How does the Subaru Legacy compare to the STi?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I've been looking at STi's and Evo's lately and wonder how the new Legacy 2.5GT is in comparison.

Anyone here driven a Legacy and STi that can compare them? Do you get the same rush of power once the turbo builds up boost?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

This thread fell fast, quick bump

 

[CraigRT]

What are you looking for in a car? they are 2 totally different breeds.

I personally think the GT looks WAY better, and suits what I would like much more out of a car, but the STi is a flat out race car and would be an utter blast to drive. It just attracts way too much attention.

250 vs 300 horse.

 

[overst33r]

I have not driven any of them, but I'd imagine they are totally different cars. The LGT is the most practical and probably won't have the same fun factor of the other two. The suspension tuning is much softer and the OEM tires I read have horrible skidpad performance.

 

[Reckoner]

Legacy = Mixed bag of entry-level luxury and high performance

STi = Very High Performance, for the more spirited car enthusiast

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
What are you looking for in a car? they are 2 totally different breeds.

I personally think the GT looks WAY better, and suits what I would like much more out of a car, but the STi is a flat out race car and would be an utter blast to drive. It just attracts way too much attention.

250 vs 300 horse.

It's almost not even an issue of power, what I'd be interested in is how fun it is to drive.

What do I consider fun? Handling is the first thing. Second is just what the turbo does to it - until it builds boost, it's almost like another ordinary car in terms of performance, but once the boost hits (which is very quickly), you're in another world.

I do agree that I like the looks of the GT a lot more, but the STi is an amazing car to drive. I guess I was somehow hoping that the GT would be a Legacy with the handling of an STi, getting power up to 300HP shouldn't be too hard or even beyond that, I'd have to wonder how well the components would take to the extra power though.

I guess if I'm looking for an Evo/Sti, that's what I should get, not a GT?

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: CraigRT
What are you looking for in a car? they are 2 totally different breeds.

I personally think the GT looks WAY better, and suits what I would like much more out of a car, but the STi is a flat out race car and would be an utter blast to drive. It just attracts way too much attention.

250 vs 300 horse.

It's almost not even an issue of power, what I'd be interested in is how fun it is to drive.

What do I consider fun? Handling is the first thing. Second is just what the turbo does to it - until it builds boost, it's almost like another ordinary car in terms of performance, but once the boost hits (which is very quickly), you're in another world.

I do agree that I like the looks of the GT a lot more, but the STi is an amazing car to drive. I guess I was somehow hoping that the GT would be a Legacy with the handling of an STi, getting power up to 300HP shouldn't be too hard or even beyond that, I'd have to wonder how well the components would take to the extra power though.

I guess if I'm looking for an Evo/Sti, that's what I should get, not a GT?

Suspension out of the box isn't in the same league as the STi. However, it can always be upgraded. It all depends in what you want for a car. I started out with a WRX, but I wanted something a little more refined, without much of a sacrifice in performance. The Legacy GT was a perfect fit. If you aren't planning on taking your car to the track, the legacy would be more of a match for you, most likely.

Test drive both.

 

[Aharami]

all the anecdotal advice in the world will not justify a test drive in both. Seems like you've already driven the STi. Now go drive the Legacy GT.

 

[randomlinh]

I personally can't stand the hood scoop on the WRX/STi's. If I went w/ Subaru, I'd shoot for the GT. But then, I need a multi use car from autocross to hauling people around.. heh. Ok, so it's not the smartest thing to do... haha.

You can't go wrong though... you pick one, and at some point you're going to wish you had the other. If you want pure fun, get the STi.

 

[avash]

It boils down to:
- personal preference, plain and simple.
- fit; your physical proportions (height, build, weight, etc) may make a car a joy to some, a torture to others.
- finish; level of refinement matters when you spend enough time inside a car.
- life situation/needs; how many vehicles do you need and what do you expect to do with them.

I've driven a ton of cars (350Z/G35C, 3000GT-VR4, A32/A33/A34 Maxima, L31/L32 Altima, Scion tC, Accord Coupe, Eclipse, Fusion, Five Hundred, Camry, etc) and currently own a clean 94 RX7 and a 95 Maxima. My fun to drive car is the RX7 but I couldn't live driving it everyday.

Go drive both, decide it yourself. That is the best way.

 

[Kelvrick]

You'll have to upgrade the suspension of the legacy if you want the STi fun factor. Otherwise, its basically the same engine with a smaller turbo on a heavier body.

 

[avash]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
You'll have to upgrade the suspension of the legacy if you want the STi fun factor. Otherwise, its basically the same engine with a smaller turbo on a heavier body.

heavier body, longer wheelbase of the lgt changes the dynamics of a car. agree that suspension upgrade will improve the legacy's handling and fun to drive factor but it will probably never match/rival the STi if you can live with the massive hoodscoop, spoiler and racer-boy looks.

Still, a lgt is quite a fun to drive car as for a midsize sedan ... and the STi is a fun to drive car for a compact ... and i have fun driving a go-kart around a 1/4 mile track. fun is a lot of things. damn, now i want a go kart

 

[secretanchitman]

STi is more fun to drive, imo.

but then again, the STi that i drove was all modded...

 

[thomsbrain]

i actually found the accord V6 to be more fun to drive and faster than the Legacy GT (which is why i bought an accord). with only 250 HP, AWD is just a power drain, and the legacy is big and heavy enough that it will never be mistaken for a go-kart. the V6 accord has nearly no torque-steer and doesn't have AWD sapping the power (plus no turbo lag), so it feels snappier and pulls stronger as the revs wind up. that's beside the fit/finish, resale, and reliability issues (all of which fall in the accord's favor).

if you just want to have fun, the STi will be the obvious choice. but if you need a daily driver, there are better alternatives than the Legacy GT.

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
i actually found the accord V6 to be more fun to drive and faster than the Legacy GT (which is why i bought an accord). with only 250 HP, AWD is just a power drain, and the legacy is big and heavy enough that it will never be mistaken for a go-kart. the V6 accord has nearly no torque-steer and doesn't have AWD sapping the power (plus no turbo lag), so it feels snappier and pulls stronger as the revs wind up. that's beside the fit/finish, resale, and reliability issues (all of which fall in the accord's favor).

if you just want to have fun, the STi will be the obvious choice. but if you need a daily driver, there are better alternatives than the Legacy GT.

Legacy = 0-60 5.6 seconds, still plenty fast. No honda accord is catching up to me.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: PaulNEPats

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
i actually found the accord V6 to be more fun to drive and faster than the Legacy GT (which is why i bought an accord). with only 250 HP, AWD is just a power drain, and the legacy is big and heavy enough that it will never be mistaken for a go-kart. the V6 accord has nearly no torque-steer and doesn't have AWD sapping the power (plus no turbo lag), so it feels snappier and pulls stronger as the revs wind up. that's beside the fit/finish, resale, and reliability issues (all of which fall in the accord's favor).

if you just want to have fun, the STi will be the obvious choice. but if you need a daily driver, there are better alternatives than the Legacy GT.

Legacy = 0-60 5.6 seconds, still plenty fast. No honda accord is catching up to me.

the 0.3 second difference between the legacy and accord in test figures is easily attributable to the legacy's AWD launch. AWD is all well and good for off-the-line test numbers, and the legacy does enjoy a nice wide torque curve once the boost comes up, but from 80-100 MPH, i'd put my money on the accord. i'm just saying i've driven both, and the accord is more satisfying when you put your foot down.