Hi all, new to the board here. I will be buying my first new car in the next 6-10 months, and would love to hear some opinions. The short list at this point is:

1) '05 Legacy GT Sedan, 5 speed

2) '05 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 6 speed

3) '05 Saab 9-2x, 5 speed

 

Obviously I'm looking for something with AWD as I will be moving to Minnesota in the near future, and with seating for 4/5. I'd like to keep the price around $30K or under. I'd really like to hear from anyone with first hand experience with the new Legacy GT (or any of the cars I mentioned), all the reviews I've been reading have been extremely positive. Oh and if you have any pics of your new Legacy GT, especially the interior, I'd love to see them. TIA

You may already know this, but you may want to add Subaru WRX on that list...SAAB's 9-2x is just a prettier/rebadged Subaru WRX...but the Subaru is about $3000-$4000 cheaper.

The 9-2 has a stiffer suspension I believe (from what I've read here).

 

If you plan on owning the car long term I'd avoid Volvo like the plague. They are not reliable as they once were.

 

I have a friend who just bought a Legacy GT and he loves it.

The Legacy is the only one that would seat 5 people in comfort. S40 is cramped, like the Saabaru 9-Impreza.

Thanks for the comments guys. Strakes, I am aware that the 9-2X is a prettier version of the WRX, but to me the difference in looks and interior quality would be worth the premium. I loved the looks of the previous generation WRX but i can't get over the front fascia on the latest incarnation, especially the light treatment. So is there anyone on this board who has a new Legacy GT that can tell me about the ownership experience so far? Also, do you guys have winter wheel/tire setups for your Subaru's or are the tires they come equipped with sufficient?

Thanks for the comments guys. Strakes, I am aware that the 9-2X is a prettier version of the WRX, but to me the difference in looks and interior quality would be worth the premium. I loved the looks of the previous generation WRX but i can't get over the front fascia on the latest incarnation, especially the light treatment. So is there anyone on this board who has a new Legacy GT that can tell me about the ownership experience so far? Also, do you guys have winter wheel/tire setups for your Subaru's or are the tires they come equipped with sufficient?

ATM, on this BB the tire/wheel resolution depends on where you live. F'rinstance, *I* live in Whitefish, MT (far northwest corner). Both our Legacies get studded winters that are mounted on extra wheels. Could probably do without the studs except for our killer driveway. But, OTOH, I really like the sure-footedness we get on our oft VERY icy roads. It's SO-ooooo much fun to blow by an SUV lying on it's side in the borrow ditch!

If you are moving to a metro area (mpls-st paul) you really will not have any more snow that you would have in western Mass. It will be colder than hell, but not much more snow. You can get around just fine w/o awd. You might have 1 day/yr where a fwd car will not get you to work. Most cars here are not awd/4wd. Many people get around with rwd cars.

 

Having said that, I just bought an 05 Legacy (non-GT) because my wife (who was transplanted from a warm climate) doesn't believe that fwd will work here in MN & I can't convince her.

 

I'm expecting to just run the stock tires all winter. My 4wd pickup gets along OK on plain old OEM all-season tires, nearly bald to boot. Unless the GT comes with high performance summer-only tires, it should be OK. I'd try it & see.

 

Mike (Minnesota)

05 Legacy, 115 miles on the odo.

May want to ask your question in the legacy forums on http://forums.nasioc.com/forums and www.legacygt.com/forums

 

there's a lot more new legacy owners to give feedback between those two resources.

I am aware that the 9-2X is a prettier version of the WRX

PRETTIER????? Wow, I've never heard that said, and it definately isn't for my taste, but then I've never really been impressed with the Saab body style. If I were to rate these cars, it would be 1) Subaru, 2) Volvo, 3) Saab. You are getting so much more car for your money with teh Subaru then any of the others.

 

Josh, what's the deal, this is the second time that I have noticed that you are suggesting someone go somewhere else to get info.

 

Yes, both places are fine sources of info, but this site is not slouch either. Yes, get as much info as possible, use as many sources as possible. Go out to the dealers and drive each of the cars for yourself, that way if later you find you don't like the car, you'll have only yourself to blame.

Josh, what's the deal, this is the second time that I have noticed that you are suggesting someone go somewhere else to get info.

I'm not trying to shun people from this board, it's just that there are a lot more people who actually own the new GT between the other two boards mentioned, which may give them some more info that they otherwise would not be able to get here.

 

this is pretty much the same reason I recommend people to the legacycentral bbs. There are people that are on both this board and other boards, but why not give someone the information/opportunity to gather more info using another resource.

jankemi and mtsmiths: Thanks for the opinions re: winter wheel and tire setups. I will most likely be living in Uptown or Downtown so I agree that winter tires will probably not be necessary. jankemi, what tires did your new Legacy come with? Are they M+S rated? Also, do you have a recommendation for a dealer in the Twin Cities area? How are you liking the Legacy so far, any issues?

 

Legacy777: Thanks for the tip on those other forums, I will check them out. I have to say i'm a little surprised that not a single owner of a new Legacy GT has jumped in on this thread.

 

Dr RX: I know I know, but like I said I just can't get into the lights on the new WRX. I just think that this front end design -

 

Looks a lot cleaner than this -

 

 

Of course I don't think either of them can touch the looks of the old STi... as you well know!

 

Hi all, new to the board here. I will be buying my first new car in the next 6-10 months, and would love to hear some opinions. The short list at this point is:

1) '05 Legacy GT Sedan, 5 speed

2) '05 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 6 speed

3) '05 Saab 9-2x, 5 speed

A recent issue of Car & Driver magazine had a comparison of the Legacy GT Sedan, Volvo S40 T5, Audi A4 and an Acura something-or-other. Your local library probably has a copy.