9098

I got an 05 last month. I had a '90 Leg and a '98 OB. I like the '05 because it's closer to the basics that made the first gen work so well. It does not have all the plastic excess that the '00-'04 Legacy/OB's were prone too. It also has more room to work under the hood than my '98 OB did. I can't figure out why they needed to use a different oil filter and hide the fuel filter though. We'll see if it can go to 200k without any problems unlike the '98-'02's.

I thought Subaru had learned from the mistakes of the 2000-2004 body styles. I could not stand the excess lower plasitc trim pieces on those years. The problem with this one seems to be the over design. It's only a concept but it looks heavy.

He's going to do stupid things no matter what he drives. My first vehicle was an underpowered '62 Ford F-100. I still found ways to to go fast. And when I got my hands on my father's '64 pontiac with a 389 4 speed.....don't ask. It's better to be lucky than smart. However, learning to maintain a SVX might be a good thing for him.

I just paid 12k for a 05 leg 2.5i 37k miles. I got it at a Lexus dealer that wanted 17k for the last 2 months. I walked in when they droped the price to 13k on the internet. I doubt they gave the orginal owner more than 11k. Nada trade value was 12k. Look on auto trader for recent price drops. You can always get 1k under asking price. & Get a carfax.

Had the same problem on my 1990 Legacy. 10 to 1 if you watch your temp guage closely when the heat goes away...you will notice the temp going up quick. I was pulling my hair out. It worked fine for weeks and would overheat at the worst times. It's the HG. The 2.2 is not bullet proof. Just twice as good as the 2.5.

Don't assume that the HG is fine just because it's a 2.2L. Test it like a '97 2.5. Any wheel bearing noise? $3,500 is still great bang for the buck and it looks great.

Got it for 12k. Runs great. A customer walked on the lot to come see it as I was leaving and asked me if I wanted to sell it to her.

I can't find a similar wagon around here for less than 14k. The seats in the sedan fold forward and I already have a 2wd ford ranger to haul big items. The fact that it's a former rental is a concern. However, a good shop should be able to find any problems before the 5/60 warranty is gone. I'm trying to figure out what it's really worth if I decided to sell it. NADA has it at 12k/trade 14k/retail. I'll go drive it today.

Looking at buying a 05 Legacy 2.5i sedan, 38k miles, awd, auto. Clean Carfax 3 owners rental car first Dealer wants about 13k. It's in the NW. 11k sound right for a former rental car?

So is 03 the first year of the phase II?

Sold the 98 OB when we bought the Honda Odyssey. Sold the 90 Leg when the Head started to leak (190K miles). I'm looking for a 02 or newer. What year did Subaru resolve the HG proplems? I want to keep the price below 10k. Thanks

The idea that the 2.2L is bullet proof is a myth. I chose to sell my '98 2.5L with 100k when I bought the Honda Odyssey and keep the 1990 2.2L with 180K. Well....six months later the Head started leaking on the 2.2L. 18 years and 187k is not bad, but it can and does fail.

I just sold my last subaru 1990 Leg that had periodic overheating. The symptoms were right in line with the leaking head. A mech bought it to rebuild. Thus, I'm looking for a 02 or newer legacy or outback. A relative had a 01 with constant problems. Are the 02's good? Do the manuals still have the hill holder?

I had the same problem with my 1990 Legacy a few years back. The shop put in an new radiator and a stock thermostat. Problem solved.

I tried the search function but no dice. I'm sure this is common, so here goes: 1990, Legacy L has a Cabin Air control Assembly that Sticks in the last mode it was in. If I let the car get up to temp and leave the fan on high....I can eventually get it to switch from Def/Heat to Vent or whatever by tapping on the dash with some force. The Haynes manual just says to put in a new assembly. Is there a microswitch that can be cleaned to avoid this? How much would a new assembly cost? It looks like it's not that difficult to change.

I like it there.

I had to pick between giving up my 1990 Legacy 4wd auto 185k or my 1998 OBW Auto Limited 95k for a 2007 Honda Odyssey EXL (Family Truckster). In the end I just could not let go of old blue (1990). I can still consider myself a Subaru guy. BTW, Thanks to all of those on this forum who talked me out of getting the Dodge Magnum awhile back. The Honda is somthing else. I like to think of it as low-riding, extended length, Pilot. Not a minivan.

I once had a no name shop drop the pan to change the fluid. Big mistake! It leaked a month later. The dealer's mech. said that it was from the aftermarket gasket. I just do the drain plug from now on.

I will take my time with this purchase. Thanks for all you input. Yet, I must say that I have been dissapointed with Subaru's evolution since the early 90's. Quality seemed to be put on the back burner starting with the 2.5L engine. I will always be devout to the 2.2L though. Maybe Subaru has peaked. BTW, you might wan't to read the review: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/content/110808092540148901/ It's a great website. Their review of the new Subaru B9 Tripuka left me in stitches. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/content/11236156021648489006/

Actually it has cylinder deactivation at cruise. 25mpg is about what the Outback gets. If you step on it all the time, it would be considerably less.

Not trying to set anyone off here. I'm going to be due for a new grocery getter for the family withing the next 24 months. I have a 98 outback limited and a 90 legacy sedan. One will have to go. The new Outback does look better than the ones from the prior couple years. Yet, the Dodge Magnum R/T HEMI just has it. Anyone thinking the same thing?

My '90 Legacy Auto 4wd gets 22 around Seattle and 27 on the highway if I keep the speed under 70 mph. However, I've found that the type of gas makes a large difference. The Oxygenated-tree hugger fuel on the west coast is terrible. When I'm in parts of the midwest that have non-oxygenated premium, I can get over 30 mpg. The best I ever had was in Minnesota @ 37 mpg. What good is cleaner burning fuel when you have to burn 25% more of it?

Hi, 1990 Legacy 180,000 miles. I just sarted having a problem with rattles on start up. It goes away once the engine is warmed up though. It sounds like an exhaust rattle just behinde the engine (not from muffler that is less than a year old). Anyone else encounter this?

I'm over due to change the tranny fluid on my 90 Legacy. Should I have a shop drop the pan to do it. Or is it just as good to use the drain plug? I've heard dropping the pan can induce a leak even if you use a new gasket.

I had the same exact thing in my 98. I got it fixed just before the warrenty ran out. They had to drop the tranny. It would have cost about $1500 to pay for. This does happen to 98's. Just curious, is yours a 30th ann. Limited?