Subaru Legacy GT -- A German shepherd in Japanese sheep's clothing

2006-06-04T20:51:00.000-07:00

The Subaru Legacy GT is high on the list. 5 speed, 2.5L engine pumping out 250 hp/250 lb/ft under the old rules for counting (243/241 new system). 4 doors and decent size in the back seat, though not particularly roomy. Surprisingly fast -- the 2.5L turbo rocks. Quick pick up from any rev. Decent clutch & shifter. Exterior is pretty blah (the wagon is actually much nicer, but I'm looking at sedan), interior is a huge step up from previous Subaru vehicles, though not in luxury car range. Decent sound system. Handles well, and better tires could make it better. Not very tightly sprung, though. Very high quality on all surveys I've seen. Not super gas mileage -- the tuning of the 2.5L turbo drinks gas, 20 city/26 highway.

Pricing in mid-$20,000s (GT) to low-$30,000s (GT limited, with leather etc.). Anyone looking at sporty cars with family to haul should look at this car.

The 2006s are plenty nice, and you can probably get deals on them. A couple of new features coming with 2007 (SI-Drive). Subaru turns over new vehicle years in the summer time, so 2007s are coming soon.

Best web resource on Legacy GTs is http://www.legacygt.com/.
Joe Spitz, a web-friendly salesman at a very good Seattle area dealer, has some good info here http://www.cars101.com/legacy.html
Forbes had a good review http://www.forbes.com/vehicles/2005/02/28/cx_mf_0228test.html
About.com http://cars.about.com/b/a/182384.htm and http://cars.about.com/od/subaru/fr/pp_06legacygt.htm
Car & Driver http://www.caranddriver.com/cars/subaru2062/2005-subaru-legacy.html
MotorTrend http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_9911_2000_subaru_legacy_gt/index.html and
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0508_2005_subaru_legacy_gt/index.html
Canadian Driver great reviews, they understand AWD well. Warning -- dollars figures are Loonies. http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/rp/05legacy_gt.htm
Edmunds has some reviews of course http://www.edmunds.com/new/research/subaru/legacy.html and http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=103180/pageNumber=1?synpartner=edmunds&pageurl=www.edmunds.com/new/2006/subaru/legacy/100566138/roadtestarticle.html&articleId=103180

A number of publications have compared the Legacy GT Ltd. to the Acura TSX. Good comparison of two similar cars in the same price range. Legacy is significantly faster, TSX is more refined. 4 wheel drive on Legacy is another differentiator for some people. See http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef2d410
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=1589&page_number=1

Papa needs a race car

2006-06-04T20:46:00.000-07:00

I've been shopping for a car since I bought my last one. That was over 11 years ago. I don't put too many miles on it, so other needs have seized my cash since then. Before long, though, I'll actually stroll into a dealership, look the salesperson in the eye, and get serious.

My son eggs me on. He's helpful in that he tells my wife, "Papa needs a race car." He's right. Unfortunately, he can't make the payments for me.

It needs to be a race car that can carry four -- much of my driving is of course ferrying around the two kids. So "sporty" is probably going to win over "sports car." Handling is most important. Traffic in Seattle is bad enough that pure speed is not essential. Then again, I never met horsepower I didn't like.

This page will give me a place to channel my shopping urge, and a semblance of a reason to be surfing every bit of auto info on the net.

Papa Needs a Race Car

Subaru Legacy GT -- A German shepherd in Japanese sheep's clothing

Papa needs a race car