Test Drove 2005 Outback Wagon and Legacy GT Sedan Manual

[G.R. Aydelotte]

Just got back from a test drive of a new OBW with my family. The car
seems to have plenty of power and the manual shift mode on the auto
tranny was fun. My wife kept remembering our 83 GL Wagon and how
noisy, slow, etc. it was. The difference is night and day. Ride was a
little bumpy over rough asphalt patches where potholes were filled,
but I guess that is due to the OBW suspension stiffness. The wagon was
well finished with what looked like some real wood in the console; I
liked everything about it, but the price. Have to really load it up to
get sunroof or leather. The Legacy GT turbo sedan was wonderful.
Gauges were entertaining and the thing is fast; 5 speed tranny was
nice except first gear seemed a little too high for smooth take offs
(though haven't driven a stick in years. Nice perforated leather seats
(black interior on black ext). Its no problem to put your head back
into the headrest with a little throttle. Salesman said the turbo was
borrowed from Izuzu! The family didn't ride with me in the GT; just
the salesman. When I got back and we had our critiquing period on the
ride home, I told my wife that if my vehicle went belly up soon, I'd
be in the market for a GT Legacy Wagon with manual! But, she gets to
pick first. I don't have much experience with Subarus to be saying
this, but I believe Subaru got it right-real right (great looks, great
safety, plenty of power, nice fit and finish). I hope the reliabilty
is good(especially the turbo)with few recalls. Now, I hope they'll
negotiate on the prices.

Gregg

 

[Bruce Hoult]

I believe Subaru got it right-real right (great looks, great
safety, plenty of power, nice fit and finish). I hope the reliabilty
is good(especially the turbo)with few recalls.

There are plenty of highly-thrashed early 90's Legacies with turbos here
in NZ. The turbos don't seem to be a problem -- though they can
aparrently cause problems further down the drivetrain if driven too
agressively.

Judging by the number owned at gliding clubs, a lot of people must think
they're just about the ideal car for towing in NZ's mountains and often
unsealed back roads. Myself, I find the 2.5l non-turbo plenty peppy
enough.

Here's mine:

http://www.hoult.org/bruce/gliding/gliderOnTrailer.jpg

-- Bruce

 

[TG]

You didn't mention how the ride of the GT was... I assume much better than
the Outback, although you mentioned the outback was stiff. I don't think my
Outback sedan is stiff, the damping is there but the spring rates and body
roll make for a mushy ride and a scary ride if driven aggressively. When I
go for a ride in my wife's car and then get back into my Outback I feel like
I'm driving Fred Flintstones car and I scrunch down so people don't see me.
I did like my Legacy GT sedan though but still, compared to the wife's car
it was an embarrassment. TG

 

[Jkpoulos7]

I'd say my 04 OBW is on the stiff side. Not harsh, but a firm ride that
provides excellent cornering and handling making for a fun ride.

 

[TG]

I love my Subs for specific reasons and have owned many but "04 OBW is on
the stiff side. Not harsh, but a firm ride that provides excellent cornering
and handling making for a fun ride" makes me wonder what else you have
driven. TG

 

[Rockin Ronnie]

I love my Subs for specific reasons and have owned many but "04 OBW is on
the stiff side. Not harsh, but a firm ride that provides excellent cornering
and handling making for a fun ride" makes me wonder what else you have
driven. TG

When

I drove a base Atlantic Blue OBW this past Saturday and I would say that the
ride is a tad firmer but more controlled. It seems to absorb bumps better
than my 2000 OBW. It is also quieter and has more pickup. The brakes have a
firmness that takes getting used to after having driven spongy brakes on my
2000 for 4 years. The doors make a very unSubaru "clunk" when you close
them! A feeling of more quality. The interior is understated and very up
market looking - there is no wood trim, fake or otherwise anywhere but lots
of brushed aluminium. The centre consol has a very Audi look to it. Seat
materials seem to be of higher quality on the base OBW I was looking at. The
front seats "look" narrower and are a little firmer. The coffee holders are
in a retractable pod - very classy! Things I especially like are 3 power
outlets, two in the front and one in the cargo area with space for a 4th. I
also like the bits of chrome trim in the interior like on the tonneau cover
and on the luggage hooks. I like how the speedo and rpm needles spin to the
far right on start-up - classy. The radio seems to have more depth. My wife
remarked that the tailgate is easier to bring down to close as it feels a
lot lighter. The two-tone colour treatment on the exterior is less garish.
Things I don't like - NOTHING!

Did not have a chance to drive the Legacy sedan as it had not been prepped
yet. Also learned that there will NOT be an Outback sedan.

Ron

 

[G.R. Aydelotte]

You didn't mention how the ride of the GT was... I assume much better than
the Outback, although you mentioned the outback was stiff.

snip

Sorry, the Legacy Sedan was smoother over the same section of road and
interstate that I drove the OBW over, in fact, it was so much smoother
that I didn't even notice the bumps! I'd love to drive one in a turbo
wagon with leather. Going to look a 05 and 04 Legacy and OBW tonight.
I am in the process of convincing my wife that the Subaru is safer and
better than a Toyota Highlander(her favorite). I was trying to use
NHTSA's site to prove my point, except they say that their test data
is relevant to comparing across classes of vehicles of the same
weight. The roll over rating on the 04 OBW and Legacy is 4 stars,
while the rating for the Highlander is 3 stars. Subaru is safer, but I
was hoping for a greater difference like a 5 star rating for the 05
OBW or Legacy (when they test it). I read in another post that the
manufacturers of SUV's had gotten roll ratings specific to SUV's that
kept them from being compared to cars. This is in conflict with
NHTSA's website, unless I missed something. Didn't see that Japan's or
Australia's safety agency site tests for roll overs.

Gregg

 

[Lance B]

I drove a base Atlantic Blue OBW this past Saturday and I would say that the
ride is a tad firmer but more controlled. It seems to absorb bumps better
than my 2000 OBW. It is also quieter and has more pickup. The brakes have a
firmness that takes getting used to after having driven spongy brakes on my
2000 for 4 years. The doors make a very unSubaru "clunk" when you close
them! A feeling of more quality. The interior is understated and very up
market looking - there is no wood trim, fake or otherwise anywhere but lots
of brushed aluminium. The centre consol has a very Audi look to it. Seat
materials seem to be of higher quality on the base OBW I was looking at. The
front seats "look" narrower and are a little firmer. The coffee holders are
in a retractable pod - very classy! Things I especially like are 3 power
outlets, two in the front and one in the cargo area with space for a 4th. I
also like the bits of chrome trim in the interior like on the tonneau cover
and on the luggage hooks. I like how the speedo and rpm needles spin to the
far right on start-up - classy. The radio seems to have more depth. My wife
remarked that the tailgate is easier to bring down to close as it feels a
lot lighter. The two-tone colour treatment on the exterior is less garish.
Things I don't like - NOTHING!

Did not have a chance to drive the Legacy sedan as it had not been prepped
yet. Also learned that there will NOT be an Outback sedan.

Ron

The tailgate is now made of aluminium, so that is why it is easier to
pull down to close.

 

[Lance B]

snip

Sorry, the Legacy Sedan was smoother over the same section of road and
interstate that I drove the OBW over, in fact, it was so much smoother
that I didn't even notice the bumps! I'd love to drive one in a turbo
wagon with leather. Going to look a 05 and 04 Legacy and OBW tonight.
I am in the process of convincing my wife that the Subaru is safer and
better than a Toyota Highlander(her favorite). I was trying to use
NHTSA's site to prove my point, except they say that their test data
is relevant to comparing across classes of vehicles of the same
weight. The roll over rating on the 04 OBW and Legacy is 4 stars,
while the rating for the Highlander is 3 stars. Subaru is safer, but I
was hoping for a greater difference like a 5 star rating for the 05
OBW or Legacy (when they test it). I read in another post that the
manufacturers of SUV's had gotten roll ratings specific to SUV's that
kept them from being compared to cars. This is in conflict with
NHTSA's website, unless I missed something. Didn't see that Japan's or
Australia's safety agency site tests for roll overs.

Gregg

Gregg,

Check out www.subaru.com.au and see the 2005 Liberty (Legacy) and
Outbacks score the highest mark ever recorded for safety in the NCAP
ratings for crash safety. NCAP is the New Car Assessment Program for
car crash safety here in Australia.