B4 Legacy Advice
Discussion
I am in the throes of researching my new fixation: a 4th-gen Legacy estate. However, my head is spinning with all the variants and subsequently trying to work out which I want/should aim for.
Can you wonderful people offer any advice?
- 3.0R or 2.0 twinscroll?
- GT? B Spec? GT B Spec? Is a GTB a GT B spec? (People’s adverts are shocking sometimes!)
- import or no? What are the key differences likely to be in a JDM car?
- Am I right in thinking that there’s no manual 2.0 twinscroll?
I’ve seriously done my own head in working this all out and looking at the options available in my budget (7-8k). Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
Also: if anyone in the North-east has one and fancies showing me it and sermonising at length on the subject, please do get in touch! I’ll be your new best friend
Can you wonderful people offer any advice?
- 3.0R or 2.0 twinscroll?
- GT? B Spec? GT B Spec? Is a GTB a GT B spec? (People’s adverts are shocking sometimes!)
- import or no? What are the key differences likely to be in a JDM car?
- Am I right in thinking that there’s no manual 2.0 twinscroll?
I’ve seriously done my own head in working this all out and looking at the options available in my budget (7-8k). Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
Also: if anyone in the North-east has one and fancies showing me it and sermonising at length on the subject, please do get in touch! I’ll be your new best friend
I’ve had a couple of the Gen 4 cars. Both estates, one NA, the other turbo (Tuned by STI).
The only reason you’d buy a 3.0 is because of the noise. They are more front end heavy and don’t handle as well as a 2.0. Don’t believe anyone who says any different, there is just more weight over the nose.
You can get a manual twinscroll, but you’ll pay. Current prices in Japan are almost double for a manual compared to auto. I didn’t mind the auto with paddles. It’s not a small car/hot hatch, so not the perfect B road blaster that demands a manual. In sport#, it’s more than quick enough through the box. But remember, these are 15 years+ old now, so not the latest auto box design. Time/technology have moved on a bit.
I wasn’t using mine much, so sold it back to TGT. It just sat in the garage as I have another Gen 4 as a daily and I didn’t like getting the TbSTI dirty!
https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/legacy-tuned-by-sti-30...
The only reason you’d buy a 3.0 is because of the noise. They are more front end heavy and don’t handle as well as a 2.0. Don’t believe anyone who says any different, there is just more weight over the nose.
You can get a manual twinscroll, but you’ll pay. Current prices in Japan are almost double for a manual compared to auto. I didn’t mind the auto with paddles. It’s not a small car/hot hatch, so not the perfect B road blaster that demands a manual. In sport#, it’s more than quick enough through the box. But remember, these are 15 years+ old now, so not the latest auto box design. Time/technology have moved on a bit.
I wasn’t using mine much, so sold it back to TGT. It just sat in the garage as I have another Gen 4 as a daily and I didn’t like getting the TbSTI dirty!
https://www.torque-gt.co.uk/legacy-tuned-by-sti-30...
I've had two Gen 4s, both pre-facelift estates, both made in 2006: A JDM auto and I've currently got a UK 6 speed 3.0.
The big difference is that the JDM car looked like new underneath, while my UK car...doesn't.
The 5 speed auto box is actually pretty good, i much preferred it to the newer 6 speed Auto in my R36. The ability to change up and down with buttons on the wheel is really helpful. From what I've heard the face lift models with the flappy paddles and SI drive are ever better.
The 6 speed manual box is just fantastic. Possibly the best gear box I've used; going through 3rd/4th/5th is just brilliant and it really suits the 3.0 engine. But I wouldn't pay double the price of an SI drive equipped auto model.
The JDM suspension is harder than the UK spec, I've just fitted JDM suspension from a low mileage GTB to my 3.0 and it's noticeably firmer. The twin scrolls can be easily mapped for a few more horse power, 290 ish is a safe limit for the auto box. Getting more power from the 3.0 is really expensive.
All Subarus like a drinks, but the 3.0 is even more thirsty than the 2.0. The imports have much lower road tax.
What else? Upgrading the stereo is a PITA. They all like to consume wheel bearings, wishbone and ARB bushes. Spares support is fine, and the owners community is very helpful.
The big difference is that the JDM car looked like new underneath, while my UK car...doesn't.
The 5 speed auto box is actually pretty good, i much preferred it to the newer 6 speed Auto in my R36. The ability to change up and down with buttons on the wheel is really helpful. From what I've heard the face lift models with the flappy paddles and SI drive are ever better.
The 6 speed manual box is just fantastic. Possibly the best gear box I've used; going through 3rd/4th/5th is just brilliant and it really suits the 3.0 engine. But I wouldn't pay double the price of an SI drive equipped auto model.
The JDM suspension is harder than the UK spec, I've just fitted JDM suspension from a low mileage GTB to my 3.0 and it's noticeably firmer. The twin scrolls can be easily mapped for a few more horse power, 290 ish is a safe limit for the auto box. Getting more power from the 3.0 is really expensive.
All Subarus like a drinks, but the 3.0 is even more thirsty than the 2.0. The imports have much lower road tax.
What else? Upgrading the stereo is a PITA. They all like to consume wheel bearings, wishbone and ARB bushes. Spares support is fine, and the owners community is very helpful.
If an import you'll need to either run on 99 fuel or factor in a remap.
I had a 4th gen, and didn't love it. It just felt a bit old hat. It's actually up for sale currently. It was a late 07 twinscroll, with si drive and flappy paddles.
I then imported a 5th gen, which is much more grown up. Comes with the 2.5 turbo, along with si drive and flappy paddles.
I had a 4th gen, and didn't love it. It just felt a bit old hat. It's actually up for sale currently. It was a late 07 twinscroll, with si drive and flappy paddles.
I then imported a 5th gen, which is much more grown up. Comes with the 2.5 turbo, along with si drive and flappy paddles.
I had one. A nice one too, 2.0 Gt in WR blue. Looked great, was quick, handled reasonably well and was lighter than you'd expect at around 1500kg. The interior was better screwed together and nicer than Impreza, also had loads of room.
Not especially involving to drive though, I had an auto and it was competent but old school and fairly slow to change by modern standards. Because its a twinscroll it has very little of the classic Subaru rumble if that matters to you, still sounded good with a sports exhaust.
They are easier to work on and more reliable than the earlier twin turbo Legacy, although there were plenty of people with Gen 4's having not insignificant faults on the owners club Facebook page.
Fair but of exclusivity with one of these, but for the performance and economy, there's better out there I think.
Sold it after a year or so much like I do with anything unless I love it.
Not especially involving to drive though, I had an auto and it was competent but old school and fairly slow to change by modern standards. Because its a twinscroll it has very little of the classic Subaru rumble if that matters to you, still sounded good with a sports exhaust.
They are easier to work on and more reliable than the earlier twin turbo Legacy, although there were plenty of people with Gen 4's having not insignificant faults on the owners club Facebook page.
Fair but of exclusivity with one of these, but for the performance and economy, there's better out there I think.
Sold it after a year or so much like I do with anything unless I love it.
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