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Do I have an Outback wagon, or a Legacy wagon??

Hi all. I just got a pre-owned 2003 Subaru wagon. I am confused as to whether it's a regular Outback or a Legacy Outback, however. The TITLE and dealership I bought it from say it's a Legacy Outback. When they punched up the VIN for the title, it stated it's a Legacy. But shouldn't there be a "LEGACY" namebadge on the exterior of the car on the back? There isn't - all it says is OUTBACK on the back hatch.

It's got the winter package (heated seats, side mirrors and wiper blades), single CD player, no sun/moonroof, cloth seats (no leather), and wood grain console trim. I see no mention on the car itself of LEGACY.

I'd like to know what I got, as I want to order some accessories, and you have to choose what vehicle you need parts for, and some places have both Legacy and Outback when I got to 2003 Outback section.

Reply to
M. Baker
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The answer to your either/or question is "yes." :-)

This was confusing to me as well.

Subaru basically made only 2 vehicles that year, a Legacy platform, and the shorter wheelbase Impreza platform.

Your "Outback" is a higher riding, option rich version of the Legacy wagon.

The "Outback Sport" is a similar trim packaged vehicle on the impreza platform. The WRX is also a flavor of impreza, as is the RS.

If you think of "Outback" sort of as a trim line, it makes more sense. Subaru just dropped Legacy from our vehicle's names for marketing reasons. But they are Legacy based vehicles.

-- Todd H.

2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4 Chicago, Illinois USA
Reply to
Todd H.

There are TWO Outback lines, one's the Outback based on the Legacy (full-size) and the Outback Sport based on the Imprezza compact.

Both are just trim/option packages.

Reply to
nobody >

You're joking? Legacy is still on subaru.com even for 2008 there is a preview And if you're to believe the configurator on carsdirect.com legacy can be even had with a manual for no extra charge :-)

What's nice is that by default there are no splash guards on Legacy. On a legacy based outback I believe you'd get those and would have to remove. Small beans but $100 wasted.

Reply to
isquat

you might enjoy looking around at

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Carl

Reply to
Carl 1 Lucky Texan

So, I DO have a Legacy Outback wagon then? So if forced to choose, I would look under Legacy Products rather than Outback Products (as it's separated on subaru-parts.com)?

When I looked in the owners manual (which was for both Legacy/Outback, so that didn't tell me anything substansive either), it had the specs for each car. It said the Legacy Wagon has a shorter ground clearance and shorter overhall height than the Outback Wagon. So judging from that, they are TWO different things - an Outback Wagon, or a Legacy Outback Wagon - isn't there an easy way for me to tell, by the color and/or options I have, etc.? If I measure ground cleance, where do I measure to on the car, the bottom of the side/bumper moldings?

I still don't get why, if I do have a Legacy, my car doesn't have the LEGACY namebadge anywhere on it.

Reply to
M. Baker

No joking.

Not on the Outback pages, and besides, the OP and I were discussing

2001 and 2003 model years.

I didn't say the Legacy didn't exist. I said "dropped Legacy from our vehicles' names." And the OP and I own Outbacks.

-- Todd H.

2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4 Chicago, Illinois USA
Reply to
Todd H.

My 2001 OBW was registered by the dealer as, wait for it...

A 2001 Subaru Legacy Station Wagon.

It said Outback on the outside, but Legacy on the manual cover.

Reply to
B A R R Y

Yes indeed.

Interesting that Legacy is left out of all marketing materials though, and hence the confusion.

-- Todd H.

2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4 Chicago, Illinois USA
Reply to
Todd H.

Agreed!

I had a very interesting conversation once with the owner of a 2001 Legacy GT wagon. This guy SWORE his car was totally different than my '01 OBW. We had identical owner's manuals in our respective gloveboxes.

Reply to
B A R R Y

Yes - it's very confusing. The title says Legacy - that's how it punched up when they put the VIN in at the dealer. But the car says Legacy on it nowhere.

So....do I look under "Legacy Products" or "Outback Products"? :)

Reply to
M. Baker

Yeah, I ran into this same issue at a place that was doing my alignment. Alignment done, drove off, car was just not right... turns out the tech set up angles for the first Outback looking thing he found on his computer's list (Outback Sport) vs going under the Legacy menu to find the flavor of Outback.

Got it right the 2nd time finally.

-- Todd H.

2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4 Chicago, Illinois USA
Reply to
Todd H.

Both!

Reply to
B A R R Y

Both.

Some things show up both places, some in one or the other. There are few (if any) pieces that are only specific to the Outback. If you aren't sure, email the vendor or use the provided form on some sites.

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is one of those.

Reply to
nobody >

The bright bulbs in marketing could have called one Outback and another Outfront or Outsmart or something to disambiguate

Reply to
isquat

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