Legacy 3.0r

sport_billy, Dec 17, 12:02pm
Hi all, looking at a Legacy 3.0r - anyone own one/had one and wish to share their thoughts!

Will be our main car for open road travelling and used occasionally around town weekends etc - I cycle to work 4 days a week.

Real world ownership or mechanic views appreciated, not what you heard down at the pub thanks.

Will ideally be looking at a manual - more fun to drive :) and thinking might be able to eek out better economy around town (yes I wish to attempt to have my cake and eat it to). Have had a Subaru legacy ('92 model) in the past and loved it

Cheers,
Nick

sport_billy, Dec 17, 12:03pm
Ps - heard a new clutch if needed is $3000 - is this true!

audi_s_ate, Dec 17, 12:49pm
I have heard that the 3.0 uses as much gas as the 2.0 turbo and is a little slower. Possibly more reliable though.
Owners maybe able to comment on this.

noswalg, Dec 17, 3:37pm
I've had a GT30 legacy for the last 3yrs and had no issues with it, mines an auto and can get about 550kms to a tank on the open road if driven conservatively, Mine was the earlier EZ30 engine, the 3.0R benefits from a bit more power and variable valve timing. Can't comment on the 3.0R trans but I've always thought that the trans in mine is not a good match to the engine, I think a manual trans behind it would be great it would be a lot easier to keep the revs in the mid range which is where you start to get some power. Overall I'm still pretty happy with it and will replace it with another 3.0 subaru but this time with a manual trans

ceedoubleyou, Dec 17, 7:56pm
I've owned a 2006 3.0R auto since June 2010, handles heaps better than the 2000 RSK B4 I owned previously. Very neutral, not understreery like the RSK B4, but lacks the grunt of the twin turbo 4, similar power, but down on 30-40nm torque. Probably just as thirsty, but much more civilised, quiet and a lazy cruiser. To date (touch wood), nothing has broken, just goes everytime the key is turned.

sport_billy, Dec 17, 10:10pm
Thanks for the info guys. I did always want a turbo, but manual late model single turbo versions are quite pricey - and I did love the low down 'go' and engine sound of the six cylinder.

ceedoubleyou - how have you found running costs (ie servicing etc + petrol) of the 3.0 compared to the RSK!

There is a cheap Blitzen twin turbo here in ChCh for sale but the potential turbo costs and fuel bills make me wary of it.

Am I silly thinking a manual will be cheaper around town when needed!

NZTools, Dec 17, 10:22pm
The extra cost of purchaseing a manual over an auto will negate any potential fuel savings you may or may not make.

lookoutas, Dec 17, 10:41pm
Is there such an animal as a 3.0 manual!

I've had heaps of turbo's, but have become sedate and moved to an RS6. Gave me a few frights overtaking until I learnt to give it full peddle instead of letting the turbo's do the job. Hasn't got the same punch, but I like it.

If it was just for me to drive (as it was in the past) I would have a turbo any day. But I also used to do a lot of back country driving, so AWD was a plus.

sport_billy, Dec 18, 3:12am
Would love an RS6, but yes there is a 3.0 manual legacy, gets a 6 speed gearbox derived from the STI units.

ceedoubleyou, Dec 18, 3:57pm
daily running cost are similar, but servicing the twin turbo are suppose to be every 5000km, and long term, one doesn't have to worry about changing the cam belt, as the 3.0R has a chain, but still a big time service at 100k, probably spark plugs will need to be replaced. I would skip the twin turbo and go with a 3.0R, it is a much more civilised car, as per my earlier post the handling is like chalk and cheese.

ryanm2, Dec 18, 9:27pm
one for sale here in chch for 11k. looks pretty tidy to boot.

tazcsv, Dec 18, 9:34pm
Once you get used to a turbo its really hard to go back to n/a, id always buy a turbo suby over a non turbo and always manual.

sport_billy, Dec 18, 11:58pm
The one in christchurch has gone (the manual one that is). Seller hasnt bothered to remove the listing.

dafly28, Dec 21, 2:24am
I am hoping to get into a Legacy 3.0 H6, these are highly recommended as the one to get (as opposed to the 2.5L versions) I was told by a Subaru specialist mechanic that he has never seen a 3.0 fail - this guy knows his stuff. agree on getting the 6 speed manual, pretty rare but would be a great package and easy to sell again