"a degree of offroad ability" nah hammond if you see where my subie goes youll change your mind about that. actually even the africa special changed his mind
I had a 1999 Subaru legacy outback (This model) the anniversary edition. And I just bought my second Subaru a 2014 impreza sport. After going with a honda for 4 years. I doubt I'll stray from Subaru again. I missed how safe I felt, as well as the "I'll get you home in that blizzard" Feeling I always had in mine.
Subaru is, in 2014, the last true japanese brand on the market. Toyota build in England, Mitsubishi in Thailand, Daihatsu left the market, Suzuki are building together with Opel and Nissan are more and more Renault. Subaru stayed Subaru. With exception of the gearboxes, the cars are very reliable things. Servicing is a little bit more expensive, but it's worth it.
There is no question that Subarus are high quality vehicules. The only thing that has always refrained me to purchase a used one was the engine design. Given that it is a boxer type, it bothers me that the oil could accumulate on the lower part and then pour to the ground due to gravity. And that this, besides bedraggling the floor, could potentially damage the engine or perhaps shortening its life span.
I have an 01 blue legacy, got it for 1800.00 bucks here in the U.S. earlier this year. I drive in a lot of off road places, and it still impresses me how this car can climb, and especially get through big mud pits with ease.
well in america they have the SOHC in that gen, (not sure about the rest of the world thats why I say that) the SOHC 2.5l known as the EJ251 is where the whole subaru head gasket issue thing comes from, people always reference that as the first reliability issue typically found on subarus however they most likely have been changed already and usually people go for the triple layer metal head gaskets which solve the problem completely, the previous subaru 2.5l was a DOHC motor, the EJ25D, and was a bit more reliable than the SOHC motor imo, and a bit more effervescent as well. however the gen 3 had a better interior with a little more room and an overall higher quality feel, the older the subaru the more agricultural it feels and is. as for MPG subarus aren't the best example of frugality in a 4 cylinder lol. I get 30mpg on the HWY if i'm 100% cruise control at 55-60mph but that never happens ;), average for me anyway is around 22 mpg but the tradeoff in torque (the power you really need and want) and AWD is terrific if you need it. the gen 3 has LSD (limited slip differentials) as opposed to the previous subaru legacy having open diffs which can get embarrassing in slipperier conditions so it's a great choice imo. if you are in the north like me check the rear fender wheel arches for rust, that's where it starts.
I had a 2000 Legacy GT wagon - 5 speed, 2.5L. Fun car - and absolute winter beast. The 4WD system in the stick was super simple - just the viscous lockup when you got wheel spin which meant hanging the ass end out on snow/wet surfaces was very easy and fun. The brakes were incredible - I had an incident on sand one time and could not believe how good the 4 channel ABS worked (4 channel ABS was rare on any car at that time)
@@steinrunenyblethansen1794 ...and why are my eyes watering so much?? Keep running down my face....glug glug glug. I mean, why did they have to name me after a beer mug anyway? Could be a Dylan, Reece or Nathaniel (!) I suppose....or even a male Kelly. Heheh/
Two things: 1) that music is '80's extreme! 2) Japanese should NOT do wood interior. That plasticky wood-ish look is horrid. Aside from that, these cars are brilliant. Nothing comes close for the price.
I had a 2001 GTB. It was 15 years old by the time I got it. I had no major issues with it. Engine blew for the next owner at just 150,000kms. The twin turbos were notoriously finicky, hence why they’re so cheap today (like $5k Canadian)
Those twin turbo GTBs still sell for heaps in NZ (if they have low KMs) compared to other cars from that era, even though everyone knows they're unreliable as fuck
mammothfire its just the way top gear is. It went from a pretty informative car channel to three blokes who go on roadtrips and have some fun. Its not for everyone, but i did quite enjoy it. Now i dont quite enjoy it as much since top gear has come to amazon but i still watch it. The new top gear on bbc aint half bad either.
@@roddydykes7053 sorry thats my no good son he talks all day but never does nothing but play WoW. he never swapped the h6 he couldnt even change his brakes
Always loved a Subaru, I was going to get one as a family car. Instead opted for a Mondeo 2.2 2 completely different kettle of fish I know! I just couldn't live with 20mpg and being best friends with the local petrol station.
I had the import 2.0 twin turbo estate petrol and a new saloon twin turbo. Both auto tiptronic. They both never let me down at all. I had a Subaru forester import with 240hp and that never let me down. I had 2 Subaru Impreza WRX turbo imports and again. I drove in thick snow and on sheet ice. Across fields too. I mean deep mud on road tyres where others were getting stuck. I got my wife one and she loved it. Biggest regret was selling it for a Jeep patriot that went through wishbones like twice a year... If you want a reliable motor, buy a Subaru with a petrol engine. NOT diesel! The diesel engines are terribly unreliable.
Two decades later and these are still popular as they were upon release. I guess not all things have to change in this world. I wish I had one but I'm really into 6 cylinders and I'm not sure if subarus h6 is as realiable as ones from toyota or are even offered in this model.
Was that a real color option in the UK? It's incredible! Also incredible is how much Richard's accent has softened. He doesn't sound so rich and uptight! Hah.
yeah, to my knowledge from scouring through countless records and spec sheets from different market gen 3 legacies for a mod I'm making for a game, it's called mustard mica, and it was offered in the EU and JDM markets, not sure about AU liberties tho
@@railfanatic1416 That's awesome! Subaru has made some very obscure 1-2 year color options over the years. Love it. Thanks for the info. Edit: Which gam, by the way?
@@802Garage beamng, a physics simulator. I love gen 3 legacies, had a timberline green and a wintergreen L, along with a ruby red 97 rhd postal wagon and planning to get a GT, and when revision A gtbs or GTs are legal in the US, gonna import one if they haven't already been imported everywhere else lmao. Yeah, Subaru made a lot of nice colors for gen 3s, my favs probs being mustard mica and timberline green pearl (hunter green Metallic in other markets i think)
@@railfanatic1416 Cool about the game. I too am a big fan of... Well Subaru in general, but love the gen 1-3 Legacy. Yep that was me! Not my car obvs, but that thing was wild. I'm actually building a V10 Impreza if you're interested. It's mostly a for fun silly build, but we'll see what it turns into. :)
I bought one of These 2 years ago and got Into a Crash Last week, No damage slid of the road Into a Field No damage seeded some Farmers Assistamce tho to get out
In the country I live in, this model range between 98-03 had some of the worst depreciation I have seen of any mid range vehicle. The vehicles also are expensive to repair when they do need it. The latest versions are the same.
Sounds like a waking nightmare. I would not wish this reality upon my worst enemy. In this day and age there is little excuse for not doing the work yourself - some tools, google and the right attitude. Guess in the smaller markets there is opportunity to charge a premium due to (percieved) exclusivity or maybe they need to to pay the bills and justify operations? All speculation I know. Where are you?
Old generation much better than the last two, I own a 1997 outback 2.5L manual transmission, and 2008 outback L.L. Bean 3.0L a pain in the ass, many electronic problem, especially with the transmission, turbine sensors, now spark plug coils, that is cost too much, subaru it's doesn't make better car like before, and now with those CTV transmission, no way, I'm in looking for another outback or forester but manual transmission, 2000 to 2004, after that, is only trash..., I would keep my old 1997 by the way, still going on with almost 300k, thanks...
It's crazy seeing Hammond in his early days. Anyways, I have a Stinkeye STI sedan but I've always loved Subie wagons! I'd love to have a Blobeye wrx wagon or a Fozzie XT....
I bought outback last week. Fantastic car. But its not a competetor for audi a6 or 5er. Subaru is more stiffer. A6 and bmw is much more softer and comfortable. But it doesnt matter while car have a cardan.
Subaru would not make a GOOD LOOKING Legacy for almost another DECADE, since this one. LOOKs Continues to be a weakness for Subaru. Such a shame for a company that makes a truly OUT-standing product. Did you know that Subaru makes their OWN CV joints (half shafts -drive-train) with EXTRA SET of knuckles? NOBODY DOES THIS!!! Nevermind the benefit of symetrical power/drive-train; their differentials are also slightly more efficient(less friction) than others. Magnificant manufacturer FUJI heavy ind.
Not sure about Europe; But in Japan the series is at least one year earlier. So a 1999 JDM will look like a 2000 U.S. market. When I'm looking at used JDM auctions the 2004 already looks like the next gen with the smaller rounded tail lights near the outer edges (no center strip).
