For some time I've been looking for a replacement to my RX8. There are things about the Rx8 I've simply loved, and a lot I've hated. The constant 'wondering' if THIS engine will go, too...or THIS tranny will grenade. The problem is, when the rx8 runs well, it's amazing fun. I'd need something fun to replace it. I'd been searching for good motivation to trade the RX8 + cash on a 2004/2005 S4 or S4 Avant.

While driving home from work a few weeks ago it occurred to me I wouldn't have to sell my rx8, if, instead of putting money + trade on a S4, I took that $ and looked to a less-expensive all-wheel-drive option. Subaru.

Friday night I flew to Salt Lake City, Utah and was greeted at the airport by Nick. Nick put me up for the night, and took me to the dealership the next morning. THANKS NICK! Nick's an RX8 guy - but I can't recall his SN here.

Waiting for me was a 2006 Legacy Gt spec.B.

After the car checked-out to be "as-described" , I started the paperwork. By 1pm yesterday I was on my way home in my family's new "Family Car".

After the first nearly 1000 miles I've got a few impressions of the car. Those are listed in bullet-form below:

• Torque. Not too bad. The soft suspension helps enhance the illusion of 'massive amounts of torque',however.
• SOFT suspension, sort of. The wheels feel planted, but the car's body rolls like...something that rolls often. I'm at a loss. TERRIBLE body roll.
• VERY GOOD passing power on the freeway. This car feels pretty darn quick.
• Fairly comfy seats; having said that I'm in NO hurry to do another marathon multi-state drive.
• Street Cred
• F'in Steering-wheel mounted audio controls are on the wrong sides of the wheel (Volume is on the right, channel/mode is on the left.
• Car feels stronger at my home's elevation than nearly 5000ft of Utah. Feels stronger on 92 octane vs 91 in Utah/Idaho (but not really a ho).
• Launch. 2500, clutch drop. BAM! It's away. Nose shoots skyward, rear-end drops and the car's already done w/ 1st gear.

What I really enjoy about this car is the sum is greater than the parts. The Parts of the car combine elements of 3 of the most-loved-cars I've owned.
From my PGT-T the spec.B brings, of course, boost. The way the power builds is reminiscent of my boosted DE. It's different, but similar. The Subby is more laggy, however. The car is also softly-sprung like my PGT. Makes for a decent ride. The car also brings the japanese sort of 'feel' my Miata had - PLUS the red leather. And finally, the spec.B has the promise of excitement my RX8 has. I think the spec.B is a very very good gap-filling car. It fills in the gaps of my needs and wants.

Pics below - click for larger:

Just after it's wash...




With a nod to a couple guys in a S4, with painter's tape, I took a similar approach in an attempt to protect the car's leading edges from damage. The salesman helped!




My Street Cred



yeah - it's tight. I know.





Bye Civilization!





LOTS of this





A little of this




Thru this state





890 miles. 11 hrs, 59 minutes. (what's that, a 70?mph average?) 27.6MPG. And...I'm THERE!

 

wow congrats! nice replacement! Everytime I tried to get rid of the 8 i just couldnt let it go.

 

Good choice, glad you can still keep the 8.

 

go with CObb stage 2 ASAP

i had stage 1 in my WRX it was awesome

 

that's real cool, man.

 

No WRX?

Congrats!

 

I would have went with the forester xt sport but the spec b is another great choice =]

Lower, rims, cobb stage 2, and sways =]
This is my favorite

 

looks very nice, i agree^

 

nice car. i love subaru's

 

nice choice! congrats on the purchase. i too want my next car to be a awd beast.

 

here's some more inspiration for you.

 

the black one looks like an acura TL..haa

 

+1, the wheels look like TL Type-S wheels too! Very sexy though.

 

i don't think the TL type S was out back when i took that pic. it was from early 2006. anyways, they are Wed Sport wheels which are the same ones they use on the Acura.

 

your painters tape reminded me of THIS forum classic

 

that is awesome.

 

Thanks guys -

More impressions of the car:

Car is fast. I mean, I think it's pretty easily pull an RX8 until about 60 or 70 or so...on the freeway? I dunno. I know I nailed the throttle mid-corner, 2nd gear, on an on-ramp and the car YANKED/PULLED/and SHOT around the corner and blasted up the on-ramp.

It's hard to say if this car really IS faster than my rx8. The body-squat on this car, and the torque make it FEEL faster. I need somebody who can drive, to get in my RX8 for a little run.

:D

Volunteers?

 

sexy sexy

 

The more I think about things, the more I'm thinking I'll try suspension mods before power-adders.

 

Nice choice! A buddy of mine has one and it is a sweet ride. Lots of mods - and they even add power when installed! lol.


His is nicely modded now, and it wouldn't be close. But when he was stock it was fairly even.

 

nice. 890 miles is a lot to put on for the first couple days... lol there wasn't one closer?

 

Very nice car indeed. I get a chance to drive them fairly often working @ a Subie dealership, but never really get the chance to really see what they can do.

 

nice car! you will never regret getting a subaru. +1 on legacy!

 

good choice on the legacy, i personally love them and you still kept your 8! thats awesome too

 

that black 1 is absolutely sexy