The New Legacy GT Wagon
Here are some short cuts to photos of the more important features of the 2000 GT NON Limited wagon:
1. The rear cago area showing the new thicker mat. The new cargo cover, the center, roof mounted, seat belt anchor and center head rest. You can also see that there is much more usuable width without the shock towers. The head rests remove a lot easier than the old model as well.
2. The storage area covers, on both sides, are more sturdy now with lock handles and hinges. The spare tire is still a doughnut but with a larger cargo tray on top of it.
3. The new chromed door handle and you can also see the new basic GT cloth pattern.
4. The dual moon roofs are together on the outside. There is a much smaller "bridge" between them on the inside, compared to '99.
5. The new fold away mirror.
6. The power seat switch. While we're on the subject of seats, they are redesigned for 2000 and much more comfortable. And in the rear it is no longer such a struggle to remove the headrests!
7. This is the new beige interior for the Outback only. Downloaded from Japan we see the interior trim is beige, not just the seats as was the case with the old Lsi.
8. The new front cup holder. Off set to the right , out of the way of the radio. There is another cup slot down by the parking brake. A dual cup holder flips out of the back of the center console for rear passengers.
The new Legacy HVAC controls with the radio setup. This photo shows the basic radio head (non limited). Below it is a storage slot, with a door. Below that is where the optional single CD, or the new indash CD changer are installed. Below that is the ashtray and dummy lighter.
This is the information I have so far.
1. No more fold down rear seats for sedans. There is a pass through in the center armrest though. The reason for the change is that soon the government will require rear crash testing and vehicles are much stronger, in back ,with permanently mounted seats.
2. All Legacy / Outback wagons will have the raised roof. The inexpensive "Brighton" has no roof rack (none available either) no power locks or mirrors and a 2 speaker AM FM cassette.
3. There is a built-in child safty seat, available but in VERY limited numbers, for certain Outback wagons. This seat is located in the center of the rear seat and folds down. I am told it is quite comfortable for the 3rd passanger to lean back on, when not in use . Apart from the fact, of course that you're in the middle, which is never that comfortable anyway!
4. Day time running lights are now standard throughout the Legacy line. Never one of my favorites, but Insurance Companies love them.
5. All wagons that have a standard moonroof will have the dual type. A front tilt and a rear slide.
6.The lower color on Outbacks is now an attached (plastic) cladding. This will speed up the construction/paint process as well as giving some real protection against stones and the like.
7. Let's look at a very important change to all Legacy models. The rear suspension, very boring! But it's the most important change of all if you ask me. The whole rear sub assembly has been beefed-up and getting rid of the shock towers makes for some real usuable space inside. What they did was find a way to angle the struts towards the rear the cargo floor had to raised an inch, but there is much more usuable space now. All that's left are the wheel wells which are half as wide as in 1999! This increase in cargo space applies to sedans as well.
8. There are and will be NO third bank of seats. Look for those vehicles that have them to be discontinued as well. First off they are inherently dangerous and secondly, with the advent of rear crash tests you can kiss them all goodby.
9. The tilt steering mechanism is the same except for the addition of a counter balance spring. The spring holds the wheel steady while you make the adjustment. Much better.
10. If you want to use the roof rack you must now buy the cross bars, they're optional but only for the GT and Legacy.
