Subaru Legacy 2.5 GX Review

I currently have a 1999 Legacy Estate to use as my work car.



Many of my friends own, or have owned, Subaru's over the years and I've generally heard good things about them. What a disappointment this legacy has turned out to be.



Although a quad cam 2.5 litre model the performance could be tactfully described as 'lacklustre'. Handling likewise and in fact when towing it becomes truly alarming, wallowing all over the road. The only aspect in which it excels is its ability to consume massive amounts of fuel. As this is the main vehicle cost that I have to meet myself I have to admit that it is the one expense that causes the most pain. My employers V8 supercharged Range Rover does better MPG then my Subaru.



Over the last 12 months its spent almost as much time off the road being repaired as actually on it being driven. When I acquired the car it had no rear brakes, these being totally worn to the shoe rivets, requiring new pads and disks to rectify. A short time later the front section of exhaust disintegrated in a shower of rust. This was followed a few months later by the front brakes seizing on while driving, causing the brake fluid to boil & the disks to warp. A complete front end brake rebuild was required to repair.



It has most recently been off the road for the last 8 weeks having its automatic transmission rebuilt after it seized in 3rd gear while on a trip back from Wales, leaving me stranded until rescued by the RAC.



All in all a very bad car and my experience has put me off Subaru's for life.