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View Full Version : LOOKING TO BUY - QUESTIONS ON 2005 - 2009 non-turbo wagons



Dave_Mountain_Man
08-27-2011, 04:51 AM
Gentlemen and Ladies, Well, I am now looking for a new wagon. Mine is now, well, for a college student. I am looking for either a 1999 wagon (Legacy 2.2) with ridiculously low miles and full documentation, i.e. no payment or a 2005-2009 Legacy or Outback.

I am the guy who will drive the car for ten or 15 years or more years if I can.

My requirements are simple:
* roof rack
* manual transmission - A MUST
* air conditioning (probably standard I would guess)
* cruise control (probably standard)
* wagon!!!

Can folks tell me good years, which ones to avoid, what to look for?

From what I understand the Legacy 2006 and on became the sedan and the Outback was the wagon, was this right? Not right or wrong but am I right or wrong here?

The XTs are the turbos, right? I am assuming that means more maintenance? With Porsche that means 2 things. 1) you have to be an expert driver to handle a turbo at the limits and 2) probably twice the cost on maintenance.

I know some of the earlier Subies (2000-2004) had the dreaded head gasket issues worse than later years I have listed. Any other issues on crash safety, recalls, other idiosyncracies?

Have they moved up to a 6-speed yet? That would have been nice even on my 2.2 1995. Ruf in Germany probably would have built me one for maybe $10,000. BTW, some Porsches have cruise control as an option; I'm a huge Porsche fan but for the love of God! This is the 21st century!

Any information would be much appreciated!

Regards,
David

Huffer
08-27-2011, 11:42 PM
You should read up on this site: cars101.com

It's a site maintained by Joe Spitz, Subaru salesman. BTW - the only wagons you'll find in any decent number with a manual transmission is the Outback. Subaru basically deleted the Legacy wagon in favor of the Outback style.

98outbackpdx
08-28-2011, 03:30 AM
2010+ Outbacks have the 6 speed, the others have the 5 speed.

Dead91silvia
08-29-2011, 11:48 AM
00-04 manual trans cars have problems. Havent run into the head gaskets being much of a problem though. Mostly just the 97-99 2.5 twin cams.

The 05's have a retarded clutch/fly wheels setup, but can be up graded to the 07 clutch, just did it for one of my customers. Also, remember the 05 and newer have a electronic throttle, not a cable. I hate them with a passion. Just food for thought. All still nice cars for sure though.

Wiscon_Mark
08-31-2011, 06:28 PM
I think the headgasket issue is a little overblown on the SOHC (2000+) Subarus, it's a lot more prevalent of an issue on the 96-99s.

A 99 2.2L with low miles would really be the ultimate reliability machine though.