2005 Subaru Legacy Review

Name: 2005 Subaru Legacy Review
Brand: Subaru
Price: 1874 USD
Rating: 4.7 (282 reviews)

2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited 4dr Wagon

2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited AWD 4dr Wagon

+120

Used Legacy for sale

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Subaru Legacy model years

Subaru Legacy for Sale

Subaru Legacy types

Wagon
Sedan

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Don't have to pay extra for all-wheel drive, generous standard equipment list, top-notch build and materials quality, excellent power in GT models, great highway ride, sharp handling.

Cons

Stability control not available, smaller backseat than most competitors.

What’s new

An all-new and vastly improved Legacy is introduced in sedan and wagon body styles. Topping the list of upgrades are a 250-horsepower turbocharged engine, a stylish new interior and a full menu of airbags.

Edmunds says

A tight chassis, a turbocharged engine and a slick cockpit have transformed the all-wheel-drive Legacy into a serious driver's car. Whether you're an enthusiast in need of four doors or a safety-conscious parent in need of some fun, this one is worth a try.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$189/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Subaru Legacy.

5 (80%)

4 (15%)

3 (5%)

2 (0%)

1 (0%)

4.7

282 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

05 GT Wagon

whitehe9, 06/28/2011

2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

This is the most performance for the $ you can possibly have on 4 wheels. Read the reviews - said about that. However, the 05 model and possibly others has a major problem with turbo failure, which is not the fault of the turbo but a design failure by Subaru. This is fact and other buyers and independent mechanics agree - read forums. This a $3000 repair by the dealer but you can usually …

Great Car

belaircarguy, 02/19/2014

2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)

Great Car! Bought a 2005 Legacy GT Limited Wagon for my college daughter. 100,000 miles on it, but was well cared for by an adult owner. Interior looks new, and paint is flawless. Turbo engine is powerful and car is fun to drive. Built quality of a Subaru is second to none. Overall, could not be happier. Did know that at this mileage I would need to replace the timing belt/water …

Dream Car

Sue Tonnesen, 02/23/2016

2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Always felt like this was the right size car for me. It has enough acceleration that made me comfortable merging into traffic. The all wheel drive gave me comfort when dealing with snowy and wet roads. The light interior with a dark blue exterior is a cheerful look and feel. With the sunroof it made it even more desirable.

good car... until 100k miles, then sell it quick

new_audi_drvr, 11/26/2015

2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

I got the opportunity to own this silver beauty for much less that blue book from someone I know. I got it at 75k and have driven it over the 200k mark, so Ive experienced the worst miles the car goes through. The good side is; the long highway miles Ive put on the car driving 200 miles a day for 6 months were amazing. I got 35+ MPG , and the car practically drives its self, its so well … balanced, precise handling and smooth. It almost gives Audis and lexuses a run for the money in the handling and comfort department, but that's where it ends. The interior was worn thin when I got the car and now its falling apart everywhere; the driver side power window went first, then the glove box wouldn't close, rattles in the dash, the trunk lining is hanging by a thread and the window sills of the doors have been ripped to shreds by my small dogs claws. Maintenance has been absurd; failed Power steering pump, AC compressor, water pump, blown head gasket, loose u joints in the axle, 50k mile valve cover changes, 20k mile tire changes, 20-30K mile spark plug wires changes and poor gas millage due to a bad 02 sensor. These are all common problems that plague the Subaru boxer engine and especially the 2.5 liter of any model or year, and it all comes down to bad design decisions that compromise reliability and longevity. The biggest annoyance with Subarus is the check engine light. 'When' it comes on, the cruise control stops working, which is a nightmare on long highway commutes. Don't bother taking your car to the dealership to get the error cleared either; they will charge you $50-100 for the privilege. I was recently forced to sell the car cheep, due to a crushingly high repair bill when the head gasket, drive shaft, o2 sensor and water pump all spontaneously died right before the state inspection was due. Exactly a year earlier I had spent $2000+ on a repair bill due at inspection, and I had to cut my losses. The first thing the buyer asked was (who happened to be a Subaru mechanic); Had the head gasket been replaced recently. This makes it pretty obvious that there's a huge fundamental flaw in the engine. The boxer engine by nature is unreliable; the fluids are in constant contact and pressure with the valve cover seals and head gasket. This mean they can quickly be deteriorated by impurities in the fluids, which caused most of my problems. Its a cascade affect; oil leaks in the valve cover = bad spake plugs and cables = bad o2 sensor = blown head gasket.

See all 282 reviews of the Subaru Legacy

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2005 Legacy Highlights

Type:

Wagon

Trim:

2.5i

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$22,445
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$189/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	34.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the Legacy include:

Alarm

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
RolloverNot Rated
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Marginal
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Acceptable

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2005 Subaru Legacy Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2005 Subaru Legacy.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

05 GT Wagon

Great Car

Dream Car

good car... until 100k miles, then sell it quick

2005 Legacy Highlights

Safety

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2005 Subaru Legacy Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Most helpful consumer reviews

05 GT Wagon

Great Car

Dream Car

good car... until 100k miles, then sell it quick

2005 Legacy Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2005 Subaru Legacy info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Subaru

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}