I'm curious why you disliked the '21 Legacy so much, especially with the contrast to your fondness for the Forester?
To be honest, I didn't even realize Subaru still made the Legacy. That's probably because Outbacks and Foresters are among the most common cars here in Portland. I once started counting Subarus in our neighborhood while out walking the dog. I lost interest in the project on Subaru #21. So at least 21 Subarus, mostly Outbacks and Foresters, in a 20 minute walk around the neighborhood.
I had brain fade. It was an Outback XT. I have my Forester setup the same as the Japanese Forester STI other than the motor. It has the complete FSTI suspension. Control arms are aluminum as are the rear lateral links. Running forged BBS STI rims, Imprezza STI steering rack, Brembo brakes, Imprezza STI seats. It weighs around 3,275 pounds. It was in a rear end accident and written off two summers ago.
That is when I bought my first new car. I figured the Outback XT would be the ultimate winter ski car. I do a very treacherous drive up one of the most often shut down roads in Ontario twice a week. (Highway 124) I need AWD with ground clearance as a minimum.
The Outback XT on this road would be fantastic.....BUT it is quite Buick like for a Subaru. My Forester is loud and loose and rattles. The Outback had a CVT, electric steering, very cushy seats, amazing ride quality but I did not enjoy driving it. It was way too big for easy parking. I drive alone 95% of the time. Almost never have people in my back seat, so for me it is about a vehicle that is the right size. I don't want a car any bigger. The new Outbacks have also been plagued with quite a few annoying problems.
Finally , I thought I would buy a car and not take looks into account....but I don't like the looks of the Outback.
It is however a darn good car if that is what you are after.
So I bought my Forester off the insurance company for $400. Found the parts needed to fix it already painted for $510 and paid a body shop $800 to pull it straight and put the parts on. The motor has some valve clatter but I think it is going to keep running a while longer.
I'd like to refresh the suspension end to end, but dread crawling underneath a car these days. I'd buy a 5 speed version of the 06-08 Forester XT if I could find a good one. I have seen them go for $20-28K on BAT.. Who'd have thought? About the same as my new BRZ.
