Hey. Just looking for an opinion on the 08 Legacy 2.5i. I am considering a down-grade to a low mileage 5 speed. The TL is not cutting it with my newly found commute and these New York winters (I realize its almost over with) but there will be another one. So just looking for any past experience or anything like that you may have had with this specific car or the brand in general...I hear they are really good cars overall.

 

If you could scoop up a GT Spec.B, I'd say go for it!

 

I would get a GT but either one is still good, I adore my Subaru, but I'm worse off then u and have to down grade soon to a 95 accord

 

I just bought a 2008 Legacy 3.0R a couple of months ago and love it.

The 2.5l will get a little better gas mileage, but if you need the power i'd go with the 3.0litre motor over the turbo 4. The 6 is more reliable, smoother, has basically the same power, doesnt need premium fuel and gets better gas mileage than the turbo.

Good Luck! and check out legacygt.com

 

I picked up a 07 2.5i Limited a while back for the wife. She loves it and we haven't had any major issues to date. If it were a car for me though I'd be picking up a GT or spec B.

IMO the Limited package is worth it if you can find one around.

 

if you want manual i would get GT over an 3.0 just because of aftermarket parts support for that engine... 260-280 whp not a problem but i wouldn't go higher because of 5 speed tranny... every 3750 miles oil change, every 30k spark plugs but in the winter it will repay you double

 

Get a 4G TL, SH-AWD $30kUsed

 

I feel the 2.5 is a little underpowered, but it's a nice car overall.

 

I have a Forester 2.5 and it is slightly underpowered and the gas mileage is worse than my TL.


But i effing love the thing. It made this winter so much more bearable. You honestly cant beat Subaru's AWD system. It demolishes SH-AWD in the snow. I know because Im comparing my Forester with my old RDX.

You cant go wrong with either model, 2.5i or GT. But if you can find one, get a GT. It will be worth it.

 

The 2.5i is about 175HP, and for a car that weighs ~3400 lbs, that won't work unless a not real zippy car is what you have in mind.

My advice: The best way is a CPO or lightly used 3.0, or a GT if you want the manual or will want to modify the engine. I love my 3.0, very smooth power and the AWD is tough to beat.

Ah, one maintenance note: Timing belt is a must every 100K. And you'll get more than a 100K out of the car.

 

You'd be surprised, my 09 Impreza 2.5i is pretty zippy as you say, low end tq shocks people, maybe it's because it's a 5speed but who knows.

 

Hmm last I checked an Impreza wasn't a Legacy...

Interesting...

 

What are you talking about?

 

The Imprezza weighs less, and is a smaller car. I've driven the 2010 sedan and hatch 2.5i, and they are ok if you beat them like a VTEC. But I would never put them in the same company as the GT or 3.0. Not even close.

Edit: I knew this was a bit fishy. Didn't you post elsewhere you owned a "Slowbaru"?

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=808203

Thought so.

 

that is fishy indeed.

 

Jesus Christ, I leave for a year and everyone turns into a complete jack off.

Yeah it's slow compared to the RSX but I'm just saying it's got a small kick, I didn't know the weight of the Legacy compared so I do apologize about that part of it.

 

Just calling what I see. Not being an ass.

OP: Subaru is a very reliable car. If you follow the service schedule, you'll be in great shape. Now, to have a bit of fun, if you can find a 3.0 it will be great in a NY winter (with dedicated snow tires). Plus, if you luck out at a junkyard and find a Subaru 6MT laying around, it is a direct bolt on. Then the fun begins.

 

Oh I wasn't looking to trade blows with you, I'm all for some friendly and sarcastic banter though, but the difference between a Impreza and a legacy in weight is quite a bit if I recall. Think the "internets" says it is a 339 lbs weight difference, that's quite a bit.

 

And the Imprezza has a rental car grade interior, compared to the Legacy, along with a lot of other differences. It's just a different car, period.

 

What car would be more fun, the 3G TL or the LGT?

 

Honestly, an 08' or 09' LGT with 6MT. Pretty fun, has AWD, and can easily be bumped up to 300 HP. The 2010 and up Legacy is a bit longer and heavier. It's not so much a fun sedan as a fast cruiser IMO.

 

Wish I shopped around a bit more, but the interior isnt up to par with the 3rd gen tho!!!

 

^ in terms of fit and finish, I think Subaru surpasses Acura by quite a bit.

 

The new LGT interior is nice. I like the upgrade.

HOWEVER

Acura interiors are well above the Subaru. Not really a contest. And I love my Subaru.

 

I agree, maybe in terms of quality of materials, and overall design and appeal. But I have to say the fit and finish of my Forester is much better than my old TSX, RDX, and my current 2G TL. All the Acuras I had rattle like no tomorrow. The Forester's interior feels solid.

Regardless, I still love my Acuras.

 

yeah Subaru's are very reliable when maintained properly.

The only time I ever saw issues with them is when people try to mod them too much and strain the stock parts, like for example a 98 impreza 2.5 the tranny will grenade over 300 HP I know I broke one myself, but if you can get a hold of a wrx trans you are good to go.

I think it was a 98 may have been a 2000 not to sure on the year it was literally given to me and I didn't care since it was a car to beat on.

 

So I found a GT 5 speed with 89000 miles on for $10k. Its exactly what I'm looking for. Anything I should be aware of in the 2005 model year with higher miles? I'm test driving tomorrow.

 

mostly transmision the synchros, clutch. 90k service includes new spark plugs... any records on maintenance would be nice like regular oil changes... turbo sometimes fail

 

Lol more tranny problems mentioned...seems to be a thing on most cars these days doesnt it. I am a little worried about the turbo failing. I seen some of that on legacygt.com. I am going to look at the car and drive it and see if its worth going any further with it.

 

Yeah but the only reason the stock turbos fail is because people are trying to get too much boost out of them and when they overspin them they grenade because the stock turbo can only push so much air, if you find a turbo legacy the only problem you may have with it is probably an exhaust leak they are pretty stout from the factory, only the rs version and the non turbo's generally have tranny issues because people convert them to turbo and put too much power to a trans that was not made to handle that power.

 

I would consider this a worthy downgrade. Go for it!

 

Is is a worthy downgrade. The GT with five speed is fuckin fast! Its a totally different car than the TL. However, the car I mentioned above needs way too much work for me to trade in a TL that needs nothing. I am going to keep looking.

 

Good call. 2008/9 are the best years to get (slight redesign). GT FTW.