2010 Subaru Legacy - First drive - Autoblog likes it! - Post 78

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Since 1991 I have owned at least 10 Subarus, GL's, Loyales, Imprezas, even an XT-I buy them when others think they are dead and then drive them until they really are. I'm in the process of killing an '98 Outback Limited that was totaled in a rollover. Each new model era is a glimpse into my distant automotive future, and this model is one I will never own.

Legacy styling hit it's peak with the '04 model, the wagons in particular were packaged very well with a sleek nose and a beautiful taper of the side window glass back to the hatch. I don't like the newer versions as much, with the "B9" wing shape in the grill- clunky and too bright- but they are a far sight better than this '10 model.

Subaru is going to lose market share trying to be Honda/Toyota and move "upmarket". I understand building unusual vehicles like the SVX is not profitable, but with the demise of Saab (happened long ago when GM took over), it would be nice if a least one carmaker still showed signs of independent thought.

Here in the northeast US Subies are everywhere, appealing to do-it-all self sufficient types who do not fit the conservative Toyota market and find many Hondas to be a bit too urban (urbane?) for their taste. The Outback and Forester models (of the past) in particular have been very popular here as they are dependable, versatile, and AWD, but the latest forester is an SUV, the Impreza is a softened pig, and this new Legacy looks portly and bland as well. Middle of the road will not work for these guys.
 
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Pako
To each his own, and you are certainly not alone. I felt that the Legecy's were on the right track in styling with the '08's and expected better refinement of an already good design.
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Absolutely. The '08 models were beautiful. This is just a hulking beast.





;)
 
So a few times now Subaru has ruined the Impreza, they managed to fix it in 03 and not ruin it too badly in 06 but at least in all those years the legacy always was a nice looking car. Now the impreza and the legacy have been made to look like cheap knockoffs. My issue with the look of the car isn't if it is ugly or not. It just looks like it has come from a sweatshop.
 
The design of this car isn't fail-worthy to me. Always loved the Legacy since that 2003 or 2005 model. I remembered seeing videos on YouTube showing off this car on the show floor. I think the Geneva Auto Show... I'm not sure. This is a pass (success) in my view.
 
Well, it's one of those Horrible Concept/Meh Production Model things for me. Although the headlights STILL remind me a bit of the old JDM Toyota Verossa...

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Extend the lights up to the inner grille, and you kinda see what I mean.
 
In Case You Were Wondering...

001_nyc_outback.jpg


Deets to be read here

I like the look, a little bit better than the sedan actually, but something still seems amiss. Whereas Audi and Saab pull off beautiful wagons that are built to go offroad in their cross trainers... This just seems like its designed more to be big, ominous, and ultimately the one with the big Merrel boots to climb the trail for "advanced" folks.
 
I think the tough look of it shouldn't hurt it much. The Pacific Northwest seems to be by far the most significant market for the Outback, and the number you see that have bike racks and other things indicating their owners head up the gravel/snowy roads in the mountains is pretty high.

I really like the look. I wouldn't be surprised if the Outback was designed before the Legacy here. They've moved away from the traditional two-tone body, which is a bit of a shame, but it doesn't hurt it that much. The only complaint I have is that it is indeed a little too big. From the rear angles, it seems to have the same proportions as a shrunken down Traverse, which isn't necessarily good.
 
Only problem is that this exists:

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I imagine the Subaru is cheaper, probably a little more capable off-road, but in terms of having to drive something with a dual personality, the Saab makes more sense. Well, on paper anyway.
 
That Saab looks good too... But its not red...

I wonder which one Casio would get! 💡
 
YSSMAN
Only problem is that this exists:

saab-9-3x.jpg


I imagine the Subaru is cheaper […]
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Try a lot cheaper – the current Subie Outback starts at 22k, the Saab SportCombi starts at 32k. That’s a 45% price difference.
 
Something that I keep wondering about is what the size difference will be between the Outback and the Forrester. Previously, it wasn't a huge difference, but given how similar they look (kinda), and of course, the similar capabilities... I can't help but to think that the Forrester is still a better choice.
 
Autoblog drives the new Subie Legacy by my house.

It's very good to see that Subaru is still the brand I love them for being. Hopefully it'll look better on the road than in pictures like they say it does. I think I'm starting to like it more even without seeing them on the road yet. No doubt they'll sell like hotcakes here.
 
I like Subaru. I'll have one please.
 
It STILL looks Verossa-esque. Without the JZ-power and RWD win.
 
Well the production model looks a whole lot better than the concept pics at the beginning of this thread. I actually really really like it.
 
I think it looks mean! I like it! But I do see some honda (civic si's exhasts?) in it, and maybe the front bumper bodywork is abit much for this type of car, its still sexy. If it pushed out impressive bhp numbers, i'd buy one!
 
265 isn't impressive enough for a bread-and-butter sedan? :sick:
 
Dead_Poetic
Well the production model looks a whole lot better than the concept pics at the beginning of this thread.
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Not really. The local Subaru dealer has the new LGTs right next to the outgoing leftovers. There is absolutely no comparison - the previous LGT looks 27 times better than the new one.
 
This car was the biggest surprise of the SF autoshow in my opinion. Yes, the outside is ugly as sin. But if you asked me to pick a standard japanese sedan, this would be it. It has hemorrhoid sofa-seats, but otherwise the interior is great. And it looks like they realized that they have a demographic other than tiny japanese people because they really made it big-friendly, unlike the old legacy and the impreza (which I will call the impretzel). Thumbs up to this car.

Also, Subaru had one of the same associate ladies from like 3 years ago that I recognized. And a tall, drop dead gorgeous blond milf that showed me around the Legacy. And, no, she did not influence my opinion of the car, but it was a nice bonus. I mean, god damn.
 
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neon_duke
There is absolutely no comparison - the previous LGT looks 27 times better than the new one.
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I could not agree any more.

I'll say that the new Legacy looks far better in person than any form of film. In persoon it's passable, in pictures and commercials it's hideous. It is growing on me somehow.

Granted, if one were to offer me a brand new 2010 2.5 limited in a trade for my 2007, I would laugh in that person's face and tell them to have a nice day.

If the new outback had a legacy snout instead of one ripped from Geely, then my opinion of that chassis would shoot up a million points.
 
I'd imagine that it would look better without the bits of tail light on the trunk of the car.
 
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