Edmunds has added a 2005 GT sedan to their long term stable. Might be interesting to keep an eye on their updates. So far, they have lots of good things to say about the car, comparing it to the Bimmer 3 series:

"Even though our Legacy came in at just over $26,000, one of our editors still compared it to the venerable BMW 3 Series, stating "I'd rather have this car at $26K than a BMW 3 Series…." That's quite a statement, but many of us feel that the Legacy's interior combined with its 250-hp engine is enough to give some BMW and Audi shoppers something to think about when the bottom line is a priority. Think we're crazy comparing a Subaru to a high-line European brand? Senior Content Editor Erin Riches went so far as to say, "I even love the styling of the car. I parked next to an Audi A4 and it was apparent that the A4 was not far from mind when designers were working on the profile and tail end of the Legacy. A friend of mine swooned over the red/white electroluminescent gauges, which are also reminiscent of what you'd find in an A4 cockpit.""

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/subaru/legacy/100396955/roadtestarticle.html?articleId=103180&tid=edmunds.h..wkedmunds.longterm.1.*

In our full test of the Legacy GT wagon, we noted that the optional automatic transmission seemed to sap much of the turbo engine's substantial power. However, we've had the exact opposite reaction to the manual transmission in our long-term car. One editor compared the new Subaru Legacy to the well-regarded Mazda 6 stating, "After spending a weekend with the car, I've decided I like the Legacy more than the Mazda 6 — it feels smaller and the handling is sharper. If money wasn't a concern, I would take our Legacy over the 6 without hesitation. (If spending $26,000 to $27,000 was too much of a stretch, though, I would go with the 6 and have few if any regrets.)"

That same editor praised the engine and went on to say, "With minimal turbo lag off the line, the 2.5-liter engine has an intoxicating torque band that runs all the way to redline. And with the smooth-shifting manual transmission, it's hard not to want to wind it out every time. The clutch isn't quite as user-friendly as I'd like, but I still think this is one of the better manual gearboxes in this price range."

Did I just read that right? Did a subaru tranny get praise? :D

[i]

Did I just read that right? Did a subaru tranny get praise? :D

"..the engagements of the five-speed manual transmission encourage vigorous rowing."

"The shifter has that deliciously mechanical feel that makes you change gears for the sheer joy of it"

"Subaru got the big stuff right — the motor, tranny, seats, and handling,"

All from Car and Driver articles... on the wrx of all cars! Maybe we are just a little bit harsh on subie trannies.

My 05 transmission is crap. It shifts like a semi truck. The tech at the dealer told me that the Legacys get an all new transmission that shifts smoother and has stronger internals.

i love the 05s 5 speed auto on sport mode.. i can leave it in "D" and toodle around town.. or slip into sport mode for a little more agressive driving.. and then do the manumatic thing for some real fun.. i dont miss a manual at all.

Lets see how they like those trannies after 40,000 miles.

I know that C&D complained of a grind in their long term WRX tester.

What about the FXT? same tranny as '05 GT?

What about the FXT? same tranny as '05 GT?
Similar, but not the same.

Lets see how they like those trannies after 40,000 miles.

Well... given the tranny in my current Legacy at 140000kms (86000mi), I imagine they'd like them just fine.

Well... given the tranny in my current Legacy at 140000kms (86000mi), I imagine they'd like them just fine.


Sorry, I'm just being bitter.

I spent a lot of time defending the tranny from the "If you don't abuse it, it will be fine." standpoint but at 39,000 miles I'm getting less happy with my car.

The tranny is getting notchier, 1st grinds more and more often when I'm at a completely stop, and my clutch slave cylinder is on it's way out. This just months after I spent two weeks without it while it was getting the 4th gear synchros fixed. I'm just getting tired of worrying. I found myself getting the feeling that I should probably get AAA the other day. It seemed so depressing because I never had the same feeling with my 10+ year old Corolla or Protege.

To top it all off, my seat bolt that's covered under the recall finally decided to come loose. Almost 3 years and it didn't budge, and now all of the sudden I can't keep it tight. Yeah, it's covered under the recall, but I wanted to get it fixed when it was convienant for me to do so, not because it's become a daily annoyance. Now I have to plan out my schedule and try to get it to a dealer before my seat rail breaks.