1997 Subaru Legacy L Wagon 2.2 from North America

Summary:

Quality EJ22 engine

Faults:

CV joint, alternator/battery, throttle position sensor, brake pads.

The rear wiper seized up and never worked.

General Comments:

A very good car.

Decent ride, pretty good pep for a four cylinder. Quality engine and transmission.

I wish I was still driving it today -- death by collision.

You can tow 1 ton pretty easily with these babies too. The manufacturer recommend electric brakes, but I thought it did fine without.

Living in Ohio, this is the best vehicle I've driven. It's good and heavy, low to the ground. In three winters I never got stuck.

All and all, original engine and auto transmission that may have made it to 300k miles. I averaged about 23 MPG mixed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th July, 2012

1997 Subaru Legacy GTB 2.0 Twin Ts from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Worst car I have ever owned, avoid

Faults:

CV boots failed.

Fuel pump failed.

Engine mounts replaced.

Wheel bearing replaced.

Coil packs failed.

Engine died completely at 165,000.

General Comments:

I owned a 1991 1st gen Subaru Legacy GT manual before this one, and I loved that car to bits; when it was written off, I was determined to get another Subaru based on my experience with the last one. Big mistake!

This car was an absolute nightmare to own, fixing little things on it was costing a fortune. Everything was premium in the car, from the most expensive fuel pump to oil filled engine mounts. The engine even had to be lifted out of the car in order for the spark plugs to be changed! Insurance was super high, due to the twin turbo, even though it had an alarm installed.

The experience of driving this car was not worth the cost, PERIOD!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th December, 2011

31st Dec 2011, 07:26

So you buy a old car, that you probably have no idea on how it was treated. Then you need to replace parts on it, and that's a surprise to you? Then, you know it's a turbo and expect it to have cheaper insurance just because it has an alarm?

Sounds like you just bought a old car and didn't research the history of it, nor thought about its age either.

I can tell you right now, NONE of that is the car or manufacturer's fault.

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1997 Subaru Legacy from North America

Summary:

I will continue to buy Subaru's

Faults:

Repairing brakes and replacing battery.

General Comments:

I love my Subaru (Suzie). It is very reliable for New England weather.

And fits me comfortable even with pedal extenders in it, so I don't have to sit so close to the steering wheel (being so short).

Wish it had some more horse power.

Love the AWD.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th February, 2011

1997 Subaru Legacy L Wagon 2.2L from North America

Summary:

Make sure that you have a good mechanic

Faults:

Oil leak in the rear main seal.

Knock sensor and evap issues.

Both front CV joints.

Ball joints.

Tires and alignment.

Front and rear axles.

Rear wiper doesn't work anymore.

Interior window buttons broke off.

Interior radio light burnt out.

Oil leak in the rear main seal.

General Comments:

This car has just had one problem after another.

When I bought it, I took it to a dealership and everything checked out fine. But then right away, it started to have problems.

The check engine light came on because the knock sensor went - then it was suspension problems - the leaking oil from the rear of the engine.

In the 3 years that I've had the car, I've put 35,000 miles on it, and pretty much spent more on repairs than I spent on purchasing the car itself. I don't know if all Subarus have these problems, or if the car I bought just wasn't taken care of - but I don't think I will buy one of these again.

I pretty much gave up on turning the check engine light off - because the part is too expensive.

The latest thing that's happening is that - the car will stall when I come to a stop, and the automatic transmission oil temperature light will flash 4 times. From what I read about Subarus, this is apparently a common problem. However, after having 2 very expensive sensors replaced - the car is still stalling. I'm just about ready to start looking for a Honda or a Toyota.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th December, 2010

25th Jun 2012, 16:52

Are you serious? You're complaining about needing tires and alignment?

All the issues you listed are common wear and tear items. Especially on a car that you bought with 125,000 miles!

In reply to 25th Jun 2012, 16:52

28th Dec 2012, 16:20

Subaru are one of the only car I hear people bragging about up to 300,000 miles on the road. Not too many people purchase a car with over 100,000 miles on it. Subaru seem to be the exception.

I purchase a 2.0 dual turbo from Japan, did not know a thing about the car, did some pretty lame things with it until I learned, things like limp-mode and what the blinking lights are telling me.

I am on here now looking for spark-plugs, fuel injectors and a set of coil on plug, just replaced the turbo inlet pipe, speed sensor, and knock sensor. Oh! Also replaced the Duty-C solenoid. The more I learn, the more faults I find.