we are in need of a second car & are looking at Subaru Legacy wagons what are the pros and cons on these babies? most we are seeing are 89-92 and automatic with AWD (poorman's 4wd, I know) If I remember correctly Subaru is a good, long lasting car. what problems should we be looking/listening for? thanks! dm
Subarus hold up great. They are one of the most popular cars here in Alaska as well as back in No CA where we moved from. Both environments are harsh and Subarus hold up well. The mileage is important, but Subarus are known to go 250-300K miles or more without problem. If the car has been driven on dirt or crappy roads you could find the engine and transmission just fine with some work needed in the front end, cv joints and such. A friend just got the front end done of his 90 Legacy and ended up spending over 2K, not an unsurmountable amount considering he should get another 10 years out of the car, but it is something to look for. Drive it and find a bumpy road or parking lot and listen for clanks and other noises. Particularly if the car has high miles see if you can get oil change records or at least check the exhaust and see if it's a little smokey. There is a lot of difference in the life of a high mile engine that has had regular oil changes and one that had spotty maintenance. Also, having a mechanic actually do a conpression check on the engine could be cheap insurance. All in all great cars.
I swear by subarus.........I won't own anything else, where I live it snows 6months out of the year and theirs dirt roads everywhere, these cars hold up to one hell of a beating, the body will rust to nothing before the engine dies, the awd on a subaru is kick ass, these cars never get stuck (unless you do something really dumb)...they're durable and reliable.
good advice (which is why I asked here.) Colorado is not SO harsh, but we get our snow spells. mileage is 125 K so far. Lots of these on craigslist, so my sweetie is off looking at one. thanks guys.
I know several Colorado residents (from my days as a Boulder hippie!) who would drive nothing else but a Subaru. One guy I know had the choice between a used car with fairly low mileage (don't know the brand of car), and a Subaru with high mileage, and he chose the Subaru without question. I am looking a buying a Suby when I get out west myself...I currently have a Honda, which is pretty good too, but the 4WD will suit me just fine on those snowy, Rocky Mountain roads...
I was just thinking of grip in spring storms, myself. for those that have /had subys are they more expensive to fix? difficult to find tires? anything we should know before getting one?
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of me riding in my dad's blue subaru listening to Neil Young. That car ran extremely well, he took good care of it and had it well out of my childhood, as well.
