Advantages: Original, refined, handling and ride, reliability, dealers Disadvantages: Highish CO2 rating
as tough as old boots, a proper car.
Now, finally, with apologies to those amongst you bored with the preamble, to the subject of this review: the latest SUBARU LEGACY 2.5 SE TOURER.
It shares very much the same ingredients with the original "moors" car and the one driven several years ago, but GM (owners of this slightly eccentric Japanese marque) have applied the top gloss in terms of fit and finish and perceived quality. Indeed the old grey "tweed" upholstery has been replaced by superb half leather / alcantara, the dashboard is now attractive to look at - if a little "Eurobland" with its aluminium strips and flaps over the stereo.
The car that we drove also had a huge panoramic sun roof which split in the middle. Personally I would have done without this particular option as all it served to do was create extra wind noise ...
Advantages: Comfortable, practical ultra reliable and safe. Handles superably in all weather conditions. Disadvantages: Some wind noise at very high speed.
I purchased a SubaruForester with the All Weather Pack (AWP) from my local Subaru dealer (R N Golden of Huddersfield) having run an Impreza Turbo without problems for 2 years. With one previous owner from new, a full dealer service history and unmarked throughout. The dealer serviced the car and with 12 months MOT, collecting it was problem free.
'The All Weather Pack' is a definite must as it includes the following extras:-
Air Conditioning,
Massive Electric Sunroof,
Heated Seats,
Heated Wing Mirrors,
Heated Wiper blades,
Front Fog Lights,
Headlamp washers,
Front Seat Armrests.
As I drive all over the country on business, an automatic gearbox was also a welcome option offering very smooth changes up and down the gears. The auto-box offers a power function and when switched on, the car changes up at higher revs ...
