Subaru Legacy Spec B comfort
Discussion
Hi,
I am in the process of choosing a new ride, which is always a dilemma. I want a car which is quiet and comfortable on the run at motorway speeds, but can provide a bit of entertainment when the mood strikes. I am currently selling my E46 330Ci which is a great driver's car but I find it aggravating on any trip over two hours. I had an '05 S40 2.4i in the past which was a perfect cruiser - quiet cabin, superb seats and excellent audio system - but didn't deliver in the fun department.
How does Spec B Legacy deliver on seats comfort and cabin noise?
Thanks for your help.
I am in the process of choosing a new ride, which is always a dilemma. I want a car which is quiet and comfortable on the run at motorway speeds, but can provide a bit of entertainment when the mood strikes. I am currently selling my E46 330Ci which is a great driver's car but I find it aggravating on any trip over two hours. I had an '05 S40 2.4i in the past which was a perfect cruiser - quiet cabin, superb seats and excellent audio system - but didn't deliver in the fun department.
How does Spec B Legacy deliver on seats comfort and cabin noise?
Thanks for your help.
My best friend had one for a while and he liked it immensely. However I think in the end he didn’t find it fun enough for the fun stuff or sufficiently comfortable for the mundane stuff.
I remember it was quite thirsty, fairly hard riding, and I was found it a long way down into the seats. He replaced it with an E500 estate and a TVR. I think the e500 actually had better economy.
I remember it was quite thirsty, fairly hard riding, and I was found it a long way down into the seats. He replaced it with an E500 estate and a TVR. I think the e500 actually had better economy.
I run a legacy estate as a dog carrier but often use it for the commute including 20 motorway miles.
It's a mixed bag to be honest. Effortless acceleration & a great auto box but refined isn't a word I'd use. There is a lot of cabin noise (it's Japanese after all) and it feels like it wants to be driven hard if that makes sense, not so much on the motorway perhaps.
Expect 22 to 24 mpg average and a thirst for suspension bits but otherwise legendary reliability
It's a mixed bag to be honest. Effortless acceleration & a great auto box but refined isn't a word I'd use. There is a lot of cabin noise (it's Japanese after all) and it feels like it wants to be driven hard if that makes sense, not so much on the motorway perhaps.
Expect 22 to 24 mpg average and a thirst for suspension bits but otherwise legendary reliability
mark_sloe said:
Thanks for your responses.
Can anyone tell how it compares to a hawkeye Impreza?
never drove a hawkeye but since the Legacy is a car Subaru wanted to challenge the 3 series and Audi A4 of the era I would be surprised if the hawkeye had anything like the comfort of a Legacy, its probably a much different environment.Can anyone tell how it compares to a hawkeye Impreza?
The SpecB does have quite stiff (bilstein) suspension so every pothole you will know about.
How about the TB STi. Has factory Si drive -
https://torque-gt.co.uk/car/subaru-legacy-tuned-st...
If i didn't have the Forester, i'd have this.
https://torque-gt.co.uk/car/subaru-legacy-tuned-st...
If i didn't have the Forester, i'd have this.
MDMA . said:
How about the TB STi. Has factory Si drive -
https://torque-gt.co.uk/car/subaru-legacy-tuned-st...
If i didn't have the Forester, i'd have this.
very sweet, but over my budget.https://torque-gt.co.uk/car/subaru-legacy-tuned-st...
If i didn't have the Forester, i'd have this.
ericmcn said:
mark_sloe said:
Thanks for your responses.
Can anyone tell how it compares to a hawkeye Impreza?
never drove a hawkeye but since the Legacy is a car Subaru wanted to challenge the 3 series and Audi A4 of the era I would be surprised if the hawkeye had anything like the comfort of a Legacy, its probably a much different environment.Can anyone tell how it compares to a hawkeye Impreza?
The SpecB does have quite stiff (bilstein) suspension so every pothole you will know about.
Not an issue for me, have previosuly had Lexus IS250 and CL55 AMG so used to creature comforts, I think for what you get for your money you will be hard pressed to get a better bargain that a Legacy SpecB - when you consider reliability, performance, spec level and AWD goodness and the handling.
Had an '03 2.5 Liberty with standard suspension and seats, and used to regularly drive that to Canberra and back in a day - 650km round trip - no problems. The '05 GT that followed, still with non-Bilstein suspension, was equally good on long trips and went on a few 2000km round trip holidays - 800km in a day and a lap around Mount Panorama with all the family on board...
Current '13 GT has Bilstein and has also done a few holiday trips, Canberra trips, and a lap of the Mountain, all in good comfort. A friend with a 2013 Passat has done the Canberra trip with me a few times, with mtbs in the boot, and always mentions how comfortable the car is on a long trip compared to his VW.
I've also had an '07 V70 and found it to be woeful on long trips - just wanted to shift around in the seat. The Mazda CX9 that followed was waaaaaaay better, but none as good as the Sube. Something about the basic ergonomics of seat-wheel-pedals in the Liberty and Forester that are just spot on. For me, at least.
NVH might not be up to top of the class, but on the flip side, the quality is not dash deep.
Current '13 GT has Bilstein and has also done a few holiday trips, Canberra trips, and a lap of the Mountain, all in good comfort. A friend with a 2013 Passat has done the Canberra trip with me a few times, with mtbs in the boot, and always mentions how comfortable the car is on a long trip compared to his VW.
I've also had an '07 V70 and found it to be woeful on long trips - just wanted to shift around in the seat. The Mazda CX9 that followed was waaaaaaay better, but none as good as the Sube. Something about the basic ergonomics of seat-wheel-pedals in the Liberty and Forester that are just spot on. For me, at least.
NVH might not be up to top of the class, but on the flip side, the quality is not dash deep.
defblade said:
I like my spec B. The seats are really a bit short in the squab for me, but I can do 6 hours a day without any great complaint. Wife likes it too, even for long rides, which is saying something 
Bilstein know what they're doing!
Would anyone be able to comment on any ride/handling/comfort differences between the outback and spec b legacy. I have had an outback and having sold it a few months ago, am slightly missing it.... Bilstein know what they're doing!Outback definitely softer with handling to match. Not driven an Outback newer than about ‘09 though so maybe different now. Spec B sharper than std Lib/Leg too - I think the steering rack used for GT/Spec B is quicker also.
Bilsteins can make the ride jittery - a friend had a 3.0 Spec B at the same time as I had my 05 GT and the ride was noticeably firmer. The Spec B also had 18” rims whereas my GT rode on 17s.
Find one and take it for a drive is the best advice I’ve got!
Bilsteins can make the ride jittery - a friend had a 3.0 Spec B at the same time as I had my 05 GT and the ride was noticeably firmer. The Spec B also had 18” rims whereas my GT rode on 17s.
Find one and take it for a drive is the best advice I’ve got!
sawman said:
I had an 07 H6 outback, i have spotted an 09 spec B. If its still around next week I may go and have a look (although i was supposed to be looking for something cheap to run.....)
like i said, its comfy but also the suspension is very noticable - it sticks to the road however and handling is in a league of its own, you can also remap the Si drive and make the S# mode do naughty things.Gassing Station | Subaru | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff