Art of Gears
Fansided

A Completely Subjective and Biased List of the Best Daily Drivers For Car People

By Brandon TeVelde

DETROIT - JANUARY 5: Kyoji Takenaka, president and CEO of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., which owns Subaru as a subsidiary, poses with the new Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT sedan after it was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show January 5, 2004 in Detroit, Michigan. The show, which will feature more than 700 vehicles, opens to the public January 10. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell/Getty Images)
DETROIT - JANUARY 5: Kyoji Takenaka, president and CEO of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., which owns Subaru as a subsidiary, poses with the new Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT sedan after it was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show January 5, 2004 in Detroit, Michigan. The show, which will feature more than 700 vehicles, opens to the public January 10. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell/Getty Images) /
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KRAKOW, POLAND – 2020/07/18: A logo of Subaru, a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer, seen on a parked car in Krakow. (Photo by Cezary Kowalski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
KRAKOW, POLAND – 2020/07/18: A logo of Subaru, a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer, seen on a parked car in Krakow. (Photo by Cezary Kowalski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

#1 2005 – 2009 Subaru Legacy GT  23/30 mpg

A quick Google search netted me a handful of listings under our $10K threshold, and quite a few more over the $10K line.

The fourth generation Legacy GT came equipped with a turbocharged 2.5L boxer engine, very similar to the 2.5L found in the WRX STi. Equipped in stock form, the Legacy GT (LGT) had a respectable output of 250 hp and 250 ft/lb and had a 5 speed manual transmission, an automatic trans and a 6-speed manual found only in the Spec B. The Spec B variant is highly sought after because of the beefier 6 ]-speed manual trans, Bilstein based suspension and factory navigation.

The LGT will always have a place in my heart as the ultimate daily driver. Factory trim is enough to take spirited canyon runs and mountain passes, while averaging the best fuel economy of the group at 23/30 mpg. As a relatively sharp, yet docile, looking car, it is a fantastic balancing point of looking nice and performing at a high level, without spending a small fortune on an exotic car.

For those interested in learning about modifications and tuning, I am hard pressed to think of a better platform to start with. A simple ECU reflash unlocks more power via advanced timing and boost levels. Most of the performance parts found for the 2008-14 WRX and STis, will bolt right on, meaning aftermarket support is through the roof. Coilover suspension, sway bars, engine bolt ons, etc, there options for whatever your goals are.

I made many 1,000 mile road trips in my LGT and would be thrilled to own one again someday. It’s a car that always made me smile and the potential it holds was always worth it to me to unlock. Any weather, any road, I was happy and confident to haul four adults wherever we needed to go.

One of the best daily drivers around, so if you find a low mileage LGT in your area, buy it. Drive it. Enjoy it.

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