Subaru is arguably most famous for making the legendary Impreza, but that's not the only model to look for on the forecourts these days. Here's our pick of Subaru's performance range.
1 - Subaru Impreza 2.5 WRX STI (2007-2011)
The Mk3 Impreza broke the model’s mould, being available for the first time as a practical five-door hatch in the hope of competing with the Volkswagen Golfs of this world.
But while the WRX can’t quite be held in such high esteem as its predecessors, it retains a unique and alluring character. The steering has near-perfect weighting, while the handling is spot on and able to keep everything neat and tidy until the tyres run out of traction.
Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre boxer engine, which develops 296bhp and is full of character and delightfully smooth. The WRX gets to 60mph from rest in 5.2sec.
An 80,000-miler from 2008 is available from £10,000.
2 - Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Spec B (2003-2009)
For years it was the unsung hero of motoring, let alone Subaru’s range. A decade on and a Legacy saloon is a steal.
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Looking back its hard not to
Forester XT
The biggest drawback with them is that they like a drink. Ours has had 98ron as recommended in the manual since new and with 25,000 - 30,000 km pa in recent years it feels like it's always being refilled. In fact, touch-wood, we're taking delivery of an i3 in the coming week to go alongside. The lease / service / electricity bill looks like it will cost less than the petrol / servicing bill of the Subaru even though the Subaru is unlikely to depreciate any further. We're keeping the Subaru though for long journeys / snow / muddy roads.
Pedal placement on them is fantastic. It's easier to heel and toe than my Lotus was (and you can do it in wellies). I've taken to left-foot-braking it on the gravel. I suspect there's little that is more fun than sliding a Forester around a gravel road at speed.
Legacy
maybe the auto, manual is about 6 secs