Subaru Legacy

Price Paid:  $30000.00 from Heritage Pikesville

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 Subaru Legacy GT Limited

Summary:
I have used this car for an year now. Couple of minor things have gone wrong. They went wrong mostly because Heritage (dealership) in pikesville has one of the worst mechanics who know nothing about fixing any cars leave alone subarus.

Problems first
1. Squeak from behind the dash. Heritage fixed the noise and messed up other controls. Then heritage connected other controls but not all. It took me 4 trips in all to get the all the controls back and the get the noise fixed. All this time Haritage destroyed my dash side access pannel.


2. Speakers were bad out of box. Heritage put new speakers and messed up the driver side window. Then heritage didn't know how to fix the window problem. By then i moved to fairfax and faifax farrish dealer fixed the window for me. Now farish is fixing all the mess that heritage mechanics created in my car. My suggestion if you in VA and planing to buy or fix a subaru go to farrish they know what they are doing. AVOID HERITAGE pikesville at all costs

What I like:
1. Its a driver car. Has negligible turbo lag. Has a firm suspension. The 45-55 power distribution AWD is a stunner. It gives a near rear wheel drive feel with AWD grip. The suspension is firm but not bone jarring stiff.

2 Its a car that can get you speeding tickets very fast. 80mph feels like 50 and 115 felt like 80 so watch out!!

3 Seats offer good support. Do a great job during hard cornering.

4 The dash layout is tactile. Every thing u need can be reached with your hand still resting on the shifter knob.

5 Decent Navigation (little geeky though). It takes time to get used to but once you get its pretty good. Better than tomtom since subaru navigation (made by kenwood) gives three maneuvers in advance while hand held give only one. I really wish subaru offered a more refined display its pretty grainy

6 From the driver seat there are only two blind spots. I have driven a charger which has a blind spot in almost every side and then chevy's which suffer from same problem

7 Dual climate control act a little weird when its sunny outside but they do a decent job

Over all I am very happy with this car

Strengths:
Performance and Comfort

Weaknesses:
low mileage 19 city and 26(max) hwy. Paint is thin and easily gets scratched. Audio system is reasonable but not great

Similar Products Used:
Owned : Ford Tempo,Escort and Dodge Charger SXT.

Cars that I test drove and compared suby with
VW GTI (loved it), Rabit, Audi A4 quattro (awesome car very expensive),

Cars that i have driven and those that dont even come close
Chevy classic,impala,malebu and cobolt. Dodge neon

Price Paid:  $20000.00 from El Cajon Subaru

Year / Model Reviewed:
2005 Legacy

Summary:
Nice looking, in and out. Ran better after 20,000 miles and got better gas mileage - going up to 28 on SoCal freeways and 31-32 at a steady 80mph on trips.

Handles very well. However - the standard tires are a problem. In a very heavy cornering - the tires just slid out - no notice - no scrubbing - no noise. They just gave away and I went into the other lane. Not the cars problem. It's the standard tires.

Then, speakers on the radio went out.

Then, way under the dash, this noise like a valve opening and closing. Annoying and the dealer can't find it.

Still like the car and for the money, 20k, I'd do it over again.

But it's not a 100% perfect car.

Strengths:
* Handling - despite the tires.
* Gas mileage - non turbo models are economical.
* Looks. It's a head turner.

Weaknesses:
Sometimes it just 'feels' like there was not enough attention paid to detail. Noticable - but not a big detractor.

If you corner hard - get rid of the standard tires.

Similar Products Used:
Tested the Mazda 3, Imprezza and Ford Focus.

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $29000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2005 legacy gt ltd

Summary:
The Legacy GT ltd has the handling and ride of much more exspensive cars with comfortable seats. The rear seat have enough room but wouldn't suggest long trips back there for six footers. I can only tell that the engine is a four banger at low rpm. But at 3,000 rpm the engine really comes alive and rockets the GT off the line. The awd is awesome. I was fooling around in a heavy down pour trying to spin the tires but it never happened. I just wish the stero and gas mileage was better. But there is no car in price range with the power and awd of Legacy GT. I test drove the audi a6 and bmw 330 xi but subaru was cheaper, had better ride, and out performed those cars. Over all a very well built car that has great performance for the price.

Strengths:
ride and handling, awd, power, comfortable seats, and value

Weaknesses:
gas mileage and stero

Similar Products Used:
tested audi a6 and bmw 330 xi

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $30000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited

Summary:
Very Nimble but ride comfort is not sacrificed. Great looking inside and out with awesome cockpit that includes excellently bolstered sport seats. I drove a WRX Wagon first and this car feels much better in every department such as ride, power, etc. The 2.5 Turbo is amazing, useable torque everywhere in the band, very fast car if you want it to be. While $30,000 isn't cheap, it's a bargain compared to the BMW 325xi which has lethargic acceleration, cramped quarters, rough ride, and a sticker of nearly $40,000!

Strengths:
Looks, Comfort, Handling, Acceleration, quiet cabin, Smooth Shifting (car came with STi Short Throw Shifter), and FUN. Also an up and coming aftermarket.

Weaknesses:
Gas Mileage (22-23 on avg), Premium Fuel reccomended

Similar Products Used:
Volvo V70 T5, S70 T5, Passat 1.8 T, Jetta GLX, Honda Civic Si

Price Paid:  $27000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 Baja/Turbo

Summary:
This is a lot of car (or truck)! Tons of standard equipment: pwr drs, locks, keyless,pwr moonroof,dark tint, 6 disc changer, ABS and AWD to name a few. Full-time all wheel drive makes a world of difference in this vehicle on dry or slippery roads. It handles well, has an aggressive stance and distinctive styling. Crash test ratings will put your mind at ease, as will the brake response. The bed is big enough for most casual uses (ex. dogs can ride very comfortably). Best of all, I love to drive it! The motor and suspension are a delight a-la the performance sedan engineering. The turbo replaces the ho-hum power of the naturally aspirated 2.5 with the much more robust power of a variably valve timed, turboed, twin over head cammed engine that has been well proven in the STI and Forester XT. Compared to the arcane suspension technology found under most truck-utes, the independent suspension of the Baja is delightfully quiet, responsive and now allows for 8.4 inches of ground clearance. Probably most noticable is the Baja's easy maneuverability in jungles of both the urban and rural sorts. If you tow or haul large amounts of weight, the Baja's 2400 lbs. of capacity will not suit your needs, but if your truck bed only gets the occasional kanine passenger, camping equipment, drumset or HomeDepot loot like mine, the Baja will be just right.

Strengths:
Versatile, nimble,fast/fun, lots of standard equipment, singular looks, AWD, Manumatic tranny, Truck utility -- car like feel.

Weaknesses:
towing capacity, singular looks, diminutive bed

Similar Products Used:
Avalanche Ford Explorer Sport Trac