Buying a Legacy, what to look for?

[FST4RD]

Hi guys, I have my eye's on a 95 Legacy GT TwinTurbo, 100% factory right down to the 16" BBS alloys. Done 160,000k's.
I don't know much about Subaru's to be honest, but I'm look for a decent sized, reliable station wagon that I can take on long trips. Plus this one I can get for $3k which I think is quite cheap.

So is there anything I should look out for when I take it for a test drive?

Also I want a towbar for it as it doesn't have one. What models fit what? Do I have to look for a specific year to fit it?

Thanks

[Lloyd]

Avoid twin turbo ones, avoid tiptronic ones.

Check cambelt had been done, expensive if its due to do it properly. Check the cooling system and for any signs of overheating at all. If they overheat then you tend to be up for headgaskets which are very common problem on Subarus. Check the water pump isn't leaking (engine end of the bottom radiator hose). Check there is no binding when you do a u-turn (you'll feel it pretty obviously if there is an issue when turning around, feels like tyres are skipping across the road). Check trans oil if its an auto, make sure its not dirty or smelling burnt.

Check for oil leaks. They leak out the rocker cover gaskets, between the engine and gearbox from a plug in the rear of the engine, cam and crank seals and power steering reservoir/pumps. If the bottom of the cambelt cover is reasonably wet then you might want to get cambelt done for peace of mind. Budget up to $1000 to do it properly.

[Leon]

avoid

[YeMs]

hmm, thats like picking up a piece of shit and counting the peanuts in it

[rollaholic]

i would go further and say avoid auto ones altogether, tiptronic or otherwise.

i personally could probably live with owning one, they are relatively easy to work on. but then i dont have to pay someone else to do it. i tend to tell my friends not to buy them (not that they listen), lloyd pretty much summed it up

[FST4RD]

Thanks guys. This one is a manual one. I wouldn't own an auto unless I didn't have a left arm or leg.
Some of the ones that are on trademe have done 100's of 1000's of K's and seem to be going well...

[BZG Wagon]

Look for a Caldina GTT...

[FST4RD]

Look for a Caldina GTT...

Don't want to spend close to 10G's...
Been looking at Libero GT's, Legnum VR4's, alsorts, but I don't want to spend big money on a car with a zillion K's, plus I don't want anything modified to buggery.
Just want a factory standard station wagon, reasonable K's, something I can do long trips in, put the dog's in the back, bikes on the roof.

Most turbo station wagons on trademe and other places I have been looking have been lowered, mags, boost controler, exhaust, generally raped and real high K's etc....

[iOnic]

Legnum VR4's

Drive one and you probably won't want any of the others (Caldina/Legacy/Libero). By far the quickest and best handling of the lot and more reliable than the Caldinas/Legacys.

The bigger V6 makes driving effortless on the open road/going up hills which helps economy as you're not constantly on boost. I drove a GT-B and found that I was constantly downshifting to keep it above the VOD (the power hole in Subaru's stupid and very problematic sequential TT system when the first turbo runs out of puff and the second picks up) going up hills etc. If you're into spirited driving I think you'll find the VR4 more satisfying than a Legacy - they're just all over the place once you push them to the limit - assuming they don't run bearings before they get there. Only thing that lets the VR4's down is their weight and it's damn near impossible to find a good one. Most have been molested/not looked after and it shows. Caldinas are too expensive for what you get IMO and Liberos are rubbish for anything but town driving.

[Lloyd]

Haha, stay away from Mitsubishi all together

If you want something cheap and reliable then don't look at turbo stuff. The mitsis are rubbish, Subarus have their own big list of issues. The Caldina issues are known and they're not exactly cheap to run if you're gonna give it a bit.

In all honesty, something around the age you're looking at as a non turbo Legacy would fit the needs

[iOnic]

All cars have common problems if you look hard enough. My mum owned 2 Legnums and neither had anything go wrong on them. When my partner was looking for something for the dog but with plenty of go I suggested a Legnum and she took one for a drive and loved it. Took her time to find a good one and again that was 100% reliable in spite of being at almost 200,000kms when it was sold.

Truth is if you take your time and find a good example of most cars and look after it properly you'll get years of good service out of it. There are exceptions but in general most Jap cars that have "issues" are mostly down to not being cared for or being owned by meatheads than the cars themselves actually being bad.

[Lurkin]

kinda missing the point.. FST4RD has already indicated what he wants and why...

[iOnic]

kinda missing the point.. FST4RD has already indicated what he wants and why...

I think you missed the point - he's clearly open to other things that fit his requirements...

Don't want to spend close to 10G's...
Been looking at Libero GT's, Legnum VR4's, alsorts, but I don't want to spend big money on a car with a zillion K's, plus I don't want anything modified to buggery.
Just want a factory standard station wagon, reasonable K's, something I can do long trips in, put the dog's in the back, bikes on the roof.

[BZG Wagon]

VR4's are great drives, however fuel consumption is a major issue IMO.

Two years ago a friend of mine bought a Legacy GT similar to the one you're looking at, same year, way less kays, 1 NZ owner who had it for years. Paid $3,500 & the vechicle check came out ok.

Since he's had it:
Electrical Issues: $1,100 (car wouldn't start on two separate occasions)
Rocker Cover Leaking $800
Power Steering isses $300
Gear syncro's need replacing (not fixed - needs double clutching into 3rd). Est. $2,000.

...and a raft of other things. That said he loves the car (I can't see why) and puts up with the repairs as a result.

I'm not sure how much BZ Tourings go for these days, but that could be an option if you're trying to save some cash. Probably wouldn't be far of a legacy in terms of performance either.

[RS13]

Avoid.

QFT. I've had experience with enough Subarus to know that you're going to need deep pockets, kitty litter on the garage floor and a spare car to drive around in.

Stagea perhaps? Workmate picked a lowish k, very tidy RB20DE (RWD) one up for $4.5k, really nice interior, nice to drive, does well heading up the mountains, but they're almost all auto.

[Lurkin]

aaa

[MAD FX]

I had a Legnum VR4, had an issue with the AYC which was only $200ish to fix, the relay went, otherwise it was perfect. Good on gas too given the size and performance. Both sisters had one as well, so between us all we've had 3 for a combined total of about 10years with no major issues, all had 1 thing break in the time of ownership but was different on all of them. In saying that we all serviced them every 6 months.

Admittedly this was about 5 years ago, so we all got them with around 80kms on the clock and sold them with 120 - 140ish, wasn't reliability that made us sell them, was just time for an upgrade.

[FST4RD]

Almost did get a Legnum VR4, fully standard but got beaten to it
All the other legnums I have looked at are too modified, and i'm at a stage (getting older ) where I don't want BOV, screamer pipes, big exhaust, lowered etc and it's so had to find something standard.
My mates a mechanic, so fixing things isn't really an issue. He rebuilt my starion motor, put in new box, new clutch for $1600, labour and parts. Does good mates rates.
Looked at a Stagea too... but couldn't get past the looks!
Best mate has a BZ touring and my partner hates it with a passion! Not to sure why but best not get on her bad side

Took the Legacy for a test drive today, never driven one before but the clutch felt nice, gearbox was tight, motor sounded good, no ticks or anything, turbo's spooled nicely. Seems to have been well looked after. Did do a real tight U-turn like someone mentioned before and no diff binding or anything like that either. Interior was quite nice as well, seats were comfortable and it had cup holders!

[strx7]

VR4 AYC rear diffs like packing a sad too.

[Rob]

Don't bother looking at anything with a Subaru badge boss. the list of common problems on these P.O.S's is about as thick as a repair manual, and its not just turbo or auto its EVERYTHING.

If you want a reliable wagon which is usable then I would an MCV20 Camry/Gracia/Qualis.

Please take everybodies advice about Subie problems and walk away, You'll be happier without it