21st Nov 2003, 16:02
I am just about to, but one of these imported GT twin turbos. Can you advise me on where you get spares for it please?
The only bit that makes me nervous is the maintenance side!
Cheers
Huw.
10th Apr 2004, 14:08
Wolf in Sheep's clothing. Exactly. I wish Subaru had decided to sell them in the USA, instead of just home market and Australia and New Zealand. Nice seats, 250-280 hp, depending on year and transmission, a real stealth hot rod.
16th Dec 2004, 12:24
I have just recently bought a 97 GTB wagon, very impressed overall, and to be quite honest not as thirsty as I was led to believe. Only about $5 - $10 more expensive to run than my 95 2.2 Vtec Accord. But if you drive like Colin Mcrea it's going to use the juice.
22nd Nov 2006, 14:33
I have owned a 1996 Subaru Legacy GT-B. It costs around $NZ70-80 to fill to the brim with fuel. Now there's the point - these cars have a lot of power, but not bucket loads of torque. The more fuel you stick in, the more it's going to use. I would recommend only ever filling it to halfway each time, you also get more power available, not so tempted to put fut down, better handling etc. These are also notorious for under-steer, acceleration is an essential to cornering these beasts, after that you will be able to go around hairpins close to 100kph. I am tempted to take mine around Pukekohe for a few laps. 0-200 14 seconds.
21st Mar 2007, 02:14
I have owned a 1993 Subaru legacy RS (twin turbo) for two years now. Its been a great car and I haven’t had too many problems with it. Unfortunately here in NZ they are ranked one of the highest stolen cars and mine has been nicked twice now so if you get one get a good alarm/immobiliser etc. I had an STI exhaust system on it which sounded great as well as a twin trumpet BOV. It handled really well and I was running it on 10psi primary and 14psi secondary turbo which seemed to add a bit more of a kick. Parts, gas and maintenance are quite expensive, but being such an all round great car its worth it. I am now looking at buying a 1996 GTB wagon (206kw manual).
18th Apr 2007, 15:17
As far as practicality and performance go you really can't get more bang for your buck in my opinion. Have had a '96 GT-B 206kw manual for 5 1/2 years now and am not anywhere near close to selling it. Just clicked over 200K and still going strong. My advice, get one they're awesome.
23rd May 2007, 15:33
WILD AND BEAST-IE. Just bought my first GTB.. rolling road 320bhp...WHOOOOOOOOOOOOSH.. B Back soon.
30th Oct 2007, 09:42
I've just bought a 1996 GT-B Auto, have had it now for 3 days. If like I was, you are reading these reviews and wondering whether or not to get one...
GET IT!!! Seriously.
It is an absolute joy to drive - totally normal, but solid car at low rpm, but once you hit the throttle... well if you've ever been on an airplane just as it's taking off you have an idea. Handling is superb, although this is my first automatic and it's taking me a while to get used to it. Bit scary heading into corners with no down-shift.
My one big concern was fuel consumption, but with normal driving and a little bit of (tentative) turbo testing I got 28mpg. However I did take it for a less tentative test and went through about a quarter tank in around 15 minutes. Drive it easy and you'll have a heavier wallet.
Don't know yet what parts/servicing is going to be like on it, but I'm assured by everyone I know in motor trade that they are one of the most reliable cars out there.
Inside is quite nice - everything is laid out well and very comfortable.
Like I said - if you are in any way debating whether to get one of these or not - go for it.
9th Jan 2008, 10:01
I'm guy in his early 30's from Northern Ireland - I am going to travel to England to get a GT-B (none for sale in N.Ireland), I have concerns that all the Japanese imports you see have very low mileages?? I have read Japanese cars have lower mileage - God knows why. The GT-B's I see for sale do vary from £2000 to £5000. I would like a white one in manual. How reliable are these cars? Are the electrics good? I have read that Subaru came 2nd to last above Jeep in a car reliability survey. I don't do lots of miles so petrol costs are of little importance (just as well).
29th Feb 2008, 12:48
I was wondering if any of you posting on this thread have the EJ20R motor, and if so, your you have a service manual in English for it? Having a very hard time finding one for a JDM Legacy Twin Turbo Model Year late 1996 oe mid 1997. ECU has three dissimilar plugs on it.
14th Aug 2008, 04:29
Guys, you can pick up a GT/GTB at auction here in Japan for around Stg.1,000. Say nine years old, around 30,000km, one owner, full service history. If you really want one cheap, throw in an unpopular colour and even accident-repair, assuming you plan to be the last owner. Hot tip: Sell on any Subaru before 100,000km, namely before the big service that includes changing the timing belt. Makes sense when you can replace it for a song.
7th Jul 2011, 11:10
I am on my second GTB.
My 1st GTB the MAF went, then the head gasket and front suspension bushes.
2nd GTB the head gasket also went.
Would I buy another, hell yeah.
16th May 2012, 03:13
I have a 1996 GT-B wagon and I have replace the O2 sensor, coil pack, and well that's it...! Love my Subby; goes like a cut cat. Get one, just get it serviced. The timing belt is due, and so is the water pump.
27th Mar 2014, 13:50
I have just bought a 1996 GTB as I was having a mid life crisis at 47 and needed something to stop it!
Well... it worked!
I've driven some fast cars; Lancia Delta HF Turbo, Alfa Romeo 33 Cloverleaf, ex traffic police 2.9 Granada, Legacy 4 cam, and nothing except perhaps the Lancia comes close to this. I am having to get rid of my motorbike due to pressure from my good lady, and the GTB is the only thing that comes close to a bike that I've driven.
I bought it on a whim when I was offered it by my neighbour. Took it for a test drive and bought it.
It's also practical as it's an estate, and it's great if you have family and pets.
It goes like a rocket. Fuel economy is between 22 and 25 MPG. I can't get it any higher or lower. But you don't get that sort of performance without paying for it in fuel economy. There is a slight lag when it switches from the small to large turbo at about 4500 revs. I would advise buying a manual and then you can change down well in advance to avoid this. I would imagine the economy would be better.
21st May 2014, 02:11
I've had my 96 GTB wagon for 2 years now.
Bought it for a good penny, here in Canada for $13000 cad, with 18000km. I trust those are original kms, based on the condition of the engine and interior.
She hasn't been without some issues, including the difficulty to either find parts, or solid info on upgrade options (partly due to my lack of a flair for researching), as well as not having a fat wallet!
Otherwise, this has by far, been the sweetest ride I have ever owned.
Tight, clean, unsuspecting. A true sleeper.
And yes, she loves to drink a lot when you're stern with her. But man, will she put out.
If anyone reading this, has a good knowledge of these cars, I'd love to hear what you'd have to say about options for replacing the suspension to something adjustable, that is equal to, or better than the existing Bilsteins.
Cheers
erstefunk@yahoo.com
15th Oct 2003, 17:29
I think perspective is a funny thing. I live in Canada where your average vehicle gets 12 MPG!!! People here buy 10 MPG SUV's and whine the loudest about the price of gas, HAHAHA. I'm not an anti-SUVer though. I think if you can afford it you should drive whatever you want. I've often read the British car mags and get a chuckle when I see a car "only" gets 20-30 MPG. Nobody here cares because gas is almost free. Oh well. Different perspectives, eh?. Den.