Subaru Legacy

squerble

squerble

squerble

Soldato
Joined
13 Apr 2009
Posts
6,514
Location
UK
What's the crack with these? Considering going looking at this one:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ue/radius/20/page/1/postcode/wn58ba?logcode=p


Are they any good? They look really nice, interior looks nice too (yet to see it in the flesh though)! Any things to look out for?

Heard they're a bit thirsty, does anyone know what sort of economy I'd be getting out of them? For those too lazy to click the above link is a 2.0 litre automatic model. :)
 
That's a rather gutless version of the Legacy as it's the NA version so develops about 140bhp IIRC. It's slow and uninspiring although solid and safe. The interior is not as bland as my 2002 GTB's but it's certainly not class leading.

I don't know anything about the economy on it but I wouldn't be surprised if it was poor in common with the rest of the range. The auto boxes are better than the first and second generation cars but still get some stick for being a bit "chocolatey". If you don't rag it everywhere - and you won't be, trust me - then you should be fine.

The 100k service is the biggie : cambelt, water pump, all fluids, filters, etc etc. A good indy will do it cheaper but you're still looking at between 5 and 8 hundred quid.

I'm pretty sure that 5 grand will get you an older but more impressive Legacy.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1752557.htm is more expensive but has a decent engine.
 
My Dad had a 2.0 estate, 54 plate, same colour as that one, averaged 23-25mpg around town, about 28 on a run, I'd expect the auto to be worse....

I drove it a few times, not the most involving drive, it seemed to have excellent grip and steered well but the brakes were pretty poor. Its a heavy car for the engine in 2.0 form, did sound nice (flat 4 hum) but was not quick in the slightest. Interior is well built, slightly plasticcy in places but a definite step up from the Impreza of similar era, and IMHO superior to the likes of equivalent Vectra and Mondeo. Standard stereo is poor and you will not have an easy time upgrading it (if at all possible). Very reliable though and dealers were excellent.

What car are you considering replacing with the Legacy? My inclination if you value performance would be to aim for a 2.5 or even the 3.0R, not much different in terms of fuel economy IIRC but the extra grunt would make for a far nicer drive. In the pre-facelift the 2.5i gets you nicer seats and higher basic spec too, the 3.0 is pretty much loaded with kit..Post facelift cars I am less sure of the differences.
 
[FnG]magnolia;16993705 said:
That's a rather gutless version of the Legacy as it's the NA version so develops about 140bhp IIRC. It's slow and uninspiring although solid and safe. The interior is not as bland as my 2002 GTB's but it's certainly not class leading.

I don't know anything about the economy on it but I wouldn't be surprised if it was poor in common with the rest of the range. The auto boxes are better than the first and second generation cars but still get some stick for being a bit "chocolatey". If you don't rag it everywhere - and you won't be, trust me - then you should be fine.

The 100k service is the biggie : cambelt, water pump, all fluids, filters, etc etc. A good indy will do it cheaper but you're still looking at between 5 and 8 hundred quid.

I'm pretty sure that 5 grand will get you an older but more impressive Legacy.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1752557.htm is more expensive but has a decent engine.
Click to expand...


I'd love a 3.0L version, however I'm really not after performance, I'm hoping to just waft around in relative comfort. It will be mostly town driving and I think 3.0L would be a touch overkill ;) I think the 2.0 is originally 165bhp but dropped to 150bhp (but with increased torque) in 2007 or so.
 
Very high running costs compared to what the car actually is.
Fuel, servicing, maintanance, parts.

I loved the one we had, drove well indeed.

I paid 6k for a 2006 06 with 60k on the clock in feb last year!
 
When choosing that generation of Legacies and Outbacks you have to go for the H6 engine. Not in spec B, but just regular 3 litre H6. All the other models just don't make sense. You have 2litre, which is slow and does 28-30 mpg. Then you have 2.5 litre, which is still slow and does 30 mpg. And then you have 3.0, which is relatively fast and.. you guessed it - still does 28-30mpg.

Due to UK importers not being right in the head, any consumables and parts are quite literally priced like cutting edge medical supplies. The good news is - H6 is chain driven, doesn't need major maintenance beyond regular oil and filter changes and tech is solid - they just don't go wrong often enough for you to feel robbed by main dealer price lists. Later models, with SI drive are much better choice, but in general, because, once again - UK importers are not right in the head and keep pricing up Legacies and Outbacks to compete with BMW, instead of what Subaru really is - a Japanese Skoda - many of the higher models were imported through backdoors of Europe - places like Cyprus or Ireland and as result the specs are often quite random, despite the same model badges - in general you want your 3 litre Legacy to come with leather, sunroof, climate control, SI drive and Nav screen - Nav is naff, but the screen serves as very good stats display.
 
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