Legacy 3.0 R vs. 2.5 GT

[swat]

Has anyone driven both? Last week I test drove a 2.5i Limited, and
although I liked the car, there definitely wasn't enough pop when I
pulled out into traffic on the highway. They just got a 2.5GT in
today and another dealer has a 3.0 R and I'm going to test them both
out. Just wondering though; is the turbo faster than the 6-cylinder
3.0 R or vice versa? ...and is there any reason to consider one over
the other if the speed is anywhere near even?

I'm definitely not a racer, but I like to be able to jump out on to
the highway without waiting for a giant break in traffic (I live in
New Jersey, and um... people aren't alway kind to drivers trying to
get on to the highway). My most recent vehicles have been a 1990
Maxima, a 2000 Maxima and a V8 Ford Explorer, so I'm used to having
some power to work with. It was a bit alarming when stepped on the
gas in the 2.5i 4-cylinder and it sort of took its' time getting up to
a decent speed, lol. I've never driven or owned a turbo, but I hear
that the Subbie turbo doesn't have that lag that I always heard about,
so if the turbo 4-cylinder is comparable and costs a little less, why
not?

Oh yeah, since the GT is manual, and I haven't driven a stick in 7
years, I may not be able to get the true feel for the car during my
test drive because I'll be concentrating too hard on shifting for the
first time in a while...

Any input is appreciated...

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Has anyone driven both? Last week I test drove a 2.5i Limited, and
although I liked the car, there definitely wasn't enough pop when I
pulled out into traffic on the highway. They just got a 2.5GT in
today and another dealer has a 3.0 R and I'm going to test them both
out. Just wondering though; is the turbo faster than the 6-cylinder
3.0 R or vice versa? ...and is there any reason to consider one over
the other if the speed is anywhere near even?

I'm definitely not a racer, but I like to be able to jump out on to
the highway without waiting for a giant break in traffic (I live in
New Jersey, and um... people aren't alway kind to drivers trying to
get on to the highway). My most recent vehicles have been a 1990
Maxima, a 2000 Maxima and a V8 Ford Explorer, so I'm used to having
some power to work with. It was a bit alarming when stepped on the
gas in the 2.5i 4-cylinder and it sort of took its' time getting up to
a decent speed, lol. I've never driven or owned a turbo, but I hear
that the Subbie turbo doesn't have that lag that I always heard about,
so if the turbo 4-cylinder is comparable and costs a little less, why
not?

Oh yeah, since the GT is manual, and I haven't driven a stick in 7
years, I may not be able to get the true feel for the car during my
test drive because I'll be concentrating too hard on shifting for the
first time in a while...

Any input is appreciated...

The 2.5 is gonna have a LOT more potential if you ever wanted to
mod/tune it for power.

other than that - meh

Carl

 

[Tom Matthews]

The 3.0 will have less lag during acceleration, and you will be able to have
longer oil change intervals. Starting with the 2008 models, all turbo
engines require more frequent oil changes to stay within warranty. Finally,
based truedelta.com data posted, the 3.0 fuel economy should be better, with
almost the same power.

I have a 3.0 Outback, and have never regretted that choice over the turbo.

 

[VanguardLH]

Has anyone driven both? Last week I test drove a 2.5i Limited,
and
although I liked the car, there definitely wasn't enough pop when I
pulled out into traffic on the highway. They just got a 2.5GT in
today and another dealer has a 3.0 R and I'm going to test them both
out. Just wondering though; is the turbo faster than the
6-cylinder
3.0 R or vice versa? ...and is there any reason to consider one
over
the other if the speed is anywhere near even?

I'm definitely not a racer, but I like to be able to jump out on to
the highway without waiting for a giant break in traffic (I live in
New Jersey, and um... people aren't alway kind to drivers trying to
get on to the highway). My most recent vehicles have been a 1990
Maxima, a 2000 Maxima and a V8 Ford Explorer, so I'm used to having
some power to work with. It was a bit alarming when stepped on the
gas in the 2.5i 4-cylinder and it sort of took its' time getting up
to
a decent speed, lol. I've never driven or owned a turbo, but I
hear
that the Subbie turbo doesn't have that lag that I always heard
about,
so if the turbo 4-cylinder is comparable and costs a little less,
why
not?

Oh yeah, since the GT is manual, and I haven't driven a stick in 7
years, I may not be able to get the true feel for the car during my
test drive because I'll be concentrating too hard on shifting for
the
first time in a while...

Any input is appreciated...

Considering the extra cost and risk of failure for the turbo, I don't
get any cars with turbo anymore. I go for the bigger engine instead.

 

[Bob H]

Has anyone driven both? Last week I test drove a 2.5i Limited, and
although I liked the car, there definitely wasn't enough pop when I
pulled out into traffic on the highway. They just got a 2.5GT in
today and another dealer has a 3.0 R and I'm going to test them both
out. Just wondering though; is the turbo faster than the 6-cylinder
3.0 R or vice versa? ...and is there any reason to consider one over
the other if the speed is anywhere near even?

I'm definitely not a racer, but I like to be able to jump out on to
the highway without waiting for a giant break in traffic (I live in
New Jersey, and um... people aren't alway kind to drivers trying to
get on to the highway). My most recent vehicles have been a 1990
Maxima, a 2000 Maxima and a V8 Ford Explorer, so I'm used to having
some power to work with. It was a bit alarming when stepped on the
gas in the 2.5i 4-cylinder and it sort of took its' time getting up to
a decent speed, lol. I've never driven or owned a turbo, but I hear
that the Subbie turbo doesn't have that lag that I always heard about,
so if the turbo 4-cylinder is comparable and costs a little less, why
not?

Oh yeah, since the GT is manual, and I haven't driven a stick in 7
years, I may not be able to get the true feel for the car during my
test drive because I'll be concentrating too hard on shifting for the
first time in a while...

Any input is appreciated...

The turbo is laggy down below. Which is a major detriment in slow moving
traffic. The forums got loads of stories with no cure, or reflashes that
only cure for awhile. Lots of 'stumbling' complaints. And higher octane
requirements, with more frequent oil changes. And many dealers are lousy.

The 6 is a much better choice for a commuter car. Actually the four is
better. Just learn to really stick your foot in it. It'll move out just
fine. And you'll have better mileage than the 6.

 

[suburboturbo]

Has anyone driven both? Last week I test drove a 2.5i Limited, and
although I liked the car, there definitely wasn't enough pop when I
pulled out into traffic on the highway. They just got a 2.5GT in
today and another dealer has a 3.0 R and I'm going to test them both
out. Just wondering though; is the turbo faster than the 6-cylinder
3.0 R or vice versa? ...and is there any reason to consider one over
the other if the speed is anywhere near even?

I'm definitely not a racer, but I like to be able to jump out on to
the highway without waiting for a giant break in traffic (I live in
New Jersey, and um... people aren't alway kind to drivers trying to
get on to the highway). My most recent vehicles have been a 1990
Maxima, a 2000 Maxima and a V8 Ford Explorer, so I'm used to having
some power to work with. It was a bit alarming when stepped on the
gas in the 2.5i 4-cylinder and it sort of took its' time getting up to
a decent speed, lol. I've never driven or owned a turbo, but I hear
that the Subbie turbo doesn't have that lag that I always heard about,
so if the turbo 4-cylinder is comparable and costs a little less, why
not?

Oh yeah, since the GT is manual, and I haven't driven a stick in 7
years, I may not be able to get the true feel for the car during my
test drive because I'll be concentrating too hard on shifting for the
first time in a while...

Any input is appreciated...

I drive a WRX 5sp wagon, but while shopping for a car for my wife we
drove the 3.0 and 2.5XT Outbacks as well as a Legacy GT wagon. While
I prefer a stick, she wanted an automatic, and we both felt that the
3.0 six was a better match for the automatic. Turbo lag with an
automatic is annoying, but not the absolute horror I've experirnced in
some other cars. The 3.0 was also available, at least on a couple of
local dealer lots, with the LL Bean package which, for me doesn't
matter, but since she was replacing an Infiniti G35, just had to have
leather and the other upgrades to keep her happy. I prefer the
Outback to the G35. Call me crazy, but I think that the much shorter
wheelbase makes more responsive, and the extra ground clearance much
more suited to our crappy roads and snowy winters (the G35 required a
delicate approach to avoid scraping pavement on the small slope into
our driveway. The Outback climbs curbs with ease. In short, no
complaints on the 3.0. However, if it was for me, and I could get the
stick, I probably would opt for the 2.5XT if I absolutely had to
replace the WRX. Surprisingly, even I felt that the GT suspension was
just too stiff, and I've also been a nut for handling upgrades
regardless of how uncomfortable they made the ride. Good Luck.

 

[swat]

Hey, thanks for all the input folks!