how good is a 2002 subaru legacy

[Guest]

hi everyone, i am planning to buy a 2002 subaru legacy GT station wagon (3 litres, camchain, non turbo, automatic transmission) which has done about 60,000 k's. I hear repeatedly about problems that it faces in terms of:

1. poor mileage ~7 km / liter of petrol in city and a bit more on motorways

2. transmission breakdown around 100,000 km or earlier

3. expensive to maintain and repair compared to other cars (e.g. Honda / Toyota)

4. head gasket blow ups and overheating

5. consistently listed in NZ's top 10 stolen car

i have taken a test drive and just love the way it behaves, but worried about ongoing costs once it comes to my home. can you please share your experience - good and bad re above.

cheers,

[Joker]

I would say none of the above apply to a N/A 3.0

[Koom]

 JoKer said:

I would say none of the above apply to a N/A 3.0

I concur.

I've only ever heard good things from owners of the 3.0's

[Ben]

Go for it =D

[Joker]

In fact I only agree with Point #5...

[Guest keltik]

3liter models get a stronger/better programmed Auto transmission so they dont break as frequently as the twin turbo ones.

Gas mileage is really good, will be on par with other marques of the same displacement.

Head gaskets just dont blow on these motors. Ive now seen 2 that have cooked and seized before blowing gaskets

Parts are cheap and very little goes wrong. Only expensive part is buying spark plugs and oil as they take 6liters.

Almost All of your comments would be true relating to the 2.5L Legacy, but the 3.0L is streets ahead. Ive treated my 3.0L severely for 60,000km now and i havnt had to spend a cent on the engine other than the $100 every 10,000km for oil and filters.

[Guest]

Thanks a ton to all of you.

[Guest]

 keltik said:

Ive treated my 3.0L severely for 60,000km now and i havnt had to spend a cent on the engine other than the $100 every 10,000km for oil and filters.

Not even rocker cover gaskets ?

[Guest keltik]

Nope not a drip of oil from them. Different design to all the other motors so they dont tend to leak!

In fact not a drop of oil anywhere on the engine, now at 145,000km