43 replies to this topic

[Jordan]

Its not a question that i've seen asked anywhere before and i thought it would be helpful to a few people, myself included.


In your opinion, what is the best NA Subaru and why? 
I've owned 2 myself, Gen 3 Lib, Bugeye RS, and ive driven a GF8 RX.

Each had their perks and their downfalls, but what would you say is the best?

[SSIKness666]

Can you start by listing the perks and downfalls of each of those Subarus for us?

I think there will be a lot of biased answers.

[Josh.]

The 3.0R Spec B with the 6 speed manual would have to be the best. That sound!

Or Staxta's Outback, I love that car.

[Jordan]

Can you start by listing the perks and downfalls of each of those Subarus for us?

I think there will be a lot of biased answers.

Gen 3 Liberty RX
Was a great car, i had it for ages. It was very roomy but at the same time i found it kind of boaty. Could be fixed with suspension work.

Bugeye RS
Smaller, drove better, but copped a lot more police attention.

GF8 
Barely drove this so i cannot comment. Loved the wagon side of things

[aekOne]

Sherpa Super Deluxe - Fuel economic, head turner, classed as a commercial vehicle, am radio, super deluxe model comes with "deluxe" boot sticker and cigarette lighter, big boot

[Liberty]

I'll copy and paste what I've written about my own Liberty MY06 3.0R SpecB wagon on another topic when replying to SubyRX's post. Apologies for it being addressed to him but the pros and cons can easily be taken from it.

 

http://www.subyclub....ck/#entry354281

 

I currently own a 2006 Liberty MY06 3.0R SpecB wagon (click the link in my signature to see some pics) and I must say it's the best car I've owned. It is powerful, has plenty of guts and does everything I want it to do with great ease and efficiency, and I've got the Sportshift 5 speed automatic. I have driven to the Hunter Valley with it, towed my cousins boat without a hassle at all and use it as my daily drive. The fact that you're going for a wagon means that you'll have plenty of space for outdoor activities, shopping, parts, towing boats/trailers, etc. Pretty much anything you want to do in day to day life will not be too much for it. You will definitely be happy with the upgrade, and the Gen IV is by far the best looking Subaru in my honest opinion. I rate it better than the BRZ.

 

In saying that though, I am unsure about the 2.5 GT SpecB as I have not driven one. The turbo would be awesome, but there is nothing wrong with turbocharging or even supercharging your 3.0R.

Tuning it would be no problem at all either. As a matter of fact, once I get a new exhaust installed I will be going for a tune myself.

 

You're gonna get mixed emotions from different people on whether to go for the GT or 3.0R. But judging from the majority of people that have expressed their opinions, the 3.0R is the way to go. In regards to the difference between the Liberty and the Outback, well I went for the Liberty as I fell in love with the look. I'm not a fan of a tall car and wanted a sleeky and sporty look even if it was to be a wagon. The Bilstein suspension system that comes in the SpecB's are bloody amazing and the ride is comfortable and smooth. I've noticed no problems whatsoever other than simple maintenance and/or replacement parts due to age, but you're going to get that with any car.

 

Possibly the only con that I've noticed in my wagon is the fuel efficiency. At the moment I am running at 12.2L per 100 km (I always fill up with 98, nothing less), so yes, it is a little thirsty/expensive (especially these days) but I've been told once I get it tuned, that number will definitely lower to anywhere between 8-10L per 100 km depending on the tune itself.

[RX25SE]

Sherpa Super Deluxe - Fuel economic, head turner, classed as a commercial vehicle, am radio, super deluxe model comes with "deluxe" boot sticker and cigarette lighter, big boot

 

THIS!

[Ads]

I have had experience driving the following:

 

Gen 1 GX Liberty Wagon, 2.2L (Auto)

- IMO the auto gbox doesn't seem like it can handle the torque transfer from the engine. Therefore if it is not treated with care the gbox's can be clunky

- Still a lot more grunt with the 2.2L than a lot of the newer models.

Gen 1 GX Liberty Sedan, 2.2L, AWD (Manual)

 

- This has pretty much been my daily driver for 8+ years, could not recommend more provided it has been looked after

- 2.2L seems like the perfect capacity, that torque always makes me happy, and it is there when you need it

 

Gen 3 Liberty Wagon, 2.0L, AWD (Manual)

 

- A bit of a nugget

- AWD good, Comfort good, can be a bit boatish depending on how you drive

 

Gen 3 RX Sedan, 2.5L, AWD (Auto, TripperTroniczz)

 

- What can I say I really dislike Auto's

- Good power, let down by the auto

- Good comfort, leather, smells nice etc

 

Gen 4 Liberty, 2.5L, AWD (Auto, TripperTroniczz)

 

- Same as most NA (Sub 3.0L), Auto libs, they are family cars - EDITED for 'Liberty'

[WALKER]

Gen 3 RX Sedan, 2.5L, AWD (Auto, TripperTroniczz)

 

- What can I say I really dislike Auto's

- Good power, let down by the auto

- Good comfort, leather, smells nice etc

 

I agree!

It seems there is all this power that you don't get to touch.

Stupid autos.

[Scuba-Roo]

My bug RS has been my favourite.

Gen3 libs steering feels crap as they dont have the quick rack, having to push a button to display the outside temp is so annoying. The seats dont hold me in place as much as the rs buckets do.

Never driven a h6 but i imagine they would be fun apart from the fuel ecconomy

[WALKER]

My bug RS has been my favourite.

Gen3 libs steering feels crap as they dont have the quick rack, having to push a button to display the outside temp is so annoying. The seats dont hold me in place as much as the rs buckets do.

Never driven a h6 but i imagine they would be fun apart from the fuel ecconomy

 

That's why you pull the seatbelt real hard and then it sticks

race car spec.

[Samwise]

Gen 3 RX:

- Comfortable

- Plenty of torque

 

- Does need suspension upgrades.

 

GE and GH RS/2.0R Impreza's.

- Comfortable

- Good setup

 

- Clutch is so light and terrible

- No guts whatsoever

[CodeBurn3r]

I Prefer the Gen2 over gen3..
not just bias cause i own one.. but there are a few things better..

 

Gen 2 - Fold down Rear seats (BIGGEST FAIL OF THE GEN3 BY FAR!)

Gen 2 - DOHC - shits on the SOHC 2.5 IMO

Gen 2 - Lighter

Gen 2 - Nicer Interior i think..

 

 

Gen4 is a whole new class.. if you were looking at Gen4's you wouldnt looks twice at anything earlier.. if you have that money.. you would be comparing with Audi A4's not earlier libs

 

Impreza's are cheap and tacky inside. even top spec they are plasticy.. untill you get to later models 05+ but still money better spent elsewhere.

 

all the early NA impreza's are 2.0l or 1.8 and just shit.. i would never recommend anyone buying one. 

 

Haven't driven any N/A foz other than around the workshop.. so cant comment

Thats my 2c
 

[Ads]

A good point for those looking for a quick rack
Read more: http://www.iwsti.com...-ratios-me.html
 

My bug RS has been my favourite.

Gen3 libs steering feels crap as they dont have the quick rack..

[Cam.]

The one that gets you around safe and sound while you save up for a proper turbo one.

I love these cars in NA form though, Real work horses.

I recently put my mum in a MY05 GX wagon. Those EJ201's are INSANELY reliable. This is the reason she is in one. They go and go and go, Forever. Just gotta service them of course.

My dad has a MY07 Forester XS-L. His EJ253 uses about 2.5 litres every 10K, I've got him using Delvac now and that's down to 1.5 litre per 10K. Completely normal for those engines.

The SOHC EJ251 has the leaking steel head gaskets, No good. This can be fixed with aftermarket graphite gaskets. (Impreza)
The SOHC EJ253 is an oil burner, No good. (Liberty, OBK, Forester)
The DOHC EJ25D is a ticking time bomb. They leak at the headgaskets internally (Gen 2 Liberty RX)

The EZ30 is a brilliant engine. They can develop timing chain slap with 200,000+ on the clock. But, They are usually leaking at the case by then so you would replace the water pump, chain, guides and re-seal the timing case when that happens and keep on trucking for ages. (Gen 3 OBK, Gen 4 OBK/Liberty)


If you really must buy a N/A. Buy a Spec.B Wagon, In a manual. Make sure it's had the centre diff replaced at some point and been serviced on time, Every time. They don't like sludge. That's my pick.

Enjoy. I could go on for hours. In the end I would just tell you to buy a MY05 STI, The best bit of kit to ever come out of the Fuji factory.

[WALKER]

 

Impreza's are cheap and tacky inside. even top spec they are plasticy.. untill you get to later models 05+ but still money better spent elsewhere.

 

 

+1

 

Compared to Liberty or Outback it's pathetic.

[Jordan]

This is great thanks guys

Unfortunately for me though, a 3.0 is out of my price range ( which is 10kish)

Im looking for something now that i can either keep for a while, or buy a turbo'd version of later and transfer mods over.
I was looking for that in my RS but i never really 'felt' that car if you get me, i bought it modded so it didnt feel at all like it was mine.

 

Someone above said the older 2.0's are shit, but im somewhat now looking for a GC8 GF8 Non turbo to hopefully one day have a turbo'd one.
Saying that, my mate's 2.0 2000 impreza kept neck and neck with my 2.5 gen 3 Liberty. But any opinions would be great. 

Im also looking at spending more than the older impreza would cost and going for a 2.5 Gen 4 Liberty wagon, always loved the wagon and people say theyre a fair bit better, but that would leave me not much at all to spend on mods. (cars on a uni budget haha)

anyways i hope people see this and find the thread later in time. Hopefully it keeps going and more peoples opinions are added. 

 

[Morgan]

Gen 4 wagon would be mad. I've only driven one when I was looking for a replacement for the written off SP20 and it felt heaps quicker than the Outback I owned at the time.

 

GF/GC's are heaps light so would be able to keep up with your Lib.

[Jordan]

Gen 4 wagon would be mad. I've only driven one when I was looking for a replacement for the written off SP20 and it felt heaps quicker than the Outback I owned at the time.

 

GF/GC's are heaps light so would be able to keep up with your Lib.

I've always loved the look of a nice GF/GC too
i think i need to decide if i want to go older and modify or newer and stock

[seanmau5]

3.0RB hands down.. fork I wish I bought one