Who has gone from a Legacy to an Impreza?

[Subarunation 713]

I am starting to do some research on my wife's next car. I will get her "hand me down" 96 OBW 2.2 5 sd.

 

I am looking at 2001 Impreza wagons or an Outback Jr. The 2001 is the last year for a 2.2. It will have to have a 5 speed.

 

The question I have for those of you who haved moved from Legacys to Imprezas is how big of a change is it? Lisa is 5'3" and I am a towering 5'7" :-) so legroom shouldn't be a problem even for a Justy! Do you miss the "substance" of a larger car? What about noise? Do the drum brakes on the rear, if so equipped, make a noticeable difference in braking in normal driving? MPG any better? Is there a "hill holder" on the Imprezas?

 

This is about 6 months away so I have plenty of time to find the one that is just right.

 

Transplanted Impreza owners thanks for your advice/comments,

Greg

[outback_97]

Greg:

 

Not quite your scenario, but I have a 97 OB and my wife has an 03 TS (same as OBS basically, but with drums in the rear). Her car is more "fun" to drive, mine is more "comfortable".

 

The Impreza handles better... it's just tighter. That may have as much to do with the age of the cars and the OB's raised springs as anything. Mine feels quicker off the line (gearing?) but the TS faster past 30 (more power under the curve of the SOHC?). Since the TS has the 2.5 that's not what you're looking for, so I don't know how it compares to the 2.2. I only miss the size of mine when we have to haul stuff around, it's definitely different in the cargo area and back seat. Front seat is not a lot different, a little roomier in the OB... I'm 6'4" so you probably don't need to worry about room

 

No problem with the drums on the TS in normal driving, and that includes some mountain pass driving, PCH 101 driving... we've taken it on some great road trips.

 

MPG is maybe 1 better around town, 2 better on highway. We got 29 on our last big trip. Both are autos so I can't comment on the hill holder.

 

Biggest issue is the cargo space. I think the Impreza would be a great choice, it's cool to have one of each!

 

Steve

[americanyouth]

I have both a 1st gen Legacy and a 1st gen Impreza... the Impreza is more fun to drive.. sharper steering, better throttle response, etc... but it also feels more substantial.

 

Of course, might be that the cars in question are a '98 RS and '91 FWD L.... but hey... just thought I'd throw that out there.

[jimpomm]

Wife drives a 97 outback legacy and I just picked up a 2000 L Impreza wagon.The Impreza is really fun to drive compared to the legacy. You hear a little more rear end noise in the imprezza -but it handles much better-more like a sports car ,you can throw it around corners. Legacy has the advantage of more room in both back and rear seats.I have found the Impreza is big enough to throw a moped in the back. I dont really notice that the 2,2 in the imprezza is slower than the 2,5 in the legacy-in fact with the lightness of the impreza it might be a tad quicker,the brakes are great in the Impreza. On long trips the legacy has a bit more of a comfort factor.If I could only have 1 , I'd go for the Impreza. No hill holder.Best milage I've gotten in the Impreza is 32 mpg on a interstate trip going about 75 mph.In town driving milage is not too different between the cars. It's all about the FUN factor .

[subeman90]

I went from an 02 Legacy OB to my 95 impreza OB and I wasn't the happiest at first. The impreza had crappy 14" tires on it and was rather blah to drive. Now I put some WRX 16's on it and now I sometimes like to screw with people just because it holds the road like it is bolted to it and it lets me show some people up in the cornering dept. My car is the old 1.8 engine so by no means is it fast but what it lacks in speed it makes up for in corners. My 02 OB couldn't hold a match to this thing in the handeling dept. The impreza isn't as plush and isn't as quiet but in the fun to drive quotent it is hands down the winner. My impreza doesn't have the hill holder either. Heck my impreza has AC, fact. fogs, and an aftermarket CD player and that is it. No PW, PL, cruise or any of that crap. Just the way I like it though...simple and light!

 

Matt

[Setright]

Well, I went from 1st gen Legacy to a 1st gen Impreza. No question there is big difference in percieved quality. The Legacy was more luxurious and quieter.

 

2001 Imps have a more sturdy feel, so you shouldn't worry about that. For some stupid reason the hill-holder is not standard across the model range, so you will have to check the specific car(s) in question.

 

OR, get the automatic transmission, it actually gets marginally better mileage too!