1997 Subaru Legacy User Reviews

It Is Good-pretty Good At Doing Most Things All While Looking Good. — Structurally solid with zero rattles at 123K miles, it also gets decent mileage for AWD. I average 22MPG and I drive like an animal. Handles great and feels lighter and much smaller than 3rd gen. AWD works as advertised though right now it is significantly better in dry than wet due to H rated Firestone Firehawk GTs. I will be switching to BF Goodrich Traction TA T-rated tires in the winter for tradeoff for better wet/cold weather traction. I believe it would feel unstoppable on slick surfaces with these tires. It is maintenance intensive and expensive; It has the usual high maintenance Subaru repairs like rear clutch pack for automatic transaxle, head gaskets/timing belt water pump, which the first year quad-cam NA 2.5L EJ25 motor is notorious for eating; auto shifting could be more aggressive less jerky at times and it consumes zero oil which is great for a boxer motor with as many miles on the clock and basically an engine rebuild. I switched to full synthetic and change about every 6 months. It is also better on the internals. ABS pump failed twice. Braking is still decent without, drama free but pedal feel could be improved. Visually, I think it looks great. The rio red is super bright, the hood scoop looks badass and the wheels carry that BBS laced vibe that Trans Ams, RX7s and BMWs once wore. The fog lights are massive, add to the only ok-standard lighting power and of course add visual punch to the face. Visibility is great and seats are comfortable, even on long drives. The sunroof too is massive. Interior plastic quality could be greatly improved. Minor gripes though, car is overall great. It could also benefit hugely from more HP but power is adequate. Roomy trunk and full fold down 60/40 rear bench are always useful.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

97 Subaru Outback — I have always been a fan of Subaru, but now that I own one I am thrilled and will always consider them when I make future car purchases. The exterior is clean lines and simply elegant even for a car that is 11 years old. The interior is cloth, making it easy to clean, the controls are well laid out, but I wish the cup holders were in a different spot and adjustable. When you want to use it, it blocks the radio controls and won't hold anything larger than a soda can. The mileage is decent. I get about 21mpg, and I have a heavy foot. When you step on it it pulls well until you hit about 5500 rpm, and considering it redlines at 6500 rpm, its pretty good. One thing I didn't expect was how well it handles, I know its AWD, but even with generic tires, it holds the road like a kitty kat stuck on velcro. On dirt, if you push it hard, you can brake the tires loose, but you have to have some skill to get'em loose. All in all, I would buy this car again, and would recommend it to a friend. Its damn impressive for a wagon.

The Subie Is A Beast — I really like this car except for the fact that I drive a station wagon. The AWD is probably the best part about it followed by the boxer motor. It actually makes pretty good power considering and the gas milage isn't too bad either.

My Zoom Zoom Car — This is a very well rounded wagon with a little extra punch from under the hood. This car has gotten older and rusted a bit, but I'm sure it looked great new. It was actually in the racing game Gran Turismo 1 or 2.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

Overall, Great Car For Anyone. — good power for a 4 cylinder and AWD, I'm not too excited about the fuel economy of it but it is a AWD. It looks pretty cool, the big fog lights in front and the hood scoop, but it's a fake (for now). i just got it so the parts aren't too bad but I had to bring up the maintenance up to standards. back seats I don't know yet. handles well. front seats are great, there heated cloth. over all it's fun, being 5 spd standard, it's good.

Primary Use: Family transportation