Outback or Legacy Wagon ?

[Robert Meushaw]

I'm looking for a lower end model wagon and am trying to decide
between a 2003 Legacy L wagon or an Outback. The Outback has limited
slip differential, a slightly higher ground clearance, and a different
styling. For normal everyday driving and some camping in the Denver
area, is there some reason to pick one car over the other? Any
feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Todd H.]

I'm looking for a lower end model wagon and am trying to decide
between a 2003 Legacy L wagon or an Outback. The Outback has limited
slip differential, a slightly higher ground clearance, and a different
styling. For normal everyday driving and some camping in the Denver
area, is there some reason to pick one car over the other? Any
feedback would be appreciated.

If one style doesn't thrill you one way or the other, and the options
included with the Outback aren't must-haves ya, enjoy better handling
the Legacy brings (by virtue of the lower stance and different tires)
and the extra few thousand in your bank account.

Personally, I got the Outback because I felt the base Legacy looked
rather dowdy. The Outback styling almost makes me able to look beyond
the fact I'm a single man driving a station wagon.

Best Regards,

 

[TM]

For better handling get the Legacy.

For ground clearance and safety get the Outback. It is nice to know
that you can go over a curb in case of an emergency without mayor
damage. The 95 Legacy SW's bumpers where lower than almost any other
car, thus when she hit the car in front of hers in an accident, that car
ended ON her hood.

We replaced the totaled car with an 03 Outback. I miss the handling of
the L.

If I were planning on doing some camping, I would go with the Outback.

Good luck!

TM

 

[Victor Roberts]

I'm looking for a lower end model wagon and am trying to decide
between a 2003 Legacy L wagon or an Outback. The Outback has limited
slip differential, a slightly higher ground clearance, and a different
styling. For normal everyday driving and some camping in the Denver
area, is there some reason to pick one car over the other? Any
feedback would be appreciated.

I had a '95 Legacy wagon and then bought a '97 Outback wagon, so I had
both at the same time. I liked the OBW because added ground clearance
made it a bit easier for me to get my old body in and out of the car
My wife drive the '95 Legacy until sold it last year. Other than
the styling and the different entry heights, I found both cars to be
very similar. If I was young and flexible and did not care about the
styling of the OBW, I would most definitely get the less expensive
Legacy wagon.

Are your camping trips likely to take you off road, or just on the
normal unpaved roads in the National Park and National Forest areas
around Denver and the Rockies? If you are not going off road, then I
don't see the lower ground clearance of the Legacy as an issue.

 

[Mark]

I bought a Legacy L Special Edition wagon over an Outback. For $1k less
than the base Outback, you get:

- Dual moonroofs
- Better handling
- Monochrome color (my preference, I don't like the two tone)

I go camping A LOT here in Northern California, car camping and
backpacking... there is only one time it would have been nice to have an
Outback to get further in the backcountry to start a hike on a bad road.

It's not worth it, though... the joy of the Legacy's handling on mountain
roads far outweighs the clearance, in my opinion. I, personally, think the
Legacy looks better (though only in certain colors... seamist green and dark
blue... and the black GT, IMO, all look better than any outback).

 

[John Eyles]

I go camping A LOT here in Northern California, car camping and

backpacking... there is only one time it would have been nice to have an
Outback to get further in the backcountry to start a hike on a bad road.

For camping, there's another factor - the higher interior height of
the rear portion of the Outback (due to the stepped roof) is nice if
you are sleeping INSIDE the car - which I frequently do on long
road-trips.

John

 

[snow]

I have a 1998 Legacy SW and though the clearance is a little lower than my
old Camry SW the handling is excellant. I would have no trouble using it for
camping , but would avoid off road trips.

 

[Ceph Lopod]

I have a 1998 Legacy SW and though the clearance is a little lower than my
old Camry SW the handling is excellant. I would have no trouble using it for
camping , but would avoid off road trips.

We bought our '99 Outback 5 spd after the '00 were on the lot. We
like the extra headroom in the Outback. My wife thinks it looks
sporty. I am not too keen on the hood scoop. Then again I drive a
Taurus company car - a of jelly bean shaped mundane mobile. HA!
So it was the "stepped roof" that got us going on the Outback.

 

[Neal]

We have a 2003 Outback, and our brother and sister in law have a 1995
Legacy. They say that they hear more road noise in their Legacy than they
do when riding in our Outback. I've never ridden in their car to verify
this, but if it is true, it could be due to the lower ground clearance.
(although I think the difference is only an inch or so)

 

[TM]

Road noise in the 95 Legacy is undoubtedly higher than in the 03
Outback. What about newer legacy vehicles?

 

[Todd H.]

We have a 2003 Outback, and our brother and sister in law have a 1995
Legacy. They say that they hear more road noise in their Legacy than they
do when riding in our Outback. I've never ridden in their car to verify
this, but if it is true, it could be due to the lower ground clearance.
(although I think the difference is only an inch or so)

I'd suspect it's more to do with the improvements of the MY2000
redesign of the Legacy platform than a couple inches of ground
clearance. Tire selection makes a big difference too.

 

[Jamey]

The base legacy also has less sound deadening material on the
floorboard. Everything above the L (GT, OB, etc) gets enough extra
material that you can tell a difference. I have extensively driven
all of the current models, and for the money would go with the Legacy
SE. I haven't had any problems with my legacy (previous body style)
and going on minor off-road adventures. Mostly mud/dirt trails.

 

[Mark]

I don't think there's a difference anymore. My Legacy wagon has the same
stepped up roof. Or maybe I'm not understanding?

Prior to 2000, there was a difference. There isn't anymore.