Midnight Koop

looking for something bigger, fun to drive, all wheel drive, and dependable (since i need something more practical). what do you guys think of the subaru legacy spec.b? This would be more of a sleeper.

Engine Size 2.5 liters / 150 cu. in.
Horsepower 243 @ 6000 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 241 @ 3600 rpm
Transmission 6-speed manual
Wheelbase / Length 105.1 in. / 186.2 in.
Curb Weight 3515 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 14.5

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 19 / 26 / 21
0 to 60 mph 5.1 sec


http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

omg its nate

I think that is the only Subaru I really like. I hate the looks of the STI's.

Going upon looks and specs seems like a really nice car.

TemjinX2

you might also want to look at a 2010 wrx as well. You get 269hp awd for 25k.

It terms of dependability, maintence and resale value. I would say there better then the mercedes.

It does lack the mercedes styling and driving feel. Drive it and if you like it. Go for it..lol.

Midnight Koop

yeah the wrx has slightly better specs... but i'm not a fan of the look. i want to keep it classic and clean if possible.

if by some magic i can get 14k for my car i might go for the switch

HellsAngel

IMPOSSIBLE

dw1

I seriously looked at the Spec B before deciding on my '07 CPO C230.

A dealer near me (Northern NJ) had a VERY good deal on an '09, just as the '10's were becoming available.

They are, essentially, as different in approach & style from the M-B as it could be and still have 4 wheels and 4 doors. I decided that I really didn't like the interior (esp. dash) styling, and it really felt like it was driving you, rather than you driving it. Also, the mpg is nothing special.

The WRX is a very different story. I really had my eye on a '09 or '10 WRX 5-door, and I love the combination of performance and utility, but in the end I decided that it was an 17k$ (or so) economy car (plastic door panels & all) dressed up with 10k$ of performance parts.

So, for quite a bit less than the cost of a new WRX, I got my '07 C230 w. less than 11k miles.

Midnight Koop

yeah i don't know if i believe those specs completely... but most places i read they generally say mid to lower 5 secs

Midnight Koop

thanks for the thoughts... my main motivations are a good blend of performance & utility in a daily driver. i am turned off by the quality of the interior plastics though.

zcurtis00

I would say look into some of the 2.0t A4s. I really considered getting one of these these because and with just an ecu flash you can get 232hp / 273lb-ft out of it. And you'd be keeping it German, and still have a nice interior.

itisian

uhmm ,
i wouldn't .
get a c-class with 4MATIC.
i don't know an '01 or something..
or get maybe an older E-Class with 4MATIC .
DO NOT TRADE FOR SUBARU .

tommy

Some people need to get over themselves. A c class isn't a Bentley, for God's sake.

It will be larger, more practical, more reliable, faster, more fun to drive, but I'd have to agree about the interior being slightly cheesier. My choice would be the 5-door WRX Premium, but that's just me.

I have absolutely no faith in the long-term practicality of our cars, so to me, it's more a question of when and what you switch to than if.

TemjinX2

I heard the new legacy is going to have nicer interior since Toyota became part owner.

You should check out the 2010 legacy, its a little bit lighter and smilar power and price as well.

Curb Weight: 3481 lbs
Horsepower: 256 hp
Torque: 247 ft-lbs.

inline 6

Automatic: 18 mpg / 25 mpg / 20 mpg

$25k

dw1

Yes, that was my objective as well. I was getting rid of my Saab 900SE turbo 3-door, and wanted something with that combination of utility (50 cu ft of cargo!!), performance (4 dohc 2 L with 15 lbs of boost) & economy (25-30 mpg). But GM went and f***ked up Saab.

A new 3-door A3 would be nice (although A3's are expensive for what you get), as would a new CLC-class, or a hatchback BMW 1-series... BUT NONE OF THOSE ARE AVAILABLE IN THE US!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn, what is it about the US market....

Seriously, my thinking is that my '07 C230 will hold me over for awhile, but will have excellent resale value when I do decide to get rid of it.

e1000

yeah I agree unless you do an INSANE clutch dump.

for comparison my C350 weighs 100lbs less, has less drivetrain loss and about 25 more hp and I'm supposed to be almost a full second slower to 60. riiiiight.

benzc200k

I moved from a 2002 Subaru WRX to a benz.

They are nice cars apart from there Terrible AWD Gearboxes.

I dont know if this applies to the new Legacy as well but wrx's are known for bad gearboxes.

I blew a clutch, then 6 months later blew 1st and 2nd gears completley so had to buy a new box.

Thats just my input.

Although i have to admit there was a bit of Spirited driving that may have caused that

AdidasC230

I used to own a 08 Subaru Outback Turbo. It was a nice car.

Warning. The auto a/c is awefull and doesnt work well. There is A TON more wind noise. THe interior is nice, I think it looks more modern then the C but the materials are a little different (wouldnt say any worse then the W204)

Also they dont make spec b's any more new, but If you are hunting for a used one the 05 are most desired due to thier interior colors and wheels. 08 and 09s have a better looking front end then the 05-07 and a regular legacy GT has the same engine just a 5 speed instead of a 6 speed and no standard nav.

Also check service history on them, turbos go at like 40K and engines blow up if the oil pick up tube isnt replaced with a new one. Also check that all service is done, on subarus you do lots of maint its not like a merc done ever 13k. Also reverse has no syncro and none of the windows are auto up, or down nor is the sunroof.

I went from a volvo to a subaru then to the MB, I missed all the little things the subie didnt have, just be prepared.

Midnight Koop

we're on the same page on this

Midnight Koop

i still have to research the reliability of subaru's... thanks for the caveat... i will definitely keep it in mind during my search

Glyn M Ruck

Great cars - tacky interior. ****ing uncomfortable after a Benz but huge fun.

AdidasC230

There super dependable they wont ever leave you stranded, but that more in refernce to the NA 2.5L which is 100% bullet proof and in like 70% or more of their cars. The turbo is dependable but needs to be very well maintained. The trannys are fine just not syn'd in reverse, people talk about how they blow up subaru trannys in WRXs and its because they drive them like *** hats do neutral drops for 6K and usually mod them to more then what the box is meant to handle. Cant blame subaru for that one.

benzc200k

Yeah thats true BUT, i ahve never head of someone blowing up a EVO gearbox.

Then again, a 6spd STI Gearbox would be much stronger then the standard 5spd in the WRX.

2nd gear is a common issue on WRX's no matter how you drive it. If you are planing to drive like a grandma and never give it some stick then dont bother buying a performance car.

But anyway enough of WRX's this thread is originally about the Legacy so i will shut up now

W203E35

I don't know. I have went up against cars that on paper are faster than the c350 but I have been able to keep up with them or take them. I have taken a G35 coupe and even the new G35 sedan which has more HP than the coupe. Again I know people will think this is a BS but that one day when I went up against the G37 and hanged with it I have a feeling the c350 is underestimated. I don't know about the w204 but when I drove mine and the rental I have a feeling the w203 is quicker.

If you guys know anyone in LA with a 35 or 37 I am willing to run it just to show the difference. None of my friends have a 37. A friend has the 35 sedan which on paper has (309 hp).

I'm not saying I will win a G37. I want to run one again. Maybe the guy I ran didn't start off good.

Let me know guys, anyone who has a G37 in Los Angeles PM me and lets go have some fun.

I also believe wheels play a big role. With these wheels. I feel it on the freeway onramp (and I'm not WOT) and the car keeps pulling. I feel the force of it pulling gradually).

Someone find me a G37 coupe in SoCal and PM me

nlpamg

since you're looking into Subi's, why not an Evo?

+1

I really like the way the STi looks as well.

it's kinda funny seeing some responses where people actually think that the C-Class that they bought pre-owned is better than most cars out there.

should have known me last December. I had a G37 for a month while the M3 was in the shop.

XsuperbeeX

:facepalm:

at least they are more reliable?

FraKctured

Owned two Subarus--Forester and Legacy Wagon. Had to have each towed to the shop once, so reliability is questionable from my experience.

On top of that, they are noisy, seats are less than comfortable, AC is crap, stereo is crap, trim was falling off after 75K miles, lots of unexpected repairs long before 100K (stereo, alternator, CV boots, exhaust). Interior is junk, or will be within a few years.

Very expensive parts for this level of car.

I drove a friend's WRX a few times. Yea, it's fast, but I didn't find it to be fun. It's so unrefined compared to MB that the fun was only in the acceleration. I can't imagine driving a WRX for 4 hours on a medium trip. I'd need motion sickness pills.