Mk5 Legacy (2009 - 2014)
Discussion
Need a family barge and really want to go jap if possible. Anyone had experience of running the milder engine variants? The Mk5 are not thought of as good looking but I don't mind them as a daily runaround.
Reliability is important but also something not completely dull/slow would be welcome. Unfortunately the Japanese offerings generally seem to swing from incredibly boring to something too spicy for me to run as a sensible cost daily (i'm looking at you 3.6R).
I want to stick to the UK models because I just want to be able to walk into a motor factors/ECP and buy service items/parts.
Engine options:
- 2.0 diesel - research suggests give this a wide birth due to reliability?
- 2.5 petrol is attractive but still seems to attract a reputation HG issues?
The CVT gearbox also doesn't have the best reputation but unsure if this is over egged on forums?
Reliability is important but also something not completely dull/slow would be welcome. Unfortunately the Japanese offerings generally seem to swing from incredibly boring to something too spicy for me to run as a sensible cost daily (i'm looking at you 3.6R).
I want to stick to the UK models because I just want to be able to walk into a motor factors/ECP and buy service items/parts.
Engine options:
- 2.0 diesel - research suggests give this a wide birth due to reliability?
- 2.5 petrol is attractive but still seems to attract a reputation HG issues?
The CVT gearbox also doesn't have the best reputation but unsure if this is over egged on forums?
The 2.0D was awful earlier in on the run. I see far more high mile ones for sale and less spares and repairs after around 2012/3.
The head jacket issues were on a single overhead cam 2.5 about two decades ago. People parroting something they read on Mighty Car Mods Facebook pages perpetuate that one.
The CVT can suffer things that most autos can. I think the biggest grumble is that they don't sell individual solonoids so if you get issues with the valve body it's a whole unit. Other than that, most of the reports I've seen have been from high mileage high altitude cars in the states that have never had a fluid service.
The head jacket issues were on a single overhead cam 2.5 about two decades ago. People parroting something they read on Mighty Car Mods Facebook pages perpetuate that one.
The CVT can suffer things that most autos can. I think the biggest grumble is that they don't sell individual solonoids so if you get issues with the valve body it's a whole unit. Other than that, most of the reports I've seen have been from high mileage high altitude cars in the states that have never had a fluid service.
Konan said:
The 2.0D was awful earlier in on the run. I see far more high mile ones for sale and less spares and repairs after around 2012/3.
The head jacket issues were on a single overhead cam 2.5 about two decades ago. People parroting something they read on Mighty Car Mods Facebook pages perpetuate that one.
The CVT can suffer things that most autos can. I think the biggest grumble is that they don't sell individual solonoids so if you get issues with the valve body it's a whole unit. Other than that, most of the reports I've seen have been from high mileage high altitude cars in the states that have never had a fluid service.
Great info thanks, good to know about the HG. I did think it was odd Subaru couldn't solve the HG problem in 20 odd years.The head jacket issues were on a single overhead cam 2.5 about two decades ago. People parroting something they read on Mighty Car Mods Facebook pages perpetuate that one.
The CVT can suffer things that most autos can. I think the biggest grumble is that they don't sell individual solonoids so if you get issues with the valve body it's a whole unit. Other than that, most of the reports I've seen have been from high mileage high altitude cars in the states that have never had a fluid service.
Was leaning away from the diesel anyway so no great loss there.
I shall start searching more seriously.
Post 2011 2.0D are fine, they sorted all the issues then, the CVT is fine, works like an auto, I have a JDM Legacy 5eat and a Forester XT with CVT, the CVT is very smooth and keeps the engine in the sweet spot for power, so turbo on boost and just shifts through the so called gears, I have had the Forester 2 years or so and its been perfect, no CVT issues at all. Mate has a 2016 Outback with the D engine and CVT, again no issues with either.
People think CVT and DAF Variomatics, the Subaru box in chain driven and made by Toyota.
People think CVT and DAF Variomatics, the Subaru box in chain driven and made by Toyota.
Edited by sledge68 on Thursday 23 July 14:55
sledge68 said:
Post 2011 2.0D are fine, they sorted all the issues then, the CVT is fine, works like an auto, I have a JDM Legacy 5eat and a Forester XT with CVT, the CVT is very smooth and keeps the engine in the sweet spot for power, so turbo on boost and just shifts through the so called gears, I have had the Forester 2 years or so and its been perfect, no CVT issues at all. Mate has a 2016 Outback with the D engine and CVT, again no issues with either.
People think CVT and DAF Variomatics, the Subaru box in chain driven and made by Toyota.
Good to know, thanks.People think CVT and DAF Variomatics, the Subaru box in chain driven and made by Toyota.
Edited by sledge68 on Thursday 23 July 14:55
Tim Cognito said:
duggyfresh said:
What about a UK levorg? Especially if you don't want a performance variant. Better looks and interior quality
These do look nice but they are more than I wanted to spend.I was trying to avoid too much complexity as having something simple/reliable I can maintain myself is important. The Levorg probably wouldn't be classed as simple, with the awd system, direct injection, CVT etc.
The other contender is the honda accord tourer (8th gen) , 2.0 n/a petrol. Much simpler, but also slower and slightly older.
Tim Cognito said:
On second thoughts, these look decent and tick a lot of boxes. I am slightly put off by the CVT still, but not from a reliability perspective. When you are accelerating, does it hold the revs completely steady as the "ratio" changes to increase wheel speed?
The answer is 'depends'. Yes, it holds RPM when driving gently. I can pull from 30-60 in mine with it sat at 1600rpm. If you put your foot down a little more, it might do it at 2000rpm to get a bit more power. It's not massively dissimilar to a conventional auto, which will also slightly hold RPM with slip from the torque converter.I think the TR580s on the 2.5 N/A cars also do this holding far higher RPMs - mainly because it's a low power engine so it holds the RPM for max power... which can make them sound/feel very thrashy. On mine, it'll tend to step more like a regular auto if you drive a little quicker.
I can only go by mine, which is a 690 on a JDM turbo.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Konan said:
The answer is 'depends'. Yes, it holds RPM when driving gently. I can pull from 30-60 in mine with it sat at 1600rpm. If you put your foot down a little more, it might do it at 2000rpm to get a bit more power. It's not massively dissimilar to a conventional auto, which will also slightly hold RPM with slip from the torque converter.
I think the TR580s on the 2.5 N/A cars also do this holding far higher RPMs - mainly because it's a low power engine so it holds the RPM for max power... which can make them sound/feel very thrashy. On mine, it'll tend to step more like a regular auto if you drive a little quicker.
I can only go by mine, which is a 690 on a JDM turbo.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I have been reading up on them a lot and saw a few comments saying the newer DIT engines are far nicer with CVT than the previous NA due to low down torque.I think the TR580s on the 2.5 N/A cars also do this holding far higher RPMs - mainly because it's a low power engine so it holds the RPM for max power... which can make them sound/feel very thrashy. On mine, it'll tend to step more like a regular auto if you drive a little quicker.
I can only go by mine, which is a 690 on a JDM turbo.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'm about to go on holiday so hoping to have some free time so I'll read through your thread then.
Tim Cognito said:
Konan said:
The answer is 'depends'. Yes, it holds RPM when driving gently. I can pull from 30-60 in mine with it sat at 1600rpm. If you put your foot down a little more, it might do it at 2000rpm to get a bit more power. It's not massively dissimilar to a conventional auto, which will also slightly hold RPM with slip from the torque converter.
I think the TR580s on the 2.5 N/A cars also do this holding far higher RPMs - mainly because it's a low power engine so it holds the RPM for max power... which can make them sound/feel very thrashy. On mine, it'll tend to step more like a regular auto if you drive a little quicker.
I can only go by mine, which is a 690 on a JDM turbo.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I have been reading up on them a lot and saw a few comments saying the newer DIT engines are far nicer with CVT than the previous NA due to low down torque.I think the TR580s on the 2.5 N/A cars also do this holding far higher RPMs - mainly because it's a low power engine so it holds the RPM for max power... which can make them sound/feel very thrashy. On mine, it'll tend to step more like a regular auto if you drive a little quicker.
I can only go by mine, which is a 690 on a JDM turbo.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'm about to go on holiday so hoping to have some free time so I'll read through your thread then.
I think on reflection, at this stage in my life, being as reliable and easy to DIY as possible is a high priority and the Levorg scores worse on those relative to something like the 8th gen honda accord which is n/a, "normal" gearbox, fwd only, port injection etc.
Definitely wouldn't write one off for the future though...
Tim Cognito said:
Had a read last night, lovely motor. They have a lot going for them for sure.
I think on reflection, at this stage in my life, being as reliable and easy to DIY as possible is a high priority and the Levorg scores worse on those relative to something like the 8th gen honda accord which is n/a, "normal" gearbox, fwd only, port injection etc.
Definitely wouldn't write one off for the future though...
If it helps,I do all my own work and maintenance on it. But I do have 15 years general Subaru experience under the belt.I think on reflection, at this stage in my life, being as reliable and easy to DIY as possible is a high priority and the Levorg scores worse on those relative to something like the 8th gen honda accord which is n/a, "normal" gearbox, fwd only, port injection etc.
Definitely wouldn't write one off for the future though...
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