Topic: Quick Spin: 2013 Subaru Legacy

[Autos_Editor]

The styling and powertrain revisions are minor, but the 2013 Subaru Legacy will continue to attract family sedan shoppers looking for AWD.

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[redman]

We originally purchased a Subaru feeling that the company was both innovative and had some leading drive trains. That was along time ago 1998, but since then it seems that Subaru has stalled. They still offer the same transmission 4spd auto on 2012 Forester and virtually the same 2.5L engine albeit with some variable valve timing. Others have moved on, notability Hyundai.
Subaru has to move faster in development and offering if they plan to retain, let alone entice new customers in the North American market. Stop stalling products such as 6sp autos, diesel engines, D.I. engines & do some price corrections for the Canadian market before once loyal customers could validate spending there hard earned buck. To much product for less money in today's market with more innovation and better fuel economy to validate most Subaru products in my opinion.
Below is a list of common competitive sedans offered today with their engine Horsepower ratings divided by engine displacements to give you HP per Liter. All of which not only give better ratings but offer better fuel economy.

1998 Forester 166 / 2.5 = 66 HP (Wife's old subaru with 190,000 km)
2013 Legacy 173 / 2.5 = 69.2 HP (Current engine virtually same HP/Ltr as 14 year old Forester)
2013 Sonata 198 / 2.4 = 82.5 HP (1998 Sonata 137 hp / 2.0 = 68.5 hp)
2012 Camry 178 / 2.5 = 71.2 HP
2012 Verano 180 / 2.4 = 75 HP
2012 Accord 177 / 2.4 = 74 HP

 

[Spheric]

Each time I start obsessing about getting a Legacy (in GT trim) as my next vehicle, I get put off by reading 2011/12 owners in forums complaining about steering wheel vibrations at high speed, turbo failures and other mechanical issues.

How reliable are Subarus compared to other Japanese marques ?

[Weels]

I'm very much attracted to less common cars on the road, and have always liked the Legacy, especially in 3.6R form, and really like how they drive (the Impreza in the compact car comparo this past May was my favourite driver of the 9 cars tested)

What keeps me far far away though is the lousy dealer network, and their apparent love for ripping you off for service & parts.

[nlm]

The 2013 base Legacy is the same price as my 2004 base Impreza hatch in 2003 (before discounts). The sedan market must have really become competitive as I don't recall the Legacy ever starting at that low of a price. A 1998 Contour Touring trim was more expensive in 1998!

[cruzzer]

The Legacy is appealing with it's AWD and it's not bad looking to my middle aged eyes, but I still cannot understand why it starts at $3200 more in Canada than it does in the US. And why having a power driver's seat is tied into a package that can only be had with a CVT (in the base model). Still the combination of excellent AWD and a 6 speed manual will make the Legacy successful in places where it snows a lot.

[OliverD]

The 2013 base Legacy is the same price as my 2004 base Impreza hatch in 2003 (before discounts). The sedan market must have really become competitive as I don't recall the Legacy ever starting at that low of a price. A 1998 Contour Touring trim was more expensive in 1998!

Subaru has brought their prices more in line with what they charge in the U.S. due to the exchange rate.

[cruzzer]

US Legacy base price: $20,295        Canadian price: $23,495     Difference: $3,200  (+15% approx.)
US Freight:                       770         Canadian Freight: 1,895                        1,125  (+150% approx.)

For a total of $4,325 difference at a time when the two currencies are very similar in valuation (and have been for a couple of years). The $500 price reduction is more than offset by the incredible cost of freight (and dealer prep!) in this country. I know it's more expensive to operate in Canada, but Subaru could afford to sharpen the pencil a lot more IMO.

[Threader]

The cost to run a dealership should be less in Canada as they do not have to pay huge sums of money for group health insurance for their employees like in the US. Especially for mechanics who have all kinds of reasons to file claims due to hazardous job environment. All more the reason to be angry 

[OliverD]

The cost to run a dealership should be less in Canada as they do not have to pay huge sums of money for group health insurance for their employees like in the US. Especially for mechanics who have all kinds of reasons to file claims due to hazardous job environment. All more the reason to be angry 

That's only one part of the equation though.

[trainiax]

Re. the curb weight: Check those numbers again, because 1638 kg is too high.  By other sources, not even the Legacy 3.6R is that heavy, and various trims of the 2.5i are listed as between 3310 and 3450 lb, or 1500 to 1560 kg.  That eliminates more than half of the suggested weight penalty compared to the competition.