Faults:

Engine block was cracked. "Certified dealer" was out of business by then, but the warranty covered half the cost.

Same time, it had a transmission rebuild.

Ignition needed changing.

Power steering needed a rebuild.

Various sensors needed changing. Knock sensor broke down 4 times, water temperature sensor broke down twice.

CV boots and joints kept breaking every year.

AC stopped working (re gas... this is not something tragic).

CD stacker broke down.

General Comments:

Car itself was not bad. It felt very solid on the road, and it felt good driving it. Plenty of power across the revs. Handling was not bad either. You could feel it is a heavy car, but pushing it into corners, you could get the feel of what it was about to do.

Interior was very well built, with good materials. I don't remember anything breaking inside at any given time. The semi-bucket seats were comfy and solid.

But overall, it needed high maintenance to even be usable. There was always something wrong with it. If it was not electrical, it was mechanical etc etc. Think more money than the car's value was spent on this thing across these few years. Also, the boxer engine is not like any other conventional engines, so you need to know what you are doing if you don't want to pay someone else.

Overall, I would buy another Legacy, but I would pay more attention at what I am buying. These cars are fast, and often are given a lot of abuse by owners. If buying second hand, just make sure it is treated properly, and when you do own it, try not to hammer it every time you see an open road, and it will last. This car was driven by another family member, who didn't really know what to do with it, and how to treat it. Other cars were fine in her hands though.

Faults:

Replaced the fuel pump.

Brakes.

Air flow meter.

General Comments:

Have heavily modified this car, although keeping the twin turbo set up.

Have chucked on a HKS front mount intercooler.

Sports exhaust system.

2 new much bigger turbos.

Boost control.

Engine basics such as performance air filter BOV etc.

High performance automatic computer.

500HP fuel pump.

Other various minor mods.

For everyone with the automatic version of this car, don't let it stop you modding. This particular model has exactly the same specs as its manual friend, and they are friends (Refer to http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2775/article.html)

I purchased this car stock and it was no slug, although smaller turbos than the later models, and it's significantly lighter. It handles brilliantly.

With all mods listed complete, the car has gained over 100 horsepower.

Instead of buying a B4 for $12-$15K, buy an RS for $4-$6K, spend the rest on mods, and the B4 will suddenly become less attractive.

Faults:

Auto failure (No "D") at 92000km was replaced by the dealer. Took 6 weeks to do so though!

Water pump ($90) at 110000km followed by the radiator ($350) about 2 days later.

Melted No4 piston at 135000km (New long block $1500). Did the cambelt and all the idlers and tensioners ($400) at same time.

New steering rack ends at 137000km ($55).

New bottom rear bushes on front suspension arms ($125).

Now it appears that a wheel bearing is on its way out by the sound of it.

This car has cost me a lot of money over the last 2 years. I have save heaps by doing all the labour myself.

General Comments:

On the good side, it handles well and is reasonably quick. I still enjoy driving it.

The interior is well appointed, with everything within easy reach.