thomas1657615996

Been riding the Outback for about 10 weeks and what a change it is coming from the Forester.

It's everything I was looking for when I got my 2006 Outback: spacious, comfy ride, ample space on the backseats etc. Al tough nothing can beat the H6 engine I had in my old Outback, the 2.5 4-pot in this car is quite refined and has good MPG-reading, even compared to my Forester.

Like I do with any car, gave it a general service and gave the engine bay a clean. You could tell it had been used on the countryside but it turned out alright. As you can tell, I'm no professional detailer, but I hate working on a dirty engine.

So, I'm quite certain I'm not the only one who always says 'I'm not in the market for a new car' just to buy a new car shortly after. That's what happened to me I guess.

At the end of June I was at my local dealer to pick up some basic parts for the Forester when I saw a 2017 Outback (chassiscode BS) sitting in the corner of the car lot. We started chatting about it. It was a one owner, 2017 car, premium spec with eyesight and just below 100 000 miles on it. The previous owner was an elderly lady that I've actually met and spoken to a few times in the past. She has been running Subarus since the early 90s. She traded the 2017 car and purchased a new Outback. So, a few days went buy and when I got back to pick up some more parts, I asked him if the car was for sale (yes) and if I could have a closer look to inspect it because I 'might' be tempted to buy if off him if the price was right (and it was). So, after asking for some info (mostly about the CVT box) in 'our' facebook group, a deal was done, but due to the dealer being closed for a few weeks (holidayseason) I had to wait a few weeks. He told me he'd get it trough it's MOT somewhere in August.

To my surprise, when I went back earlier this week (beginning of August), he had already sourced a new MOT for the car and after doing the final payment, the car will be in my name as of tomorrow. Just had to get insurance sorted today.

Had the car in for a quick valet because it was filthy. Still needs a good polish and I'm sure it'll turn out great. The interior is in very good condition. No rips, tears, marks and very plush. 

Hi all

Couldn't resist starting a new thread, but I'm looking incredibly forward into getting my 'new to me' Outback. I've had an Outback BP with the amazing 3.0 H6 engine and switched to a Forester SH afterwards because the Outback felt 'small' on the inside compared to my previous Forester. I'm very happy with the Forester and I was at the dealer to purchase a few items for a routine service so I wasn't planning on getting a new car.

Untill we started chatting about an Outback he had sitting at the back of his workshop. It was a one owner, 2017 car, premium spec with eyesight and just below 100 000 miles on it. The previous owner was an elderly lady that I've actually met and spoken to a few times in the past. She has been running Subarus since the early 90s. She traded the 2017 car and purchased a new Outback. So, a few days went buy and when I got back to pick up some more parts, I asked him if the car was for sale (yes) and if I could have a closer look to inspect it because I 'might' be tempted to buy if off him if the price was right (and it was). So, a deal was done, but due to the dealer being closed for a few weeks (holidayseason) I won't be getting the car before august.

Like I said, I couldn't resist starting a thread. When browsing trough my ever growing pile of Subaru brochures I came across the original 2017MY brochure and spec sheet. 

Cheers

T.

Unwashed, but had to take a picture:

For the last two years, my parents have been using the Legacy. Still take it for a spin now and then, car feels so well planted when going trough corners.

Unwashed, but had to take a picture:

Thanks for keeping us posted, Tyler! I sometimes want something completely different, but took the Outback for a 300 miles highway run and it's just such an amazing car.

I really like all the love you're giving your car. It shows that any car can give someone a lot of fun. I want to do some mods to the 2.0R I have, but live has given some other obligations for now.

Keep it up !

I am getting older and I went from sport bikes to wrx, STi, legacy gt, and now an Outback XT. It’s ok to get softer as you get older. That said I wouldn’t own the non turbo 4cyl Subaru. It’s pretty gutless and event he rental I had in CO was undrivable as far as I was concerned where as the XT was just fine.

Thanks for the input. I enjoy my Outback and the power it has, but I would like to own a facelift Legacy to thinker with. If possible, I would own a 2.0GT, but no LHD .

A 2.0R is much rev happy compared to the 2.5 and can be tuned up to 180-190BHP.

If your parents own one, I would ask them to borrow it for a weekend. I have gone to a slower 2.5i 4EAT, but I still own a GT and another faster car. I like my 2.5i, it is fine for what I want it to do. (Long trips, towing my boat, carrying larger items/yard waste, winter beater). You are going to find a lot different opinions, but your opinion is the only one that matters.

Actually, they own my own car after their XC70 was send to carheaven. (see https://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/legacy-touring-2-0r-280062.html), but it's less 'plush' compared to the Outback. There is some insulation from the hood missing and I have a feeling the Outback is better insulated against road-noise.

Still, the 5 speed with HI/LO gearing (same as forester) is very agricultural and doesn't help with plushness .

It's also a pre-facelift, so could be completely different.

And I have an RX8, so I have the M/T - fast(-ish) car when I have an itch.

I'll see if I can testdrive one from a dealer...

Hi all

I have been driving an Outback H6 for the last 5 years / 50 000 miles. Great power, great power, great fun.

I have always wanted a Legacy 2.5GT or a Japanse 2.0 Twinscroll, but neither are easy to get and will involvo lots of tax / paperwork.

I am therefore drawn towards the facelift (06-09) 2.0R which has the same power as the US 2.5i, so approx 165BHP. I want an automatic, so I will end up with the 4EAT.

Last your, I bought a rough 2.0R MT which my parents own currently. The handling is superb (specB suspension), but like I said, it feels rougher than the Outback, altough they have equal mileage. Maybe it's just this car.

I never use my Outback for serieus offroading, but when I go fishing, it comes in quite handy and that is what is mostly keeping me from going any further in my quest.

So, anyone went from an Outback to a Legacy? Or from a high power to less (low) power car? Any regrets?

Cheers

T.

Installed some new wheels on the Legacy. Now here's a first for you American guys: these specB wheels only came with USDM, AUSDM and JDM cars, Europe didn't get them...

dope...another cool feature the USDM never got

Well, it's a feature alright, but I don't like it on the Legacy. I understand why they would use it in the Forester and Outback, but it just makes the gearbox more complicated and shifting less smooth.

Odd ball question, what is the 3rd lever next to the parking break?

In Europe, some Legacy wagons and Outbacks had a high / low gear (just like the Forester). It only came on 4-cilinder engines.

In Europe, there was no turbo Legacy, only the 4 cilinder (with 5 speed manual or 4 speed auto) and the H6 (which had either a 6 speed MT or a 5 speed AT).

I also gave the engine-bay a wash. Still needs some things sorted.

Before:

After:

The Legacy has had some work done it the last few weeks. I got a letter from Subaru that the car concerning one recall (wire harness to fuel pump). Took it to the dealer, turned out it still had 3 recalls that hadn't been taken car off:

- fuel pump harness

- pass. airbag

- rear brake lines (needed inspection, no replacing)

They also changed the sway bar rubbers since there was a slight knock coming from the front end. I was concerned it would be the shocks, so was pleased with the verdict.

I also treated the car to some fresh rear discs and pads. The old discs were very (c-)rusty.

Next on my to-do-list is the cambelt, which will be a first on a Subaru...

Hi all

I have two sets of ABS / Battery covers for sale. Come off a 2.0GT, but fit and the 2.0i, 2.0R , 2.0GT and 3.0, both Outback or Legacy (BP/BL)

*First set is almost mint. . I'm asking 130USD + postage. SOLD

*Second set is in equally good condition, but has a broken tab (goes in next to the ECU case). It fits and sits perfectlty fine. You also not notice it when looking at it. I'm asking 90USD + postage (30USD).

Cheers

Thomas

I had McIntosh in my LHD Legacy.

It does not fit plug and play.

It needs some small modification (with dremel tool) of inner panel (to accept alarm switch) and some modification bottom of hvac unit to match with ash tray.

Side trim parts have a tiny gap anyway, but not very noticeable, check second picture left top corner:

 

 

These are old pics, i sold the car 2 years ago, but this JDM McIntosh stands in my garage still along with JDM cluster.

Thanks for the info. I've sent you a pm .

I am appreciating this step by step. I'll need to do many of these same things.

Thanks. There has been a bit more progress, but a lot has been put on hold due to sellers being very slow in shipping items and/or responding to emails which is becoming frustrating.

Sorry to bump an old thread, but need some info.

I understand the JDM Mcintosh HU bolts up with no problem to a USDM car, but, does it look ok? I mean, are there no gaps because of RHD / LHD difference?

Thanks

And since I had some rear Bilstein B6 shocks that sat unused in my garage, I installed them with a fresh set of KYB springs (stock height). I might switch them to Spec B rear springs (JDM-spec), but need to see how the car sits after a few rides and with the Bilsteins installed up front.

BTW: I know I need to tackle the brakes.

For what I paid, the exhaust (catback) was a decent fit. The left box needs some tweeking (it's tilted), but will sort that out once I've fitted the rear bumper which I removed in order to unbolt the hitch.

Also need to order new crashbeam supports since them were removed when they installed the towhook.

After I'd finished a list of chores around the house, I got into the car's interior. The seats were filthy and sticky, but in good condition. Stripped them from the car, gave them a torough wash and treated them afterwards with some leather reconditioner.

Car has been smoked in, so will remove center console tomorrow install my O3 generator to help get rid off the smell.

So, first pictures from the car how I got it two days ago. It is in need of a clean, the tow-hook needs to go and it needs some body work done to it.

I'm taking it for it's tech inspection tomorrow so I can tax and insure it. Exhaust sounds quite sporty (for a stock unit), so guess it has a leak somewhere and there is a small clunk from the front, so don't know if it will pass...