Need some advice buying a used Legacy

[Rob Aries]

My second Legacy, a '92, was just involved in an accident and although
it drives just fine, I had no collision insurance on it and the amount
to fix it (even a jimmy-rig "barely legal" fix), plus the fact that it
was gonna need a timing belt, brakes & tires means it's time to find
another car. I've had good luck with Legacys and I'd like to find
another one with about 70-80K miles. After scanning this NG I see that
complaints about more recent Legacys seem to predominate ('99 and
newer). I think I'm going to wind up with a '93-'97 model. A few
questions:

Any model years in that range to avoid?

Are the AWD models in that year range problematic? More expensive to
maintain/repair? I've been happy w/FWD in my '91 & '92.

When did Subaru change the body/interior? I'm wondering about keeping
my '92 for parts (I moved the radio/cassette from my '91 to my '92
because the one in the '92 was identical EXCEPT it lacked an input jack).

My '92 doesn't owe me anything--bought it almost 5 years ago for $3400
when it had 65K and the original owner had just replaced the timing belt
and the CV joints. I don't think I'm going to get that lucky this time!
TIA for replies.


Rob Aries

 

[Bruce Hoult]

Are the AWD models in that year range problematic? More expensive to
maintain/repair? I've been happy w/FWD in my '91 & '92.

When did Subaru change the body/interior? I'm wondering about keeping
my '92 for parts (I moved the radio/cassette from my '91 to my '92
because the one in the '92 was identical EXCEPT it lacked an input jack).

'95 was the introduction of the 2nd gen Legacy. Mine's a '95 No
problems so far, but I've only had it for two years and 60,000 km.

-- Bruce

 

[L. Kreh]

As far as the 95-99 version of the Legacy, statistically speaking,
you're likely to have the fewest problems with a 99 model. As has
been suggested over and over again, check out Edmonds, cars.com, etc.,
for research. Basing your purchase decision on some survey of this NG
is pointless.

 

[TW-Ohio]

Re: Need some advice buying a used Legacy

From: Bruce Hoult (e-mail address removed)
Date: 12/1/2003 5:38 AM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id: <(e-mail address removed)>



'95 was the introduction of the 2nd gen Legacy. Mine's a '95 No
problems so far, but I've only had it for two years and 60,000 km.

-- Bruce

½hr ago, on a "Monday Night Football beer run", I ran into, well, I should say
I *parked next to* a guy with a '95 Brighton wgn (2.2L, no electric anything,
added a CD player) which had 162,000 miles on it, and it was the third Subie
he'd had over 140k miles since '85, with only oil changes and 2 timing belts.
I think I'll stick with Subie for a while to at least see how the third gen's
hold up.
Terry - '02 Regatta-Red GT wagon 5spd - 25,000 miles
'03 Silver Legacy SE auto-sedan - 2450 miles
Yakima / TandeMover / Rockymount rack
To reply, get rid of the "nonsense"

 

[Rob Aries]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I've been pointed to usmb.net and have
also found great info there.

Due to my current financial state it looks like I'll be able to spend a
max of 3K...however I am seeing some interesting things on
cars.com--like a loaded '97 Legacy 2.5GT AWD for $4K (no mileage listed,
I'm about to call). More typical is a '95 w/135K for $2400 and a '92
with only 87K for $2900. I would really prefer a car with less than
90K, I'd like to get at least 3-4 years out of it. Also for s&g I've
checked on Camrys and Corollas (ugh)...but for me reliability is key and
I've been very happy with my '91 Legacy (bought new) and '92 I replaced
it with.

 

[Felix Crashalot]

I have a Legacy 95 wagon TCS, that is the last FWD Legacy that Subaru
sold in America. This second gen has new sheet metal and interior,
but from under, it is almost a carbon copy of the first generation of
Legacys. I can even interchange the brake discs and pads. Steering
is more precise. Still the same 2.2l engine (which is more peppy than
a AWD with 2.5 liters) At 160K, it still looks like new. It just
starts to show some rust spots. Never touched the engine, no oil
leaks. After 8 years it is in a better shape that my Legacy 90 was
after 5 years (that one now at 260K). You can probably find a TCS for
much cheaper than an AWD model, as it is perceived as an underdog.
A friend who was impressed with my car, bought an 02. He's got lots
and lots of troubles. Bearings, tranny, diff. As if Subaru pushed
the envelope too far with the third gen. I'd skip the third gen and
wait for the fourth one, if I stay with Subaru (they're getting
expensive).
Felix