Learn me subaru outback/Legacy

Considering a 4th gen Subaru outback/Legacy wagon W/ Manual Transmission, what should I be looking for or watching out for? Is the XT worth the extra money?

I don't have any personal experience, but this will probably get more responses in the Grassroots forum. I'm going to move it over there.

I have only driven a 4th gen a couple of times. I had a 2nd gen and my mom has a 3rd gen that I have driven lots. Head gaskets are always a concern on the 2.5L. Look underneath for weeping. The later 2.5's were better but you can still find a leaker.

I like the XT's but they are somewhat hard to find especially in a 5 spd.

The H6 is nice. But is thirsty and requires premium, so does the XT.

I've owned an 02 automatic legacy wagon for over 100k. Great car. Head gaskets leak, but never enough to worry about. Some bushings are hard to find. Ac is a little under powered when it's 100 degrees in the shade.

Want a cheap, rust free one?

Are the track able stock or to much like a suv?

It's more fun to drive a slow car fast. ...

I've run mine at cmp. But only once for a weekend hpde.

Legacy would be better on track than an Outback. The Outback suspension is softer and the extra height would not help.

The wife has an '05 Outback with the EZ30 and yes, it is quite thirsty. It has smooth power up to 7,000 rpm and makes Porsche noises when the exhaust is opened up.

We both hate the lag in the drive by wire. It would be maddening on an Autocross course!

I have a '06 2.5i auto. An outback will give you higher ground clearance and easier to find roof rack. Better towing capa ity to, but that is all. An XT will give better power, bigger brakes and sway bars but 17"+ only tires. The xt auto is a 5 speed wich is better than a NA auto 4. Xt is thirsty, premium fead, cost more to buy and maintain.

I dont regret getting an 2.5 NA. Though i consider upgrading shocks sway bars and pads... but hey, for mow its on roadtrip and camping duty so.. who cares. It can get 7.5 to 8.0 l/100 km (35-37) doing 60mph highway. Sure the xt is better but i put the saving on a bike. Way more cheap fun ;)

trigun7469 wrote: Are the track able stock or to much like a suv?

From what i've read the chassis of that car evolved into the 08-14 WRX. I have had friends with them and they are just as good except I believe they don't have open diffs like the WRX does.

In reply to physician:

Any gripes about the drive-by-wire?

Honestly I've never been able to tell a difference with DBW or throttle cable and I go back and forth a few times a week. Head gaskets are the biggest issues with the NA 2.5s. You can't go wrong with either choice, if you want to track it though, go with the Legacy.

I've got an '05 Legacy GT wagon. I loved it until a couple ring lands broke and I had to rebuild the engine. Since this happens a lot, be carefull about picking up a cheap project car. The rebuilds are more involved than most other engines, and they are very picky about the machine work. Other than that, the car has been rock solid. The throw out bearing did go out prematurely, another common issue. It was a blessing of sorts. I replaced the very heavy dual mass flywheel with a light weight unit. Pretty much all of the throttle lag that I blamed on the drive by wire was banished by the new flywheel.