Faults:

Transmission started slipping at 175000.

Primary turbo failed at 145000.

Knock sensor failed at 100000.

Airflow meter failed at 100000. This problem is pretty standard for airflow meter equipped vehicles.

Pretty damn good considering I drive this thing within an inch of its life, everywhere I go.

General Comments:

The turbo system is a bit of a let down with its torque curve ie it disappears at 5000rpm for a second or two.

Handles extremely well when comparing to other large cars.

Buy a manual if you can find one.

Faults:

Original battery replaced at 77000 kms.

General Comments:

Great reliable car.

Excellent handling (4wd).

Huge, spacious boot (sedan).

Average economy, which I am willing to live with because of the great reliability and handling.

Faults:

Steering rack needed replacement. Never found out the cause, but apparently it's fairly common.

Seating is starting to tear in places.

General Comments:

Car is quick enough for it's class, but the twin turbo setup is inferior to the previous 1989 RS Legacy's I owned. Lag is pretty noticeable in places. I'm not sure what possessed me to get the tiptronic version either, from what I have read the manual versions are far superior and more enjoyable to drive.

Handles okay for something of its size, but is very thirsty - general use has been for long trips, as is uneconomical to drive around town (IMO, anyway).

Interior is typical Subaru - pretty basic really with hardly any frills. Road noise is pretty low, and is comfortable enough on long trips.

Overall I expected much more - if I buy Subaru again, I'll most likely go with a WRX, as they suit my style of driving better.

Faults:

Radiator top tank sprung a leak.

Alternator died and belched smoke through the vents.

Transmission has a hardened o-ring, so when changing into "Drive", it doesn't build up the pressure quick enough to engage, only happens occasionally and transmission treatment is a quick fix that lasts a couple of months.

You can't blame the car for these faults, it's from a lack of servicing from previous owners.

General Comments:

This car handles incredibly, my last car was a 1994 Nissan Skyline GTS25, the Legacy is slightly heavier, but actually feels a lot lighter, due to it's extra power and awesome handling.

I have the tiptronic gearbox and I love the low down torque from the primary turbo. I can floor it and get going quick without going over 3000rpm.

For the occasions when I floor it all the way up to red line, it's a rocket.

The car is slightly too small for me now, as I have 3 kids and a wife, so with two kiddy seats in the back my 7 year old is a bit squashed when she's sitting between them both. We don't go on long drives, so this isn't a problem yet, but will be when she grows a bit more.

Faults:

Nothing went seriously wrong, but there was a lot of under-bonnet corrosion of engine ancillaries when new.

Paint quality is very poor and stone chips were pinging it off down to bare metal.

Brake discs warped and needed machining at 30000 kms.

General Comments:

Good car from a reliability perspective, but don't buy one if you have long legs. The driving position is appalling, and about 2 hours is your lot before a good stretch. The firewall is simply too close to you.

Very expensive to feed and service. Good on tyres (80000ks on original Michelins), but it was lightly driven.

Ride as good as a Renault, but handling on these basic models is not as good as you might think. A Mondeo is much better around fast bends.