We don’t only feature fully modified vehicles in NZ Performance Car magazine — the mildly modified daily drivers get a look in too! It doesn’t matter what it is, if you’re passionate about it, modify it, and drive it to work every day, we’ll showcase it.
Owner: Danielle Dines
Location: Auckland
Occupation: Software support technician
Make/model: 2004 Subaru Legacy 3.0R
Engine: EZ30D, six-cylinder boxer engine, SYMS cat-back exhaust system
Drivetrain: Factory five-speed tiptronic
Interior: Factory, Pioneer head unit, Pioneer speakers
Exterior: STI front lip, factory side skirts and rear lip
Suspension: Eiffel adjustable coilovers, STI rear arms, Cusco chassis bars, rear strut bar, Cusco brake stopper, Whiteline suspension bushes
Wheels/tyres: 18×8.5-inch (+22) Cosmis Racing MR-II, 215/35R18 Falken FK452 tyres
Brakes: Slotted front discs, braided stainless-steel brake lines
NZ Performance Car: Hey Danielle, very tough-looking wagon you have there. Why did you decide to purchase a Legacy wagon to modify?
Danielle Dines: Thank you. I’ve always been the type of person who wanted to be different, and I’ve always loved Subarus and wanted to try something new. With a lot of research, I found the fourth-generation Legacys were starting to get modified in Japan and America, so I decided to try bring that to New Zealand.
What is special about the 3.0R model?
What drew my attention to the 3.0R model was that it offered performance figures very similar to the turbo version, without having to worry about the turbo engine problems. Also the fact that the EZ30D is a chain-driven engine.
Did you have a certain look you were going for with the wagon, or did you just modify it as parts came available?
I knew what look I was after, as I had noticed how tough wagons look when they are lowered and have aggressive offset wheels. After months of test-fitting different wheels, I found the Cosmis Racing wheels worked perfectly with the look I was after.
With Legacys known for their all-round performance, does it go much better with the upgrades you’ve done to it?
Yes it definitely does. I’ve noticed with the cat-back exhaust system that the car feels a lot more responsive. All of the suspension work has tightened the Legacy up a lot, and I feel very confident that when I throw it into a corner, I know it’s going to stick.
Are things finished for the wagon, or are you going to continue to modify it?
With any project car I don’t think they are ever finished, I’ll just keep modifying and building it until it’s time for something new. I do want to go lower, so maybe that will be my next modification.
Thanks for your time Danielle, we look forward to seeing the build progress.
The article was originally published in a previous issue of NZ Performance Car. Pick up a copy of the edition here: