VikingDJ

I took my Mom's 01 Outback in for service today (same place I bought my STI back in 04). THe saleswoman remembered me instantly. We were chatting and she said, YOU GOTTA SEE WHAT WE JUST GOT IN". It was an 08 Legacy GT Spec B in Quartz Silver Metallic. Very nice. She said, wanna take it for little test drive. Can't be anything big, just up and down the block. So I'm like ok. I didn 't jump on it, as the car had 2 miles on odemeter. I tell ya though, way nicer then my Speed 6 in every single aspect. However My Speed 6 cost me $23500 last year. The MSRP on this thing is $34600. It's not that much nicer.

Overall, I was really impressed with the feel of this car. So many options, comfrotable seats, loved the interior appointments, the way the car shifted, ect ect. It really is a damn cool car. So we come back, and sure enough she starts the pitch. I'm thinking OH GREAT. lol So she gives me the set price. LMAO $37639. Thats MSRP plus $2400 for something called xzilon, and anotuer $600 for interior exterior protection. I was trying not to laugh. Over $13000 more then my Speed 6 cost me. Ya know, that car is much nicer then my Speed 6, I will not deny that, however, that's just ridiculous. I won't pay MSRP for any car ever, and whatever that expensive stuff is, I don't want it. Had she offered me the car at invoice, and given me top dollar KBB on my Speed 6, well, then I'd probably be posting about how I did something crazy today and bought a Spec B.

Either way great car, but not worth that kind of money. I can't believe this is the same dealership that sold me my 04 STI for only $29000. I think that's the last car I will buy from them. That sales lady is stupid. She knows I'm an invoice or below shopper. She was almost surprised I turned it down. Either way, it was a fun drive, and I LOVE THAT CAR, but I'll stick to my cheap downgrade Speed 6. TYVM.

Design1stCode2nd

Saw one at the autoshow and it looked nice. Especially the interior but it sure is pricey.

eqt2010

You can buy Subaru cars at invoice price if you are the member of some organizations(like IMBA, etc.) for a period of time(6 MO I remembered).

Try to google search "subaru vip program".

RX8-79

They must have completely upgraded every single inch of it, or your MS6 has worn horribly, if that thing is considered "way nicer." We looked at one before buying ours, and looked again recently when considering trading into something newer; still severly underwhelmed and unimpressed by it.

The MSRP is good for a laugh though!

CarAndDriver

Spec B - too pricey!

longfury

Price of the Spec B has been the only real complaint. Its alot of money for a Subaru.

I think the STI, which is priced in the same range, is too much for what it is as well.

VikingDJ

Well, I think if you look at the MSRP of the Spec B, then look at Invoice Price, the car is DEFINTELY worth Invoice, just as the STI is. However, to try and sell it for MSRP, then add $3000 worth of interior and exterior protection. That's just pure insanity. Does anyone know what XZILON is? Whatever it is it can't be worth $2400, nor can interior exterior protectant be worth $600, which added $3000 fo the MSRP.

longfury

I totally agree. They are worth invoice but not MSRP or MSRP + dealer markups(what that stuff really is).

CarAndDriver

If I am going to pay near invoice for a Spec B, there are other cars out there that I'd potentially drive instead.

MazdaMonkey

I had no idea the Spec B costs that much. Puts the car in a totally different light

Japan8

At that insane price... I'd get a new G35 Sedan. They are insane to charge that and whoever actually pays it must be smoking crack.

SlideWayz

My wife has a Legacy GT w/a manual tranny and all the options, so I'm familiar with the basic platform.

With the Vishnu ECU reflash, it makes nice power within its narrow powerband (2500-6000 is where the fun is), but the handling is crap.

The Spec.B is supposed to fix the handling badness, and the interior is pretty OK, but the Legacy is just not a hot-looking car.

It's boring looks, high price, and under-designed powerplant make it a non-starter for me.

eforer

since when is 2500-6000 a narrow powerband. I actually test drove one and liked it quite a bit. The spring/damper package may be a little on the cushy side, but its still pretty fun to drive when you put it through its paces. The Spec-B is a really nice car, but waaay too much money.

MazdaMonkey

Seriously

CarAndDriver

That was my thought exactly.

VikingDJ

Don't get me wrong. That Spec B is really sweet, but not that sweet. Now if she offered the car for lets say $31k, I'd have done something crazy and traded in my Speed 6 for it. Gotta love all the goodies the Spec B comes with. Basically, that's why the price is higher. $2000 alone with that touch screen navigation system, which is standard. Billstein Suspension Moonroof, leather, heated power seats standard as well, ect ect. I can't really fairly compare the price I paid for my Speed 6 and this price. It's more by MSRP to play fair. $29k msrp on my Speed 6 Sport vs $34k msrp on the Spec B. Based on that I'd shell out the $5k extra for the Spec B in a HEARTBEAT!!!!!! The problem is the Speed 6 deals are always better, even vs the regular Legacy GT, and that's why I own a Mazda and not a Subaru. Now if that car is sitting around a while, and she comes back offering the car for $31-$32k, I admit, I'm gonna have to fight my car swapping habit I've been doing over the last 3+ years. I shouldn't have to worry, some idiot is gonna overpay for that car I'm sure. It will go for MSRP easily.

eforer

Its tough to justify the spec b over the regular gt, although the 6 speed is nice on the new B.

VikingDJ

Not tough at all really. If you don't want/need touch screen Navigation, don't want or need 6 speed, don't want or need SI drive, don't want Stability/Traction control, don't want upgraded suspension and handling, and all the other little extras, then why would you get a Spec B.

However, what if you want/need those extras (PLUS upgraded suspension and handling), but don't want automatic transmission. You can't get those goodies in a 5 Speed manual GT. I'm just saying, it's EASY to justify the Spec B if you want all that stuff. It gives you everything, and if you build a Legacy GT option wise to match it, the MSRP gets close, and you still don't get 6 speed manual or the billstein suspension. However, when they are selling car for MSRP, or marking it up because of it's very limited production, then it's awfully tough to justify. However, lots of people shelled out MSRP for the STI Limited, and have no regrets, so get what you want, and if you are willing to pay and don't care, and have the money, more power to ya. I'm not gonna knock those who love and want a car badly enough to pay full MSRP. It's your money, do what you wish.

eforer

well put, I guess I'm just cheap!

Hightshoe

I thought the only thing extra on the spec b was the 6mt and navi? Whats the deal with the high price?

eforer

It also has bilsteins.

eqt2010

And Torsen rear diff.

VikingDJ

Don't compare the MSRP to the MSRP of the base GT Limited. That's 5 speed manual. MSRP of the Spec B is $34,620. MSRP of the base 5 speed manual GT is $28,920. If you wanted to add the goodies such as Navi, traction/ stability control, and SI Drive to a regular Limited, you have to get the 5 Speed auto (which would SUCK), so then the MSRP is $32,620. So for $2000 more you get the 6 speed manual, the billstein suspension, and the torsen rear diff, along with some extra Spec B appointments like Alcantara seat inserts and Momo Steering wheel, ect ect ect. Don't forget the bigger and nicer rims with better summer tires, not all seasons like on the regular one. You also get an exclusive car in very limited trim. Based on that, the car is worth it. However, since the deals on it are not as good, and car sells for MSRP or even marked up, the car is not worth it.

RX8-79

Amen, amen.

Supposed to, but doesnt.

That should be the subaru catchphrase.

Hightshoe

Interesting. I would have to agree, that is over priced. I'd go with a used 05-06 standard GT for $20K, before I'd spend $30K plus on a new spec B