Author Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited (Read 12532 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** May 06, 2013, 06:29:12 am »

Subaru's flagship sedan is a study in conservatism ' except for one thing.

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johngenx · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2013, 09:01:23 am »

I found the Outback actually more enjoyable to drive thanks to the added wagon weight in the rear creating better chassis balance. The OBW 3.6R is my favourite non-WRX/STi Subaru.

As for the TC ratings of 11.8L/100km city, I understand no one can come close to that.

hemusbull · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2013, 09:06:47 am »

Big Subi with H6 need similar massaging as 2.5 received with 2.0 replacement recently. Fuel economy with a reasonable performance is vital for Legacy. The new four bangers and V6s in its class are all better machines. Otherwise even people who are "paying for the powertrain" soon will not buy them...

johngenx · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2013, 10:12:41 am »

Yes, Subaru needs to update the H-6, but the thing that makes the car so enjoyable is the VTD-AWD system. It's a very performance oriented system with a rear bias and limited slip as well as enthusiast tuned electronic nannies.

Brendan McAleer · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2013, 10:43:49 am »

The only thing about any update coming for the H-6 is that I'm not entirely sure adding direct injection in will actually be an improvement long-term: ask any Audi driver about carbon-deposit buildups in their early 3.2Ls. The Subaru, on the other hand, does feel like it skews towards an older driver and part of that is maybe not a need for that extra 10% of power. Sure, on paper it'd be nice to have the numbers to get the punters in the door, but you would never call this thing slow.

Also, I made an error and it's actually a 5-speed tranny. Again, a bigger number of ratios here would be "better" but only if you're the lead guitarist for Spinal Tap.

redman · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2013, 11:04:04 am »

I understand that their is a balance between tried/tested and bleeding edge. Unfortunately Subaru is well beyond the point of T/T vs any, edge and is in the realm of stagnation.
Their are simply to many good vehicles (Mazda6,Accord) that offer much more, except for maybe the AWD system.
The balance has shifted away from the Legacy and most of the current Subaru lineup for me.

You can brush an old horses teeth but the age still shows.

P.R. · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2013, 11:11:36 am »

I have a 2012 3.6R Legacy in the base model. ( cloth seats, no sunroof ). So far no problems. Power is plenty and it is much smoother than the 4 cly. model and runs on regular fuel.

Apok · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2013, 11:20:59 am »

My folks have an 07' Legacy Sedan 2.5i and have recently begun looking for a replacement. While they are planning to stay with Subaru, this body style Legacy is not even on their radar. They concurred with you Johngenx, the Outback was much more comfortable and a much more attractive package.

Is Subaru selling any of these Legacy's anyway? I see way more 06' though 09' Legacy's than 2010+ cars. Outbacks, Impreza's and Foresters are everywhere but it seems no one is bothering with the Legacy.

blotter · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2013, 11:23:48 am »

with the changes in the Legacy as looking and seeming like just another car (Honda, Toyota, Mazda etc) I can see how they would struggle to sell. I'm sure if the engine and tranny got updated not so much to push more power but to have better fuel numbers it would sell better. People seem to care about the fuel numbers more than anything else. Since the re-design I don't see many of these anymore.

But the Outback with the 3.6 is another matter.
this is really a niche vehicle and I think it will always do very well.
I think people here buy this for what it represents and the versitility it offers.

P.R. · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2013, 12:00:44 pm »

Quote from: Apok on May 06, 2013, 11:20:59 am

My folks have an 07' Legacy Sedan 2.5i and have recently begun looking for a replacement. While they are planning to stay with Subaru, this body style Legacy is not even on their radar. They concurred with you Johngenx, the Outback was much more comfortable and a much more attractive package.

Is Subaru selling any of these Legacy's anyway? I see way more 06' though 09' Legacy's than 2010+ cars. Outbacks, Impreza's and Foresters are everywhere but it seems no one is bothering with the Legacy.

While at a Subaru dealership last week the manager said that for every Legacy sold, they sell 10 Outbacks and Forester. He said they are a hard sell ( legacy ).

Fobroader · « **Reply #10 on:** May 06, 2013, 12:16:04 pm »

I have to agree with Apok, I see lots of Outbacks running around but cant remember the last time I saw a regular Legacy running around. Bring back the GT versions, the stock ones are boring.

roundupready · « **Reply #11 on:** May 06, 2013, 03:49:17 pm »

It is quite possible Subaru may drop the H6 in the future and gone to the turbo four route like everyone else.

That will be sad. For day to day driving, a n/a engine is more plesant (IMHO) than a peaky turbo four.

The 2010 has very soft springs. I think they have tightened up the suspension tunning in the last 1-2 years.

With a set of snow tires, the only concern in deep snow is the ground clearance. I drove it around in the last big snow storm in GTA when the side streets weren't plowed and it was almost unstopable in the deep stuff.

I had a 2005 GT and despite the softer suspension, I actually found the 2010 Legacy has less understeer. It just needs a set of good suspension and tires.

Snowman · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2013, 07:08:21 pm »

Not a fan of the current Legacy but back in 2005ish you could of had the best affordable sport oriented wagon that hit North America.

Drop $2k on mods and it would eat most cars up to $80k

rrocket · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2013, 07:12:56 pm »

^^And you could get it in a manual!

Snowman · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2013, 07:41:51 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on May 06, 2013, 07:12:56 pm

^^And you could get it in a manual!

Test drove one extensively along with the 2006 WRX Wagon that I eventually bought. It was a hard decision.

blotter · « **Reply #15 on:** May 07, 2013, 09:33:57 am »

Quote

It is quite possible Subaru may drop the H6 in the future and gone to the turbo four route like everyone else.

I can see this happening with the Legacy due to poor sales in general.
however with the Outback i'm not so sure. I would expect it still sells well. It also gives added towing capacity of 3,300 lbs. No other Subaru can handle that.
The price difference between the Outback 2.5i and 3.6R isn't big.

OliverD · « **Reply #16 on:** May 07, 2013, 11:09:14 am »

Quote from: Fobroader on May 06, 2013, 12:16:04 pm

I have to agree with Apok, I see lots of Outbacks running around but cant remember the last time I saw a regular Legacy running around. Bring back the GT versions, the stock ones are boring.

It's too bad no one bought the GT versions, although they are fairly common in New England. I found that the current generation GT looked just as boring as the normal sedan.

nlm · « **Reply #17 on:** May 07, 2013, 01:20:20 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on May 06, 2013, 07:12:56 pm

^^And you could get it in a manual!

And a proper e-brake!

Northernridge · « **Reply #18 on:** May 07, 2013, 02:55:33 pm »

I will pile on and agree that the current Legacy is not Subaru's finest work. Previous versions gave the impression of a higher-end Japanese sedan with sport sedan chops...sort of. I know two guys who aspired to a Legacy but have since moved on.

OliverD · « **Reply #19 on:** May 07, 2013, 02:59:02 pm »

Quote from: Northernridge on May 07, 2013, 02:55:33 pm

I will pile on and agree that the current Legacy is not Subaru's finest work. Previous versions gave the impression of a higher-end Japanese sedan with sport sedan chops...sort of. I know two guys who aspired to a Legacy but have since moved on.

I really liked my '97 GT. One of the best cars I've owned.