legacy vs outback?

[Hop]

I have a chevy s10 blazer that I use as a work truck. Hauling, mudding, all around 'do whatever I want it to do crap vehicle'. It served me well but has been found lacking lately. It stalls intermittantly and I can't figure out why. I've changed more parts than I'd like to admit. So, it may be time for a new beast. I've been looking at the outback and wondering what the diff between it and the Legacy wagon is. Can they tow light loads like a trailer with a rider mower in it or should I look for another truck?

Greg

[Manarius]

As far as I know, the differences are few. I thought they were just limited to a raised suspension and extra body cladding on the outback. You can also get the 3.0L in the Outback...I think.

[NikFu S.]

Depends on the year, man. The Outback started out as a rigged Legacy but it soon became it's own platform. Outbacks are designed I think with higher clearance and more rugged... design.. in general while the Legacy is more of a family GT/grocery getter depending on trim.

I would not get a Legacy to replace even a light truck.

What do you intend to haul, and on what terrain?

--
Oh, I should point out for no particular reason, I was able to fit a refridgerator into a 2nd gen (or maybe 3rd, same gen as SVX) Legacy wagon earlier this year.

[Manarius]

That would be first gen

[NikFu S.]

Nuh uh there was an XT6 era Legacy wagon. This was the one after that. I mean the Lagacys based off the SVX. I know in 92 they were still selling the first gens.

[Hop]

Originally Posted by NikFu S.

Depends on the year, man. while the Legacy is more of a family GT/grocery getter depending on trim.

I would not get a Legacy to replace even a light truck.

What do you intend to haul, and on what terrain?

I'm looking at new. I do a fair of home remodeling but the heavy work comes in with hauling firewood so I'm usually back in the woods where traction is a factor. And, there's usually a pretty good load in the trailer. If I can get another piece of wood on a 10 ft trailer I will. The blazer has never even grunted. I might have to drop it down into low 4 to get out but I always got out. I've also towed an f150 for a couple of hundred miles on a dolly but don't look to doing that kind of work often.

[subi-crosser]

Originally Posted by pghopkins

I'm looking at new. I do a fair of home remodeling but the heavy work comes in with hauling firewood so I'm usually back in the woods where traction is a factor. And, there's usually a pretty good load in the trailer. If I can get another piece of wood on a 10 ft trailer I will. The blazer has never even grunted. I might have to drop it down into low 4 to get out but I always got out. I've also towed an f150 for a couple of hundred miles on a dolly but don't look to doing that kind of work often.

If you can afford to drop $20K+ on a car to run in the woods, MY suggestion is to buy another truck! something used and abused, and buy a sweet Outback to take the kids for ice cream! I have 2 Outbacks that NEVER go into the woods. I DO haul parts, tools, materials, etc in them. I also have an old beater truck that hauls anything that I need moved. As far as 2nd gen Outbacks, they come with 4:44 gears and I have never found 'power' to be an issue, but I did put 60 series tires on one of mine and it is a little quicker than it was.
When it snows, I use the Outbacks to get the bread and milk and to haul my butt to work.( and to haul bread and milk to the non-Outback owners that I know).
For hauling, I use a $700. GMC 3/4 ton. Most places remove the snow from the roads in a day or 2.

I have hauled firewood in my 90 Legacy wagon and it didn't even notice, but it sure made a MESS of the interior! ( I try to have my firewood hauled before the snow comes)
( 2 cents worth)

[huck369]

If you're looking at new, pick up a BAJA, there are still some leftovers floating around, then you have a small (very) truck bed still, and the same ground clearance as the Outback (which is more than a Ford Explorer)
Light trialors are no problem for any of them, but a manual tranny will be best for pulling.

[dcarrb]

Originally Posted by pghopkins

If I can get another piece of wood on a 10 ft trailer I will.

My GL wagon used to haul firewood, hay, feed, whatever without complaint (I kept the cargo bay covered with a tarp for easy cleanup) so a Legacy wagon would surely be up to similar tasks. But no Subaru is a good candidate for lugging a 10-ft. trailer fully laden with wood.

dcb

[wannarace928]

I have a 91 corolla wagon I use for hauling a trailor. It has towed a motorcycle, a mower, a couple freezers... If it can handle towing, I dont see why a new legacy/outback wouldnt be able to.

[LetItSnow]

I'm not familiar with any structural differences between the Legacy and the Outback. They may vary in "ruggedness" in appearance, but the frame's the same (and always has been), AFAIK.

Regarding rear reflectors, the 2000-2004 Legacy and Outback also tout them. It's probably far from true to associate the XT, Legacy/Outback, and SVX platforms with the word "based" between them. The Legacy has been the basis of the Forester and Impreza for some time (much to the denial of many WRX owners), given a stretch or cut here and there, but I don't know if that still holds true.

To topic: If you're using the car for cargo, it's quite simple that you need to evaluate which is capable and which is best based on what you're moving by material, frequency, and method. For interior, it's your judgment, based on acceptable abuse. For towing, I recall that the 2.5L NA engines were rated at 1500# or more for capacity. This should all be standard online fare, for Subaru's rated capacities.

If you're seeking advice from experience, (besides asking for it outright to avoid speculation,) you might best try Legacygt.com, as they cater mostly to the latest gen Legacy/Outback, and can offer the most advice by volume.

Originally Posted by dcarrb

...no Subaru is a good candidate for lugging a 10-ft. trailer fully laden with wood.

This is very likely on the mark.

[svxistentialist]

Subaru very often win Tow Vehicle of the Year here in Europe for towing caravans and so on.

If you are looking at only one vehicle to replace a flatbed truck, I would advise against an estate. I had two Legacy Twin Turbo estates, they would haul tree stumps, but you wreck the interior with rough stuff inside.

For one vehicle only towing a trailer, you need a Forester 2.5 manual.

Joe

[NikFu S.]

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

It's probably far from true to associate the XT, Legacy/Outback, and SVX platforms with the word "based" between them. The Legacy has been the basis of the Forester and Impreza for some time (much to the denial of many WRX owners), given a stretch or cut here and there, but I don't know if that still holds true.

The 2nd gen Legacys rolled out after the SVXs release were directly modeled from the SVX design so they would match. Same goes for the XT and 1st gen.
I implied nothing more than this.

[lovemysvx]

from what i know,

Legacy = 2.2 L

Outback = 2.5L (and optional H6 3.0), higher gound clearence...however older outbacks (96-99) have some head gasket problems, so be weary!

[Hocrest]

XT6 88-91
1st Gen Leg 90-94
SVX 92-97
2nd Gen Leg 95-99