subaru legacy 2.0 petrol

allinthehead

thinking about trading in the a4 for one of these any opinions or advice appreciated

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Subaru/Legacy/AWD/34713669934686160/advert?channel=CARS

Alanstrainor

Always really liked the look of them, nice seeing something different around. That being said, I haven't a clue about them!

biko

Is mpg a concern?

allinthehead

ya i always admired them when i saw one. not too many about.

mpg not a concern i currently drive a 220 hp 1.8t a4 so i would imagine mpg to be similar?

also thinking of lpg conversion

bazz26

There will a noticeable difference in power to what you are used to. I think that Legacy is 140bhp afaik.

sulc84

140BHP is enough for most of people .

bazz26

sulc84 wrote: »

140BHP is enough for most of people .

But the OP is coming from 220bhp and something for him to be aware of.

allinthehead

as far as i know they are 163hp

bazz26

allinthehead wrote: »

as far as i know they are 163hp

Yes looks like they got upgraded to 163bhp when it got a facelift. They were 140bhp from launch. Still bit of a drop in power and torque from what you are used to.

allinthehead

not really concerned about the drop in power to be honest. looking for a low mileage reliable car to keep for a good few years. i had a 2.5 tdi quattro before and loved the awd. never had a jap car before so just looking for some advice about the boxer engine and any issues with this model

Seweryn

allinthehead wrote: »

looking for a low mileage reliable car to keep for a good few years.

Then it would be a good choice. I used to drive one, but two generations prior to this model. One of my best cars, never went wrong. Well built, reliable, with great handling and comfort. Would love to get one again. Not sure about your priorities, but I would go for the estate - twice the car for same money.

allinthehead

ya would prefer the estate but no good examples with low mileage, plus i have a van. the german makes could learn a thing or two from subaru. the most basic model legacy comes with leather steering wheel. cruise control, electric folding mirrors, 6 disc cd changer, air con, fog lights, 17 inch alloy wheels and of course awd. the only thing putting me off is the cheap looking interior and the cloth seats. viewed the car today really is in great condition with full service history and genuine mileage. there are a few parking dings and a couple of marks on the bodywork which the dealer has agreed to sort out, a fresh service and a slight noise from aux belt that will be sorted. he also gave me a great price on my a4. worth a punt?

Seweryn

allinthehead wrote: »

worth a punt?

Yeah, if you are happy with it, then sure, hard to go wrong with them.

As for estates, this one doesn't look too bad:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4925934

allinthehead

Seweryn wrote: »

Yeah, if you are happy with it, then sure, hard to go wrong with them.

As for estates, this one doesn't look too bad:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4925934

your right looks lovely. it sold last week tho, also an auto which is supposed to be a bit fussy at low speeds.

Seweryn

allinthehead wrote: »

your right looks lovely. it sold last week tho, also an auto which is supposed to be a bit fussy at low speeds.

I used to own one with an automatic box and it was excellent IMO. An old type, traditional auto, but electronically controlled with a lock-up mechanism. Depends what you prefer, but I would take the right car regardless of gearbox in it.

allinthehead

probably a different box since yours was two generations before this model. any idea what sort of mileage these engines are capable of

Seweryn

allinthehead wrote: »

probably a different box since yours was two generations before this model. any idea what sort of mileage these engines are capable of

My fried had one with over 340k miles on and without an issue. That was an earlier model than mine. The newer cars are nearly as good. The key is (as with any car) - maintenace .

allinthehead

ya no bother here with maintenance. looks like the plugs are a pain to change. any advice

The Pontiac

I'd imagine they'd go forever. Good old fashioned jap engineering and serious build quality.

bazz26

My parent's neighbour has one for the last 4 years and loves it. Never heard of any problems with it other than it likes parking bulbs. If you cannot find an estate then maybe a Forester is worth looking at.

Seweryn

allinthehead wrote: »

ya no bother here with maintenance. looks like the plugs are a pain to change. any advice

I wouldn't worry about it. That is not a task you will be doing often. Just put some NGK platinum or iridium plugs that last and forget about them for 40kkm+ or whatever the period they need to be replaced.

allinthehead

thanks for replies. just put a deposit on it. is a six month warranty about right?

anthony4335

I sold a 2.5 auto 2005 estate last year and I think that it may have been my biggest mistakes (and I have made a few, from unreliable to just not for me cars, and one that may have caused a slipped disc). It was reliable nice to drive, comfortable and spacious. Only draw back was the price of tax, 1080 euro at the moment ,compared to my current 180 euro. Just make sure it has a good serivce history with regular and correct oil changes.

allinthehead

anthony4335 wrote: »

I sold a 2.5 auto 2005 estate last year and I think that it may have been my biggest mistakes (and I have made a few, from unreliable to just not for me cars, and one that may have caused a slipped disc). It was reliable nice to drive, comfortable and spacious. Only draw back was the price of tax, 1080 euro at the moment ,compared to my current 180 euro. Just make sure it has a good serivce history with regular and correct oil changes.

thanks. ya good service history. only thing is timing belt is due at 60k but the car is now 6 years old and has not had a belt change. is six years too long an interval and if so should the dealer cover this or is it my problem?

Anan1

allinthehead wrote: »

thanks. ya good service history. only thing is timing belt is due at 60k but the car is now 6 years old and has not had a belt change. is six years too long an interval and if so should the dealer cover this or is it my problem?

The interval will be in the service book. You should have either arranged for the garage to do it or had it taken into account in the price before paying a deposit - it's a bit late to go renegotiating the deal now.

allinthehead

Anan1 wrote: »

The interval will be in the service book. You should have either arranged for the garage to do it or had it taken into account in the price before paying a deposit - it's a bit late to go renegotiating the deal now.

ya that was definitely a mistake. i asked him about timing belt and he said 60,000 so wasn't due for another 20k. it was only about an hour ago i thought about the time. gobsh*te

Anan1

allinthehead wrote: »

ya that was definitely a mistake. i asked him about timing belt and he said 60,000 so wasn't due for another 20k. it was only about an hour ago i thought about the time. gobsh*te

What is the interval on that car? It might be 8 years.

anthony4335

Any good mechanic should be able to tell you if it should be changed. I think mine was easily 5 years old before I did mine, it is a sting to have it done but if it puts your mind at ease then do it, try and bargain with the garage it include it with the price, or at least reduced cost, remember to have the water pump done at the same time and replace the pullies, might add about 120 to 150 euro to the cos but worth it. Best of luch with the car, I do miss mine, I am just waiting until the diesels drop in price although I have heard spotty reports about the Subaru oil burner.

allinthehead

Anan1 wrote: »

What is the interval on that car? It might be 8 years.

been googling interval for a bit and cant find definate answer

Seweryn

allinthehead wrote: »

been googling interval for a bit and cant find definate answer

105k km or 7 years.

Seweryn

Seweryn wrote: »

105k km or 7 years.

So it is due, unless the car was manufactured in 2007 (I guess it is rather 2006).

allinthehead

Might aswell change it so. The car has 4 new tyres on it but they are hiflys, now i know nothing about them but i assume they are muck. I was thinking about getting hankook Ventus prime 2's, would i get anything for the hiflys or are they scrap.

allinthehead

Some more pics


https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7-M-2XNKxMbNENTdDJLdmJqZ1U/preview?pli=1

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7-M-2XNKxMbeFQ0aWJ5WU1PaG8/preview?pli=1

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7-M-2XNKxMbTzJzYUVMaDFHckU/preview?pli=1

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7-M-2XNKxMbR1VDNDh0UldUMnc/preview?pli=1

The Pontiac

Nice car. Well wear.

coolisin

Best of luck with it.

allinthehead

The Pontiac wrote: »

Nice car. Well wear.

Thanks. Big step down from my a4 in terms of power, interior quality and over all feel of luxury but ive had 3 a4's, a 1.9 tdi, 2.5 tdi quattro and the 1.8t and sick of fixing them. They feel really well put together but riddled with problems as a used buy. Really missed the quattro which is why i chose the legacy.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I have an 05 model (140bhp) for the last 18 months and love it. it has cost me zero in that time with the exception of oil/filter change. They're ultra reliable and very comfortable and solid on the road and they handle brilliantly due to the AWD, I actually tried to get mine to lose grip on a wet and twisty road during the winter but nothing phased it. Your car will be slightly harder to run being 28bhp more but t should still do 30mpg on short runs and 35+ on longer runs. mine does 40mpg on very long runs and I've seen 46mpg once on a 120km leisurely drive. They're very low geared and so at 100kmph in 5th gear the engine is ticking over at a shade under 2500rpm. Enjoy it.

allinthehead

CJC999 wrote: »

I have an 05 model (140bhp) for the last 18 months and love it. it has cost me zero in that time with the exception of oil/filter change. They're ultra reliable and very comfortable and solid on the road and they handle brilliantly due to the AWD, I actually tried to get mine to lose grip on a wet and twisty road during the winter but nothing phased it. Your car will be slightly harder to run being 28bhp more but t should still do 30mpg on short runs and 35+ on longer runs. mine does 40mpg on very long runs and I've seen 46mpg once on a 120km leisurely drive. They're very low geared and so at 100kmph in 5th gear the engine is ticking over at a shade under 2500rpm. Enjoy it.

Great to hear thanks

The Pontiac

Are you getting it converted to LPG?

allinthehead

The Pontiac wrote: »

Are you getting it converted to LPG?

Ya thats the plan. From what ive read they actually run better on lpg due to engine mapping and lpg being higher octane

The Pontiac

allinthehead wrote: »

Ya thats the plan. From what ive read they actually run better on lpg due to engine mapping and lpg being higher octane

Good, keep us updated on what system you might go for etc. Might head down the Forester LPG route at some stage and they've similar engines.

There's actually a 2005 Forester with LPG converted for sale on DD atm, but looking for something newer with less mileage.

allinthehead

The Pontiac wrote: »

Good, keep us updated on what system you might go for etc. Might head down the Forester LPG route at some stage and they've similar engines.

There's actually a 2005 Forester with LPG converted for sale on DD atm, but looking for something newer with less mileage.

Thats why i chose this one, low mileage. Plan on keeping it till it stops.
Guy in cork recommends prins system. Costs a little bit more but he thinks it worth it. Afaik this model was actually offered with lpg conversion done from new. Will update once conversion is done.

The Pontiac

I agree, I wouldn't want to spend the money on lpg, unless it's a low-ish mileage car and a only few years old.

Must google Prins system, cheers. Will keep an eye out for updates!

allinthehead

The Pontiac wrote: »

I agree, I wouldn't want to spend the money on lpg, unless it's a low-ish mileage car and a only few years old.

Must google Prins system, cheers. Will keep an eye out for updates!

Cant wait for 80 cent per litre so i can enjoy driving again. Taking the car for a spin just for the sake of it. I havent done that for about three years.

Seweryn

allinthehead wrote: »

Cant wait for 80 cent per litre so i can enjoy driving again. Taking the car for a spin just for the sake of it. I havent done that for about three years.

Good plan with LPG - check boards for recommended installers.

Nice car by the way, good luck with it. I didn't spot it from the road, and it is in a place I pass every morning.

Mr.Fred

CJC999 wrote: »

I have an 05 model (140bhp) for the last 18 months and love it. it has cost me zero in that time with the exception of oil/filter change. They're ultra reliable and very comfortable and solid on the road and they handle brilliantly due to the AWD, I actually tried to get mine to lose grip on a wet and twisty road during the winter but nothing phased it. Your car will be slightly harder to run being 28bhp more but t should still do 30mpg on short runs and 35+ on longer runs. mine does 40mpg on very long runs and I've seen 46mpg once on a 120km leisurely drive. They're very low geared and so at 100kmph in 5th gear the engine is ticking over at a shade under 2500rpm. Enjoy it.

You just managed to talk me into one, although I'll probably be looking at a slightly older model

Seweryn

Mr.Fred wrote: »

You just managed to talk me into one, although I'll probably be looking at a slightly older model

The older models, i.e. older generation cars are at least as good (or better even) when it comes to build quality and reliability and they represent excellent value for money, so do not be ":(". They are brilliant, but take your time to source a good example .

Mr.Fred

Seweryn wrote: »

The older models, i.e. older generation cars are at least as good (or better even) when it comes to build quality and reliability and they represent excellent value for money, so do not be ":(". They are brilliant, but take your time to source a good example .

Thanks man will do, Service history seems to be the biggest priority. I'd also be interested in this LPG I've been threatening to give it a go for ages, choosing to avoid bigger petrol engines instead the last while.

Seweryn

Mr.Fred wrote: »

Thanks man will do, Service history seems to be the biggest priority. I'd also be interested in this LPG I've been threatening to give it a go for ages, choosing to avoid bigger petrol engines instead the last while.

Service history is beneficial for sure, but I wouldn't be put off if there is no SH in place in a clean example. I would inspect the car properly and take it from there (you can bring a mechanic with you if you do not feel confident). I would also budget the cam belt change into the deal, if there is no proof of it being changed.

These cars are at the bottom with prices these days and are top value for money.
Some examples:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/5038812

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4846413

Have a look at this tread regarding the LPG conversion. These guys are known for doing good work, so may be a good place to get the conversion done.
Legacy will take the conversion well, however the above generation cars need occasional valve clearance check-up and adjustment. It is a very easy job (labour only) in a car like say Honda, but in a Subaru the access is restricted due to the engine layout (boxer). The older generation car, like my previous one was the last one with an engine with hydraulically controlled valve train (no manual adjustments required).

allinthehead

anyone have any experience of these guys http://www.autogasireland.ie

who_ru

allinthehead wrote: »

anyone have any experience of these guys http://www.autogasireland.ie

no but i got these guys to convert my mazda 6 2009 2 weeks ago and they do a good job. i got it done in Tallaght, took approx 2 days, they also have an outlet in cork.

http://www.lpgain.com/