1997 Subaru Legacy Review
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Running Great for 12 years
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Subaru Legacy 4 Dr Outback AWD Wagon
Review
This is my 2nd Subaru and handles the Washington winters-I've pulled many larger cars and 4X4's up our hill with this car. The 5 sp manual is fun, gets better acceleration/mileage than an automatic. It has been very reliable, though it has a slow oil leak and have had to replace the struts. It goes very well off road, hauls a trailer easily, and has a very versatile interior for hauling people or cargo. The exterior paint has been very durable. It could use higher headrests, exterior mirror pivots, better drink holders in a better position, and better sound insulation. Three kids have learned to drive on this car and I plan to keep it until "Sabastian" is abducted to college.
Favorite Features
AWD, safety rating, good gas mileage (for AWD), flexible interior, seat height adjuster
Suggested Improvements
It could use higher headrests, exterior mirror pivots, better drink holders in a better position, and better sound insulation.
What's breaking next?
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 2 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Subaru Legacy 4 Dr Outback 4WD Sedan
Review
Bought for $3,000, sold for $400. Transmission went out 1 week after purchase. Put another $1,200 in it trying to keep it running for my wife. Still drivable, just not on highway (it would not go above 40 mph). Head gasket blew after 3 months. Found out later that all wheel drive was never really working (no power going to the rear wheels). Power steering went out. Stereo stopped working. Hatch lock broke and would not close.
Favorite Features
Durable interior and exterior with good styling. Very easy to work on unless you are changing spark plugs.
Suggested Improvements
Subaru needs to stop making these modern day jalopies. From our experience the whole car is mechanically unreliable and unpredictable.
Like a pet
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Subaru Legacy 4 Dr L AWD Sedan
Review
We loved this car so much that we gave it a name (soobie). Until we bought our new 2004 Legacy, it was the best car we ever owned. It was economical (5 speed), reliable (few repairs in over 130,000 miles) and safe (I got rear-ended at a stop light. The car that hit me had to be flat bedded. I drove to work.) I eventually sold this car to a friend, reluctantly, and when we heard that it was eventually totaled in an accident, we almost cried.
Favorite Features
Safety, reliability and fun to drive.
Suggested Improvements
More power, better stereo.
Worth it
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Subaru Legacy 4 Dr GT 4WD Sedan
Review
I bought this car after I rolled my rear wheel drive truck in the snow. I wanted something that would hold the road and it has not disappointed. The car shifts rough into second gear, but it does have 170,000 miles. I just replaced the front axle and when I first got it had to replace the NOC sensor. Something like that. If I don't sell it, I think it'll make it to 220,000 or so before anything major needs to be done to it.
Favorite Features
CD changer
Suggested Improvements
The cupholder blocks both the radio and the air conditioning controls.
Great Reliable Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
1997 Subaru Legacy 4 Dr Brighton AWD Wagon
Review
This car is great in the snow and Vermont mud season (we live out on three miles of dirt road). My wife is more comfortable driveing this car than our 4wd drive pick-up truck. we bought the car with 70,000 miles on it and the car just seems to go for ever. we are now at 150,000 miles with only minor expected repaires. Definitely the most sturdy and reliable car I have ever owned. I get 28-32 miles per gallon with the manual trans.
Favorite Features
All wheel drive, large area for hauling stuff, reliablity, fuel economy
Suggested Improvements
Move the cup holders away from the heater controls, more options on wiper controls, nicer seats with more support
View Pricing for Other Years
Research the 1997 Subaru Legacy
Buying & Selling
Vehicle Details
Multimedia
Ratings & Reviews
- Model Review
- Road Test Ratings
- Road Test Reviews
- Consumer Reviews
- Awards History
- Reliability
- Consumer Discussions
Payment Calculators
Helpful Tools
