90-91 used legacy buying advice

[dulli]

I am thinking about buying a used 90-91 legacy wagon. It looks like at my
price range(~$2500) I can afford one with around 100,000 - 160,000 miles on
it.

Any advice to buying a high mileage legacy? Manual vs Auto, etc??

Thanks!!

 

[Rob Aries]

I had a 91 w/manual (FWD), then a 92 w/auto (also FWD). Now I have a 95
(auto, FWD) and my impression is that the 1st gen Legacies (pre-95) were
more solid cars.

I never had transmission issues with either the 91 or 92. The 91 had a
peculiar habit of locking the doors as you opened the driver door from
the inside (this was documented, I believe)--so you have to stay on your
toes to avoid locking yourself out of the car!

Other than that I had no complaints about my two 1st-gen Legacies.
Unfortunately it was accidents that cut their lifespan short--the 91 at
about 175K and the 92 at 137K. I got my 95 this past December, with
only 64K miles, for $3200; If it proves as reliable as ny other Legacies
then I'll have gotten a great bargain.

With proper maintenance and easy driving, the 1st-gen Legacies should go
over 200K easily. I would look for a car with service records (and a
recent timing belt change, but you probably know that!). Good luck!

 

[H]

Make sure to check if the timing belts have been done and early legacies
have rear (disc) brake problems. My 90 5spd wgn also feels more solid to me
than my 04 Forester 2.5XS, though I wouldn't go back (My wife drives the 90
now).