Opinions on Subaru B4s? (yes a car)

[steelestring]

buy an evo 3... sorted!!!!

[Ender EnZed]

Anyone want to buy a Corolla?

Maybe. How far has it been? Serviced ever/recently?

[SMOKEU]

B4s are not that great. My Pulsar shits over them in traffic light drags. If you want a fast sedan that is also economical when driven sedately then buy a version 5 JDM WRX, much quicker than the Legacys and more economical.

[FlangMasterJ]

Maybe. How far has it been? Serviced ever/recently?

Nearly 220K on the clock. I do my own oil and filter changes every 10000K. Their is some pretty bad rust on the passenger and driver door. Has new tyres and a recently replaced second hand radiator.

If that rust isn't taken care of soon it'll most likely fail an upcoming WOF.

There is a pic on my profile page.

B4s are not that great. My Pulsar shits over them in traffic light drags. If you want a fast sedan that is also economical when driven sedately then buy a version 5 JDM WRX, much quicker than the Legacys and more economical.

That's great.

[stig]

I've done a lot of work on them and I wouldn't recommend to anyone.

The TT engine is a compromised piece of junk. mine dropped a piston @ 140k
The outlet bend from the turbo are restricted to 1" before the IC, one reason it’s hard to get hp from them. but the main problem are the electronics, sensors pack up at will, especially the AFM, coil packs and knock sensor.
when any sensor is faulty the ecu reacts the same by overreacting and cutting all power, this makes diagnosis near impossible, winger Subaru spent 20hrs diagnosing mine once and gave it back without charging cos they couldn't work out the fault (was the knock sensor in the end)

I did some data logging on mine and one reason they suck gas is because the fuel maps are extremely rich. This points to lazy engineering to me.

The legacy shares same parts as wrx but weighs a lot more so:
The brakes are undersized, the diffs are under sized, the gearbox is undersized, etc etc. (imho)

I've had good experiences with Toyotas and while some are a little plain, they are very reliable.

[McWild]

I got my 1989 Suzuki Swift 1.3 to 103km/h.

Once.

This was on a closed private drag strip with ambulances and a fire truck on hand mind.

[Shadows]

Get a Falcon.

Too right.

Only complete wankers drive Subarus.

[Ender EnZed]

If that rust isn't taken care of soon it'll most likely fail an upcoming WOF.

I'm not a fan of rust work so thanks, but no thanks. Unless you want 50 cans of Double Brown for it.

[george formby]

Most of what I have read in this thread is true, but I have been lucky enough to drive a few sporty soobies courtesy of a distributor. Stunning handling & performance, loved them but cannot afford to run one. Be realistic about why you want it.

[Delerium]

speed costs money, how fast you want to go? evo's and wrxs will be faster, but they are a different car, more sports oriented while the legacy is more a gt car.

As for the only wankers drive them, pah, you could say that about anything.

Maintenance is more expensive as the engine bay is so cramped. Look after them and you dont have many issues though.

[Indiana_Jones]

-Indy

[Her_C4]

As a previous owner of an RSK B4 (the one with full leather interior and white light dash, bilstein suspension etc) ... and obviously a complete wanker ^^ I have to say this is *one* of the best japanese cars I have owned for performance (and I have owned quite a few cars).

I bought mine QUITE a few years before the term 'boi-racer' was fully coined, yet I would get pulled up often as it was lowered with mags and a big bore etc etc. It drove well, and was economical when my driving style was economical and bloody thirsty when my boots were made of concrete... (often!). They are damned comfortable and when I first got it I drove from Wellie to ChCh and then up to Auckland in it over a week, and I just wanted to keep driving!

Servicing was pretty expensive as I wanted to ensure that I used genuine parts, but there are many others just as good on the market. I ensured that it was serviced regularly by a place in town here and generally they were pretty good and helpful.

After having it from nearly new (it was immaculate) 15,000ks on the clock - it was well looked after and there were no rust or leakage problems and it sounded divine (quite distinctive from others of the same model).

I was thinking about selling it when that decision was taken out of my hands ... it caught fire and blew up. The service man was out 'tuning the turbo' when it occured and apparently noticed some smoke coming from under the bonnet. By the time he pulled over it was time to call the fire engines.

I was very unhappy.

Since then I have heard of other B4 owners with the same outcome - so it may pay to look into that before you decide?

[Timmay]

I just bought a scoobie against advice from many who had turbo manuals which gave them endless trouble, me, I got an auto non turbo wagon, i'm going to get it regularly serviced by a a mechaic who likes Subarus (yes they exist) and in a few years time i'll let you know if it is as reliable as the toyota levin I am about to sell. I see it that all cars are about the same, some just get abused more than others and have reputations to suit.

[scumdog]

IF (and a big IF) it never needs a spanner on it you'll be ok (barring the thirst and theft likelihood) but hoo-boy, if it needs any work on the motor and you're not doing it yourself? - just watch them $$$$ fly out of your wall.

[McJim]

IF (and a big IF) it never needs a spanner on it you'll be ok (barring the thirst and theft likelihood) but hoo-boy, if it needs any work on the motor and you're not doing it yourself? - just watch them $$$$ fly out of your wall.

'swhy I said get a Falcon. Nice big simple engine. Jappas can't make anything that's simple to work on - all too much effort methinks ('swhy they cost so much to fix.)