1996 Subaru Legacy GTB from UK and Ireland - Comments

The rear suspension now needs replacing (probably due to my overloading the load area on more than one occasion!!).

The rear screen washer permanently leaks water, causing the rear wiper motor to fail (over £200 to replace!).

Nothing else, other than new front discs required at 60,000 miles.

The car has the ability to drink fuel at a wallet emptying average of 22 miles per gallon (11mpg on a track day!).

No other car has the ability to frighten Porsche's, Aston Martin's etc and still look like a standard family runabout.

Unfortunately franchised dealers will not service it in the UK (but will supply some parts!).

However there are now quite a few imported car specialists willing to help.

The interior is nothing to get excited about, but it is comfortable and includes the most important toys like climate control, stereo radio/cassette/CD, electric windows and mirrors etc.

22mpg is considered wallet emptying? What else would you expect from such a powerful engine? My Subaru is the 1992 2.2l GX Liberty (Legacy) and I get 22-23mpg around town, and only about 29-32mpg on long trips. Subarus are not noted for their excellent economy.

I'd be happy with 22mpg from a Legacy GT!

I think perspective is a funny thing. I live in Canada where your average vehicle gets 12 MPG!!! People here buy 10 MPG SUV's and whine the loudest about the price of gas, HAHAHA. I'm not an anti-SUVer though. I think if you can afford it you should drive whatever you want. I've often read the British car mags and get a chuckle when I see a car "only" gets 20-30 MPG. Nobody here cares because gas is almost free. Oh well. Different perspectives, eh?. Den.

I am just about to, but one of these imported GT twin turbos. Can you advise me on where you get spares for it please?

The only bit that makes me nervous is the maintenance side!

Cheers

Huw.

Just replaced my single turbo 1992 manual legacy estate (197bhp). This car was very reliable, but performance was variable between 7-9 seconds (0-60mph).Now I have a 1996 manual Mk II legacy GT B estate (276bhp), which does feel like 6 seconds (0-60mph). But it is very hard to insure in the UK (Grey import).No body kit allowed, alarm & immobiliser must be fitted.

But I'm lucky because in Sussex there is a mobile mechanic who can work on all Grey imports, but some parts take 1 month from Japan & are more expensive. So be warned!

But for value for money no car can match a Volvo awd v70r or Audi S4 avant for as little as £5000.

Wolf in Sheep's clothing. Exactly. I wish Subaru had decided to sell them in the USA, instead of just home market and Australia and New Zealand. Nice seats, 250-280 hp, depending on year and transmission, a real stealth hot rod.

I have just recently bought a 97 GTB wagon, very impressed overall, and to be quite honest not as thirsty as I was led to believe. Only about $5 - $10 more expensive to run than my 95 2.2 Vtec Accord. But if you drive like Colin Mcrea it's going to use the juice.

I purchased my 96 Twin Turbo about 18 months ago.

Mine has twin sunroofs, leather upholstery, lux pack fitted as standard in Japan and it's a manual.

Yes it is a bit of a fuel guzzler, and spares are expensive. However a lot of the spares are the same as other non-import turbo legacies. i.e. Radiator hoses, etc. I've had many an argument with local dealers over this, one actually refused to sell a radiator hose unless ordered from Japan!

I could only find two insurance companies that would insure it.

This car is a dream to drive! 279bhp! I love it.

I get all my spares from Central Subaru in Willenhall, nr. Wolverhampton. They also do any necessary work, MOT's, etc.

I live in Hampshire, so yes that's a long way to go, but even with £50.00 fuel cost it's considerably cheaper than any one locally, especially main dealer. I've dealt with these people for many years and can really recommend them.

They have a web site and can supply used/new spares by post.

Far out :) I was just having a read. I'm from NZ and we do have a little hassle with insurance as they are a high theft rated vehicle. I own a 95 gtb and it is parked in my driveway with a blown gearbox at the moment, but luckily for me we have cheap spare parts and I am fitting a WRX s speed box to it next weekend and only $500 for the secondhand box (through a friend of mine) the clutch kit is another $350. Fuel wise mine uses around 50 litres per 300km. Have modified exhaust and an aftermarket air filter and it is a dream to drive, Has factory swede interior and electric drivers seat. 17" chrome wheels Silver tints and is a real head turning blue colour. I love it and wouldn't swap it for anything :)

I have owned a 1996 Subaru Legacy GT-B. It costs around $NZ70-80 to fill to the brim with fuel. Now there's the point - these cars have a lot of power, but not bucket loads of torque. The more fuel you stick in, the more it's going to use. I would recommend only ever filling it to halfway each time, you also get more power available, not so tempted to put fut down, better handling etc. These are also notorious for under-steer, acceleration is an essential to cornering these beasts, after that you will be able to go around hairpins close to 100kph. I am tempted to take mine around Pukekohe for a few laps. 0-200 14 seconds.

The 1996 gtb wagon is an excellent allround car and value for money you just can't beat it especially on the second hand market.

The EJ20R engine which is used in this model however does have some flaws. If you drive it hard they have been known to throw bigends due to the shear amount of torque placed on the bottom end.

Regular oil changes are a must and top quality oil should always be used in conjunction with considerate driving 80% of the time and you will have a long life from your engine.

I have owned a 1993 Subaru legacy RS (twin turbo) for two years now. Its been a great car and I haven’t had too many problems with it. Unfortunately here in NZ they are ranked one of the highest stolen cars and mine has been nicked twice now so if you get one get a good alarm/immobiliser etc. I had an STI exhaust system on it which sounded great as well as a twin trumpet BOV. It handled really well and I was running it on 10psi primary and 14psi secondary turbo which seemed to add a bit more of a kick. Parts, gas and maintenance are quite expensive, but being such an all round great car its worth it. I am now looking at buying a 1996 GTB wagon (206kw manual).

As far as practicality and performance go you really can't get more bang for your buck in my opinion. Have had a '96 GT-B 206kw manual for 5 1/2 years now and am not anywhere near close to selling it. Just clicked over 200K and still going strong. My advice, get one they're awesome.

WILD AND BEAST-IE. Just bought my first GTB.. rolling road 320bhp...WHOOOOOOOOOOOOSH.. B Back soon.

I've just bought a 1996 GT-B Auto, have had it now for 3 days. If like I was, you are reading these reviews and wondering whether or not to get one...

GET IT!!! Seriously.

It is an absolute joy to drive - totally normal, but solid car at low rpm, but once you hit the throttle... well if you've ever been on an airplane just as it's taking off you have an idea. Handling is superb, although this is my first automatic and it's taking me a while to get used to it. Bit scary heading into corners with no down-shift.

My one big concern was fuel consumption, but with normal driving and a little bit of (tentative) turbo testing I got 28mpg. However I did take it for a less tentative test and went through about a quarter tank in around 15 minutes. Drive it easy and you'll have a heavier wallet.

Don't know yet what parts/servicing is going to be like on it, but I'm assured by everyone I know in motor trade that they are one of the most reliable cars out there.

Inside is quite nice - everything is laid out well and very comfortable.

Like I said - if you are in any way debating whether to get one of these or not - go for it.

Hello folks.

If you are thinking about buying a Subaru Legacy GT-B... Do it and you won't regret it :) :) :) :) : Bye Bye GTI.