1999 Subaru Legacy AWD 2.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Safe, solid and dependable, with exciting handling

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with it except for a blown headlight bulb at 85000. A cheap fix.

Still on the original brakes.

General Comments:

Not the fastest car, but certainly one of the best handling.

The boot is spacious; larger than some wagons.

Has thoughtful touches like hill hold and gradual interior light dimmer.

The basic version still has 2 airbags, ABS, and 3 proper belts in the rear.

It feels very safe and solid when you drive it.

Paintwork has really stood the test of time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th June, 2013

1999 Subaru Legacy from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Unreliable

Faults:

Both turbos were not working since I purchased it at 103000, so the check engine light used to come on if I pushed it too hard.

The car jerks when changing from 1st to 2nd gear.

Steering belt snapped about a week after I bought it.

Dashboard lights randomly go off, leaving me blind.. nightmare in the dark!

Indicators stopped working at about 120000, and had to change some unit or box.

Replaced one turbo because a mechanic said it would start up the second one automatically.

^^ that caused problems with the airflow, and the car started driving REALLY heavy and hesitating.

Something was leaking a few weeks ago; not sure which fluid.

Recently at 126000-ish, the gears started slipping. The car revs really high before changing gears, and is delayed moving forward; nearly caused an accident while turning.

I think one of the rocker cover gaskets is loose; my friend said it's a common problem as he has exact same car and problem. This causes the inside of the car to smell like burning oil when the AC is on.

Checked all fluids, engine oil was slightly low, but didn't fix the problem.

Checked transmission oil and filter, clean as a whistle.

Really disappointed.

General Comments:

One of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven.

Feels so light and smooth.

Love the power steering.

Comfy seats.

Drives like I'm floating.

Not a fast car.

Spacious.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th December, 2011

28th Dec 2011, 09:24

Let me get this straight, you bought a car that was over 10 years old. Your 'friend' has the same car with some of the same problems, yet you still went ahead and bought the same car???

Subaru's are one of the most reliable cars on the road; you just bought a car from someone who didn't maintain it properly, and it's now your problem.

Next car you buy, maybe it should be newer, and have had a better life with the previous owners.

In reply to 28th Dec 2011, 09:24

31st Dec 2011, 20:46

Not all the problems; only the one with the rocker cover gasket. Our problems began around the same time.

His doesn't have the dashboard light issue, because despite being the same model, his version has the old yellow/orange lights, whereas mine come with the white lights.

You're right. The previous owner must have messed it up pretty good. I still have it. It's doing alright, but once this goes, I'm going for a nice little Toyota or something. Done with sports cars.

I don't hate Subis; I just think that 1999 B4s, especially tiptronic, have manufacturing defects.

1999 Subaru Legacy GT 2.0 twin turbo from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Cheap and unreliable

Faults:

ENGINE LIGHT came on. Took the car to the dealership, and they replaced the knock sensor.

All was OK.

ENGINE LIGHT reappeared some 3 days later, and took it back to the dealership, reset the ECU.

3 weeks later, big end bearings went - not opening the throttle, but slowly passing a car, and then the horrible ROD KNOCK.

Slowing down to stop as I knew exactly what the noise was... it ceases and the repairs are worth more than the car, so back written off is what I classed it as.

General Comments:

Good interior space.

Very good power steering.

Transmission in the autos has no idea what it's meant be doing.

Reasonable looking car.

Hungry on fuel for the power it has - slow for a turbo in my opinion.

I have owned Legacys before, which were not turbo and they were fine, just really REALLY slow. AKA 1.8 carb auto.

Car was always serviced regularly and not thrashed, yet it still blew up.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th May, 2011

15th Jul 2011, 18:01

You say, "Car was always serviced regularly and not thrashed, yet it still blew up", yet you obtained the vehicle at 150,000 kms? How do you know in what manner the previous owner (s) operated and maintained the vehicle?

26th Jul 2011, 04:01

Cheap and unreliable's general comments are pretty bang on from my experience.

Got my 1999 Legacy B4 RSK at 118k, and the cylinder head gasket went at 193k. Regularly serviced every 10k. Might as well spank it while you can and flick it around the 150k mark. We drove it like a Nana, turbo timer, and it still blew.

Good power steering and handling. Heavy and thirsty. Expect issues with cooling, cracked plastic radiator top etc. Suspension issues. Engine has noticeably more pep on lower k's... after having the blown tired one replaced with a 75k.

If you can get one with low K's, have some fun, then offload boy racer style with this one.