Subaru Legacy Owners?

[Razorbill RIBs]

I've seen a tidy Legacy estate (old one '02 plate) with sub 100K..... very very cheap! I like the idea of one and am tempted to buy it as a family smoke about....the new place we've bought is alittle bit off the beaten track and it will be useful for Katy for the winter (and means the Jeeps don't come home bashed up when borrowed in the snow....don't ask )

Its a 2.0 normally aspirated lump..... I know that Subarus have a rep for being thirsty..... is that fair? The MPG figures online vary HUGELY as low as high teens and high as early 40's..... Is anyone here an owner /what is the reality?

She runs a Golf GTTDi for work and tbh we rarely see higher than early 40's with that round here....The Jeeps are a joke (stopped looking recently) and the less said about my beloved Volvo the better....

SO....am I being unrealistic expecting 30's from a 2.0 Legacy?....is the 2.5 much worse (poss more efficient when lugging the big estate around??) If it is thirsty then we'd prob be better off not buying it and letting her borrow a Jeep when required....and live with the damage

[Mantaclause]

Hi there I have an 03 impreza with a 2.0 n/a engine (probably the same) and I find that while it is possible to get 30 +mpg on a long run on my short daily commute its more like 20 (and thats being careful) . But i can live with that As it only does 5000 miles a year basically to work and back, towing the sib around in the summer and when theres white stuff in the winter! and we use the wife's car for everything else. You do get a lot of car for your money with them and mine has been totally reliable (just as well as parts are quite expensive unless you can find second hand) so it's probably just a case of weighing up the cost of the vehicle against the fuel economy and how many miles its going to do. Hope that's of help.

[Silverfox]

Used to have a legacy and I can't remember the mpg - sorry. However do not buy a legacy with an auto box, been there done that. Changing gear, especially down, was if it was waiting for the request in writing. Other than that a fine car.

[Razorbill RIBs]

Thanks both, really helpful feedback (its a manual).

I went ahead and bought it...... the price was very good so i couldn't pass it up.... It has a few months tax on it and plenty of MOT. I also had /may have a potential buyer for it.....not sure what i'll do just yet, see if Katy likes it....20 mpg as bad as the Jeeps then

[Viper]

Dan, speak to Stuart he is going to gas his Subaru.

[spartacus]

Subaru parts and servicing costs are expensive unless you can do it yourself. What about an Audi Allroad? Plenty cheap ones about. Only downside is air suspension if it goes which would be expensive to repair, but at this price - worth the punt. 2.5TDI (180ps) quattro. Reckon you'd get 30mpg from it.
Audi Allroad 2.5 TDI Quattro 5dr Tip Auto Diesel Estate 2000

[ollyit]

I have a 1999 Uk impreza turbo 2000, same "ej20" lump a great tow car, and its not that bad on fuel, read the owners handbook with regards to servicing schedule, you can do the majority by yourself, dont use cheap oil, and for the record I can get 27mpg with the turbo version

mpg wise depending on how well serviced it is,id expect 35ish and anything else is a bonus, remember there heavy beasts, twice the drive train as most cars, diffs, centre diffs, more drive shafts, prop shaft etc -

plenty off good forums for knowledge and owner opinions/parts etc

hope you got a good un, enjoy it!