10 Best Subaru Legacy spec. Bs You Can Buy Right Now

"Andrew T. Maness" (theroadlessdriven) 09/08/2014 at 10:00 • Filed to: Car Buying, Used Cars, TRLD, NPOCP, 10 Best, Subaru, Legacy, 2.5GT, spec.B, Japanese, sleeper cars, rare cars, Acura, TL Type-S, Auto Trader

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Available from 2006-2009, the Subaru Legacy 2.5GT spec.B flew in rare air right from the start. Only 500 of the super sleeper were brought to the U.S. in it's first year, 432 in 2007 and so few between 2008-2009 that the internet doesn't even know how many!

Finding these cars in an unmolested state isn't easy given that most Subaru fan boys figure they know more than those silly "engineers" who designed the damn things. However this is a midsize family sedan that had a higher entry fee than a WRX. Clean examples with tasteful modifications and some still in their original form can be had for a reasonable price.

For those of you unfamiliar with this car it's worth noting that in it's first model year the spec B. was a special edition, only available in Titanium Silver Metallic with brick red leather seats and a 5spd manual. In 2007 it gained Subaru's first 6spd manual from those nerds at Subaru Technica International, a Torsen limited slip diff and "SI Drive" which changed throttle response. You had a choice of "fun", "more fun" and "holy shit I'm gonna get in trouble, I better put it back in more fun" modes. The singular color way available was Diamond Grey Metallic over black leather, with blue alcantara inserts.

2008 and 2009 models were available in a couple of different colors though the best sellers were silver and grey. I was shocked to find a Maroon spec B. just two hours away from me in San Diego. I'm not a fan of red cars but in the interest of resale value, that one is certainly an attractive option. Speaking of resale value, let's talk about why a spec.B is a solid investment.

First off its a Subaru, Subaru's are reliable as hell, I've had 5 of them, only one ever left me stranded on the side of the road and it had 240,000 miles on it. Put just over $1k into repairs and drove it for another 100,000 miles, including a cross country trip.

Now I know what you're thinking "Oh but like, isn't a head gasket going to fly through the hood at any moment and totally harsh my mellow?!" No, it's not, you've been drinking the internet haterade. Go to your garage. say a thousand McRaes and you'll be absolved of your sins. As they age these things need quality motor oil, timing belt replacement and maybe a water pump replacement, that's about it.

If you want to drive a high performance vehicle then you know that there is a level of accepted risk that goes with it. If you want to lower this risk then you look for a performance vehicle built by a company that is also known for it's reliability. It's crazy think about but during it's run the spec B. was the only midsize sport sedan competing with the Germans. Our automakers were still drunk and happy competing amongst themselves for rental lot dominance and all the other Japanese manufacturers we're cranking the beige up to 11.

The only car I can think of that comes close to the mixture of speed, reliability and style is the Legacy 2.5GT spec. B, is a TL Type-S(guess what my next top ten is gonna be?) and that wasn't offered with Acura's poorly named SH-AWD.

So there you have it, this is a car you should really consider buying if you're in the market something grown up that has a bit of boy racer deep down. You can work on it yourself, parts are plentiful and inexpensive, there's a very large, very active community to answer questions for you, what's not to love?

As always, the list has been put in order using a highly advanced algorithm developed by my Uncle Eddie who was dropped on his head after eating paint chips back in the 60's. Location of the vehicle, mileage, cost and condition are taken into consideration then I close my eyes and point to the screen.

Cheers.

1.) !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (great mod choices)

2.) 2006 Titanium Silver Metallic, Brick Red, 80k mi, $16,995(#334 of 500)

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

3.) !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (wife's car, few mods)

4.) 2008 Diamond Grey Metallic, Black/Black, 107k mi, $17,730(bone stock)

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

5.) 2009 Black, Black/Black, 62k mi, $18,500(SPT CAI & exhaust)

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

6.) 2008 Diamond Grey Metallic, Black/Black, 71k mi, $18,500(new brakes/60k srvc)

7.) 2008 Silver, Black/Black, 82k mi, $18,499(bone stock)

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

8.) 2008 Diamond Grey Metallic, Black/Black, 32k mi, $23,000(low miles, winter tires, nice mods)

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

9.) 2009 Maroon, Black/Black, ? mi, $18,999(rarest color, bone stock)

10.) 2007 Diamond Grey Metallic, Black/Blue, 93k mi, $17,250(rare 07,warranty)

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Which one would you choose?

Andrew Maness writes about cars because his head will explode if he doesn't. Sometimes he uploads photos to @theroadlessdriven, videos to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and thinks talking about himself in the 3rd person is really weird.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Andrew T. Maness 09/08/2014 at 10:02

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#4 is my dealership.

John Bulzacchelli > Andrew T. Maness 09/08/2014 at 10:07

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I want a Legacy GT 5-MT wagon so bad.

Boxer_4 > Andrew T. Maness 09/08/2014 at 10:26

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Just 15 more years and you can have this instead.

Sn210 > Andrew T. Maness 09/08/2014 at 10:30

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I'd have to go with #5. Price for the mileage seems to be the most reasonable

webmonkees > Andrew T. Maness 09/08/2014 at 10:32

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I've been considering this 1998 spec-P

..seriously. If I can get a proper inspection from my mechanic (between fits of laughter) I may do it.

With a toonces dash puppet.

Gramps USA, baby.

brjklein > Andrew T. Maness 09/08/2014 at 10:38

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Man, I'm over here thinkin' "let's buy a new car," because I finally got SpecB's out of my head. Then you come along. Thanks :(

Andrew T. Maness > Boxer_4 09/08/2014 at 11:37

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Oh man, I've got a whole folder dedicated to all the wagons we've been denied by Subaru over the years.

Andrew T. Maness > webmonkees 09/08/2014 at 11:38

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Haha, spec.P, I love that, you should do it.

Andrew T. Maness > brjklein 09/08/2014 at 11:39

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Sorry?

Andrew T. Maness > Sn210 09/08/2014 at 11:40

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Yep, that one has been for sale for awhile too which I thought was pretty strange as it's one of the nicest examples.

Andrew T. Maness > E30Joe drives a Subaru 09/08/2014 at 11:43

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Oh right on, have you taken the car out for a personal inspection?

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Andrew T. Maness 09/08/2014 at 11:48

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Drives like new

NeedSSpeed > Andrew T. Maness 09/08/2014 at 13:48

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Great car but exactly the reason why I bought a brand new WRX instead. I wasn't going to pay $25k+ for a nearly 100k miles on the odo, Legacy GT Spec B. I was searching high and low for a clean low mileage Legacy GT Spec B, but I couldn't find any that didn't have high miles. I was willing to pay the price for a clean low mileage one but they just weren't available when I was looking three years ago.

brjklein > Andrew T. Maness 09/08/2014 at 15:20

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I'm still going to buy my FiestaST, don't you worry.

Andrew T. Maness > brjklein 09/08/2014 at 18:21

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Good call, no secret that I'm a fan.

webmonkees > Andrew T. Maness 09/08/2014 at 18:49

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The problem is the next time I speak to the owner they're probably gonna want to deal and I better have at least my 'rational' price available to me at the bank.

About the price of a set of coilovers for a bone-stock (not even a luggage rack) Legacy 4wd 2.2 automatic.

That's my logic.. get that and then start visiting the junkyard for all the worn out bits, get the manual transmission and ecu, figure that stuff out, put in all the stock improvements from the years. double my investment, and nothing normal about it and can't help that.

kinja isawful > Andrew T. Maness 06/01/2015 at 18:19

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I think I am going to sell mine.

New hoses, gaskets, short block, and clutch; turbo was sent off and tested, xray, reworked as needed, etc. Other details - Turbo: BLCH SUB-LGT-440XT Blouch Turbo, Subaru Legacy GT 440XT Turbocharger - 8cm Turbine Housing, + HPD Turbine Wheel, + 05-09 Legacy GT Oil Line; Injectors: Deatsch 21S-01-0850-4 Deatschwerks Injectors; 850cc, 02-10 WRX/07-10 STI Boost controller: Perrin ASM-TAC-725 Perrin Pro Electronic Boost Control Solenoid Mitsubishi/Subaru; Fuel pump: Deatsch 9-301 Deatschwerks 300lph Fuel Pump; Intercooler: Racer-X; Boost gauge: http://www.gtboostgauge.com/ ; Downpipe: http://www.cobbtuning.com/Subaru-SS-3-Do… ; Intake: COBB 724300BK Cobb 05-09 LGT Black SF Intake & Air Box Combo ; Blow off valve: COBB 724650 Cobb 08-10+ WRX / 05-09 Legacy GT Blow Off Valve Kit; Suspension: BC Racing BR Series Coilovers: F-04; Wheels: 18x8 Enkei Racing RS05 Bright Silver; Borla exhaust.

https://www.facebook.com/clriggs/media_…

BeaterGT > Andrew T. Maness 12/03/2015 at 10:54

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As a Legacy GT driver, I approve this article. It truly is a sleeper at heart.

kinja isawful > Andrew T. Maness 09/12/2016 at 11:16

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Here’s mine, make an offer :)

http://memphis.craigslist.org/cto/5778033655…