Before a test-drive, have a walk around the car and look for rust-- especially on the trunk’s surface near the license plate and under the trunk lid’s ‘lip’. You’ll have to open the lid to see any rust forming here.
Also, have a look under the vehicle for signs of rust or leaky differentials, as well as leaky engine or transmission seals.
Pop the hood and listen to the engine idle. A squealing or scraping noise from the front of the engine could be caused by a belt-tensioner pulley that’s starting to fail. The noise occurs when bearings within the pulley begin to wear before it fails outright.
Be sure there’s no check-engine light illuminated in the instrument cluster, as it could indicate a problem with the engine or one of the sensors attached to it. Bad knock sensors are somewhat common on the 2.5 litre engines, and will cause the light to illuminate. A bad sensor may also disable the cruise control system, too. If you see a check-engine light, be sure to find out why it’s there.
On turbocharged models, have someone watch for smoke from the exhaust at startup, at full throttle while driving, and for a few moments after a hard drive. Smoke could indicate a problem with the turbocharger, though with sensible driving and regular oil changes, this component should last the life of the vehicle.
As with any turbo car, be weary of ‘upgrades’ made to alter the factory-set operation of the turbocharger system or engine electronics. If not properly set up and installed, these alterations could drastically reduce engine life. Exhaust and intake upgrades are typically safe, though if you’re not up on Subaru tuning, stick to a stock model where possible.
Note the condition of brakes and tires, especially on Legacy GT models which are more likely to have been driven hard. Note any slippage from the clutch on models with a manual gearbox, and listen closely for any abnormal sounds from the suspension, too. Clunking, slapping or popping sounds from under the car while travelling over bumps usually mean that a suspension component is in need of replacement.
Typically, Subaru drivetrains and powerplants are known to be solid and reliable if properly maintained. This is evidenced by a lower-than-average level of complaints and problems reported by Legacy drivers who have taken to the web to share their ownership experiences.
If the vehicle you’re considering has an unclear service history, be sure to budget for a tune-up and full fluid change, just to be safe. Note that in addition to standard engine and transmission fluids, the Subaru AWD system has occasional fluid change requirements, too. A dealer-maintained model is your best bet where long-term reliability and durability are concerned.
If everything checks out, a well-maintained last-generation Legacy should prove an enjoyable and confidence-inspiring ride for years to come.
photo:Subaru
Also, have a look under the vehicle for signs of rust or leaky differentials, as well as leaky engine or transmission seals.
Pop the hood and listen to the engine idle. A squealing or scraping noise from the front of the engine could be caused by a belt-tensioner pulley that’s starting to fail. The noise occurs when bearings within the pulley begin to wear before it fails outright.
Be sure there’s no check-engine light illuminated in the instrument cluster, as it could indicate a problem with the engine or one of the sensors attached to it. Bad knock sensors are somewhat common on the 2.5 litre engines, and will cause the light to illuminate. A bad sensor may also disable the cruise control system, too. If you see a check-engine light, be sure to find out why it’s there.
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| (Photo: Subaru) |
On turbocharged models, have someone watch for smoke from the exhaust at startup, at full throttle while driving, and for a few moments after a hard drive. Smoke could indicate a problem with the turbocharger, though with sensible driving and regular oil changes, this component should last the life of the vehicle.
As with any turbo car, be weary of ‘upgrades’ made to alter the factory-set operation of the turbocharger system or engine electronics. If not properly set up and installed, these alterations could drastically reduce engine life. Exhaust and intake upgrades are typically safe, though if you’re not up on Subaru tuning, stick to a stock model where possible.
Note the condition of brakes and tires, especially on Legacy GT models which are more likely to have been driven hard. Note any slippage from the clutch on models with a manual gearbox, and listen closely for any abnormal sounds from the suspension, too. Clunking, slapping or popping sounds from under the car while travelling over bumps usually mean that a suspension component is in need of replacement.
Typically, Subaru drivetrains and powerplants are known to be solid and reliable if properly maintained. This is evidenced by a lower-than-average level of complaints and problems reported by Legacy drivers who have taken to the web to share their ownership experiences.
If the vehicle you’re considering has an unclear service history, be sure to budget for a tune-up and full fluid change, just to be safe. Note that in addition to standard engine and transmission fluids, the Subaru AWD system has occasional fluid change requirements, too. A dealer-maintained model is your best bet where long-term reliability and durability are concerned.
If everything checks out, a well-maintained last-generation Legacy should prove an enjoyable and confidence-inspiring ride for years to come.
photo:Subaru
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