Vehicular Musings

"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish) 04/29/2019 at 23:10 • Filed to: subaru

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I’m considering selling the Legacy. I’m getting too fed up with the transmission , the uncomfortable seats, and the bouncy, harsh ride. It’s dumb to sell a car with so few miles, that’s so dependable, but it annoys me more than I enjoy it. I could get somewhat better seats out of an Outback or something, but I also don’t want super mismatched seats. No one seems to make parts for non-GT Legacy wagons, so I don’t have much, if any suspension parts to choose from to try and improve the ride, or at least make it feel more planted to justify the firmness of the ride.

So here’s the pros and cons of the Legacy.

Pros:

-Very reliable (so far)

-59k kms....

-Decent on gas in the city, very good on gas on the highway

-Seats 5 (I’m often carting people around)

-More than enough cargo room for everyday purposes

-AWD is nice in the snow

-Safe

-It was free (inheritance from my grandpa)

Cons:

-Will almost definitely need head gaskets done at some point

-Not good enough on gas in the city for how gutless it feels, because the engine, transmission, and final gearing are poorly matched.

-Clunky transmission that’s often annoying, sometimes dangerous. Very reluctant to downshift, so I wind up giving it a silly amount of gas, then it downshifts a half hour after I needed the lower gear, sometimes it downshifts twice. Starts in 2nd unless it’s from a dead stop, and it doesn’t have the torque for that. Aggressively upshifts unless it’s in sport mode, but it waits too long to shift in sport mode...anyways, you get the idea.

-I don’t need AWD, it’s just making my fuel economy worse. Yes it’s nice in the snow, but I get by just fine with 2wd and snow tires.

-Seats that are generally uncomfortable for short drives, but awful on long drives.

-Turning circle of an aircraft carrier.

-Rearview mirror that is directly in my field of view, so I always have to duck under or around it.

-It’s bouncy at speed, and crashes over bumps, if loaded with 3 skinny guys in the back seat, it wallows about like I have the trunk full of bodies. If there’s 3 not so skinny people in the back seat, and bags and such in the trunk, it’s just stupid. It may be a wagon, but it apparently was only designed for a couple kids in the back and a couple light things in the trunk.

So yeah, I need to either change what’s bothering me about the Legacy, or sell it to someone who really wants one, and get something else. I have some guilt and feelings of ungratefulness about selling an inheritance, but my mom thinks that my grandpa would have been just as happy if I used his car to get a car that’s better for me , as if I kept it. He was her dad, so I trust her opinion on that.

Chariotoflove > gmctavish needs more space 04/29/2019 at 23:15

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There’s something to be said for reliable transportation that’s paid in full. But there’s even more to be said for enjoying something you spend so much time in. You should probably sell it. 

DipodomysDeserti > gmctavish needs more space 04/29/2019 at 23:19

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Don’t do it. I’ve regretted selling every Subaru I’ve owned, no matter how annoying. Doubly true for the wagons.

Nibby > gmctavish needs more space 04/29/2019 at 23:19

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sell it for $847,482.64

fintail > gmctavish needs more space 04/29/2019 at 23:21

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I think your grandpa would be happy to know you used it to get something you enjoy more. Unless you have serious intentions to keep it as a “forever car”, it might be time to part ways - life is too short, and the car will never be worth more than it is now.

gmctavish needs more space > Chariotoflove 04/29/2019 at 23:21

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In theory, I’d be replacing it with reliable transportation paid in full, that I also enjoy 

dogisbadob > gmctavish needs more space 04/29/2019 at 23:26

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km? Are you in Canada? Because you have more options for cool wagons and shit than we do

So me good options, if you can afford them:

Kia Ro ndo (we never got the second-gen, and they stopped selling the first-gen here early, and we never ever got a manual Rondo, which you did get )

Mazda 5 (killed the manual 5 off early, and before that it was only available on the base model. We only got manual 5's with real features for the first few years)

Chevy Orlando (we never got it)

Mercedes B-Class (we only recently got only the electric version, but Mooseland has gotten the non-electric B for quite some time, and you can even get one with the 3-pedal)

I think Mercedes also has some other wagons we don’t/didn’t get down here.

The Nissan X-Trail is cool, too

For something smaller, there’s the Echo hatch

Cool wagons and shit that we got down here that you might like:
TSX wagon

Matrix/Vibe

C-Max

Prius V

And if you’re in the market for something brand new, the Regal TourX is worth considering

gmctavish needs more space > DipodomysDeserti 04/29/2019 at 23:31

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But did the seats work for you? I feel like Subaru seats are specifically designed to hurt my back and neck

gmctavish needs more space > dogisbadob 04/29/2019 at 23:38

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Not gonna lie, I have no interest in almost any of those. Maybe the X-trail, but if I was gonna get a Nissan SUV I’d probably get an Xterra, maybe a Pathfinder. I could for an older Mercedes wagon, but they’re usually diesel and super high miles.

I’m thinking more along the lines of a 3rd gen 4Runner, Blazer, E39 wagon, Volvo V70, 1st gen Tundra. I’d get a 2nd gen Montero if they were sold in Canada....

AestheticsInMotion > gmctavish needs more space 04/29/2019 at 23:38

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Awd turbo manual Volvo wagon? 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > gmctavish needs more space 04/29/2019 at 23:41

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I say keep it and just turn off the insurance. Buy something fun. If that doesn't work out, boom, reactivate the Subaru. If it does work out, sell the Legacy.

Racin'Jason002 > Nibby 04/29/2019 at 23:42

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Sounds reasonable enough. 

gmctavish needs more space > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 04/29/2019 at 23:43

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This is the smartest way to go about the selling it idea. Keep it as a safety net. 

gmctavish needs more space > AestheticsInMotion 04/29/2019 at 23:44

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Those aren’t exactly known for being easy on running costs...I’d lean more towards a 2wd n/a Volvo wagon.....maybe a turbo

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > gmctavish needs more space 04/29/2019 at 23:45

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Right, my thought it if you sell it first , then buy something that falls short of expectation, you’re screwed. And you’ll never find another free Legacy wagon with low low miles, knowmsayn?

DipodomysDeserti > gmctavish needs more space 04/29/2019 at 23:48

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I ride a 46 year old Honda motorcycle around for fun, and backpack through the Sonoran desert with a family of four, so my back is probably accustomed to a bit different comfort level than most. I can only recommend hip flexer and hamstring stretches, lat pulls and squats to help with seat comfort. I also work on my feet which also helps.

fintail > dogisbadob 04/29/2019 at 23:49

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Right now Loonieland has the C wagon not seen in Murka, along with E53 wagon.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > gmctavish needs more space 04/29/2019 at 23:51

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My suggestion? TSX wagon. It’s fun, fuel efficient, would be about as roomy, comfortable seats (at least in the first gen, can’t speak to the second gen), reliable, an actually decent automatic, and safe.

PorkChops > gmctavish needs more space 04/29/2019 at 23:52

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Email me @ p p r i n a@gmail if interested in selling. Located in MI 

dogisbadob > gmctavish needs more space 04/30/2019 at 00:00

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ok cool

gmctavish needs more space > DipodomysDeserti 04/30/2019 at 00:00

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I’m on my feet some where between half and three quarters of the day, lifting and moving things most of the time, I’m in perfectly fine shape. My 89 Raider is fine, it has seats that weren’t designed by idiots. My Blazer had super comfy seats, I could do a 12 hour drive in those with like 2 stops for stretching and not be stiff and sore. It’s not just me, it’s either the Legacy has bad seats, or I’m just proportioned wrong for the car. The headrest in the Legacy pushes my head forward, so it’s straining my neck if I have the back in a good position to brace my shoulders against. So on a long drive I can either have sore shoulders, or a sore neck, usually some combo of both. Something about how everything is positioned also means I usually have lower back pain after an hour or so. It’s just really poor ergonomics.

gmctavish needs more space > dogisbadob 04/30/2019 at 00:02

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Sorry I didn’t mean to be rude, just trying to be honest. I guess this is how Europeans feel when north americans are excited about their normal cars....I honestly forget those things weren’t sold in the states, they’re just normal things up here. 

gmctavish needs more space > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/30/2019 at 00:04

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I don’t love the styling, but I definitely test drive one if I saw it for sale. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one here.

gmctavish needs more space > PorkChops 04/30/2019 at 00:04

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I’m in Vancouver, BC....

Future Heap Owner > gmctavish needs more space 04/30/2019 at 00:08

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Between how much longer your list of cons is and your replies to comments, I think it’s pretty clear you should sell it. I’d trust your mom about how your grandpa would feel about it.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > gmctavish needs more space 04/30/2019 at 00:09

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Mazda6 wagon 

DipodomysDeserti > gmctavish needs more space 04/30/2019 at 00:09

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I’ve never owned a Legacy, but from your description, the seat dynamics might just be fucked.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > dogisbadob 04/30/2019 at 00:12

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We don't get the Tour X

Chariotoflove > gmctavish needs more space 04/30/2019 at 00:17

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Easy choice then. 

CB > gmctavish needs more space 04/30/2019 at 00:22

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X-Trail parts are usually ordered from Japan. They’re hard to get here. Just an FYI.

gmctavish needs more space > Future Heap Owner 04/30/2019 at 00:24

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It is indeed  looking that way

gmctavish needs more space > DipodomysDeserti 04/30/2019 at 00:24

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That’s what I’m thinking. My friend has an Outback, and while the seats are similar, they’re significantly better 

gmctavish needs more space > CB 04/30/2019 at 00:25

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That is good to know....

gmctavish needs more space > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 04/30/2019 at 00:27

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If I went to Mazdaland, I’d lean towards a 3. I drove 2008 with the 2.3 for a week and I really liked it. Maybe a Speed6...

CB > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/30/2019 at 00:27

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Super rare in Canada as they weren’t sold here.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > gmctavish needs more space 04/30/2019 at 00:35

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Uh if your worried about headgaskets...don’t get a speed6.

I had a mazda6 and loved the NA V6 and 5spd.

Are you thinking older or newer? Budget?

CB > gmctavish needs more space 04/30/2019 at 00:39

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If you’re looking for five seats, decent fuel economy, fun...

How are Lancer Sportbacks?

gmctavish needs more space > CB 04/30/2019 at 00:47

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I’ve never looked into them really, I see them so seldom I forgot they exist. I’ll do some looking, but leaning more in a RWD and/or truck direction 

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > CB 04/30/2019 at 12:32

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a wagon sold in the US but not the land of maple syrup? strange

gmctavish needs more space > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/07/2019 at 02:08

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Wow kinja never told me you replied again. I’m thinking older, or roughly the same age. Probably a 90s SUV, thinking around 5 grand, but less as long as it’s not sketchy. In a lot of ways, my 97 Blazer was the ideal daily for me, so I want something more along those lines. Alternately, an e39. 3 of my friends have/recently had e39s, and they’re such wonderful cars. If I could find a good e39 wagon, that might be ideal.