Tell me about the Legacy
Discussion
if you are buying a few years old and want to keep it a long time, buy petrol.. if you are buying new and change before its done too many miles and before warranty expires, diesel would be ok I guess, I don't like them but haven't had great luck with them, esp the earlier ones. lack of low ratio on the diesels was another negative for me. the 2.5 petrol with a manual box is imo the best all rounder great on fuel u average 36mpg in mine, last forever, they are quite rare though. especially later ones. manuals don't seem to be available on new model legacy 2.5's .....
I had an 08 outback diesel for four years and 64k miles. A friend had an 08 legacy diesel estate - he had to fit a replacement engine (£5k) and I got rid because my engine was on the way out. A fair few people have had clutch problems though mine was fine. Not with a barge pole is, I believe, the correct advice
My research and possible searh is on hold for now, but it's interesting to read the comments made so far. If I do buy one it will not be a diesel as I'm looking to move away from oil burners.
Having just forked out a reasonably large sum for work on our existing car I think it best that I stick with it for a bit longer. I'm sure I'll be back on the hunt though before too long.
Having just forked out a reasonably large sum for work on our existing car I think it best that I stick with it for a bit longer. I'm sure I'll be back on the hunt though before too long.
Mr Taxpayer said:
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.
2 issues getting confused.Opp North is taking about the centre console replacement so you can fit a aftermarket stereo whilst keeping the AC controls.
Changing the AC air filter.. you are correct.. about cutting a hole in the rear panel behind the glove box is the best way forward
Hi all, new to this section as I got rid of my charged vxr8 last summer (hsv and monaro forum). I have been looking for something which puts a smile on my face while still being practical and able to tow etc. I have been reading the various threads and decided on a 2.5 legacy Outback. Thought I wanted a manual until I test drove an auto today, its an 08 with 70k on the clock in black and they are willing to give me a very good trade in on my Nissan Patrol which has to pay for 95% of it. Anyway It looks like I going to go for it, just a few paint issues to sort (a good detail hopefully) and I will be bothering all of you for more info........................Chris
pstruck said:
So what can you tell me to either encourage or discourage me from buying?
FWIW, I've just bought my 2nd 4th Generation Legacy. Ran a 2.5SE for a couple of years and then, in a fit of stupidity, sold it and started regretting the sale as it drove off the drive.Now running an imported GTB with 100K on the clock that drives (and looks) like it's done 20K.
Build quality, comfort, looks and ability to get your family safely there in any road conditions short of a national disaster...
Some other great resources, with helpful inhabitants (!) are :-
http://www.uklegacy.com
http://legacygt.com
Edited by Dave2P on Tuesday 27th January 07:33
oop north said:
Diesel disaster update - friend who had replacement engine in his Legacy reports that the replacement engine had a cylinder go phut...
On the auto front - anyone with a 3.0 find it a bit "thumpy" at times? Worried there might be something wrong with mine
Was the replacement new, rebuilt or just second hand?On the auto front - anyone with a 3.0 find it a bit "thumpy" at times? Worried there might be something wrong with mine
oop north said:
Gearbox - a sudden thud or thump on changing gear. Upsets my mechanical sympathy!
If this is from a cold start (on very cold mornings), then it seems to be pretty normal behaviour.Otherwise, could be due to the gearbox fluid being old or just very slightly under or over filled. Start there - two levels to check; hot and cold, and it's a bit of a sod to get a clear reading off the dipstick but can be done...
Dave2P said:
oop north said:
Gearbox - a sudden thud or thump on changing gear. Upsets my mechanical sympathy!
If this is from a cold start (on very cold mornings), then it seems to be pretty normal behaviour.Otherwise, could be due to the gearbox fluid being old or just very slightly under or over filled. Start there - two levels to check; hot and cold, and it's a bit of a sod to get a clear reading off the dipstick but can be done...
Thanks - I was a little concerned about the gearbox oil cos it was serviced (by previous owner) at a non-Subariu garage but the one I use (independent Subaru Specialist) checked and they said they did everything required according to Subaru specs (including transmission oil check.
The thumpiness I have noticed has been when cold - but I am not sure it doesn't happen when warm - it's a while since it got properly warm! If it happens when warm I will look further into it
The thumpiness I have noticed has been when cold - but I am not sure it doesn't happen when warm - it's a while since it got properly warm! If it happens when warm I will look further into it
Regarding the auto transmission, it really needs a flush and change every 40k miles or so to prevent problems. Most garages (including main dealers) just drain what's in the pan and refill to the correct level. Since you can't drain the torque converter separately, most of the old fluid will remain. It needs to be drained, the same amount of fresh fluid added, run up to temp, and repeat 3 or 4 times until fluid is all clean. There is also a spin-on cartridge filter, hidden behind the front of the nearside arch liner beneath the headlight, which even a lot of main dealers don't seem to know about.
Had a '99 BH5 GTB in Aztec Gold and I bloody loved it. Mine hadn't been very well loved unfortunately so I had to do a bit of work to it (rocker gaskets, unstick the calipers etc). I sold it to fund my travels to NZ, and after being here for a bit and seeing them absolutely everywhere I'm looking for another one to import when I'm back home!
I've had 2 legacy estates - a 2.5SE Auto 53 reg (04 on model) and a 2.0R Auto 56 reg.
The 2.5 was by far the better car - the engine wasn't trying so hard and had the torque to cope with the ratio changes with only 4 speeds in the box, although it always seems like 5 speeds - as it does the 4 gears then locks up the torque convertor to drop some more revs off, so it really isn't as bad as it sounds.
Incidentally the 2.5 auto is the most economical in the range (better than the manual), presumably due to the long gearing.
On paper the 0-60 doesn't look great - but if you squash the carpet to overtake something the midrange shove is pretty good.
Leather interior way nicer than cloth, big sunroof, heated seats all come with SE / RE as well as stability control. (There is an REn as well that add Satnav - no idea if it's worth having).
A lovely lovely car - I can't tell you how much I miss it.
Incidentally the gearbox thump discussed above - I could get mine to do that with a bit if enthusiastic cornering at low speed (pulling away 'swiftly' on a corner)- I don't know if it was fluid starvation due to the fluid sloshing to one side in the gearbox sump? It never did it any other time.
I never sorted it - I had an altercation with an armco barrier but I can tell you from experience it's a very strong car :-/
The 2.5 was by far the better car - the engine wasn't trying so hard and had the torque to cope with the ratio changes with only 4 speeds in the box, although it always seems like 5 speeds - as it does the 4 gears then locks up the torque convertor to drop some more revs off, so it really isn't as bad as it sounds.
Incidentally the 2.5 auto is the most economical in the range (better than the manual), presumably due to the long gearing.
On paper the 0-60 doesn't look great - but if you squash the carpet to overtake something the midrange shove is pretty good.
Leather interior way nicer than cloth, big sunroof, heated seats all come with SE / RE as well as stability control. (There is an REn as well that add Satnav - no idea if it's worth having).
A lovely lovely car - I can't tell you how much I miss it.
Incidentally the gearbox thump discussed above - I could get mine to do that with a bit if enthusiastic cornering at low speed (pulling away 'swiftly' on a corner)- I don't know if it was fluid starvation due to the fluid sloshing to one side in the gearbox sump? It never did it any other time.
I never sorted it - I had an altercation with an armco barrier but I can tell you from experience it's a very strong car :-/
Gassing Station | Subaru | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff