Audioqueso

I'm writing this thread, not really to rant (though it is a semi-rant), but to maybe help give future-BP5 buyers some insight on some of the cons of living with a BP5 First, I have a 2008 2.0GT Spec-B 5EAT (Japan) Sunroof, cc, full package. It's a very fun car to drive. I can't complain about that! But here are some of the things that I failed to consider when I purchased this car. (In no particular order) 1- The inside of the doors are a bad design for me. The window control/door handle design makes it impossible to just rest your arm on the door while driving and be able to easily use the window controls 2- Frameless window (1st time owning a frameless window) - loud road noise and having to tell every passenger to not close the door by the window is a pain. 3- Absolutely no usable cargo space in the driver seat - the doors have no upper pocket. The pockets on the bottom of the door are really slim. I can't even fit a case with shades. The center console has the cup holders, but that's it. The little tiny pocket behind the shifter is unusable. So my wallet, key fob, and phone are usually in my pocket because there is no place to place them in the front. Yes, there's the space inside the center console with the lid, but not easily accessible. There are a lot more things I don't like about this car, but these are my top three. Honorable Mention - Window speed It's livable, but the window speed in this car is the slowest I've seen in any car. What about you guys? What are some things that you find hard to live with with this car?

Spec B does not change the model name. I just bought a 2008 2.0 GT Spec B wagon. It's BP5 on the paperwork.

I got this information from Subaru of Japan. Will BL5 and BP5 parts fit onto a BL or BP? Depends on the part you're talking about. Engine parts, yes. Transmission, varies. Body, varies. Subaru's naming convention is as follows: First letter - group They said the group is usually the model of the vehicle, but doesn't always mean that. Second letter - model/body The second letter is assigned in order through production. So.. the BL and the following few letters (BM, BN) were reserved for the Legacy sedan. BP and the following few letters (BR) were reserved for the Legacy wagon. https://www.subaru.jp/afterservice/tnst/legacy.html Third letter - engine 5 is the indicator for the 2.0L engine 9 is the indicator for the 2.5L engine E is the indicator for the 3.0L engine and so on

I appreciate the feedback. I'm going to the dealership tomorrow and see if they know if one like this exists for the 4th gen wagons. *Update* I went to the dealership and was looking through the parts catalog with them. Subaru never made a full weather-proof mat that covers all the way up to the top of the seat (like in the picture) for the 4th gen. They started making those for the 5th gen and newer.

Does anyone have a rubber/weather-proof cargo mat/tray like this that covers all the way for their BP5 station wagon? I can't find one for the 4th gen models. Only cloth. I need a rubber/weather-proof type. If you do own one, could you tell me the part number. Or if it's an aftermarket brand, could you please let me know where to order it from. Thank you

With that said, aside from the carpet-style covers, what do people use to protect the dashboard? I just purchased a '08 Legacy, and it seems like it was garage kept because the dashboard is flawless. I want to protect it with something. Just want to see if there's anything besides the carpet-style cover.

If anyone plans on using Cerakote on your dash, I would not recommend you drive that day after applying it. I use Cerakote quite often on my customer vehicles. (Only on the exterior though) This stuff is very strong. In scent and in its bonding properties. So if you do use it, leave the windows open for a few hours. Only thing about this video, tar remover is working for him because those are plastic panels coated with that non-slip stuff. Yes, tar remover works for removing that coating. But in the case of the Legacy dashboard, that's not plastic coated with that non-slip material. I'm not sure how tar remover will affect the Subaru dashboards. Has anyone already tried using tar/bug remover?

I think it's the same type. Wagon type with the really big sunroof. Not the smaller one in the sedans. And that's the same thing I kept finding with the forums over here. That's why I wanted to get the opinions of others. Thank you for all the input.

That's not what I'm asking. You're assuming. Do you have a sunroof on your 4th gen? Has it been more of a pleasure or a problem to you?

For those of you who have a 4th gen with a sunroof, is it worth it? I really want a sunroof again and finally found a '08 GT with a sunroof (40k miles), but also found a cheaper '07 GT Spec B (50k miles), but without a sunroof. I would like to get the opinions of sunroof owners. I've own two other cars with sunroofs, but those were brand new car with no problems. I've never purchased a used car with a sunroof. I've read that it's common for the sunroofs on the 4th Gen to stop working. Is this true? Would you consider your sunroof more of a headache than a pleasure?

Ohh.. interesting. I did not know that there were no automatic Spec Bs in the US. I've seen Spec Bs here with manuals and automatics, the blue seats and grey seats. This may be something that I will have to reach out to Subaru Japan to find out. Thanks to everyone for the valuable input.

Ah, so just different size diffs. Thanks. So if it's an automatic Spec B, then it's a 5EAT which means it probably has the r160, huh?? Do the GTs not have the aluminum arms? I did look at the stickys and searched. But the info I found was that those were the things that made the Spec B different... yet certain GTs have the same Bilstein dampers. That is what I was trying to find out.

Does someone know all the real technical differences of a Spec B and a GT? Technical as in the motor and transmission. I went to a car meet the other day, talking to some Subaru guys that had spec Bs, and this is what I found out to be the difference: Bilstein struts Aluminum arms LSD Different gear ratios Is that all the difference (motor and transmission) for the Spec Bs? So the springs are not made by Bilstein? Ok.. so if that's what makes a Spec B different.. why do some 07-09 GTs have Bilstein struts? Do the GTs not have an LSD or the aluminum arms?

Interior is the same on both cars.

Daily driver. Not interested in making it a tuner car. Will most likely change the exhaust.. but that's probably about it. They're both automatics. I previously wrote about that. I'm in Japan.

Well, I decided to get a 4th gen for now. Levorg next. So.. just want to get your opinions on which you would choose. Both the same price (different dealers). I found a 2007 2.0GT SpecB, 42k miles, aftermarket wheels, STI Genome exhaust, crossbar, Bilstein springs, push-start, sunroof. I found a 2006 2.0GT with only 16k miles. Completely stock. I haven't taken either to have a compression test done yet. But assuming both are in the same condition, would you take a 2.0GT with only 16k miles over a SpecB with 42k miles?

@tony saurus That's sad, isn't it? lol I wouldn't know about Dodge/Chrysler. The last time I touched a Dodge like 15 years ago. And I ended up having the whole vehicle repainted. lol

No, not yet. I need to set up a date to go see a few 4th and 5th gens. Especially now because the 5th gen interior in person is much nicer than I expected. lol I believe that! I was really surprised.

You guys weren't kidding that Subaru's paint sucks. I worked on this Legacy today. The customer wanted a coating. I have heard you guys talk about how weak these Subaru paint jobs are. They REALLY are!! The paint is sooooo soft. There were little nicks on the stupidest of places (like on the top of the trunk). The good part is that the paint is very malleable and so it was easy to fix. But the bad is that this paint is soo weak.

I appreciate all the feedback. I don't think anyone said it has to be a flat engine. I said that I'm in the market for a Legacy and that I am set on a Legacy. I previously wrote my answer. Was it something else you were referring to? Have you guys ever seen this video? This guy is super savvy with Subaru engines. Yes, the 3.0R is available in both. Wanna know something interesting about Japan? The basic driver's license is only valid for an automatic transmission. You need a higher license to be able to drive/buy/register a manual transmission vehicle. Thank you!

lol, no problem I feel the same way about the 4th and 5th gens. 4th look better to me. But the interior, the windows, sound, etc, etc from the 5th appeal to me more. I didn't know that the turbo's were the least reliable. I would assume so just by logic.. but that's just an assumption. Interesting. Thank you. I'm looking at a few. Mostly from 20k-35k miles. I don't mind going up to 40k, but the reason I'm looking at models with such low mileage is because of the reliability. I get mixed reviews about the engines. In the forums, I hear the 3.0/3.6 don't have any problems. In articles, I read that the 3.0/3.6 are known to have problems because of a poorly match engine to transmission. That is the main reason I started this thread. lol... which is why I will be reading more and more before I choose which engine to go for. Thank you for the feedback.

Great feedback. I appreciate the info. Yes, you could say that. I need it more for work, but will make this my daily driver. Without going too much into it, I will sell the Toyota Sienta (minivan) for the Subaru. The Mazda CX-5 is more for the family. I personally don't drive that car nor like riding in that car even though it looks nice. And I will most likely sell the Lexus soon because I barely drive it and it's about $800-$1000 a year I'm paying in federal fees + road tax (owning a car in Japan is expensive) on top of everything else. I love that car (and haven't had a single issue).. but it doesn't make financial sense anymore. Manual or automatic for me. It doesn't matter. Whatever I find that is the better choice. Unless I find out here that one transmission is known to problems. Interesting. So the 5th gen are more of a hassle or problematic than the 4th?

I need a station wagon with a decent amount of power. I will have gear in the vehicle that will be equivalent to having 4 passengers all the time. Hence why I don't want the i version. The Impreza wagons are too small in the cargo area. The Levorg is perfect, but it's over my budget. Why the 4th or 5th gen Legacy? I have always liked the 4th gen, but the improvements in the 5th gen interior are a big deal for me. However, exterior size matters in Japan. Lots of the roads are narrow and sharp. The bigger 5th gen with a bigger turning radius makes a difference. So I'm not set in stone for which gen I will buy. 4th gen for exterior, 5th for interior. But with that said, I don't know anything about the motors.. so I've been on here for the past few hours just reading through threads to see if there are any particular versions that are great or any particular version that is problematic, etc, etc.

Really? Why would you say that? Are the Subaru's H6 not any good? I've been reading through the "Naturally Aspirated" section just to read of problems. I don't know much about Subaru engines, but my logic was that NA would be less problems than a turbo.

I posted a thread over in the 4th gen forum. Don't want to double post, but in case you're interested in this poll and you never go to the other groups, here is the thread: https://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/which-model-engine-reliabilityi-4th-5th-geni-h4-h6i-286293.html Any feedback is appreciated.