1991 Subaru Legacy L 2.2
Summary:
Keeps going like an Energizer Bunny
Faults:
Transmission 140,000 miles.
Axle 18,000 54,000 150,000 290,000.
Visor 40,000 100,000.
Water pump 117,000.
Brakes every 40,000.
Radiator, alternator, starter 270,000.
Window seal 43,000.
Brake rotors, ABS plate 263,000.
Seats and back dash is cracking so we cover seats with large towels.
General Comments:
Subaru price fix on their parts. Toyota each dealer is different priced and we order from out of state. Our rule is if the rebuilt is more than half the cost of new, we buy Subaru new.
Pet peeve is the frame less windows which whistle as we drive. Dealer could not fix so we ignore with the nice radio/cassette going.
Transmission wasn't maintained and took 2 years to need total work at 140,000 miles. $4,000 to repair, but has run 160,000 miles with no sign of problems. Used Red Line synthetic in the new Ammco transmission.
New Modine radiator through dealer is completely metal unlike original plastic edge that cracked.
Visor wears out way too fast because part is plastic to keep it up. Anyone else have this problem???
My car was an axle lemon. I don't know what happened during the first 13,000 miles. Finally my mechanic said labor is cheap to put in the whole axle rather than repair each joint. We replace each year attempting to find the best rebuilt. At $80 labor and $120 parts, that is cheap.
Since driving mountain roads we wear out tires 30,000 miles, but finally found a hard sided tire that isn't showing the wear. Breaks are a problem. One says use the softest, the other the regular. Less a problem with the rotors replaced now.
Subaru rubber products are the best. The thickness of the timing belt and boots are amazing. I replace the timing belt every 60,000 miles even though my mechanic says it still looks good.
We use Neo synthetic oil since off warranty of 100,000 miles. The engine can sound like crap, but the car keeps going. Kind of like me! This car just won't die. Now we are trying for 400,000 miles. It is cheaper to maintain than to replace.
Would have liked AWD, but it does fine on ice. We don't drive it in more than 3 inch snow.
Cruise control is wonderful and air conditioner has never been maintained. Just keeps working.
So glad I didn't get a Turbo where the parts cost double.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 13th January, 2005
29th Jan 2005, 16:16
I bought my Legacy GX (Called Liberty in Australia) two months ago with 240,000 kms on the clock. It is the two wheel drive version and was bought because of the Subaru's reputation for living forever. And it had a towbar for my fishing boat and because of its age, it was relatively inexpensive at A$6,000.
On the first run to the beach house I was somewhat dismayed at the rate of fuel consumption, but I realised as I was driving that the kid who had owned it previously had not maintained it. Answer: new airfilter and I started getting 11l/100 kms in town/country cycle. That still wasn't acceptable so I got into the spark plugs (a skinned knuckle is evidence) and actually laughed when I measured the gaps. One could have done a three point turn within them. In went the new plugs and followed up by a full service at the Subaru dealer the car is delivering just as I expected.
I am thoroughly impressed with the torque. Acceleration is workmanlike, even with the boat and exiting the water at the ramp is no sweat at all.
The car gives a very comfortable ride and has all the gidgets and gadgets to make it a little more pleasurable. The cigarette lighter does not work, which is an irritation as I can't plug in my GPS, hence I am using batteries at a great rate of knots. Your gripe about window whistle - only on the left front - is spot on, and I can't fix it (yet). If I find the solution I will hurry here to post it.
Having clocked 3,000 kms already I am pleased with my purchase. If Subaru ever sell a diesel AWD, I may decide to abandon my desire for a Mercedes M Class (even though I really don't fit in it).