Is the GT for me?

[SwedeBits]

I have a trusty ol' 97 Legacy wagon that's overdue for replacement. My ideal car would be a 2009 Legacy wagon, but of course there is no such thing in the US, so I'm looking at 2007 used ones, mostly 2.5i SE. However, there is a 2.5 GT Ltd for sale at a nearby Chevy dealer and I'm thinking about it. It has 40k miles and the asking price is $20.9k.

I'm not interested in modding the car: I just want reliable transportation, but I'll take any fun factor as a bonus. I'm actually more interested the Limited trim than the turbo. I'll gladly take the extra acceleration, and don't mind the extra mpg/premium fuel. I must have a wagon, which means I have no choice but automatic transmission. Another favorite car of mine is the 2008 Volvo V50 T5 AWD, but this car is impossible to find.

My questions, which are probably pretty standard:

- What should I look for in terms of potential problems?
- I've read that the turbo is a bad match with the 5EAT. Any comments?
- Should I be concerned that this is a Chevy dealer?
- I'm fairly risk averse when it comes to cars: Should I worry about the turbo reliability?
- Assuming it's a clean car, how far down can I expect to negotiate the price?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers!

[brilliant sleeper]

I just bought a 2006 LGT limited sedan 5EAT a few weeks ago. I am a fairly new owner and feel confident that the AT will hold up fine. If you purchase the GT wagon and decide to punch it, then I would suggest that you put it in sport mode. Much sharper in sport mode, and the car feels less stressed when switching gears. My car has 50k, btw.
I am a new owner, so there are other people that will have better insight via more experience. Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck.

[havanisda]

Originally Posted by SwedeBits

I must have a wagon, which means I have no choice but automatic transmission.

Unless u can find an '05 LGT wagon w/a MT.

That's the 1 year they did make it in MT.

[havanisda]

Originally Posted by SwedeBits

Another favorite car of mine is the 2008 Volvo V50 T5 AWD, but this car is impossible to find.

Where u located? I'll see if I can find 1 close 2 u.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?lastStartYear=1981&num_records=2 5&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispse archform&search_type=both&distance=0&address=17078 &marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=VOLVO&mode l=V50&make2=&start_year=2008&end_year=2008&min_pri ce=&max_price=&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine= &drive=All+wheel+drive&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&c olor=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=& sort_type=priceASC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced =y&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=y&default _sort=priceASC&awsp=false&systime=&rdm=12670804582 29

[SwedeBits]

Originally Posted by havanisda

Unless u can find an '05 LGT wagon w/a MT.

That's the 1 year they did make it in MT.

I only want the 2007 (most recent year + Aux In).

[SwedeBits]

Originally Posted by havanisda

Where u located? I'll see if I can find 1 close 2 u.

I'm in NH. I already have an autotrader alert for V50 T5 AWD, but thank you for checking.

[john]

The LGT is a fine automobile. My complaints are the very thin paint and skin on the car, followed a close second by interior noise - creaks and rattles and the like. My car is quite loud, and the exhaust resonates obnoxiously on the freeway, which I'm sure had something to do with the interior plastic bits rattling.

Besides that, I'm quite pleased with the car. My wife thinks it's too small for me (6' 1", 190 lbs), but I fit in it quite nicely.

And having around 400 awhp on tap == quite the sleeper.

Good luck with your search!

[brilliant sleeper]

400 awhp.. mmmmlol. Some day, hopefully. I need to start with a first mod, of course. Have only had the car for 3 wks. Though, am eager to get a CBE to enhance the rumble.

[TSi+WRX]

I wouldn't be worried, at all, about the fact that the car's on a Chevy lot - there's quite a few Chevys, actually, which I can see myself trading the LGT for, under the right circumstances:

Maybe the previous owner finally got their kid(s) off to school, and no longer needs the utility - and got themselves that looker of a Camaro or even the 'Vette?



As with any second-hand vehicle with this much aftermarket potential, bring someone who is well-knowledged, and check for signs of modification. Although the 5EAT BP is a less-likely target of modification than the coveted '05 5MT BP, it's still a very real possibility.

In terms of potential reliability issues, really, the only thing I can think of is powertrain - engine, turbo, and tranny.

Otherwise, it really looks like you have the ownership concerns of having a force-induced vehicle very well considered: as long as you don't mind the fueling and shorter maintenance interval/higher maintenance costs, it's really and truly worth the extra fun. But as a local errand runner, you won't be missing much, practically speaking, by going with the naturally aspirated variant, either, which is plenty peppy and responsive, thanks to gearing.

Is the auto a bad match for the turbo?

Arguably, the 5EAT's gearing, while not ideal, isn't particularly bad at keeping our small turbo within its "go-zone," when one's on the gas. However, as with any auto/turbo pairing, off-boost throttle response can be even more soggy than with a 5MT, particularly if you either don't like "turbo lag" or are not used to how it manifests. Finally, yes, there's some concern as to exactly how much power the 5EAT can hold, if modification is one of your end-goals. Nevertheless, if all you're looking for is a little more fun, the 5EAT holds well to typical "Stage II" power levels, particularly with a tranny cooler installed and good fluids infused - get a tranny temperature meter and keep an eye on it when you dragstrip the car, if you are really considering going that route, and you should truly be OK. Personally, honestly, I don't think that the 5EAT with our 2.5L mills and the smallish stock turbo is all that much of a bad pairing. You wanna see bad? try the 2.0L WRXs, paired with the 4EAT!

Although my car's low-mileage and that, personally, I do consider the paintwork to be a detriment of this vehicle rather than one of its strong points, I do have to admit that it - as well as the vehicle undercarriage - has held up well to our corrosive wintertime road-treatments. But like brother john said, it's rather "soft."

Similarly, creaks-and-rattles will be noticeable (remembering that the large rear interior volume of the wagon will serve as a resonance chamber), particularly if you come from more vault-like cars, but given that your immediate previous vehicle will be an older-generation Subaru, I think you'll fare OK in this respect.

Best of luck!

[SwedeBits]

Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

Otherwise, it really looks like you have the ownership concerns of having a force-induced vehicle very well considered: as long as you don't mind the fueling and shorter maintenance interval/higher maintenance costs, it's really and truly worth the extra fun. But as a local errand runner, you won't be missing much, practically speaking, by going with the naturally aspirated variant, either, which is plenty peppy and responsive, thanks to gearing.

My thanks to you and all who responded, this is all very useful. I've since have a chance to test drive the car:

The good:
- To my untrained ear and senses the car runs incredibly smoothly; the engine just purrs and then gives a very satisfying kick when asked for
- Very good condition inside and out
- Unlike the 2007 Subary Legacy 2.5i wagon I drove the day after, this car was felt like a lot fun
- Lot of extra goodies for $3-4k extra over the 2.5i: turbo, leather, heated seats, climate control

The bad:
- The dealer had not bothered to wash the car or clean it on the inside
- The asking price increased from $20,899 to $22,900 from the time I called to the time I showed up in person
- I do not trust this dealer

I quickly disabused them of the notion of a $22,900 asking price, so we're back to an asking price of $20,899. I'm hoping to get down to $19.6k, but I really have a hard time figuring out what I should settle for given that the car is so rare. Any input here at all would be much appreciated.

One important question: With 39,555 miles and a presumed in-service date of some time during 2006, this car should still be covered by Subaru's 5-year/60,000 mile drivetrain warranty correct? I assume this warranty covers the engine, turbo, and transmission, or?

I don't know anybody who knows these cars, so I'm not sure I can find a practical way to determine if the car has been modded. I'm going back tomorrow: Anything I should look for in particular?

[john]

If you are sold on owning an LGT, walk away from that dealer and start a search for the car which suits you and fits your budget.

I dislike dealers with a passion, which is why I *always* buy cars from private partys.

[SwedeBits]

Originally Posted by john

If you are sold on owning an LGT, walk away from that dealer and start a search for the car which suits you and fits your budget.

I'm not sold on it. This really started as a search for 2007 Legacy wagons, and I just came across this one by dumb luck. I don't mind buying from a dealer, especially a Subaru dealer and there are many decent ones in the area.

[john]

Dealers are referred to as "stealerships" for a reason. One will *always* find a better deal from a private party, but that's just my not so humble opinion.

[SwedeBits]

Originally Posted by john

Dealers are referred to as "stealerships" for a reason. One will *always* find a better deal from a private party, but that's just my not so humble opinion.

There are no private-sale 2007 Legacy wagons at all in my area, at least that I've been able to find.

[john]

In the past when I've wanted some particular car, I'd fly there and drive home. Did it for a supra and an A4. Picked them both up in Houston, drove back to Colorado. The supra was more fun...

With that said, good luck with the your search. Where are you located?

[havanisda]

Originally Posted by SwedeBits

I'm in NH.

[SwedeBits]

Did another test drive. Here's what we found:

- Car had now been cleaned, revealing numerous small black pits in the paint on the hood (car color is silver).
- TPMS warning (slow blinking) came on during test drive, pulled over, restarted car, warning did not come back. Dealer claims this is normal, which I believe is bogus.
- A single occasion of an unexplained high pitch spooling sound (while in slow moving city traffic). I have no explanation for this.
- The manuals are missing (this is minor).

I know feel more comfortable about the price (now down to $19.6k), but less comfortable about the car. I know the car is known for weak paint, but I want to compare this pitting against the paint on a 2007 Legacy 2.5i I'm also looking at.