Picture Gallery: 2007 Subaru Legacy spec.B
Day 1:
Welcome back from the holidays. I hope all my readers had a good holiday; I certainly did, but it’s time to get back to work, which means another vehicle to testdrive. I’ve been looking forward to testing this week’s vehicle, the Subaru Legacy 2.5GT spec.B. This will be an extended drive as I will be taking it with me to the Detroit auto show this coming weekend.
Many CanadianDriver.com readers have already had their say on this vehicle, which Haney Louka reviewed at the end of November. The general consensus from the comments on Haney’s review was that the Spec B was way overpriced.
My tester is priced the same as Haney’s, but with an added $500 for the XM radio option. The one saving grace for this high priced Subaru? The spec.B is fully loaded with navigation, moonroof, a great stereo and of course all-wheel drive and a ton of horsepower.
The first thing you may notice that is different in the Spec B from the standard Legacy 2.5GT are the blue inserts on the seats. The inserts are of a suede-type material and really grip the body in corners. I’ve only spent about an hour in the driver’s seat, but they seem to be more comfortable than the standard Legacy seats as well.
This is a short week but I will update my blog after my longer trip in the spec.B. I will be driving from Ottawa to Windsor and back this weekend as I head to Detroit to cover the North American International Auto Show for CanadianDriver and CarTalkCanada.
This blog will concentrate on the fuel consumption of the spec.B and its comfort quotient. As I said, so far I am enjoying the seats: we’ll see if that still holds true after 16 hours of driving. The fuel consumption according to the computer readout is slightly better than the Legacy GT wagon I had a few weeks back. It certainly will be interesting to see if the spec.B can deliver on performance while not completely maxing out my credit card at the pumps.
2007 Subaru spec.B
MSRP as tested: $45,495
For more information on Subaru and the Legacy 2.5GT spec.B visit Subaru Canada
Updated January 3rd 2007
Day 2:
Having driven the Subaru Legacy GT Station Wagon (I like to call it Sport Wagon) only a few weeks ago, I have the unique opportunity to compare these two vehicles since they are essentially the same. There are only a few differences between the 2.5GT Legacy and the spec.B, the major notable one being a six speed manual transmission as the only option in the spec.B and of course the fact that the spec.B is only available as a sedan.
Other additions to the spec.B over the standard Legacy 2.5GT include Bilstein® sport-tuned struts, aluminum alloy front and rear control arms, 18-inch wheels with summer performance tires — which I wish were omitted for this winter test drive — Vehicle Dynamics Controls System (VDC), GPS based navigation standard and of course a TORSEN® limited-slip differential.
You’ll probably note from that list that I failed to mention a boost in horsepower or a dramatic change to the vehicle besides the manual transmission, different differential and shocks. That is because there really isn’t much else.
If you go over the list there are a few other things like chrome trim, the Momo steering wheel, which is far too large to be even listed as a “feature.” On the surface, then, one would say the spec.B really isn’t much more than a dress up package. I would have said that … before driving it.
Although there is no boost in power from the wagon version of 2.5GT I drove a few weeks back, the six speed manual transmission gives the impression that there is a boost in power. The SI-drive, when set to “Intelligent” mode, also has a shift up indicator, or what I like to call a “dummy” light. This light blinks when it is time to shift for optimum fuel economy.
I actually tested out the VDC (stability control system) this morning. Leaving my driveway, the vehicle went a little sideways. At first I was rather surprised, it certainly didn’t seem like VDC did anything. I tried again to get the vehicle sideways in an icy parking lot, but at higher speeds the system worked really well. A fluke, perhaps, in the morning? I do not know the definitive answer but I have a hunch the system is a little more lenient at slower speeds. Of course my tester also has summer performance tires and I was on pure ice at the time.
Updated January 4th 2007
Day 3:
One more day to go before the big trip to Detroit. Well, Windsor actually; I would not dare drive in Detroit. I have noticed the fuel economy of the Legacy dropping steadily since I picked it up, and driving it in Intelligent mode with a light foot seems to be helping. Not to say I haven’t been enjoying the raw power of the Legacy. It’s addictive!
I feel I have driven the spec.B enough now to come to some conclusions on its driving feel and differences between it and the Legacy GT Wagon I had a few weeks prior.
The suspension is certainly different on the spec.B and it certainly leans less in corners and gives you more confidence as you approach a high-speed turn. My first experience with it was actually when I picked it up and headed onto the highway. I went a little faster than normal on the on-ramp and the g-forces from the turn were duly noted.
The steering feels heavier in the spec.B as well, especially during low speed parking lot maneuvers. I find it requires a lot of effort at slow speeds, although it must be noted the spec.B carries larger wheels and tires and a different rubber compound as well.
The six-speed manual, unfortunately, is not much of a joy to use. It feels rubbery during changes, although a distinct gate can be felt, until it is fully engaged it is hard to tell what is going on. This is really noticeable when trying to perform quick shifts as I find the car tends to jerk around. The shifter kind of feels like a stick with a rubber bouncy ball attached to it and as you change gates the ball clunks into the proper gear but mutes the true mechanical feel.
If you drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you may want to ensure you have done your exercises. The clutch is rather firm - nothing like a Ford Mustang GT - but firm enough to notice and certainly firmer than my Mazda 3.
Updated January 10th 2007
Day 4:
Well, I made it back from Windsor / Detroit safe and sound and it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg in fuel! The Legacy spec.B actually turned out to be a great road trip car, although the trunk turned out to be smaller than I had first thought.
On the way to Windsor, I averaged around 9.4L/100km, with periods of higher consumption due to gusting head winds and other sections where consumption was considerably lower. On the return trip, the average fuel mileage was 8.8L/100km, which is fairly decent.
On the return trip, there were three of us in the vehicle plus all of our baggage and loot from the auto show. So an average of 8.8L/100km with the extra weight was a surprise. The trunk space, however, wasn’t adequate and we ended up using the backseat for some of our luggage.
As anticipated, the seats were extremely comfortable during the trip. Eight hours in a vehicle can take a toll on your back and your behind, but I felt just as fresh when I returned home as I did when I left.
*Rating out of 5:
2007 Subaru Legacy Spec B
Acceleration
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Handling
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Comfort
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Interior
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Audio System
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Gas Mileage
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 Subaru spec.B
MSRP as tested: $45,495
For more information on Subaru and the Legacy 2.5GT spec.B visit Subaru Canada
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