Legacy/Outback durability
Discussion
It seems I'm hurtling uncontrollably towards middle age: no longer am I bothered by powahhh!!111oneoneone, handling, noise or looks. No. Instead, I drive a Volvo 850 estate and find myself more interested in durability and waft ability.
I'm only 31
With that out of the way, may I ask: what are Legacies (Legacys?) and Outbacks like WRT durability and reliability, particularly the automatics. If it helps, say 2004 ("old shape"?) or 2005 (newer, quite-good-looking shape) Whilst I'm aware Subarus are amongst the best generally, is there anything I should be aware of?
Thanks!
I'm only 31
With that out of the way, may I ask: what are Legacies (Legacys?) and Outbacks like WRT durability and reliability, particularly the automatics. If it helps, say 2004 ("old shape"?) or 2005 (newer, quite-good-looking shape) Whilst I'm aware Subarus are amongst the best generally, is there anything I should be aware of?
Thanks!
I have a 2002 Outback with 103,000 miles on it and it just keeps going.
Passed it's MoT last week with no advisories, doesn't use oil just starts and drives. Usual maintenance like brakes, new battery, exhaust (this item in particular can be a little on the expensive side), and CV boots (next job, MoT guy must have missed them), but I've had no problems other than routine stuff.
I went for the 3.0 as it's chain driven unlike the 2.5, so one less thing to worry about.
I actually bought mine just as a winter car to get me through all this snow we've (not) been having, but tend to just jump in it every day and use it. I'd have no hesitation about leaping in it now and doing a 500 mile round trip as I'd trust it to get me there and, most importantly back.
One word of caution: - Fuel consumption. It drinks nearly as much my E63 AMG, averaging 25.6 the last time I checked. I found that the solution to this was to just stop checking.
I'll probably sell it soon as the summer is arriving and it's just taking space up, but I'm certainly not in a rush to do so and will miss it, though with the money I can buy something else which I don't really need...
Passed it's MoT last week with no advisories, doesn't use oil just starts and drives. Usual maintenance like brakes, new battery, exhaust (this item in particular can be a little on the expensive side), and CV boots (next job, MoT guy must have missed them), but I've had no problems other than routine stuff.
I went for the 3.0 as it's chain driven unlike the 2.5, so one less thing to worry about.
I actually bought mine just as a winter car to get me through all this snow we've (not) been having, but tend to just jump in it every day and use it. I'd have no hesitation about leaping in it now and doing a 500 mile round trip as I'd trust it to get me there and, most importantly back.
One word of caution: - Fuel consumption. It drinks nearly as much my E63 AMG, averaging 25.6 the last time I checked. I found that the solution to this was to just stop checking.
I'll probably sell it soon as the summer is arriving and it's just taking space up, but I'm certainly not in a rush to do so and will miss it, though with the money I can buy something else which I don't really need...
I'm on my 3rd
Apart from Granading the engine whilst cruising at 70 on Motorway, in my 2nd
And plenty of electrical gremlins on my current 2005 tourer they've been fine.
If you're unlucky enough to get the electrical probs - you're on your own mate, no one on the forums seems able to suggest possible causes & solutions, worth considering if you're not a Auto Sparky.
Apart from Granading the engine whilst cruising at 70 on Motorway, in my 2nd
And plenty of electrical gremlins on my current 2005 tourer they've been fine.
If you're unlucky enough to get the electrical probs - you're on your own mate, no one on the forums seems able to suggest possible causes & solutions, worth considering if you're not a Auto Sparky.
I've got a GenIV Legacy wagon with 157,000 miles and it just keeps going and going. Nothing has failed catastrophically, but it has had a new clutch (last year, to replace the original) and I just put a new battery in at the weekend (again, to replace the original). Beyond that it's been service parts, brake discs etc, and a new exhaust.
I feel like it will go on forever tbh.
I feel like it will go on forever tbh.
2006 Legacy 3.0R Spec B, 125,000 miles : new brakes all round, new drop links, new passenger side suspension arm, new timing chains and tensioners, new mid to end section stainless steel exhaust, new bushes, new set of winter of tyres and a few bits and pieces with a major service = 3K of savings invested and I have only driven it 5K miles!
Good job I only paid 3K for it and intend to keep it for another 100K miles..
Keep a couple of thousand in the car fund and as mentioned, do not watch the consumption, instead tune the exhaust and enjoy the engine.
The flat 6 is the way to go, but it is a special thing just because it can put a smile on your face regardless of your mood
I realized that we have to enjoy the best engines before they and joy itself is outlawed by the EU. Oh and the fuel is made too expensive!
What is better... a new okay-car which costs a fortune in depreciation or an old great engined car that needs renovating?
You can see which way I went, but you can see I was prepared, so do not think you can avoid trouble with an old beast like this or an M3.
Good job I only paid 3K for it and intend to keep it for another 100K miles..
Keep a couple of thousand in the car fund and as mentioned, do not watch the consumption, instead tune the exhaust and enjoy the engine.
The flat 6 is the way to go, but it is a special thing just because it can put a smile on your face regardless of your mood
I realized that we have to enjoy the best engines before they and joy itself is outlawed by the EU. Oh and the fuel is made too expensive!
What is better... a new okay-car which costs a fortune in depreciation or an old great engined car that needs renovating?
You can see which way I went, but you can see I was prepared, so do not think you can avoid trouble with an old beast like this or an M3.
egor110 said:
i'm thinking of getting a 2.5 outback but keep reading about them having head gasket problems?
That was mainly just an issue with pre-1998 cars (and more common with US models I think), but its one of these stories that keeps going round in circles on the internet making people think its actually a problem.Now on my fourth - a Gen 4 2.0T and v happy. Still have the 2007 2.5 Forester we've had from new and previously had a 98 Gen 3 2.5 Liberty and a 03 Gen 4 2.5 Liberty. No HG probs, no other probs to note, other than routine maintenance. Plenty of people that have had one come back for another.
Knock sensor can go (throws up a engine management light) but this is a easy £35 job to do your self, even a spare threaded hole to screw the new one into near the top of the block to make things easier then the original position.
The air suspension goes and costs a packet but replace with standards springs for less than £500.
Brake calipers can seize but a check and service will sort them out before they become a problem.
I had mine for a year or two and sold it to a PH'er.
Loved that car, cared for it, and it was brilliant. The front seats will fold down to make a bed, or the back will fold flat to make a even bigger bed if you have a mattress. Would drive across a muddy field to see if it could all the time and it always dragged me out. Snow and ice become something you don;t worry about any more (apart from stopping on).
Only issue was the MPG, I got 24-27 out of my 2002 2.5, 29-30mpg on a run down to france.
Get one. I owned my estate at 31, cool as f
k...
The air suspension goes and costs a packet but replace with standards springs for less than £500.
Brake calipers can seize but a check and service will sort them out before they become a problem.
I had mine for a year or two and sold it to a PH'er.
Loved that car, cared for it, and it was brilliant. The front seats will fold down to make a bed, or the back will fold flat to make a even bigger bed if you have a mattress. Would drive across a muddy field to see if it could all the time and it always dragged me out. Snow and ice become something you don;t worry about any more (apart from stopping on).
Only issue was the MPG, I got 24-27 out of my 2002 2.5, 29-30mpg on a run down to france.
Get one. I owned my estate at 31, cool as f
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