Buying a new (or nearly new) legacy - any advice?

[Alycone]

So my dad is looking for a new car, thinking first choice is probably a new or almost new legacy, wondering if anyone had advice on that. My dad's getting older, wants a reliable car that's not too difficult to get in n out of, he kinda hates computers n technology, not a car guy (I'm surprised he can pump his own gas). Not sure what other cars he should look at, I'm partial to Subaru of course. Budget is 20 to 30k, don't want anything more than 3yrs old.

[Wikedjuggalo]

Originally Posted by Alycone

So my dad is looking for a new car, thinking first choice is probably a new or almost new legacy, wondering if anyone had advice on that. My dad's getting older, wants a reliable car that's not too difficult to get in n out of, he kinda hates computers n technology, not a car guy (I'm surprised he can pump his own gas). Not sure what other cars he should look at, I'm partial to Subaru of course. Budget is 20 to 30k, don't want anything more than 3yrs old.

I would look at them, test drove a few I actually was pretty impressed by the ride. For under 30k you can get the Limited (Leather, cold weather package etc. even nav if you wanted but not the 3.6R). I assume you do not need/want the 3.6 (although it was fun). If you are set on the 3.6R you might find a used one under 30k.

ultimately going to test drive is the only way to find out.

[Lookin4SVX]

I hate my 2011 legacy base model 6 speed manual.
I got it on a lease for $189/mo and cannot wait to turn it in..

It feels big, heavy, and slow, but the steering is crisp, the steering wheel wants to toss the car around like it is an impreza, but it is not an impreza, it weights too much and is to tall and has to much roll, it is the only subaru I have ever driven that felt like I could flip it on a hard corner..

If it is windy at all it gets blown all over the highway, if your passing semi trucks at 70mph, the draft will push you, it is borderline scary when it is raining..

My mother has a 2010 premium with the CVT and paddle shifters, seems to deliver the power to the wheels differently, it feels smoother, the steering feels a little slower, they are like driving 2 different cars.
But that is also a sail on the highway...

If he is going to buy one, make sure he takes on the highway and gets passed and passes a semi trailer, or that it is windy out.

Stock tires are so bad in the rain.. I found myself white knuckled on the steering wheel just going 65 on the highway, car just feels out of control and dangerous to drive in a windy rain thunderstorm..

The upside is that it is huge on the inside, seats 4 people very comfortably, spent 12 hours strait in it doing drives back and forth to TN 4 times in the last 6 months.

If the weather is good, it is a comfortable effortless drive in the legacy.
If it is raining and windy and your on 81 coming down the mountains around Wilkes-Barre, I seriously thought we were going to die a couple times going 40mph getting blown around by the semi trailors buzzing us at 70mph...

[immortal_suby]

Originally Posted by Lookin4SVX

I hate my 2011 legacy base model 6 speed manual.
I got it on a lease for $189/mo and cannot wait to turn it in..

It feels big, heavy, and slow, but the steering is crisp, the steering wheel wants to toss the car around like it is an impreza, but it is not an impreza, it weights too much and is to tall and has to much roll, it is the only subaru I have ever driven that felt like I could flip it on a hard corner..

If it is windy at all it gets blown all over the highway, if your passing semi trucks at 70mph, the draft will push you, it is borderline scary when it is raining..

My mother has a 2010 premium with the CVT and paddle shifters, seems to deliver the power to the wheels differently, it feels smoother, the steering feels a little slower, they are like driving 2 different cars.
But that is also a sail on the highway...

If he is going to buy one, make sure he takes on the highway and gets passed and passes a semi trailer, or that it is windy out.

Stock tires are so bad in the rain.. I found myself white knuckled on the steering wheel just going 65 on the highway, car just feels out of control and dangerous to drive in a windy rain thunderstorm..

The upside is that it is huge on the inside, seats 4 people very comfortably, spent 12 hours strait in it doing drives back and forth to TN 4 times in the last 6 months.

If the weather is good, it is a comfortable effortless drive in the legacy.
If it is raining and windy and your on 81 coming down the mountains around Wilkes-Barre, I seriously thought we were going to die a couple times going 40mph getting blown around by the semi trailors buzzing us at 70mph...

We've had a 2010 and now have a 2012 OB limited. My dad also had a 2010 and is now in a 2013. All of them are CVTs.

For less than $100 and 15 minutes of work you can put a bigger rear sway bar on the outback that will tighten it up quite a bit. The stock tires are too soft - running them around 38/36 psi or just putting good tires on also helps the bounciness but I haven't found them to be poor in the rain. My dad and I had both switched to michelins on our 2010s and the ride was much better.

I'd hate to put money in a leased car, but $100 isn't too much for the increased ride confidence with the rear sway bar. I'd bet you won't wear out the stock tires inside of a lease though.

I have also noticed the car feels much better when it is loaded down.

[Huskymaniac]

If cost is an issue, wait a year or two and get a used Legacy or Forester with the 2.0 turbo in it. It has a really impressive combination of power and fuel efficiency.