03-CTR

i've been thinking about my next car and the legacy 3.0r spec.b seems to be the ideal candidate. its plenty quick enough for me, has awd, has 'allegedly' superb handling for a big car, is spacious, has loads of toys and, like my accord, is as unassuming as it gets.

seems to be worthy of further investigation/test drive but from reading previous posts it only does 20mpg combined now initially i put this down to the 3 litre, 6 cylinder engine and 240 odd bhp but on checking out the bimmer 530i it also has arround 240bhp, 6 cylinders, weighs the same but does 34mpg combined (on paper). if you look at the legacy spec it does 24mpg on paper so why the 10+ mpg difference ?? does awd over rwd make so much of a difference ??

any ideas greatly appreciated

Boarder1

I cant answer why it out drinks the BMW, but I can confirm the 3.0r does do about 24mpg average.

My father has the legacy and it surprises me how much it drinks even when driven steadily.

Mark

G00ner

I can get at best 28mpg on a run, and have been averaging 24ish.

Mine's for sale at 22k, Spec B Black Tourer, 20000 miles, immaculate, selling because I'm getting married and need some quick cash.

RON

'selling because I'm getting married'

Blimey Goon, you didn't get her 'up stick' did ya!!!!!!

Holy Ghost

i've got the 3.0 H6 (same engine) - 230 miles off a full tank for short/urban journeys; 260 for mixed journeys; 310 on strictly long haul. sport setting is more thirsty.

the manual says it's 70 litre tank but the most i've ever got in it even when 20 miles into reserve is about 52 or 53 i think.

it's a splendid engine: sweet, smooth, rorty, responsive with oodles of torque and gets a big x-over estate really shifting. fabulous 50-70 sweet-spot.

i intend to switch to the 3.0 spec B when i trade in. no question. it's a really great car.

03-CTR

thanks.

that doesn't sound too bad. have you got the legacy 3.0r with a semi auto box by any chance?? if so what's the sequential shift like??

i'm really after a spec.b but there's a reasonable difference in price (seen a 53 plate with no nav and 13.5k for £14,495) and the press seem to like the sequential action (for once).

03-CTR

sounds lovely. i fancy the black but the missus doesn't like estates for some reason. 24mpg is good tho'

best of luck with the sale

03-CTR

sounds lovely. i fancy the black but the missus doesn't like estates for some reason. 24mpg is good tho'

best of luck with the sale

Kevin Groat

Think you'll find it's the AWD drivetrain that gives it such a thirst for fuel. Even my old 1.6 L series Estates only managed high 20's at best. If you've ever tried pushing (physically) an AWD Subaru you'll understand why the consumption is poor - it's just the price to pay for decent 4wd. My GTB get's upper 20's and my STI V3 low 20's. GTB is a fantastic comfortable stealthy load lugger

Boarder1

We have the sequential box and I found using it is Ok for the 1st time, but I got bored with it and stuck it back into Auto.

Surprisingly in Auto-mode, its kick-down is just as good as if you down shifted in the sequential mode.

03-CTR

does awd make that much of a difference.

i guess the next question is whether awd gives that much of a performance advantage over rwd. in wet conditions the distinction is probably clear but when dry is there much in it??

never driven an awd or rwd car so don't really have a clue.

cheers

rallyfan1977

I spent a great day at Prodrive on Monday with a load of car nuts, driving everything Subaru had to offer, including a 6sp Manual 3.0 Spec B Saloon on the Skidpan - It's an absolute hoot of a car, but definately requires respect, it's the only one that was regularly seen spinning wildly!!
Totally changed my opinion of large saloons, and debadged it would definately be a serious sleeper car.

Cheddar George

Meant to reply a while ago...
I've got a 3.0R Tourer with five-speed auto, and the only time i really use the gearbox is to get a low gear downhill. The kickdown is fine for most driving purposes as stated above. On fuel, motorway on cruise gets 28mpg, around 24/5mpg when out and about. In town (St Albans) its a wretched 17mpg. Tyre wear on the front is pretty quick though (gone in 13000 miles on driving that is none too severe, but plagued by roundabouts).
But...apart from that, I wouldn't swap it. With wife, baby and dog safely stowed it drives like its on rails, but you have the speed right there when you need it.

SPEN555

lol @ the BMW 530i at 34mpg. Probably bull$hit manufacturers claim and no way in real life that will be achieved.

I think the BMW will beat the Subaru on MPG overall as it is 2WD vs 4WD. When I drive my scoob off boost the MPG is still crap (less than 30mpg).

stevem2k

small point ... why is this in 'other marques' ?

scooby L

My Spec B averages 22-24mpg

I've had 34mpg on a long m-way journey towing my jetski (60mph all the way)

The handeling is fantastic (for a large car) and feels composed even when pushed.

I love it.. a real sleeper car and once you get over 4.5k the H engine sounds soo sweet

03-CTR

thanks for the info chaps

looks like an mpg in early twenties is the average which isn't too bad given the superior performance over my 2.4l accord.

think i may be back onto the legacy after a brief spell of madness. thought that a new honda fr-v would be a good choice given the family/kids etc. but after driving one there's no way we're ready for that right now . nowt wrong with the fr-v (in fact its excellent) but the pipe and slippers can wait. lol.

sadly the cheapest spec b i can find is £20 so i may have to wait a bit before i can afford one. i've seen a few 3.0r's for £17k which is a bit more affordable but there seems to be quite a difference in performance/spec. time to play the waiting game me thinks.

cheers

03-CTR

lol.

its a scoob but not of the impreza kind though so thought it more suited to in ere.