[Raikkonen]

Hi everyone.

My wife's lease is up on her Jetta, and we're considering the new Subaru Legacy GT. It's all-wheel drive, has leather, nav, Harmon Kardon, and a 6-spd, all for "only" $35k.

The thing was a rocket (255 hp, turbo flat 4). I have to admit, the awd was seemless, and it only felt a little less solid than my 335. All in all, I think it's a bargain for what it is.

My question is this. Has anyone here had any experiences with Subaru (not a modified Impreza) in terms of build quality, reliability, service, etc., etc.??? We don't know anyone who owns one, nor have I ever known anyone who owned one in the past. She'll be using it as her year-round daily driver, and hauling our 1yr old daughter around town, so I'm very curious to hear from folks who have owned a Subaru, or know someone who has.

Subaru's have always struck me as "quirky" cars that have a cult following like Volvo's and Saab's. This is the first time I've ever driven one, and I was amazed.

I even have to admit, after having driven this thing, I really don't see why anyone would ever buy an A4 for 5-10 grand more (and I love Audi's).

Anyhoo, thanks in advance for any feedback.

[blue2fire]

The Legacy is a really good car, almost all the fun that the Impreza offers without that boy racer image. If your wife isn't going to be bothered by the badge, go for it.

[powertrip]

Subaru makes a nice product, but all of their new cars are sent from the factory dangerously lean. I would suggest a flash, or be prepared for a broken ringland within 30k miles.

[nmulax]

Subaru makes a great car, you won't be disappointed with the reliability!

[mmm def]

I had an 05 Legacy GT..stage 2(chip, catless up, HFC downpipe) bigger intercooler..the usual stuff. 34,000 miles when I sold it and all I ever did were oil changes and the annual service. I did not have a SINGLE problem with the car. I would buy another Suby in a heartbeat..it would be an STI.

Go for it.


Edit: For $35k, if I didn't NEED a manual tranny..I'd be in a G37X sedan before the LGT.

[cadillackidd]

gay

[mmm def]

Originally Posted by cadillackidd

gay

Grow up

[c0nstant]

Originally Posted by mmm def

Grow up

+1

[san~man]

[QUOTE=mmm def;5964574]I had an 05 Legacy GT..stage 2(chip, catless up, HFC downpipe) bigger intercooler..the usual stuff. 34,000 miles when I sold it and all I ever did were oil changes and the annual service. I did not have a SINGLE problem with the car. I would buy another Suby in a heartbeat..it would be an STI.

Go for it.


Edit: For $35k, if I didn't NEED a manual tranny..I'd be in a G37X sedan before the LGT.[/QUOTE]


I'd agree. The interior build quality of the G should proabaly be much ahead of the Suby. The G will also have the VHR motor, good for 330hp.

Price between the two should be about the same.

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by cadillackidd

gay

says the kid with a lowrider

[Lionel Hutz]

The Legacy is incredibly reliable. I had a Stage 2 LGT for 18,000 miles without one mechanical failure. That said, part quality tends to be a bit lower. For example, window motors are dog slow, the manual transmission tends to get reverse lockout a lot.

[crfine88]

Great dependable cars. Nothing wrong with that.

[07BSM328]

my family have been subaru owners for a quite some time. we love them, when my lease is up with my 328 i'm going back to an STi or maybe a Spec B. My dad has a leggy GT and an e93 335i, my parents like the subie more. never had any probs with them, even with tons of mods. super safe and the awd system (in my opinion) is the best around.

[brocken]

I've had an 02 2.5RS, 02 Legacy GT and an 06 WRX. I very much enjoyed all of them and they were all reliable cars. Heck, my friend in high school had one of the late 70's subie hatches with almost 300k miles and it was still going strong.

The main reason that I left Subaru for BMW was comfort and quality. Subaru definitely puts a lot of quality into the reliability and AWD on their cars but usually suffer when it comes to interior components and road noise.
I think they've done a lot to improve that in the last couple years so they may be closer to the BMW in the ride/interior quality dept.
I just remember after putting 20k or so miles on all of the Subarus that the rattles and interior wear were really noticeable. Versus my BMW that has 26k plus and still as solid and quiet as day one.

I would definitely say they are a good value. And for the money you'd save over a BMW the Subarus are well worth it.

And if you want a car to get you around in the Winter I wouldn't consider anything but a Subaru in that price category. I was constantly amazed at where I could go and what I could do in snow and bad weather in my Subarus.
Just remember to get good tires. Some models come with cheapy tires that handicap the AWD.

[scheherazade]

My GF has one
I have friends that drive them

I've never known one to not be bulletproof

Drivetrain is really nice (TBH I like it more than the BMW XI's)
Interior is par with an accord or whatever.



Only issues I've ever heard of with a subaru are on heavily tuned cars (i.e. like the ring lands issue that someone posted earlier).


-scheherazade

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by scheherazade

My GF has one
I have friends that drive them

I've never known one to not be bulletproof

Drivetrain is really nice (TBH I like it more than the BMW XI's)
Interior is par with an accord or whatever.



Only issues I've ever heard of with a subaru are on heavily tuned cars (i.e. like the ring lands issue that someone posted earlier).


-scheherazade

I agree, they are bomber cars. Thankfully the cost of a short block is relatively inexpensive - I think it is around the same as our HPFP!

[Artmasterx]

Unless you really want a new car, I would seriously look at an 07+ Legacy GT or Spec.B. You can easily find a low mileage one for low 20s, and keep the extra $10k for repairs (way) down the road. I prefer the look of the prevous generation over the 2010, plus they are a bit smaller which is nice unless you need the bigger car. Plus, the alcantara seats in the spec.b were very nice.

I test drove one when considering the 128 and it would have been the car we bought if we really needed AWD. The interior (initial) quality of the legacy is really quite good, with the only real problem I have heard about being rattles developing down the road. The built-in GPS units are not very good/sophisticated from what I have heard as well.

[quattr0]

I had my WRX for good 80k+ miles without any major issue. Still drive and handle like new (of course in addition to tear/wear maintenance like tires, a/c belt, etc.) Had the car for 7 years and I was still enjoying it. Decided I have an early mid-life crisis and went with the 335i for the decent power and luxury side. I surely miss the handling though.

[HapaVibe]

I have a 2008 Legacy for a daily driver. The reliability is good but the quality is not up to some other brands. By lacking quality, I mean things like cheaper interior materials, 4 speed automatic instead of a 5 or 6 speed (like most other companies), paint peeling off badging, tinny sound of the door closing, diesel clatter levels of engine noise, and other issues that don't affect reliability. Some of that may be solved by the new design. I think they went from frameless windows to framed windows so maybe the doors sound more solid when closing. Also, my Legacy doesn't get the best gas mileage. I see the new ones with the CVT do much better, according to the EPA estimates, but if you're looking at the GT, you're not really going for gas mileage. I probably won't be getting another Subaru, but that's just my experience.

[Razzy]

I've sat in one, and there actually not bad at all from the inside.

[graider]

Originally Posted by GatorBlue371

Why dont you just get the STi?


Ton of practicality, reliability and fun.

+1. i would get 04-05 sti. look the best in all subbie imo

[11Past9]

I would stay away. The 2009+ WRX has been having catastrophic engine problems, unexplainable, unpredictable and the new Legacy has the same engine. Subaru has yet to figure out what is causing this and what can be done to permanently correct the problem.