USED Subaru Legacy Estate (03 - 09)

My car

I bought the Subaru as a compromise between a 4x4 and a normal estate car. I also looked at the Mazda 6 AWD estate but they are like hens teeth and more costly than the Legacy.

The handling is excellent and the cabin feels solid. I have run Audi's and VW's for the last 6 years and find the build quality comparable. It is a little quirky compared to the VAG cars, for example the frameless windows and thick rubber seals all over the place, but it adds to the novelty factor.

The price is what attracted me away from Audi. I got an ex-demonstrator, less than 12 months old for £5K less than new price. The equivalent A4 Avant Quattro would have cost £7K more.

My only complaint is the fuel consumption. I cannot get the claimed 36MPG average, and have only managed 30MPG on a 60 mile commute (mainly motorway).

My car

This is a stunning car. I have owned my Spec B sports tourer for two months and am still totally amazed by its handling.

This is a real driver's car but is practical to boot. This car can be driven comfortably or thrown around corners with incredible agility for an estate. My dog has started to complain a bit and, with a 0-60mph time of just under seven seconds, there's enough acceleration to give the brute a sore nose from accelerating away from the lights!

The car eats corners and yet does all this with the grace of a luxury vehicle. Everything about it is silent, from the electric seats to the smooth engine and window mechanisms.

Subaru has missed very few tricks and it has every conceivable extra, including DVD sat-nav as standard.

Only a couple of minor gripes, and I'm really splitting hairs here, a couple more steering wheel-mounted audio controls to change the CD or radio preset would be nice.

That said, I'm mostly grinning too much to notice the stereo is on the wrong station! Also, fuel economy above 20mpg would be nice, but then again maybe it wouldn't go as fast.

This is a seriously sorted car, which I would own in preference to an equivalent Merc or Audi even if I had the spare change to upgrade!

My car

I have test-driven this a car recently and it goes like a rocket. It's really well put together and has a very slick interior!

It's great to see a car with such superb build quality and attention to detail. It sounds fantastic and looks great! It's much beeter than any Audi or Merc in its class in terms of looks and driving. Once you get into it it there is real sense of no frills just a great deal of thought!

My car

Purchased for its technical excellence, it's also very good value for money.

I like the well thought-out (but no-nonsense) interior. 4WD roadholding makes me feel safe.

A car with engineering integrity - let's hope General Motors doesn't interfere too much with the brand and its physical values, like they did at Saab.