choice of either 6 speed manual or auto.

Incidentally, the auto has much better MPG, due to longer gearing, which probably explains the manual's better acceleration.

Edited by 74merc on Thursday 27th August 13:36

[sawman]

as has been said the only real difference between outback and legacy are suspension changes.

I have had a 2007 outback 3.0r for the last 18 months. its a great all round car. ive covered more than 30k miles and averaged 27mpg, no mechanical issues, with only arb bushes and tyres needing replacement so far.
The Si auto is a funny contraption and I am not absolutely convinced by it - in i mode is always seems to be in too low a gear until you stamp on the gas pedal and it kicks down. S mode is better, and sportsharp is a bit nuts. the flappy paddles are quite slow to act, particularly downshifts. Overall the autobox is inferior to the one my previous 1997 merc c class.
The car is still great though