Opinions on Subaru B4s? (yes a car)

**FlangMasterJ** · 5th October 2009, 23:15

I know. Two to many wheels

I'm finally upgrading (or is it?) from my battered and beaten '92 Corolla after many years of great service.

I'm really keen on a 1999 Subaru B4 Legacy. I love the styling but the majority of people I have asked seem to think I'm making a big mistake. I know it's not going to come close to the reliability of the old Corolka but are they really that bad?

The old man says to stick with a Toyota or a Nissan. He said he'll disown me if I choose otherwise.

Anyone owned a B4 or heard anything about them good or bad?

I'm still keeping my bike so go easy on me.

**James Deuce** · 5th October 2009, 23:19

It'll get nicked.

**FlangMasterJ** · 5th October 2009, 23:24

Knowing my luck, you're probably right.

Anyone else think I'm making a mistake?

**EJK** · 5th October 2009, 23:34

If you are talking about the Twin Turbo Legacy, all I know is they drink fuel ALOT. On the other hand, the Legacy probably is the best vehicle for most HP for bucks.
Few of my friends owns B4s and I don't hear them complaining too much about mechanical problems.

**flyingcr250** · 6th October 2009, 05:30

Originally Posted by FlangMasterJ

Knowing my luck, you're probably right.

Anyone else think I'm making a mistake?

just keep up with the servicing side of things i.e. change the oil every 8k with an engine flush to keep the oil lines leading to the turbos clean otherwise you could lock a turbo up$$$$$$. because its a high compression, high stress motor always run atleast 95 octane fuel, also keep up with cambelt changes.

**Jizah** · 6th October 2009, 05:46

Originally Posted by FlangMasterJ

Knowing my luck, you're probably right.

Anyone else think I'm making a mistake?

It's not luck, they're just too easy to steal.

**Owl** · 6th October 2009, 06:06

Get some insurance quotes and you may just follow your old man's advice.

**peasea** · 6th October 2009, 06:20

Originally Posted by FlangMasterJ

Knowing my luck, you're probably right.

Anyone else think I'm making a mistake?

Yeah, me.

I did 30yrs in the motor trade and while I really don't like Jap cars I would have to say that Toyota has it nailed in the reliability stakes. I worked for Toyota for over five years and their company ethos was streets ahead of anyone else I've worked for, including Nissan.

The Legacy will eat your Corolla for breakfast but it'll keep you broke. My nephew works on them (and has has rally experience with the 555 team) and he knows them inside out. He drives a Commodore, what does that tell you?

A buddy recently traded a Legacy on a 3.8 V6 VT Commodore and his gas bill is smaller now. (He couldn't get better gas mileage than our VY V8 as it happens.) Boxer engines go well but they eat gas and you're sure to be buying something that has been thrashed, like Primeras and Mitsy Evo's. Neither of which would even come close to going on my shopping list.

Also, the comments here about Soobies going walkabout are not fiction. Just ask your local bobbies and/or insurance companies.

Advice from an old fart? Don't do it.

**sil3nt** · 6th October 2009, 06:52

Only been in the back of one (and it was the Blitzen version) but they pretty damn quick. 0-100 in around 5 seconds and very comfortable sitting in the back!

But yeah it will get stolen.

**jono035** · 6th October 2009, 06:58

My boss owns a forester and impreza (both newer than '99 and boxer engined ones). He has complained about the costs of running them both quite frequently. He also gets them both serviced by winger subaru even though he is plenty capable of doing everything himself... Doesn't exactly inspire confidence...

**Laava** · 6th October 2009, 06:59

Very ordinary! But target for boy racer thieves. Stick with the Toyota, get a corolla RUNX Z. Very quick but looks like Nanas car

**MisterD** · 6th October 2009, 07:06

I run an '06 Forester and I'd rather be beaten to death with a tyre-iron than swap it for a Toyota...

**Indiana_Jones** · 6th October 2009, 07:10

Originally Posted by MisterD

I run an '06 Forester and I'd rather be beaten to death with a tyre-iron than swap it for a Toyota...

Each to their own.

If you want A to B get a Rolla.

If you want performence, be prepared to pay to maintain such performence.

-Indy

**White trash** · 6th October 2009, 07:20

B4's a fucken nice vehicle to drive. Very comfortable with enough grunt to motivate ya and very composed handling. The only faults I'd be worried about are their insatiable thirst (my HSV gets better mileage), a fucken horrible clutch which doesn't take kindly to big launchs and expensive servicing for thing like belts and spark plugs.

Someone once said, if you can afford to own a late model Subaru, buy a V8. So I did.