Looking at a Gen 4 Lib GT

t.ridden · Post by **t.ridden** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 6:50 pm

Hi all,

As the title suggests, I've been to look at a 2003 Liberty GT sedan today.
5 sp Sportshift auto EJ20 Turbo.
After the drive, I'm practically in love with it, I reckon it'd kick the behind of the last WRX I drove (Bugeye rally car)!
Anyway, its a little out of my price range so I'm hoping to screw the dealer down a few grand...
Its got a fully service history, between a Subaru dealer and 2 reputable garages.
The auto box seems fairly reluctant to come and party in D (floored it and it took about 2 or 3 sec to kick down properly), but the sportshift is sweet as a nut! Is this a big issue or pretty normal?
Are there any common issues to look out for with these?

Cheers

niterida · Post by **niterida** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 6:58 pm

The auto is rubbish - what you have described is exacly what they are all like. Also in sport or manual mode it is still really an auto and will change up and down regardless of what you tell it to do.

This is the one big fail of Subaru and is the main reason I bought a Legnum wagon instead of a Subie and looking at buying an AWD Magna now - the Mitusbishi Tiptronic 5 speed auto is amazing - almost instant up and down changes and will do as it is told in manual mode.

Apart from that Gen 4 Libs rock and if I didn't need an auto for the missus I would love a manual GT wagon in my drive.

t.ridden · Post by **t.ridden** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 7:19 pm

If i could find a manual, i'd forget all about this one!
it was okay as long as I didn't suddenly give it beans....had to avoid surprising it lol.
I didn't notice it self-shifting in sports mode...might have to go for another test drive

and not get so excited this time