Perhaps a minor point, but in 2008 the Legacy nameplate designates only sedans. Wagons now get the Outback attachment. Beyond that tidbit, let’s focus a bit on the Legacy GT spec. B. This sports sedan is exclusively equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. The turbocharged 2.5-liter engine produces 243 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 241 pounds-feet of torque at 3600 rpm. Legacy – quite simply – provides a driver with an excuse to drive . . . anywhere. The performance factor gets an additional lift via SI-Drive, which is a floor console dial showcasing three driving modes (intelligent, sport and sport sharp). Intelligent mode, for instance, can improve fuel efficiency, while the sport mode sharpens the performance. The system’s sport sharp mode means performance-plus.

Spec. B means certain appointments – like 10-spoke wheels, two-position memory for the driver’s seat, vehicle dynamics control, and touch-screen navigation/interface point for clock, etc. – are standard. While the navigation can be extremely useful, there are multiple booklets that address how to use the system. But even after reading – ok, scanning – the booklets, the seemingly simple task of changing the digital clock to the correct time was a mighty task and one that wasn’t resolved during the one-week test drive. There is room to improve the navigational interface aspects, but just about everything else on the GT spec. B with a $33,995 MSRP is appropriate, especially for drivers (and riders) who place a premium on vehicle performance.