VR4 or Legacy or EVO4

[737373]

Hello there,


I currently have a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV. I was thinking about changing it for something like a Galant VR4 or Subaru Legacy B4, as I am after something a bit more spacious and luxurious, with a bit softer ride and more comfort, that has an auto gearbox for ease of driving around the city. In essense, I am looking for something nicer for my family, whilst still being exciting to drive.

Could you answer some questions for me to help me decide whether to get a VR4 or not?

1.) Are they a comfortable car to drive and ride in, how stiff is the suspension?
2.) Is it really possible to drive the tiptronic like a manual - is it as much fun? How good is the full auto mode?
3.) Is it a spacious car?
4.) Is it worth paying extra to get a U.K. spec car, what do you get for your money?
5.) What do you guys know / think of the Legacy B4?


Many thanks in advance for answering my questions.

Philip.

[KiwiTT]

we have one for sale here (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5319)

Your Questions:

1) Think of it as a "Gentleman's EVO"
2) Yes, Full auto is quite fast to and adapts to your driving style
3) Yes, The Legnum more so
4) Service History is what is most important
5) Don't ask here :)

Here is a review (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1158&highlight=Review) and here (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3808&highlight=Review) and here (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1144&highlight=Review) and here (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1140&highlight=Review)

and some thoughts here (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1638&highlight=Review)

[Nick Mann]

A few more answers, but I can't beat KiwiTT's comprehensiveness!

1.) Yes. The suspension is about perfect for the car it is - it handles very well round tight and sweeping bends, but is still comforable on the motorway.
2.) Almost. I want the next one to be a manual, but the tiptronic was very impressive. Full auto mode made stop-start traffic easy! Some members will tell you that tiptronic is better than manual. I haven't driven a manual VR4 so can't compare directly.
3.) Yes. The estate (legnum) is massive and still beats most cars on the road in handling as well as acceleration!
4.) A UK spec (as in dealer imported from new) car doesn't have that many advantages - uprated alternator and undersealing, plus rumours of a slightly re-mapped ECU to cope with lower octane fuel. Please note that the car is still a Japanese import - it came off the production line with a speedo in km's and no fog light - and as such you will have to insure it as an import. As stated above, the history is more important.
5.) At least one member has owned legacies in the past - see here (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3064).

Good luck in your search.

[737373]

Thanks for your replies, I'm sure you must get a lot of questions like this from newbies like me!

The search continues....

[Nick Mann]

Already you are special! You have two posts but your post count reads one! :rolleyes5

[737373]

Yep - not sure how I did that! When I made the first post, it said I had made 0 posts - thought that was a bit odd! :laugh:

Am seriously condsidering the Galant - would be nice if I could do a p/ex with my Evo IV, but it is hard to get a decent deal from any garage, so may have to wait until I sell it...if I sell it!

Philip.

[pjjohnson]

Yonks ago EVo mag did a VR4 vs B4 review. I spent many a happy minute typing it up and posting the review on the site - now I can't find it. Moderators any clues ?

In summary the VR4 won.

Edit:Here it is EVO Mag (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1083&highlight=EVO+Mag)

[Roadrunner]

I've owned an Impreza Turbo and an Evo IV; also owned a Legacy RS-B and now a Galant VR-4. In the same way that the Evo has a better build quality than the Impreza, the Galant is better built than the Legacy, even more so when compared with the B4s.

Major reason for buying a VR-4 rather than a Legacy, though, would be the technical support. Subaru dealers aren't allowed to touch the import Legacies, but Mitsubishi dealers will happily service import VR-4s. There's still very little knowledge in the UK about twin-turbo Legacies, even amongst those who own them :rolleyes: , whereas ClubV4 :-b has a number of knowledgeable enthusiasts who are able to answer any technical questions.

Best bet, as you've probably already realised, is to sell your Evo IV privately, then buy your next car. There's a For Sale section on the MLR (http://www.lancerregister.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=15)

Good luck!

Brian

[Andy Goodman]

I agree with Brian on the dealer front - both are ****e, but at least the Red Zeb network will take your money (and lots of it). I owned a '97 GT Legacy Estate (260 bhp) before my VR4 and servicing was a nightmare. Both cars have plus points, but unless you know a specialist nearby who deals in import Subaru's I'd go for the Mitsi. From a personal point of view, I list the following:-

The VR4 has better external styling,
The Legacy has a better designed interior,
The Subaru manual gearbox is better,
I've driven both in snow and ice; I had big moments in the Legacy, but although I've had all the AYC bars lit up on the VR4 I've never been close to losing it.
Both drink fuel,
Both are loved by insurance companies.

Take your pick..

[konman]

just to throw the cat among the pigeons, had a run in an evo 6 and then a sti version 8 on the weekend, the evo was rubbish (but afterwards discovered it was only running 10 pounds so at about 15 would be heaps better), the sti was an animal, total fun, madness power, and an slightly disconcerting desire to go sideways bigtime everytime you hit the gas around a corner. but you need like $40 000 in kiwi land for an sti version 8 so thats out of consideration, and only $20 000 ish for an evo 6. would still buy a vr4 legnum though, can fit the snowboard and three mates in an evo. :-D

[_simon_]

If you enjoy driving then I'd stick to a manual. I've had a tiptronic for about one month now. This evening I got my old car (1991 Primera) out of the garage and took it for a spin. Heaps more fun to drive than the Legnum. Firstly changing gears is heaps better than tiptronic and second gotta love that suspension. There is just something cool about feeling every bump :) Maybe it just makes me feel young. So I'd think hard about what you're giving up but in the end if you decide that more of a family car is the thing for you then you can't go wrong with a VR-4.
I think I'd go as far as to say that the fun of driving the primera made up for the loss in power.