2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport Tourer Goes for a Drive - Modern Monday 

Ran this exact model of Legacy (albeit with a 5-sp manual) for 5 years. Awesome machine. Drove to the south of France (from the uk) multiple times without issue. Never had an engine issue. Wheel bearings & exhaust tend to be weak points but maintain those and they will run forever. Sold it with 230k miles.

I have a 2009 3.0R Spec B saloon. It's the best car I've ever owned. It can pootle around on the commute with the auto box performing superbly - while drinking petrol like the stuffs going out of fashion. These Subarus are not economical - if that's your thing then get a boring car. I don't care about the petrol; I have power and traction as and when I want it and I'm prepared for the fuel bill. I can get 35mpg on a run - big whoop you'll say, but you're not driving a Spec B.

imo the best looking gen Legacy, especially the sedan

Ive always seen these cars, as kind of a japanese Volvos 😉🇸🇪 🇯🇵They are great travel companions, doing long drives loaded with passengers and suitcases.

20:36 Thats not a rear wiper button it’s for the heated front wipers for when they are iced up. There are heater elements along the bottom of the windscreen. I have an Outback same year as this! Great cars!

you can admire your Merc's soft-touch dash, whilst you're sitting on the side of the freeway waiting for the tow-truck to arrive. Subaru FTW

It's actually not a rear wiper button, but front wipers defroster, its unique fearture to subarus, they have heating lines under the spot where wipers are resting.

Great cars. I especially admired the very quick 3.0 Spec B versions.

I can highly recommend this generation of Legacy. I have one of each, an estate and a saloon, both manual 2.5 SEs. 8 years and over 140,000 miles on the estate with no problems at all and 35+mpg without driving like a granny. Both cars are very surefooted and lots of fun. The steering is very direct, keep the power on through the bends and it pulls you round like magic!

My son has a twin scroll turbo 300bhp GT Japanese import. He found me a car... £950 for a 2005 2.5 estate auto with 141k and leather. Now 149k. It sips oil more than I like but the recirculation valve sticks open. Aircon packed up years ago. I've had Spec B suspension and brakes fitted from a busted car. Now it stops and handles really well. It's a very heavy car. The power is sapped by the auto box too. Otherwise it's a capable car. I throw loads of rubbish in mine and it always cleans up well. Buy one now before they disappear....

Brilliant family wagons for the keen driver. My parents are on their 2nd and I'm trying to find one of the 3.0rspecB for myself. Very reliable and spacious yet still a good size for country lanes etc. Fuel economy not the best (25-32mpg) , but outweighed by the permanent 4wd and usefulness. Love the timeless design too. Can you tell I like them?!

Very timely video, Matt. I recently accepted a straight, solid, but non-runner 2005 Outback as a partial trade. I’ve yet to touch it and have been on the fence about fixing vs. selling/scrapping. Watching this has peaked my interest in trying to get her up and running to use as a new daily. “Cool without even trying?!” Sign me up! As a 50 year old father of 2 teenagers, I need all the help I can get in that department. Cheers, mate.

This was the best Legacy they ever made, the quality of the material in these were comparable to Audi at the time. Then they screwed it all up with the next generation lol

The Last Legacy ; real auto transmission and the frameless doors.

Love these, anything that is different is a winner in my book. These are so cool, pretty understated and most people won’t know what it is! Great test Matt

Love these. Love the clearance and the extra ride height without being the height of an SUV. Engine has a good amount of torque too. However that interior is an ode to black. Those seats and the whole interior would be as hot as hell.

Superb review again. I love your storytelling. These Soebs where great cars, built like a rock and full of character.

Hi Matt,I remember the the old Subaru legacy and that was nice,this is totally different,looks modern even though the year,and grunt to go with it.

15:35 Truth is stranger than fiction. A BMW M car letting someone pull out?! With a Aygo driver getting road rage? Perhaps they assumed that a BMW driver couldn't possibly be just letting someone out, and must be turning, as indicated by the lack of indicators.

This is a timely review. Jobless due to some pandemic thing going on, so test driving a 2.5i saloon tomorrow as a cheaper replacement for my current car. Needs must and all that. Hopefully it will be in the "most reliable car ever driven" category.

These are called ‘Outback’ in Aus. The 2.5 often develop leaking head gaskets. Apparently the turbos had much better gaskets and had no problems.

3:29 thought Scotty was coming out of there for a second 😂

Speaking of Crocodile Dundee, Paul Hogan was in Subaru Outback commercials in the US

Man I didn't know they make it in green role the finders and add some wider wheel and new coils would look amazing. But still love my pearl white

Excellent cars, I’m the happy owner of an ‘05 JDM import Legacy GT Spec.B, with the 2.0 twinscroll turbo. More power, PLG tax and better economy than the 3.0 flat six, very responsive and great to drive. The Japanese cars often have a great spec and are usually much cleaner than the UK cars, definitely worth a look. Rare cars and something a little different, whilst still practical and a bit under the radar. Keep up the great work with the vids!

Cracking review as normal Matt, I do love the Legacy, mainly due to Supergramps, when my Kia got written off I jokingly added a import Legacy to my wishlist to replace it... Somehow I ended up with a Astra Hatchback diesel! Good to see a spare wheel and totally agree with you these stupid gunk cans are of no use ever!

BTW, that center cubby hole under the cover between the center vents would be for the factory sat nav. Legacy wagons (Estates) were dropped here in the US 🇺🇸, all now are Outback, the sedan (saloon) would be the Legacy. And the Legacy predates the Impreza, so I would say that model uses Legacy mechanicals. Good video!

I own a 2008 Outback in Australia which is the same body and engine as the one driven. Its the best all-rounder I've owned. Yes, they are a bit expensive to maintain compared to say, a Toyota, but its worth it. So far it's done 150,000km and it still feels very solid despite me exploring its 4WD capabilites which are impressive. I keep meeting Subaru drivers who've done 300-450,000km so let's see how it holds up.

Why am I awake watching this ?

I love my JDM 05 Legacy. Mine is a SOHC EJ20i, The JDM ones are really nice and well equipped, The "Bright" Button makes all the gauge and accessory backlights bright again because most people who own these drive with the lights on. Also, the Subaru logo comes from the Japanese language and means “unite”. It is also a term that is used to identify a cluster of six stars, which the Greeks titled the Pleiades.

Interesting video. Back in the middle 2000s, Ma was thinking of trading in her Volvo 240, Arthur, for one of these, with the Sport Package. Even in Canada, the only way to get the seat heaters and the rest of the Winter Equipment Package was to move up to the Limited, which was about the same as the one you reviewed. Since ma would not have leather, sun roof, or climate control, she kept Arthur. I'm still driving him. The Legacy wagon was also down significantly on cargo room compared to the 240 Estate. The Legacy measured in at 68.8 cubic feet, the Volvo 140 at 76.6. The Volvo also gets much better real-world fuel economy, using less fuel and 87 Octane compared to the Subaru which requires 91 octane at the minimum.

Total agree about suv things. I literally don't understand what people see in them. Give me a saloon or an estate every day of the week.

I have the 2.0L N/A same color. very reliable thing . the only thing i had an issue with headlights but changing them to xenon solved the issue.

Nice car, my guilty pleasure has been want a forester, I can’t explain that one

This is indeed a cool car and would be even better with a manual transmission. "Estate cars are 10x cooler than SUVs". Couldn't agree more!

Good stuff Matt, always an interesting watch. £900 on the bay if anyone is interested in this car. More tinkering videos Matt! Love it when you mess about and doing odd jobs on your fleet.

2.5 has a 4 speed gearbox buddy, not 5. Apart from this, really good review! Thank you!

2005 not-so-supergramps goes for a drive I do have a soft spot for Legacies, but I'd be lying if Marty's example didn't play into that.

I have an 07 Subaru impreza with the 2.5 ej253 great car especially when the snow flies here in Ontario Canada you will love it

The only car that Clarkeson , Hammond and May all agreed was great. A 4x4 load lugger that drives round bends like a sports car, what else do you need?!

I have the previous model, but a saloon. Has a great manual gearbox. I bought it silly cheep with a suspect blown head gasket. after a lot of messing around. And the engine out at a specialist, new update gaskets. It's fantastic!! Also it sounds much better than the one you were driving. Subaru did something to stop the trade mark exhaust note. Mine is a little louder as I have a sports ss one. It's not mega just nice ... It also runs on LPG so cheep to run... I just wish it was an estate!! Great vlog as usual keep up the good work!

what you said about subaru's been reliable or crap is true, i had a friend who burnt through thousands trying to keep his on the road he scrapped it in the end as a clutch job was going to be £1000+ and most garages didn't want the job

You can shift the auto into sport mode without needing to use the ‘tiptronic’ mode. It’ll then shift automatically but offer a bit more aggressiveness. On the turbo JDM models, you only get full boost in sport mode even.

“Either the most reliable car you’ve ever driven or forever letting you down. Their doesn’t seem to be a happy medium.” Suburu’s sound like Rover 75’s.

I’ve always found these rather good looking! Would definitely own one in the future.

This is the only really good looking Subaru. I nearly bought one (secondhand) but went for an Octavia 4x4 for mpg and lightness reasons mainly....and refinement if I'm honest, but it's a great car and I have a friend who still has one.

No one ever called my dad’s Marina estate cool, not to mention his Lada Riva estate. 😉

As someone who does not like FWD, and RWD being so less common nowadays, an AWD Subaru has been on my shopping list. Looking on Ebay, though, there were so many Subarus requiring either major mechanical work, or major rust repairs, I had to write them off, and I bought an Ignis 4-grip instead. I guess you might be right that they can be the best car in the world, but I'd worry about getting one which isn't! Great review as ever. All the best. Gord :-) BTW, I am told by the kids I work with that it isn't cool to say cool anymore...

Cool car describes it for me.. often wondered what these were like, thanks for sharing your insight Matt

We’ve got the 2010 version of this very car.....cracking motors, can’t fault them.....👍🇮🇲

The man with the multitasking jaws , reviews a car that has the styling of a turd , but is a dream quality car built for a doomsday scenario. Love the revanomics quip it sums up your unique style of narration that your subscribers 💔. Yourself , Hub Nut 🥜, and the lady with the beehive hair are the best reviewers on the planet 🪐. 👍 Tam.

Oops 🧐 you forgotten the Citroën GS/GSA flat 4 boxer and 2CV 2 cylinder boxer.

Sorry but 'frameless' not 'pillarless' windows. Is that too picky? Brilliant car though. Cheers.

One of few manual wagons we got in America

I sold my '06, 3.0L sedan, 12mths ago, best handling car ever, very neutral.

Fab video. But the burning question is: is there anywhere to grow cress in it?

Used to daily a GT Spec B 2.5T here in Aus. Miss that car so much

Boxer 4 cyl's - how dare you overlook Citroen...Ami...GS and GSA !! Brother in law had one of these - sure his was a 6 cyl model - which was amazing for its age - 2 x sunroofs, aircon, sat nav, blue tooth the lot - bit of a steal when he got it - highish mileage for a 4 year old car but the killer was the thirsty boxer engine linked to an autobox so nobody wanted it !! As he was running it effectively on his business he took the risk and got about 10 years out of it before finally, sadly, last year it failed an MOT on a humungous amount of welding being needed. He scrapped it and bought 3 year old Mazda 6 that he loves. Oh - and I'd call those doors frameless not pillarless - the doors attach to the A and B pillar respectively but there is no frame around the windows.

Excellent review.

I've always been interested in Subarus but I hear reports that the auto boxes are weak,especially mated to the six cylinder versions.Also that the six is more likely to blow a head gasket,which is a known issue with all of them.I asked my mechanic and he said that they are "high maintenance vehicles."If you have ever seen the block with the head off,there seems to be precious little space between the two cylinders for the gasket to go between.Probably why the gaskets blow.They are very popular here in NZ though.Sadly I'll probably continue to drive my 287,000k 2002 Toyota Camry wagon.

Always loved these, especially the Outback for us who would like to be more out and about in nature. Don't understand why they even bothered with a sedan? It's like buying a Volvo sedan - why?!?!

I'm tempted for this to be my next car.. (for once something else than my Volvo's..) It should run on LPG which can be found plentyful, but: When adjusting valves or even replacing the spark plugs, the whole engine needs to come out!! That is mega expensive.. And on LPG, valves need adjusting every 40.000 kilometers 😞 Also, these Subaru's are very prone to rust excessively underneath, so beware..

3:30 That was very early 90s Jeremy Clarkson. You are missing the hair though. And it wasn't a vauxhall cavalier estate.

I had a Subaru Legacy Spec B earlier this year on an 06. Purchased it from a lady owner who had owned it for 12 years but it had a fault; it was missing a cylinder. Took it spares or repair, and then started fault finding. Pinning the ECU showed it wasn’t giving a spark to cylinder one at all. Turned out to be an ECU fault no one wanted to repair (Denso) apart from one place. IC for cylinder one spark had failed, new one soldered in and voila! Back on 6. Ran it for 4 months, lovely lovely car. I miss it, but not the £500 a year tax. I’d have another in a heartbeat just for the 3.0 flat 6, preferably manual this time.

Lovely Jubbly, a very underrated car I think.

good extensive review lots of detail appreciate ---------- did have legacy slightly older --- comfortable very well built if finding a good service history one --- // drives well even worst weather you feel safe ---- // went onto porsche but for family car town and country sub leg very good ----------- typical japanaese engineering like every detail carefully worked out ---// vid tick

Bought one nearly 3 years ago for 900quid. I've put over 60k in it since, and I'm just over 240k now. Not one issue. Servicing and consumables only. Fantastic car

Subaru always had interesting cars. Very well built and reliable. And this one looks also very good. Hope you can also review a SVX in the future. The paintwork and wheels are in need of some tlc! Looks tired.

Lovely car, just a bit special and you feel good driving one compared to other run of the mill estates and those so uncool SUVs. I’m on my second Subaru Legacy, and I’ll keep it until it’s done. Mine have both been totally reliable.

That's a good looking car. The interior looks so spacious and airy. I like it. I must disagree regarding SUVs though. I dont like all of them, but I'm going to be the owner of a small one soon. And I'm going from an Abarth! And I think it looks cool. I love all types of cars...whatever size. Whatever power. And I love driving. So much snootiness about cars which I've never understood. Bit of a shame really

First Subaru I ever drove was the Leone back in the day there was nothing like it. It was a 4 door in beige.

The badge of Subaru is the Pleiades as seen from japan, not the Southern Cross....

Platform of this car is different of the Impreza even if it shares some components with the Impreza. It was at the time of the launched a new platform and still used until now with the 5th, 6th gen Legacy or 4th and 5th gen Outback, Tribeca and Exiga. Tire pressure dial tool was not standard.

Yup, couldn't agree more Matt. Other than three box saloons, Estates are the best. And than one is very nice indeed. I prefer the Saab slightly more though. Many thanks.

Thanks for the great review, I enjoyed it very much, another great car!

Never been sure about these cars to many dicussions about quality and reliability ,like you say they are either good or bad its a risk you take on a used one !!!! I think i may either be buying a good saab or vw passat ....great content matt excuse the waffling STAY SAFE WEAR A MASK 😄😄😄😄😄🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧☕☕☕☕☕HAVING T IN YOUR MUG

I've a 5th generation BR9 Legacy GT-S imported from Japan with the 2.5turbo and 5 speed auto box if you're local to the south coast and want to take it for a spin.

Looks a really good car actually. Why there are not more of these used as family wagons instead of Kia Sportage Ford Kugas and Nissan Qashqai's I have no idea. I know what you mean about these being kind of cool even though they are not trying to be cool. Modern Audi's and BMW's (ok and Merc's too, sorry) with massive alloys, stupidly bright dazzling lights, leds etc trying to look flash are just....actually.....not cool any more. When BMW and Audi first started selling cars in this country they were exclusive machines. Not now. Common as muck and not special at all.

I've got the 2010 Outback version of this, such a great car! I got it because I needed an estate for my medium sized dog, and got sick of getting snowed in with my Astra estate. Test drove a Shogun 3.2, loved it but was far too much for me, fuel gauge was dropping on the short test drive. I got the 2.0 boxer diesel, I get about 30mpg, I do cane it though. For me, its the only Outback in the works car park, amid a sea of Audi, BMW and Mercs. Great cars but just not me. The Outback is the ugliest and most rugged of the lot, and I barely wash it, as it looks so much better when its filthy. It sits next to the executive German saloons, not competing with them, just being it's own. Its got big tyre profiles, so nipping onto a kerb isn't and issue, like the low profile tyres on others. It's a car like myself. I can't possibly pretend it hasn't given me issues, but nothing you wouldn't get with other cars. One thing that is troubling it is corrosion. 10 years old and sticking brake calipers, if I get another, first thing I do is get it undersealed. Great car, love it to bits! Great video too!!!

Ngl, this generation still attractive to look at compared to the new one.

A really nice car. Bought a 08 diesel but read the horror stories and sold it on within a month. Recognise some parts of Bristol there, you almost went past my mums house!

Spot on with your comments about how totally naff SUV's are imo lol. Not normally a Subaru fan but this one appears to tick all the boxes. Great review :-)

I like these a lot - was seriously considering buying one, but the allure of another Alfa was too much to ignore......

I like the colour of this one, sir...

No, is the Forester the one that shares transmission and chassis with the Impreza

The driver of these cars especially in that colour remind me of that middle aged couple you see out walking their 2 dogs (usually spaniels). You know nothing about them but you see them alot😂

Brilliant cars, except for the fuel economy. I have a previous generation Outback with the 3l H6 engine. Love it to bits.

I have a 2006 Outback 2.5SE and I really like it. My only niggles are that the air-con has had to be worked on a couple of times and is in need of another fix (but not with the air temperature at minus 2 as it at the moment!) and that it has a fly-by-wire throttle that isn't totally consistent in its response to quick blips for heel & toe down-changes (yes, I have the manual box - eat your heart out). Would like some legal headlight improvements as the halogen dips are a bit weak when up against the latest "lets blind all on-comers" LED technology. Certainly won't be pitching it in against anything in the current Subaru line-up (CVT and electronic handbrake? No thanks!) I used to own a VW 412LE Variant that had a flat-4 engine and I love the way the Outback has the same sound at low speeds. A fun review with James May here:- ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YzK-3lk5IWU.html

With the diesel version the ideal car for me. Hard to find low mileage ones because people drive them to the end and beyond.

The title should have been "2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport Tourer Goes for a *Tour*" :P

Isnt it a bit too noisy ? A lot of noise in cabin while driving and especially when you did at higher speeds.

Individual fog light switch on the indicator stalk unusual? That's in soo many Japanese cars.

Nice cars if anybody really likes driving you shouldn't buy an SUV unless you drive a van for a living about as much fun!

Talking of pop-up headlamps - have there actually been any estate cars with them? The only one I can think of is the Ferrari 456 Venice, and they only made 8 of those, 7 disappeared never to be seen again.

Unfortunately road tax (per year) for a car like that in Greece is 840€ which is very prohibiting

Hang on, you were driving through Keynsham! I was born there. I bet you really wanted to know that... 😕

I get the feeling youve watched a lot of top gear haha. great review

Hey Matt, great video 😃

''SUVs naffest uncoolest things ever''.... how true!

And the 2.0 turbo? And the. 3.0 N/A flat 6?