Subaru Legacy opinions

Pique

Hi All,

Am thnking of buying an 05/06 Legacy and was looking for opinions.

As they are all hitting the 90+k mile mark at this stage, what should I look out for as potential problems?
What are the 2.0 n/a like on fuel ? They seem to bein the 160-170 bhp range so is 30+mpg feasible with short runs and a few longer journeys as normal driving?
Are they ISOFIX-ready (SWMBO is 8 months pregnanant!) ?

All comments or experience is appreciated.

P.

walus

I have a 04 2.0l SOHC saloon model (138 bhp) with 86k miles on it. In general it is a great car to drive, crisp road handling and very much a "driver's" car if you know what I mean. I've driven new Passat and Insignia and Legacy still blows them out of the watter in terms of road handling.I get 28 mpg on a mixed town (75%)/motorway (25%) driving which is not too bad with an AWD drive train, aircon on and moving rather quick. On a motorway it is possible to get 35-38 mpg. The 2.0 DOHC engine you mention here would have lower mpg, but then again it is a quicker car.
In terms of a problems watch out for a dual mass problems with this car. It is a common problem in all manual 04-08 Legacy's 2.0 and 2.5l sold in Europe. It is easy to check if the dmf is on its way though - pull the hand brake, put it in 1st gear and with your foot off the throttle start releasing the clutch pedal. If you hear a squeak like continuous noise coming from the engine bay (a little bit like a belt squeal) then the dmf is on its way. It does not mean it will fall apart though, the clutch itself will go first. If the clutch pedal feels hard to press the clutch will need replacing too. The good thing is that Subaru realized there was a problem with it and released a conversion kit that uses a flexi-flywheel and clutch from Impreza WRX (which I used).
Other than that no issues so far (touch wood). There are Isofix hooks at the back so fitting a baby seat is not a problem.
On top of that it is a car that makes me happy each time I'm to drive it - that is something you can not put a price on. Go for the 07 model as it looks even better.

Pique

Hi walus.
Thanks for the feedback.
How much did a new clutch and conversion kit for the flywheel set you back?
28mpg is OK I suppose, nut great for a 2L imo, but a lot better than the <20 I'm currently getting :eek:
Driving like a nun gets me 30 (just) on a 130 mile trip.
**Stupid question alert**
I saw a pic of a lever of some kind beside the handbrake (where the cupholders are in others).
Is that the low-hi range diff?
You can see it in the 6th photo of this ad.
What models have/don't have the lo-range box ?

walus

The new kit was £550 parts and E200 fitting. Way more if you go to the dealer. In AWD cars the clutch never last as long as in the FWDs, so around 90k miles is probably when you can expect to see it wear down. Some convert it using a standard Impreza flywheel and Exeedy clutch - it also works and is a cheaper solution.

MPG on Legacy might not be great but with permanent AWD it never is. The lever you describing there is with a dual-range gearbox which was fitted to all manual 2.0 and 2.5l estate Legacys. The saloon model does not have it.

Kamili

I have a 2000 twin turbo saloon model and it is a dream to drive, I would do circa 500 kms a week and bar break callipers locking I've had no issues with her at all.

I've owned her for two years and the AWD system is ace particularly in the snow. Road handling is brilliant and the car does not feel heavy or clunky to drive despite her size.

The only gripe I would have is the fuel economy, not great but for such a heavy car if driven easy can be ok. All in all very worth it in my opinion. I regularly drive an 07 220d lexus and personally I prefer the drive in the legacy, I know it's a completely different bracket of car but I just find the Lexus heavy to drive in comparison.

unkel

Pique wrote: »

a lot better than the <20 I'm currently getting :eek:

What car do you currently drive? What annual mileage do you do?

Pique

Well I'm currently driving a Forester S/Tb, and wanna keep the AWD, but just imrpove the surroundings
It's a thirsty beast too (the turbo shove is a bit addictive, more so with the resonated exhaust, but you can nearly see the fuel gauge dropping when you do it too often)

Mileage is low enough as I don't use it for long journeys (the wifes Accord diesel is a more comfortable long-distance machine) but I would be looking at 7k per year in the future.

walus

Pique wrote: »

Well I'm currently driving a Forester S/Tb, and wanna keep the AWD, but just imrpove the surroundings
It's a thirsty beast too (the turbo shove is a bit addictive, more so with the resonated exhaust, but you can nearly see the fuel gauge dropping when you do it too often)

Mileage is low enough as I don't use it for long journeys (the wifes Accord diesel is a more comfortable long-distance machine) but I would be looking at 7k per year in the future.

You need no convincing to Subaru then. If you want to avoid potential "problems" with dmf go for an automatic - essentially bullet proof. And if you can live with low mpg then H6: http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Legacy/3.0-SPEC/201203206625477/advert?channel=CARS.

TomMc

The auto box is the only thing that has gone wrong on mine. So I wouldn't be calling them bulletproof. Cost a few grand to fix by a specialist and they certainly didn't rob me either. I have seen the odd one on carzone of similar vintage with "reconditioned autobox". My old Mitsubishi Galant autos (two) did much higher mileages with no issues whatsoever. The auto in the 3.0L Legacy is different to the ones in the 2.0 (for sure) & possibly the 2.5L as well.

unkel

If you're getting sub 20 in your Forester, then you're dreaming when you hope to get 30 in a Legacy

But at such low mileage it doesn't really matter much. Your depreciation will be much more costly than that. Why are you getting rid of the Forester anyway?

If it's your first baby, you'll find out soon that they are very expensive little toys

Pique

unkel wrote: »

If you're getting sub 20 in your Forester, then you're dreaming when you hope to get 30 in a Legacy

But at such low mileage it doesn't really matter much. Your depreciation will be much more costly than that. Why are you getting rid of the Forester anyway?

If it's your first baby, you'll find out soon that they are very expensive little toys

Was kinda hoping the lack of a turbo might improve things slightly (maybe not 50% though )

Am looking for something a bit less 'in your face' than a black forester turbo with tints and a loud exhaust Can't imagine any little 'uns sleeping in the back with the baaarp-tssh going on.
Actually something a little more refined is the main aim (which shouldnt be hard) and I really like those model Leggys.
It's a great car but not what I need any more. the awd appeals now that I've had it too.

Yeah it's my first child. Should be fun

annie.t

Sorry to resurrect this thread.
I'm looking to change my car and was thinking of getting Legacy. It's 07 with 2.0 engine and auto box.
Are there any common problems with these? What to look for when viewing?
Also is this engine powerful enough to carry a car like that? I am coming from c200 komp so dont want the next car to be much slower.
Thanks

gsmiddy

Why not go for a legacy diesel, much better returns on the fuel economy + you are still driving a legacy

Seweryn

gsmiddy wrote: »

Why not go for a legacy diesel...

1. Diesel version comes only with manual box.
2. Petrol engine is a lot sweeter.

walus

annie.t wrote: »

Sorry to resurrect this thread.
I'm looking to change my car and was thinking of getting Legacy. It's 07 with 2.0 engine and auto box.
Are there any common problems with these? What to look for when viewing?
Also is this engine powerful enough to carry a car like that? I am coming from c200 komp so dont want the next car to be much slower.
Thanks

Subaru auto transmissions are generally reliable unless abused. The car you thinking of buying would be generally slightly slower than c200 kompressor (180 bhp?) - less powerful engine + auto box. You should test drive to see for yourself - the car is worth doing at least that. Legacy 07 is a great looking car with plenty of road grip. Go for the one with full service history and especially check if the automatic transmission fluid was changed regularly (every 60k kilometers - 38k miles). Other than that there are no real issues with the auto 2.0 Legacys. I've 04 with manual box and apart from the usual clutch replacement (does not apply to automatic gearbox) the car has been trouble free.
Also the good thing about these cars is that no one buys Legacy by "mistake" because it looked better than Avensis. People who chose legacy know what they are buying and 9 times out of 10 look after their cars and service them on time.

ltdslipdiff

I've driven almost every variant of Subaru and I'm sorry but I have to admitt I find the sound of the non-turbo boxer terrible, like a broken washing machine chewing a bearing. They are good cars, but over-rated. Drove a brand new Forester with the diesel and found that woefully underpowered. Friend has an Outback and he's convinced its the greatest car in the world, even with the stone-age 4 speed auto !

annie.t

Thanks guys, will deffo give it a test drive and see how it goes. Was considering alfa 159 but there isnt much choice in them plus i think diesel is the better engine to go for in them (from what i read here-long time lurker). Would love a GT but they're even more scarce.
Supercharged c200 i own is 163 hp no? So subaru would be that bit slower car but i take it better to drive? (not that i think c class is bad to drive not at all) Feel free to correct me on this.
I like the idea of driving a bit of a "niche" car.

walus

annie.t wrote: »

Thanks guys, will deffo give it a test drive and see how it goes. Was considering alfa 159 but there isnt much choice in them plus i think diesel is the better engine to go for in them (from what i read here-long time lurker). Would love a GT but they're even more scarce.
Supercharged c200 i own is 163 hp no? So subaru would be that bit slower car but i take it better to drive? (not that i think c class is bad to drive not at all) Feel free to correct me on this.
I like the idea of driving a bit of a "niche" car.

Yeah, give it a go. My wife is not much of a petrol head but once she started driving the Legacy she got really interested in why one car is different and drives better than the other. She loves the car and now being at home with the babies she always looks for an excuse to pop out and just drive somewhere on her own. She used to drive to work every day and is just missing being behind the wheel I suppose.
I must also disagree with ltdslipdiff - NA boxer engine is the best sounding 4 cylinder motor out there, it is very quiet up to 4k rpm and then the gurgle kicks in.