Buying advice and real world fuel consumpti - Legacy estate
Discussion
Hi. I'm interested in getting a legacy estate ('06-'07). After a lot of trouble in the past with auto gearboxes and diesels, I think a 2ltr manual may be more reliable !?
What is the fuel consumption like in the real world?
What are common faults to check for- how reliable is the AWD drivetrain?
What is the spec level/ options available?
Are there any decent websites for more info?
Many thanks
What is the fuel consumption like in the real world?
What are common faults to check for- how reliable is the AWD drivetrain?
What is the spec level/ options available?
Are there any decent websites for more info?
Many thanks
I've a 2006 2 litre manual in RE trim.
This is a later 160 bhp engine and normal fuel consumption averages around 29-30 mpg in mixed traffic. You can achieve mid 30s on a run.
RE trim adds leather, heated seats and a double length sunroof but toys are thin on the ground otherwise.
On '06/07 cars you'll be looking at cars due the belt change service at 5 yrs/60k miles. Outside of consumables I've had front lower bushes and droplinks to replace. The exhaust Y piece is also showing signs of corrosion where the pipe splits. My car is also now showing a definite transmission whine which would be one thing to listen out for.
This is a later 160 bhp engine and normal fuel consumption averages around 29-30 mpg in mixed traffic. You can achieve mid 30s on a run.
RE trim adds leather, heated seats and a double length sunroof but toys are thin on the ground otherwise.
On '06/07 cars you'll be looking at cars due the belt change service at 5 yrs/60k miles. Outside of consumables I've had front lower bushes and droplinks to replace. The exhaust Y piece is also showing signs of corrosion where the pipe splits. My car is also now showing a definite transmission whine which would be one thing to listen out for.
Thanks. I had a look at an '07 55,000 mile RE example today. It did not have the sunroof. Seemed in good order, but a little high in cost - £6400
The rear pair of tyres were a little thin, but were a pair, the fronts were not matched with each other
Will having different tyres harm the transmition?
Thanks
The rear pair of tyres were a little thin, but were a pair, the fronts were not matched with each other
Will having different tyres harm the transmition?
Thanks
I'd be wary of a car with mismatched tyres. Original equipment were Bridgestone RE050A which are around £130 a corner. I recently replaced my tyres with Falken ZE914 which I've been pretty impressed with and are £84 a corner. Maybe I'm a bit retentive about tyres but it suggests corners being cut to me.
I've read about the potential for premature transmission wear due to mismatched tyres and the user manual suggests swapping tyres around every 5000 or so miles.
I've read about the potential for premature transmission wear due to mismatched tyres and the user manual suggests swapping tyres around every 5000 or so miles.
All the above is good advice. We have a 55 2.0 auto at 78k kiles. Average is about 26mpg but the Mrs mostly does short school/work trips. The only thing we have done is the Y muffler joint, front end bushes and changing consumables. The autos are solid, albeit only 4 gears. Very solid reliable cars. I have stuck with the RE050As. I believe having different tyres on can affect the AWD.
I have had a 2.0R (2006) auto and a 2.5SE (2004) auto both estates.
Without doing a long comparison forget the 2 litre, 2.5 is streets ahead and more economical.
2.5 I was getting early 30's on car display just knocking around, could get it over 40 on a motorway run not always hanging about, real world figures no doubt a bit lower but usually a bit over 300 miles to a tank.
Auto not the last word in sophistication but never gave me any issues, and it is more economical than the manual due to tall gearing.
The auto to me had a lovely laid back waft along nature and the 2.5 was very torquey and a good match.
Although auto is only a 4 speeder it does effectively have 5 ratios as it locks up the torque convertor in top.
Easy to buy a 2.5 cheap as everyone thinks they drink like a fish, mine was better than the gf's 1.6 Kia which is just laughable.
Go for leather interior, seats are far more comfortable than cloth.
Hope this helps.
Without doing a long comparison forget the 2 litre, 2.5 is streets ahead and more economical.
2.5 I was getting early 30's on car display just knocking around, could get it over 40 on a motorway run not always hanging about, real world figures no doubt a bit lower but usually a bit over 300 miles to a tank.
Auto not the last word in sophistication but never gave me any issues, and it is more economical than the manual due to tall gearing.
The auto to me had a lovely laid back waft along nature and the 2.5 was very torquey and a good match.
Although auto is only a 4 speeder it does effectively have 5 ratios as it locks up the torque convertor in top.
Easy to buy a 2.5 cheap as everyone thinks they drink like a fish, mine was better than the gf's 1.6 Kia which is just laughable.
Go for leather interior, seats are far more comfortable than cloth.
Hope this helps.
Autos are great for towing due to the torque convertor but if you prefer a manual I can't really comment as I haven't had one, agreed the low ratios do sound useful.
Like you I am now steering clear of diesels as they are so bloody complex now and with all the latest emissions equipment not always that economical in real world motoring.
I steer clear of manuals aswell due to possible dual mass flywheel / clutch expense.
I just prefer autos anyway for a daily hack so its a no brainer for me. Track car etc I'd have a manual every time.
Like you I am now steering clear of diesels as they are so bloody complex now and with all the latest emissions equipment not always that economical in real world motoring.
I steer clear of manuals aswell due to possible dual mass flywheel / clutch expense.
I just prefer autos anyway for a daily hack so its a no brainer for me. Track car etc I'd have a manual every time.
Another note is at certain years 2.5 was not available - 2.0 was tuned for more hp and 2.5 dropped mid model life, then 2.5 reintroduced again later.
If you look at Legacy Outback (same car but with jacked up suspension) lowest engine in those is always 2.5, I don't think 2.0 was ever an option.
I am not driving at present due to health issues but as soon as I am again I will be looking for a 2.5 auto again, I wouldn't consider anything else. If you buy one and the drive feels a bit off get a 4 wheel alignment done at a proper alignment specialist, it transforms the car and you will save on tyres being eaten anyway.
If you look at Legacy Outback (same car but with jacked up suspension) lowest engine in those is always 2.5, I don't think 2.0 was ever an option.
I am not driving at present due to health issues but as soon as I am again I will be looking for a 2.5 auto again, I wouldn't consider anything else. If you buy one and the drive feels a bit off get a 4 wheel alignment done at a proper alignment specialist, it transforms the car and you will save on tyres being eaten anyway.
Edited by Barkychoc on Tuesday 26th February 10:22
danncus said:
What is the spec level/ options available?
Many thanks
As far as I know this age of Legacy don't have an aux in for ipods if you're interested in that kind of thing. Also there are no cheap replacement facias to add your own din sized stereo unit for things like DAB radio. The only way seems to be an expensive facia replacement unit that replicates the climate control as well as adding a din slot. I am happy to be corrected though.Many thanks
Models are S / SE / SEn later changed to R / RE / REn
Basically S / R has cloth seats.
SE / RE has leather heated seats (drivers electric adjustable) and big sunroof, maybe a few other bits I missed.
SEn / REn adds satnav.
Might be a bit of variation with the sunroof over the years.
I am ignoring the 3 litre models.
2.5 def better on fuel - don't get me wrong if you drive like Colin Mcrae from every set of lights it isn't going to be economical, but driven sensibly using the torque is the way to go.
Basically S / R has cloth seats.
SE / RE has leather heated seats (drivers electric adjustable) and big sunroof, maybe a few other bits I missed.
SEn / REn adds satnav.
Might be a bit of variation with the sunroof over the years.
I am ignoring the 3 litre models.
2.5 def better on fuel - don't get me wrong if you drive like Colin Mcrae from every set of lights it isn't going to be economical, but driven sensibly using the torque is the way to go.
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