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2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Quick Spin
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| Blackett – 2nd Opinion |
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TO THE POINT
What’s New? The 2005 Subaru Legacy is completely redesigned, and the 2.5 GT version is the new turbocharged flagship sedan
Selling Points: Available as a wagon, standard AWD, interior materials, Sportshift operation, excellent steering, terrific balance between ride quality and road feel.
Deal Breakers: No stability control or brake assist, wagon’s sunroof is tilt-only over front seats, poorly-designed controls, tight cabin,, sedan lacks utility, turbo lag is obvious with automatic.
Our Advice: Splits the difference between entry-luxe compact sports sedan and midsize family hauler, but is a compromise that serves neither goal.
MEET THE COMPETITION
Audi A4 2.0T
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Blackett – 2nd Opinion
I understand there are negative details, but given the price and the power advantage at that price, should some of the negatives be taken with a grain of salt? I can buy a lot of salt for $5,000.
I didn’t drive this car. But after reading Wardlaw’s story, I don’t get it. He seems to take issue with the Sub’s details – if I’m correct, mainly some controls, issues with power windows, and interior space. But, the base price of this GT Limited AWD sedan, with 250 hp, is roughly $1,000 – $2,000 less than a 2005 BMW 325xi with only 184 hp (the regular Legacy GT is almost $5K less than the BMW) or a 2005.5 Audi A4 2.0T quattro with 200 hp. Looking at the stats, the Subaru has a much better power/weight ratio, apparently rides better than a BMW, has the same cargo capacity as the BMW sedan, has more rear shoulder room than the Audi, matches the BMW for front shoulder room, beats them both by nearly 3 inches for front legroom, and offers a half-inch more front headroom when compared with the BMW (the regular GT, without the Limited’s sunroof, beats them all). Rear headroom in the Legacy is behind Audi and BMW by an inch, more or less. The Subaru doesn’t come with stability control, but the others don’t come with a limited-slip differential. My long-winded point is this – I understand there are negative details, but given the price and the power advantage at that price, should some of the negatives be taken with a grain of salt? I can buy a lot of salt for $5,000. – Thom Blackett
Photos courtesy of Subaru
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About Christian Wardlaw
Christian Wardlaw joined Autobytel's Automotive Information Center (AIC) in January 2003, and current serves as Manager of Content Development for Autobytel. Previously, Christian spent eight years as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Automotive Data for Edmunds.com. A writer, editor, and automobile aficionado, Christian is a different sort of car enthusiast. His passion lies in the vehicles that people most often buy, rather than with high-performance sports cars or ultra-luxury sedans. “Given the choice to spend an hour with a Dodge Viper or a Honda Accord, I’ll choose the Accord,” he claims. Unless, of course, the driving venue is a racetrack. Christian has been a car enthusiast all of his life, uttering “car” as his first word while growing up in Detroit. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English. His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano.
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