North American BG configuration question

[Yamazaki]

I just bought my wife a '97 GT-B limited and I noticed some things that weren't on the Brighton. Since the Brighton resembled the North American BK model, I was wondering if this GT-B has similar equipment to the North American GT model. Specifically, the dual moonroof (front goes up and rear slides back) and the integrated cargo netting. Here are some pics of what I'm talking about (and some bonus pics of the rest of the car). click thumbnails for larger pics:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/th_DSCF0815-1.jpg (http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp350/yamazakisubaru/car%20parts%20accessories/Other%20projects/DSCF0815.jpg) https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/th_DSCF0810-1.jpg (http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp350/yamazakisubaru/car%20parts%20accessories/Other%20projects/DSCF0810.jpg) https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/th_DSCF0814-1.jpg (http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp350/yamazakisubaru/car%20parts%20accessories/Other%20projects/DSCF0814.jpg) https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/th_DSCF0813-1.jpg (http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp350/yamazakisubaru/car%20parts%20accessories/Other%20projects/DSCF0813.jpg)

Bonus pics:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/th_DSCF0801-1.jpg (http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp350/yamazakisubaru/car%20parts%20accessories/Other%20projects/DSCF0801.jpg) https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/th_DSCF0804-1.jpg (http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp350/yamazakisubaru/car%20parts%20accessories/Other%20projects/DSCF0804.jpg) https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/th_DSCF0808-1.jpg (http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp350/yamazakisubaru/car%20parts%20accessories/Other%20projects/DSCF0808.jpg) https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/th_DSCF0806-1.jpg (http://i426.photobucket.com/albums/pp350/yamazakisubaru/car%20parts%20accessories/Other%20projects/DSCF0806.jpg)

[Huffer]

The USDM GT does not get the dual sunroof, nor the cargo netting. The cargo netting is similar to the dog barrier that is an accessory here.

SOA really shafted the American consumer, not just in the engine department.

[anothernord]

Holy cow.

Yeah, the only dual-moonroof Subaru sold here was the 1999 Outback Limited, but that didn't have the cargo netting, or the RFRB spoiler.

[phi11]

I love those rims!
so does the GT-B have the "duel switch" for the fog lights?

[harrymaneuvers]

I like the dark wood grain on the window switches too!!!

Is the STI logo on the cluster OEM???

Engine bay shots please!!!!

[harrymaneuvers]

Mind if I ask how much you paid?


I am curious about the type of bad ass car my money buys me in another county.

[Yamazaki]

Mind if I ask how much you paid?


I am curious about the type of bad ass car my money buys me in another county.
About $3,500.

The RFRB spoiler and STi cluster are not from the factory. Nor is the HKS exhaust and tune. And yes, the duel fog light switch is always present when there are dual foglights. That's a factory configuration. So is the dark woodgrain.


I am a little surprised to find out that the North American one didn't get this, to be honest. I have noticed on the BE/BH that the North American model received as standard all the features that are luxury here (except the engine, obviously). And it seems that the '05+ is actually better over there than here. Engine and all. In fact, the BL/BP there seems to more closely resemble the S402 than the regular 2.0 GT here. And the BC/BF received a 2.2 turbo instead of the 2.0, right? So it seems that for the 2nd gen Legacy they just gave up on North America.....

[harrymaneuvers]

$3,500 USDM?


Wow... that was even better than I was hoping.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I am a little surprised to find out that the North American one didn't get this, to be honest. I have noticed on the BE/BH that the North American model received as standard all the features that are luxury here (except the engine, obviously). And it seems that the '05+ is actually better over there than here. Engine and all. In fact, the BL/BP there seems to more closely resemble the S402 than the regular 2.0 GT here. And the BC/BF received a 2.2 turbo instead of the 2.0, right? So it seems that for the 2nd gen Legacy they just gave up on North America.....


Very interesting. Although I wouldn't say that the 2.2L Turbo in the BC/BF wasn't really all that powerful. The EJ20 might've been a more powerful engine, or at least had a bigger turbo. The one plus is that the EJ22T is a very strong block that you can boost the hell out of it with a big turbo.

[ouch1011]

The EJ22T in the BC/BF was a really low compression, low boost turbo engine with the old SOHC heads. The EJ20 in the JDM BC/BF was much more powerful.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Subaru didn't think there was a market for turbocharged models in the US, and that the bug eye WRX was released over here to test the waters? Now you can get everything but a Tribeca with a turbo lol. I suspect Subaru used to think the same about selling a luxury model, because "luxury" Subaru is kind of a new idea over here. Considering my 98 BD GT Limited is like the highest end model Subaru you could get in 98 and is pretty much fully loaded, and it has fewer options than my mom's Mazda3 lol...

Am I just imagining it, or does that GT-B have the Outback style stepped roof?

[Huffer]

^^ SOA couldn't meet EPA standards for emissions in the mid-late 90s.

GTB's are BG's - raised roof. Reuben would go on and on about how a BK could never be a true JDM replica vehicle.

[Yamazaki]

I've shown that the Brighton has a raised roof as well..... come to think of it, I haven't seen a BG that didn't have a raised roof. The Brighton, TS, TS-R, GT, GT-B, and 250T all have raised roofs.

[peugoby]

BG = raised roof. for the United States they made a special non raised roof model, the BK, big sigh.

You could only get the raised roof (BG) on 96-99 Outbacks. Dual moonroofs were only offered on '98 & '99 Outback limited with an automatic transmission (no manual dual sunroof cars) another huge sigh.

[Yamazaki]

ohhhh. I didn't know that was the difference. So that means the 1st gen has the same 'issue'? I would actually prefer a non-raised roof. Without the awkward bulge at the front, It would look more normal I think.
Other things I learned that North America got but we didn't was the SUS (which, when I first read it, I thought was the air suspension models. The air suspension models are called that here).
What else did North America get that we didn't...?

[Wiscon_Mark]

^^ SOA couldn't meet EPA standards for emissions in the mid-late 90s.

Yes, until GM bought shares in Subaru and they opened up pipelines from suppliers to Subaru for better, cheaper catalytic converters, Subaru couldn't meet the EPA standards that came around in 95/96. I don't think they would've completely dropped turbos otherwise.

[slaytalera]

ohhhh. I didn't know that was the difference. So that means the 1st gen has the same 'issue'? I would actually prefer a non-raised roof. Without the awkward bulge at the front, It would look more normal I think.
Other things I learned that North America got but we didn't was the SUS (which, when I first read it, I thought was the air suspension models. The air suspension models are called that here).
What else did North America get that we didn't...?

light ring around the ignition