Contemplating a Legacy 3.0R Spec B Saloon

[RoganJosh]

I've been thinking about changing my car, had my 320i sport saloon for a year now, about 3 months too long. I have been looking at a few cars, but the Subaru dealer rang me last night - following up a request for info from the website about the Legacy 3.0R Spec B Saloon, so I'm off for a test drive on Saturday morning - thing is, I almost always end up buying a car after a test drive, am I wise switching from a BMW to a Subaru? I know the consumption figures are going to be poor, and it will depreciate like a piano off Beachy Head, but I miss having AWD and the power increase would be pleasant, maybe I should just stick to BMW....
Anyone had a go in a Legacy spec B?

[headbrace]

Yep, we had a test drive in one, and the engine and the handlin was pretty good, in a refined yet sporty kind of way. While the car was good and quite rally-ish, if ya get my drift, it wasn't perticularly great inside. The dash was all plastic, but in a dodgy fake-aluminium way. It all felt a bit cheap inside, as if they hd been "luxurious" but to a tight budget. YMMV, but going from a BMW you may find the same sort of thing.

[RoganJosh]

Hmm, I found the BMW a bit of a come-down from my previous car, the TT, which has an awesome cabin - hope it isn't too cheapo looking, certainly a consideration in choosing my next car.

[RoganJosh]

Had the test drive today in the estate version. As Headbrace mentioned, the cabin was a touch on the cheap side, the centre console was shiney, silvery plastic stuff, sound system was too. But the car looked good from the outside, nice alloys (5 spoke i think) that should clean easily compared to my MV 18s. Steering was very light and precise, not sure whether I like it so light. The drive was good, held the road well, no tramlining like the bmw, loads of grip and revs beautifully up to 7000, very torquey engine from 3rd to 5th. I like the AWD, I DO like the rear wheel drive in the BMW, but flooring it at a roundabout tends to be a bit risky, not so in the legacy. The dealer gave me, what I thought might be a good price for my car as trade-in, maybe someone with a glass guide could check? £16500 for a 2003 BMW 320i Sport saloon, with 19.5k on the clock, bluetooth/nokia armrest charger, 6 cd changer and extra 3 point seatbelt in rear. But he wants 26k for the saloon Legacy 3.0R Spec B and a further grand for the estate. I am tempted, but feel I could probably get a better deal if I push a bit harder.

[dkmech]

No reason not to push harder

[Stoo]

Push it, as that's basically the ful retail whack on the scooby and bottom book price on the beemer..

[RoganJosh]

Thanks for the feedback, I played it cool with the dealer, who mentioned that he would speak with someone regarding giving me a better deal and get back to me during the week, so I'll probably give off some negative signals when he gets back and say I have a better deal with moto******.

[Vimeous]

You've been reading Autocar I suspect!
The Legacy is a proper Q-car if you can afford the running costs. Rarer than a 3 and those in-the-know will seriously repect your choice. Only other option is to hold out for the brand-new 3 in a couple of months. No doubt waiting lists will be silly long though.

[RoganJosh]

No haven't read Autocar, but there have been rumblings about the Legacy in other magazines, I've been keeping an eye on reviews for a while now - last one was in Top Gear mag, although for a lower spec model of the estate.

[Vimeous]

Autocar are running a Spec B estate longterm at the minute and seem to be loving it, regardless of its thirst (avg of 23mpg if I remember correctly).