During the heyday of rally racing, companies like Subaru, Mitsubishi, Ford, and even Lancia were required to produce homologation versions - or models that resembled the actual cars used in rally racing - in order to qualify for the World Rally Championship (WRC). This need gave birth to road-going icons like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, the Ford RS200, and the Lancia 037. We also can't forget about the famed Subaru Impreza WRX STI.When it comes to the Subaru, of course, an older-gen Impreza WRX STI won't fetch nearly the same sort of money you'd see a Lancia 037 or a Ford RS200 selling for. But, the Subie can still bankrupt you, especially if you find a near-mint example, as most sell for around $20–$30k today. The fact of the matter is, Subaru produced a model in the early 2000s that carried the same engine as the one found in the Impreza WRX STIs of the mid-2000s, and it was called the Legacy GT Wagon.We've focused on the Subaru Legacy GT Wagon for this write-up due to it sharing the same engine as the much-more-expensive Subaru Impreza WRX STI. A Wolf In Family-Friendly Clothing Cars & Bids 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon Key Points Boasted the same engine as the Impreza WRX STI Currently, it sits at an average used market price of $7,658 The 2005 model year resides in the Subaru Legacy's fourth generation The Legacy Wagon as a whole was discontinued following the 2007 model year For those of us in-the-know regarding homologated rally cars, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI is one of the most iconic of them all, along with its arch nemesis, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. As we mentioned a few moments ago, though, models such as these can go for high prices, leaving gearheads without the necessary funds to do without. That is, unless you're okay with going for a family station wagon.Cars & BidsSubaru obviously felt the same, and ended up producing the Legacy GT Wagon, a model that would use the same EJ257 flat-four engine found within the Subaru WRX STI during the mid-2000s. However, unlike with the Impreza WRX STI, the Legacy GT Wagon has ample space for kids, dogs, and all the other nonsense that goes along with them. It was also more suitable for driving on the road every day, as it lacked the same harshness suspension-wise that WRX STI owners had to live with. Its Rally-Bred HeartCars & BidsSubaru's EJ257 flat-four was no slouch by any stretch of the imagination. While it was the exact same engine used in the Impreza WRX STI of the time, it didn't receive the sort of ECU tuning the homologated rally car did, as it made 20 horses less. Regardless, the Legacy GT Wagon was still able to get up and go with the best. It also boasted Subaru's Symmetrical AWD (SAWD) system along with a standard five-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic was available, as well.Its suspension featured some go-faster bits, too. At the front, a MacPherson strut setup was utilized, along with a multi-link rear for better control over bumps and around corners. Its dampers, springs, and sway bars were beefed up just a bit from the standard Legacy and Legacy Wagon in order to better cope with the slightly-higher demand the GT wagon was expected to be placed under.We'll go through the 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon's detailed engine and performance specs in the table below: How Else It Compares To The Impreza WRX STI Cars & Bids We already know the Legacy GT Wagon's EJ257 flat-four mill, while identical, made 20 horsepower less than the Impreza WRX STI did in the United States Domestic Market. When it comes to other aspects of the two models and their similarities, they also both feature upgraded suspension setups, an all-wheel-drive system, and a quintessentially-massive Subaru-designed hood scoop. However, the Impreza WRX STI was much more performance-oriented than the Legacy GT Wagon as a whole. The Legacy GT Wagon Wasn't The Only STI-Powered Subaru Cars & BidsIt would be unfair to give the Legacy GT Wagon the sole credit for utilizing an STI-bred powerplant, because other models such as the regular Legacy GT existed, along with the Outback XT, too. The Outback XT looks extremely similar to the Legacy GT Wagon, but there are some key differences. For one thing, the Outback was designed for a more rugged life, with higher ground clearance and a suspension more set up for off-roading.Underneath the hood, though, that's where the Legacy GT Wagon and the Outback XT begin to really look the same. The Outback XT utilizes a SUbaru EJ engine, but not the same EJ257 as the Legacy GT. Instead, it used the EJ255 version, which was also turbocharged. However, the Outback XT had to make do with only 243 horsepower, as opposed to the 250 the Legacy GT Wagon got to enjoy. Oh, and if you're interested in buying one of these for yourself, expect to pay approximately $6,500 to $10,000 for one in reasonably good shape.Cars & Bids In the end, it seems that if you're a mid-2000s SUbaru fan and want to get your hands on some rally-bred power, you don't have to be made of money, after all. This is good news, too, because that means with all the money you'd be saving by going for one of these alternatives, you can seriously kit out your new-to-you, hot Subaru wagon.Sources: Subaru, The Drive, Motor1, Car And Driver,
