Liberty GT Spec B Tuned by STi - First Impressions

[redrobin]

OK,

Some of you from the old Liberty / Legacy forums will know that I have a Liberty GT ... Sti from the first batch released back in January 2006.

My new 07 GT Spec B .... STi was delivered this evening and I have just come back from giving it a quick fang down the Wisemans Ferry Road and back again. This road, for non Sydney people, is about 47 km's and is a narrow secondary road with lots of bends, hills and stuff. Just the sort of stuff that WRX's and Liberty GT's love.

Being able to compare the two vehicles more or less back to back, the 07 version is a class act and, as good as the original version was, the improvements in the 07 version are very, very impressive. Subaru have addressed just about all the issues with the 06 and then some.

The new version may be a little down on power on paper (196kw v 206kw) but on the road you don't see it. The usable power of the 07 is just where you need it. Where the 06 is sometimes caught in a torque hole, the 07 just kept on pulling.

With the new 07 donor Liberty having been moved more upmarket by Subaru, the fit and finish of the 07 model just exudes quality where the 06 was a little rough around some edges.

For those of you who have been put off by the (on paper) power reduction and/or the price of the 07, it may well be worth reconsidering.

The 07 is a far better car than the first version, just as quick but much more refined at the same time.

If any of you have any specific questions about the car I'd be happy to answer them.


Oh, nearly forgot, my car is a six speed manual and my old one is a five speed, so my comments about performance etc only relate to the manual versions. The 5 AT versions should be similar though.

[Rosso]

Do you have a list of likes & dislikes between the two cars yet?

I guess its a bit early, you've only had the car a few hours but had to ask the question.

[MY07GT]

Great to hear redrobin. Looks like we need to organise a mountain run next month to see how the different GT's keep up wif each other.

Phil.

[EJ25]

Great to hear redrobin. Looks like we need to organise a mountain run next month to see how the different GT's keep up wif each other.

Phil.

and 2.5's. dont worry about the 3.0's dere nothing compared to mine, lol

[XRC15T]

Congrats on a hot car, the tech and the extra goodies are definite attractive.
Some ppls conplain about the sti prices etc, but imo its well worth it.

Make sure you pop out to some of the meets and pics!

[Giyabwe]

Ive now got 1600 kms on my manual STI Wagon. The STI tuning has produced a very refined (and lovely sounding engine). I moved from a 2004 GT Auto to this car and have to say they are almost totally different. Brakes, suspension, handling and the well matched box to a very torquey engine make this car a please to drive. I have average 11.4 l/100 kms in the first 1600 clicks. Not bad for a tight engine.

[redrobin]

Giyabwe

They are totaly different to the 06 version of the Lib GT ..STi as well. I ordered mine sight unseen. I loved my 06 version and expected the 07 to be similar but newer and with all the added stuff the donor 07 Liberty gives you like HID lights, SI Drive, etc.

What Subaru has delivered though seems like a different car, not just a better version of the old one. I think they are on a winner with the 07 version and if they made it a mainstream model, they would give BMW 3 series and the corresponding Audi a very serious fright.

I have a six speed manual VE HSV GTS as well, and the Liberty is a better drive ! The HSV is great on long trips because of the extra space, but for everything else, the GT ... STi is the way to go.

PS Be careful what you call you car on the forums, or you will get flamed from all the STi nazis. They will tell you (at length) how it's not an STi, just tuned by them (which is why I call mine a GT...STi)

[MY07GT]

Good work guys! Sounds like u guys are loving it.

Definately make it to sum meet and greets.

LOL Dun worry about the whole t/b sti thing.

Phil.

[gead]

Giyabwe

PS Be careful what you call you car on the forums, or you will get flamed from all the STi nazis. They will tell you (at length) how it's not an STi, just tuned by them (which is why I call mine a GT...STi)

its fun watching them froth at the mouth though....

[viriix]

great write up! love the 2007 :]

it's a remarkable machine!

[GT25]

great write up! love the 2007 :]

it's a remarkable machine!

I seem to recall that some of those with pre-MY07 GTs gave the new model a rubbishing for having a lower power output etc.

Seems those who are in a positon to know think it's an improvement.

Subaru doesn't usually go backwards with its mid-life makeovers.

Greg

[MY07GT]

great write up! love the 2007 :]

it's a remarkable machine!

I seem to recall that some of those with pre-MY07 GTs gave the new model a rubbishing for having a lower power output etc.

Seems those who are in a positon to know think it's an improvement.

Subaru doesn't usually go backwards with its mid-life makeovers.

Greg

Nicely Said Greg!

Wonder if that will be the same for the new WRX? LOL!

Phil.

[XRC15T]

A few KW at the fly/paper will make jack all difference.... more a ego thing keke

The 2.5 has more usable down low, which is more drivable whereas the 2.0 revs about 1000rpm higher. Both have there plus and minus

My07 is a definite advance in both tech and features.

I think the new wrx will be a improvement over the pig, am guessing more in the handling dept. but its still ugly betty.