Thinking of a Liberty GT.... opinions/experiences? - Page 3

calais · 16-04-2012, 09:44 PM

I am going to seriously consider the 6 MPS.

Reason being that I am having a seriously hard time finding a Liberty GT which hasn't been molested and carelessly maintained and driven.

I am very very meticulous when it comes to buying a vehicle for myself, and even though I am not shelling out for my own brand new cars anymore, I wont be shelling out for anything less than how I would have maintained it myself.

The 6 MPS which I have listed earlier in this thread looks promising, but just like when I've been looking at Liberty GT's I am prepared to walk away if it isn't up to scratch. With 32,000km on the clock I am expected a little gutter rash and the odd stone chip, but if more serious issues arise..... No Dice this time round.

During the last few days I've also been youtubing a fair bit to get an idea of what they are like, and also been active on the MPS forum too. They do seem like a bit like a wolf in sheeps clothing or something along those lines.

One issue I am concerned about is fuel economy. Being 'Direct Injected' it shouldn't be any worse than 8.5L/100km Highway........ some blokes are reporting 10-11L/100kms!!! They all seem to be modded though, something I dont intend to do.

What are people's thoughts?

**cs123** · 16-04-2012, 10:09 PM

The car you linked looks nice, if a bit pricey. I got around 9.5 l/100Km highway with the air on.

Be aware those cars have extra bracing in the chassis meaning no fold down rear seats. It might be an issue.

Clarkson liked it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbvKv-PofzM

EL2794 · 16-04-2012, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cs123

The car you linked looks nice, if a bit pricey. I got around 9.5 l/100Km highway with the air on.

Be aware those cars have extra bracing in the chassis meaning no fold down rear seats. It might be an issue.

Clarkson liked it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbvKv-PofzM

I remember that! I liked 3.04sec especially

IceValk85 · 16-04-2012, 10:17 PM

bout low 9s to high 9s for L/100km on the highway is bout right. i can get mine to high 8s with lots of cruise sitting on 102kmph.

in the city tho, forget it lol. mine sits no lower EVER than 14.5 but im hoping a new clutch and flywheel soon will bring it down a bit more when i can drive it smoothly.

at 32000km there shouldnt be any issues, but remember its still 6 years old and things can perish with time. smoking turbos letting the seals go have been known to happen at 5000km so let the car idle for 10-15 mins stationary and see if anything crops up. plumes of white smoke mean problems obviously.

thin oil can cause the turbo to smoke, many users find that 10w-40 clears up if they have used 0w oil and found problems. i use Nulon 10w-40 turbo oil as do many others, it seems to be excellent.

use Redline MT90 gearbox oil to improve the feel of the gearbox over standard oil. a braided stainless steel clutch line is cheap and improves clutch feel too.

they are great cars, excellent handling. ive invested a bit of coin in mine so far and will have to put some more in, but after the trip to the mazda mechanic today im feeling confident.

go the MPS!

calais · 16-04-2012, 10:31 PM

I have wondered about the lack of a folding rear seat.... I think I should be alright truth be told.

In the three years I had my Octavia the biggest thing I carried was a wheelbarrow which by rights should have travelled in the trailer. I was lazy and liked the utility of the hatchback, I think I can get around the issue if it arises in the future in some other way.

I have been reading about the turbo oil seals, and been thinking of why it hasn't affected the CX-7 range. I understand the 6 MPS runs a single scroll hitachi turbocharger, but in the event of a seal failure what sort of aftermarket turbo could be used in its place without too much hassle? A twin scroll Garrett of some kind? (Mind you, just changing the oil viscosity would be first on my list!!)

calais · 16-04-2012, 11:08 PM

This is the problem that I am worried about with a 6 MPS and the busted oil seal on the Turbocharger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EXAx...eature=related

This dude called it seafoaming..... I call it destroying your catalytic converters and oxygen sensors. Winner.

IceValk85 · 17-04-2012, 10:16 PM

the turbo on the CX7 is different it spools sooner and with less boost, and has a very minutely different design and doesnt seem to have the smoking issue. IHI is the manufacturer of the turbos (ishitashi heavy industries or something, could be owned by hitachi is suppose) audis run these same K04 turbos.

the most popular after market turbo is the BNR range, but everything will require a proper tune. and if your doing turbo, you may as well do full cold air intake and after market exhaust at the same time to maximise the tune.

my MPS took a turn for the worse today with the gearbox noises being diagnosed by a gearbox specialist as Main input bearing.....

4-5k for a rebuild, or 2600+ for a secondhand fitted.

currently subject to finance for a June 2010 FG XT in 6spd ZF auto... with some small luck the MPS is gone.

Ice

**Polyal** · 17-04-2012, 10:22 PM

This is a timely thread, add another for the missus needing a new car and I would like something that is atleast fun to drive..but cant drink like a V8.

Have you seen the Bilzten versions? Theres a red wagon that looks very tasty indeed.

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...blitzen|CarAll

What are these things like when they get a few k's on them?

calais · 17-04-2012, 10:43 PM

The Subaru flat six is a smooth operator, and runs a timing chain instead of a belt like the turbo fours. Means that with routine maintenance they should be somewhat cheaper to run.

The flipside is that they dont have the same enthusiast aftermarket following as the turbo four. The six, while still packing 180kw and 297nm just didn't have the outright shove of the turbo four, which made it a 'softer' choice, and thus less likely to have had the guts thrashed out of it.

The six cylinder cars are beautifully smooth to drive, and have easily been treated far better than the fours I have been looking at. They are beautifully smooth, and reasonably economical too.

I believe the concensus to be that if you want to mod or want a rush, the turbo four is the go, but if you want a far smoother and easier to drive Subaru Liberty the six definately holds it own.

scottyg938 · 18-04-2012, 12:12 AM

I test drove a 3.0 liberty the other day to get a feel of a liberty before i end up having to go interstate to find a GT.

I was very impressed with how the H6 felt. very smooth and quiet punchy when you put the foot down.

**Polyal** · 18-04-2012, 10:49 AM

Calais as it will be the family hauler I am not concerned about 0-100 times. Just want something thats not a slug, doesnt drink like a fish and can fit three kid seats in the back. Oh and look half decent while doing it and must be a manual.

MY06 is a bit old now though, while a Blizten is cool maybe better off getting a normal one thats newer near the end of the model.

**cs123** · 18-04-2012, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Calais as it will be the family hauler I am not concerned about 0-100 times. Just want something thats not a slug, doesnt drink like a fish and can fit three kid seats in the back. Oh and look half decent while doing it and must be a manual.

MY06 is a bit old now though, while a Blizten is cool maybe better off getting a normal one thats newer near the end of the model.

My wife has a MY07 Outback 3.0R. Engine is pretty nice. Makes it's power up high in the rev range though. Her car is auto, I think it would go nice behind a manual trans.

Likes a drink too. Does around 9/100KM on the highway but not too great in the city.

**Polyal** · 18-04-2012, 03:36 PM

thanks cs123, the outbacks are nice and a good option if you need to hit the dirt a bit.

How bad around town? Ill have to see what the GT does and compare but I was hoping to stay away from turbos.

**cs123** · 18-04-2012, 06:47 PM

Prob about 13 to 14/100. Haven't done a proper check. I do run the AC all the time.

I bought the 6 on a hunch that it would be a less stressed engine and maintenance should be a bit better than the 4.

I think the 6 works well in that sized car. With 180kw it's no slouch either.

superfly · 18-04-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calais

I believe the concensus to be that if you want to mod or want a rush, the turbo four is the go, but if you want a far smoother and easier to drive Subaru Liberty the six definately holds it own.

I too found the H6 a nice drive but it really drinks the juice. I'd go the GT if I was to pick between the Lib and Mazda. The Lib is well proven and whilst Mazda make great cars, the MPS6 is no longer. The GT is still here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Calais as it will be the family hauler I am not concerned about 0-100 times. Just want something thats not a slug, doesnt drink like a fish and can fit three kid seats in the back. Oh and look half decent while doing it and must be a manual.

MY06 is a bit old now though, while a Blizten is cool maybe better off getting a normal one thats newer near the end of the model.

Why don't you buy a Falcon Ecoboost? Sounds a perfect fit for you. Whilst I like Subaru's, they can be expensive to maintain.

blueoval · 22-06-2012, 08:53 PM

Just to revive an old thread. Calais, did you end up finding the car you wanted?

Just to add to the thread, I am in the throws of picking up an 07 Lib GT Spec B in Auto, charcoal paint, leather, sunroof, books & history with 52,000km from Eblens Subaru here in SA. I took it for a spin last night when I took it home to show the mrs. I love it!!!!

Took the car in the hills for a bit of a drive. The turbo lag is something I'll get used to, but I love the S.I. Drive. It is so handy to have. In town I just pop it into intelligent mode and it governs the car to a meager 110kw. Sport is 150kw, and Sports Sharp hits the full 184kw with a tightened gearbox. Suspension is tight, steering is responsive, and the interior is something else!

If my leasing finances work out on Monday, Im hoping to drive the thing home for the following weekend.

Hope you found what you were looking for mate.

EL2794 · 22-06-2012, 08:58 PM

Shav, If you get that car. You are taking me for a drive! haha. But Eblens have been the best to deal with for us. After sales service has been second to none as well.

calais · 22-06-2012, 09:24 PM

Hey blueoval, in short, no I didnt end up with a liberty GT.

In the end I really grew tired of being let down by shabby cars and shabbier owners who really just couldn't care less. I really was suprised at just how many I looked at and found what I considered to be deal breakers during inspections.

That said though, in the interim I did buy another Calais from an old bloke I played lawn bowls with in full grandpa spec. So the search does go on for the right liberty GT for my next family car, but I want to expand the garage to potentially buy a new toyota 86 too, so it will be a balancing act and a waiting game.

blueoval · 22-06-2012, 09:45 PM

No worries mate. its worth the wait for the right one. if this car I'm looking to get wasn't at eblens I probably would be heaps more picky too. I hope u get what want mate. its worth the wait.

blueoval · 22-06-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL2794

Shav, If you get that car. You are taking me for a drive! haha. But Eblens have been the best to deal with for us. After sales service has been second to none as well.

you got it big fella!

it also helps to already know the service manager there well too.