Tell me about the Legacy
Discussion
I have a 2007 outback 3.0R, automatic it has been fab for the last 12 months and 20k miles - just routine maintenance really. they do seem to have a weakness around drop links though
The auto box is not as smooth as that which I enjoyed in my previous mercs - (1989 w201 and 1997 w202) but the engine is a peach, I previously has a forester with 2.0 normally aspirated engine, which was also fine, although it has to be worked a little more for rapid progress, but as a family hack the legacy/outback is hard to beat, its v comfy and spacious enough
my 3.0 manages to average 27.5mpg, I think my old 2.0 forester averaged about 32mpg over the couple of years I had it, when I was looking there werent many legacy/outbacks about and I so I looked at examples of both, the car I bought was a couple of grand cheaper than the equivalent 4 cylinder cars and so I reasoned that the difference would offset slightly better mpg for a good while.
The auto box is not as smooth as that which I enjoyed in my previous mercs - (1989 w201 and 1997 w202) but the engine is a peach, I previously has a forester with 2.0 normally aspirated engine, which was also fine, although it has to be worked a little more for rapid progress, but as a family hack the legacy/outback is hard to beat, its v comfy and spacious enough
my 3.0 manages to average 27.5mpg, I think my old 2.0 forester averaged about 32mpg over the couple of years I had it, when I was looking there werent many legacy/outbacks about and I so I looked at examples of both, the car I bought was a couple of grand cheaper than the equivalent 4 cylinder cars and so I reasoned that the difference would offset slightly better mpg for a good while.
Very well made, generally good petrol engines and quite a looker in touring form. The Spec-B gets a lot of praise but the little 2.0 makes for an easy ownership and does the lugging job very well. Personally I'd go for the 2.0R as I didn't see much from the 3.0 to justify the extra costs, although it is probably the best one in the line-up. So long as it's got full history it'll be a great car.
Thanks chaps. I have been doing a bit more reading also and it sounds like a good choice motor which fits the bill nicely. I'm keen to get away from diesel and with the mileage we do as a family now the decrease in economy is not amajor issue. I like what I hear/read about build quality and reliability and I accept that parts and servicing may be a little on the pricey side. I'm sure there are good specialists out there to cover the maintenance instead of paying main dealer prices.
mick_coupe said:
Had my Legacy 2.0R tourer since august.Managed to pick up a 2007 one owner with 37,000 miles.Its a great car, regularly getting 32 mpg and on a run in September loaded for hols with the dog managed to get 43 on the motorway !
Mick
Sounds good Mick. Now if I could find one of a similar age and mileage I might snap it up, but there aren't too many around for sale at present that are within a sensible distance from home.Mick
Anyone know what the service intervals are for the 2.0 petrol and in particular what the recommendation is re cambelt changes? It is a belt, isn't it?
60k t belt intervals, keep an eye on oil level, and they wil go on and on and on.... I think the 2.5 is a better bet, but they are rarer, better on fuel than the 2.0 and they dont have the secondary air pump stuff the later 2.0 have, i wouldn't worry too much about milages, they last very well, subaru owners tend to be very good at maintenance but less good at cosmetic care... They are bought by folk to do big milages carrying kids dogs and firewood in rural areas, they all look good in pictures but you need to either trust who you are buying from or go and see / smell them, i have run subarus for years and my 53 outback is cosmetically knacered, but wont die, when it does, it will be with another from the same era, newer ones have imo lost their way...
sisley said:
Nice, but I'm after the estate version.as stated, drop links. replace with Whiteline parts front n rear and all should be well.
If you realy want to change the front lower wishbone fwd and rear bush to improve 'feel' (thay apparently get soft over time.) again Whiteline (call Jim@Camskill).
No interior air filter as std, the fan has a slot for it, but the dash doesnt have the access without taking quite alot off. solution is to take if off once then dremmel a slot in the plastic panel *behind* the glove box (not the rear of teh box itself) then next time just remove glove box and bobs your mums bruv.
3.0 get alot of love here, chain engine.
Mine is a 2007 2.0GT which at 60k runs great. The 2.0 & 2.5 are belt.
Autos are marmite, depends on your drive. Iv test drove a 3.0 something-tronic auto which I thought was fine.
Get friendly with your local petrol station, you will be seeing them often.
Service often and use the OEM 3.0 black, made in japan not the blue made in canada, oil filter and Im sure you will have a great car thats quite nice to drive.
If you realy want to change the front lower wishbone fwd and rear bush to improve 'feel' (thay apparently get soft over time.) again Whiteline (call Jim@Camskill).
No interior air filter as std, the fan has a slot for it, but the dash doesnt have the access without taking quite alot off. solution is to take if off once then dremmel a slot in the plastic panel *behind* the glove box (not the rear of teh box itself) then next time just remove glove box and bobs your mums bruv.
3.0 get alot of love here, chain engine.
Mine is a 2007 2.0GT which at 60k runs great. The 2.0 & 2.5 are belt.
Autos are marmite, depends on your drive. Iv test drove a 3.0 something-tronic auto which I thought was fine.
Get friendly with your local petrol station, you will be seeing them often.
Service often and use the OEM 3.0 black, made in japan not the blue made in canada, oil filter and Im sure you will have a great car thats quite nice to drive.
The 3.0 costs £500pa in VED but doesn't need timing belts changing like the 2.0 and 2.5.
Seriously consider getting an LPG conversion; my Impreza WRX has done 33,000 troouble free LPG miles in the 2 years I've had it. The price of LPG has dropped as well as the price of petrol.
It's a nightmare if you want to change or upgrade the stereo, because it's built into the facia with the climate control ststem. It's the thing that I'm not looking forward to
Seriously consider getting an LPG conversion; my Impreza WRX has done 33,000 troouble free LPG miles in the 2 years I've had it. The price of LPG has dropped as well as the price of petrol.
It's a nightmare if you want to change or upgrade the stereo, because it's built into the facia with the climate control ststem. It's the thing that I'm not looking forward to
For about £200 you can get a panel kit that separates out the air con from the stereo - I did this and have an alpine satnav unit fitted with iPod, amp etc in mine. Hammonds Subaru can import from Japan. Just make sure you get the right one - mine is facelift car so different colour - between them the ICE installer I used / Hammonds got the wrong one and it took months and months to get the right one
Edited by oop north on Wednesday 14th January 20:40
oop north said:
For about £200 you can get a panel kit that separates out the air con from the stereo - I did this and have an alpine satnav unit fitted with iPod, amp etc in mine. Hammonds Subaru can import from Japan. Just make sure you get the right one - mine is facelift car so different cloud - between them the ICE installer I used / Hammonds got the wrong one and it took months and months to get the right one
Ouch! I've seen photo-strips on Scooby forums where people have cut a hole in the panel to fit the new unit through. I have pretty good hand-tool skills and would probably go down that route.Ive had my Subaru Legacy GT for nearly 3 years and have found it a little bit less smooth than the Audi Estate and BMW saloon Id had before but where it excels is on value for money at purchase and running. Great reliability and a bit cheaper to run & fix than the German cars. It feels rugged as well so it can take more knocks or maybe its just me that feels that way!! They seem to be able to survive high mileages and ill treatment judging by some farming pals I have.
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