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Subaru Legacy/Outback 2005+

10833 messages,  Last post on Feb 26, 2013 at 5:40 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Sedan, Wagon




Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

Messages Page 641 of 1085

#6392 of 10833 Re: Legacy Suspension [kens] by checkitout

Jan 31, 2005 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: kens (Jan 28, 2005 9:38 pm)
Kens
 
You stated "I think you're mixing up the base Legacy with the Legacy GT. The base Legacy is definetly playing in the same arena as the Accord and Camry. I don't think most people who are looking at the base model are going to put as much weight on sport as those who shop for the Legacy GT.
People who are shopping for G35s, BMWs, Acuras or to upgrade their WRX are probably going to look at the Legacy GT, not the base Legacy.
It was the Legacy GT at the C&D event, not the base model. "
 
I know the difference between the base Legacy and the GT. I know that the C&D event had the GT. The couple of times I have driven the Legacy they were all in a GT.
 
My point is that the GT suspension has been detuned slightly. You yourself admitted to this on 9/4/04:
     "The Legacy not suprisingly took top honors in the power department. Where it lost points was in the suspension and handling area. I suspect that the GT is tuned a bit softer than some of the other models and combined with Subaru's long travel suspension and the RE92s, it would diminish any hard-core driving. "
 
ateixeira, "Legacy GT Limited vs. Acura TSX and TL" #161, 30 Aug 2004 10:24 am
 
So it is not just my opinion or the opinion of others, but even some of the positive reviews that the GT has gotten have also mentioned an over boosted steering, and body roll. e.g. Motor trend and R&T.
    Motor Trend said "But its [GT] steering feels darty and overboosted, with more quickness than feel and feedback, making us tentative in fast sweepers on the outside lane of the mountain road. We had no such complaints with Japanese-spec 2.0-liter turbo Legacy GTs last year at the Fuji racetrack ("First Drive," October 2003).
 
I am not bashing the Legacy. There is a very high probability that I will buy it. I mean, what other car gets you so much performance for 24-28K? Its suspension and steering are not that bad but I did notice that the GT had a slightly more slushy suspension and an overboosted steering compared to the 325i. I have also noted these minor quips when comparing it to my brothers WRX. These things are not a deal breaker for me, but they did cause some slight dissapointment. That's all.

#6393 of 10833 kens by checkitout

Jan 31, 2005 (1:21 pm)

BTW, I am not stalking your old messages. hehe. I was catching up on the TSX v. GT board when I came across your old message.
 
Nelson

#6394 of 10833 Re: Slightly OT: How did Subaru 1st catch your eye? [timo1745] by tsy

Oct 28, 2004 (10:36 am)

Replying to: timo1745 (Jan 31, 2005 7:03 am)
Mid eighties- it was a GL-10 I think. My friend's car, we tried to kill it (short of empting the oil and stuff). And couldn't. Very impressed, believe me we tried! It just wouldn't die!
 
tom

#6395 of 10833 Re: Legacy Suspension [checkitout] by tsy

Jan 31, 2005 (2:34 pm)

Replying to: checkitout (Jan 31, 2005 1:13 pm)
Actually once you get used to the suspension roll and replace the tires, and get used to the quicker steering you can really hustle this car through the curves. But it's not a Porsche, and not even a BMW. And although it's 'softened' from the JDM market, it does make a very comfortable car. A disappointment to me at first too, but it just means you need to be a more skilled (read smooth) driver to drive fast, that's all.
 
BTW, the suspension is easily fixed with a set of coilovers, which would give you much better handling than a BMW, G35, or TSX/TL and still have paid less! (I'm considering changing out my springs and maybe the struts myself)
 
tom

#6396 of 10833 Re: Legacy Suspension [checkitout] by kens

Jan 31, 2005 (2:53 pm)

Replying to: checkitout (Jan 31, 2005 1:13 pm)
checkitout:
 
Okay, got your points. I wasn't sure if you realized that the base model and GT had different tuning based on your message.
 
Yeah, the GT probably isn't tuned hard enough for people who really want very cutting edge handling. Our own Colin also mentioned that he would have seriously considered the GT over the Evo had it come with a sport suspension option.
 
But the GT is probably far more "sport" for 80% of the owners out there including myself that use it as a daily driver and family vehicle. While I would love sharper handling and less body roll too, I don't think I would want it at the cost of a bone-jarring ride. The base Legacy is tuned right there around the CamCord marketspace and the GT probably a few notches above in the A4/TSX area.
 
Over at Legacygt.com (have you been there?) there are lots of folks with concerns similar to yours that have taken on to a few simple modifications to improve handling. The most popular one seems to be swapping out the rear sway bar for the JDM version. The sky's the limit on how much of a track car you want to make it, but from what I've gleaned from Paul Hansen's review, the USDM Legacy GT isn't too far away from the Spec B JDM version.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if Subaru did offer an STi-like package for the GT in a few years. It all depends on demand and the competition. Are you planning on buying soon?
 
Ken

#6397 of 10833 Cold feet? by tickman

Jan 31, 2005 (2:53 pm)

When I have all of the heat directed to the floor on my '05 OBXT, both my wife and I complain of cold feet. With the fan running full blast and all air directed down, there seems to be very little air getting out of the floor ducts. Defrost and dash ducts blow plenty of air when selected. Has anyone else noticed this?
 
Rick

#6398 of 10833 by ateixeira

Jan 31, 2005 (3:06 pm)

Nelson: that link was to an unrelated old message of mine???
 
Here is my review of the Legacy GT. I had the privilege of taking a 5MT and 5EAT sedan out on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway infield track. The car was beyond my limited capabilities, but I still hit 100+ mph on the short straight.
 
It had enough torque to power slide out of the last corner before the straight.
 
ateixeira, "Town Hall Test Drive Team" #109, 20 May 2004 9:42 pm
 
The GT has a quicker steering ratio than the 2.5i, and lower profile tires on 1" bigger rims. Probably slightly stiffer springs.
 
Did they leave room for an STi above the Legacy GT? Sure, I think so, but the GT is the gentleman's sports sedan, still livable on days when you're not at the track.
 
-juice

#6399 of 10833 tire pressure '05 OB Ltd. 16" wheels by orangelebaron

Jan 31, 2005 (3:51 pm)

The sticker on the door says 30 or 32 psi...
Is 35 psi too high? Tires seemed soft, so I put that much in thinking it would help the low mpg... but it didn't seem to help according to trip computer.

#6400 of 10833 Re: [ateixeira] by crashton6

Jan 31, 2005 (3:57 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 31, 2005 10:12 am)
You didn't mention the kids. That does put a whole new spin on your climate control issue. Good luck.
 
Chuck

#6401 of 10833 Re: Cold feet? [tickman] by bac4uw

Jan 31, 2005 (5:24 pm)

Replying to: tickman (Jan 31, 2005 2:53 pm)
Yes... my wife and I have complained about about this as well in our 05 OB 2.5i. The problem seems to be intermittent to me though... there are definitely times when the floor heat is working. But then there are times when my toes are numb -- all without changing the 'directed down' setting. Very strange indeed.
 
Bryan

Messages Page 641 of 1085

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