Used 1990 Subaru Legacy Sedan Consumer Reviews
Used Legacy for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
A Pleasure To Own
Krissy, 07/09/2008
1990 Subaru Legacy LS 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Suzy 3/1/2007 with only 129,000 miles and for a 17 year- old car back then, only 3 needed repairs, I consider excellent! An alternator, driver side cv joint and a front (passenger side) wheel bearing! Almost a year and a 1/2 later and the one repair needed is a wheel bearing in the rear on passenger side! These engines are indestructible! Bulletproof motor and a very reputable and durable car. I highly recommend these cars for anyone in need of cheap, dependable transportation. One thing: these cars for some unknown reason are pretty bad with gas mileage. I also own a '91 Chevy Corsica with the same size motor (2.2 4 cylinder)and the Chevy holds gas a bit better.
Reliability
betthat, 05/30/2002
1990 Subaru Legacy LS 4dr Sedan AWD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My car has 206000 miles and it just keeps running. I've had mo major mechanical expenses. The body is built poorly, but for reliability this is a great car.
1990 Subaru Legacy for sale near you
Showing 0 of 0 listings
Sorry, there are no 1990 Subaru Legacy vehicles for sale in our network.
See all 0 listingsPretty Dependable Car
chrissy70, 08/21/2007
1990 Subaru Legacy LS 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've owned my Subaru for almost 6 months so far. The only major issue I had with it was the alternator needed replacing. Cost me $300 to fix, but I purchased a 6 mo./7,500 mile extended warranty with the car, so I was reimbursed by the company. This car drives very smooth, but gas mileage is not that great for a 4 cylinder. My Chevy Corsica ('91) gets much better gas mileage and it has the exact same size 2.2 motor! Handles pretty well. This car has no rust on it whatsoever! The paint holds up really well and it's had no accidents. I plan on trading it in or selling it outright come tax time. I recommend these cars to anyone looking for reliability and comfort.
Solid And Reliable!
Kris, 02/15/2009
1990 Subaru Legacy LS 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my baby 2 years ago with only 129k miles on the clock. She now has 156,000 miles. I drive around 13,000 miles per year and only repairs I've dealt with were alternator replacement, front brakes, cv joints and a very much needed ( overdue!) rear wheel bearing. The only thing I really hate about these cars (and the only thing!) are they have rear brake rotors, which are pretty expensive. Anyway, performance is amazing and she has tons of pep for a 2.2L. I change the oil/filter EVERY 3,000 miles and make sure ALL fluids are at proper levels. Keep up with this and routine maintenance (brakes, tires, battery, etc.) and they will last well over 300,000 miles, maybe longer! Great car
Wonderful Car- Happy Owner!!!
Kasey, 08/16/2009
1990 Subaru Legacy LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've owned this car almost 2 and 1/2 years and it's been a pleasure to own and drive! New parts I replaced: battery, driver cv joint, (passenger side needs new one) front/rear brakes, front/rear brake rotors, 4 new tires, alternator, spark plugs, routine oil/filter changes every 3 mos. or 3,000 miles. A Very safe car, too. Needs only a new rear hub/wheel bearing and a passenger side cv joint. Runs and drives smooth, no shakes, shimmy, or vibration anywhere in the entire car! Doesn't burn or leak a drop of oil and has 164,000 miles on her! I absolutely recommend these cars to anyone in need of cheap transportation and VERY long-lasting reliability!!
240,000 miles and still going
blackhorde, 11/12/2009
1990 Subaru Legacy 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my 1990 Subaru Legacy front-wheel drive sedan (aka, the Flying Blue Marmot) new in 1990. Almost 20 years old, and still going strong! About once a year, it needs some major (over $500) work besides regular maintenance, but that still beats buying a new car that doesn't get as good of gas mileage (still getting about 25 MPG City). Pros: great mileage, good power, comfortable seats, still looks stylish, even after all these years! Cons: Paint job on the trim hasn't held up, the upholstery in the back window has cracked quite a bit, and the interior door handles lock unless you hold your hand just so when opening the door.
BEST cars out there!!!!
Girlygirl!, 01/17/2010
1990 Subaru Legacy LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Subaru March of 2007, with only 129,000 miles. It now has 172,000 and besides routine maintenance, all they need are oil changes done every 3kmiles or 3 months, along with keeping eye out on ALL fluid levels and condition of all fluids. This car still runs, starts and drives NEW!! All she needs are a driver cv axle and a rear wheel bearing! I couldn't be happier and will keep her until the wheels fall off!!! HIGHLY recommended to anyone in need of dependable wheels!
Love my subaru
long time user, 10/14/2002
1990 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have thoroughly enjoyed my subaru. I test drove a 2002 Elantra, Rav4 (99), CRV (99), and my 163,000 mile 1990 Legacy beat the heck out of all of them for smooth and quiet ride. Only a Camry and Corolla even came close. I consistently get 20-22 mpg in town and 30 mpg on the highway.
11 years with 1990 Subaru
yanetoh, 12/02/2002
1990 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Most reliable car I ever had.Bought it used (12000), and drove my 1990 Subaru for 148,000 of its 160000 miles. CV joints tend to wear and need replacing every 2 years after the first 50,000 miles, but other than that, no major mechanical problems. Brakes squeaky at times, after 120,000 miles, but still good with regular maintenance. Some repair to power windows and door locks late in life.Great gas mileage, very comfortable seats and responsive handling, especially good in rain and snow. I loved my baby Subaru which gave me great service and NEVER, Ever, left me stranded.
I Love This Car!
KandyG23, 01/24/2003
1990 Subaru Legacy LS 4dr Sedan AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought a 1990 Subaru Legacy Sedan LS All Wheel drive in April of 2002. We are a family of four, and needed a four door car. The sports car was a little too small. I love it! It drives smooth and actually goes, you don't feel like a turtle. I would much rather have this vehicle then a brand new one.
loved that car
subie fan, 03/27/2004
1990 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My 90 Legacy sedan was the best, most reliable car I have ever owned.Orginally purchased 2nd hand with 110,000 on it, it never needed any engine work, and other than cv joints, it took only regular maintence to get 30 mpg with 258,000 mi.on it. Living in the mountains, I found the power of the engine with the 5 sp manual trans. very good. When my spouse overheated it and cracked the sleeve on cylinder 1 , I almost cried. If the car wouldn't have been starting to rust out, I would have replaced the engine. Sadly I had to part with the Legacy and am still trying to find something as good as it was to replace it.
132,000k miles
Loyal Suby owners, 06/21/2006
1990 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Sedan AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We own 2 1990 Subaru's and 1 is our Legacy. Bought it 11 years ago and have been driving it everyday since. VERY reliable and have had very little mechanical problems. We've had to replace the CV joints and the front axle and a couple of sensors. We've never had the clutch or starter go out, always turns over! We've had BAD problems with paint (oxidized) we had it repainted last year, and problems with the PW and PL, cruise control & plastic exterior trimming. Just recently it's been idling rough and looks like it needs another sensor replaced. Check engine light has been on since 80k miles and has started burning oil. Comfortable cruising and the air still works, we definitely got our money's worth!
Old Reliable
bryanh, 11/15/2005
1990 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have 285,000 miles on my Legacy and still going. As far as drive trains are concerned, this has to be one of the most dependable vehicles ever built.
Reliability up the wazoo
Matt, 06/10/2006
1990 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Sedan AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My wife originally bought this car, although I drive it on a regular basis. Not exciting to look at, but the cost to drive this thing is incredibly low considering how amazingly reliable it's been and how few things have actually broken. The air conditioning died about six years ago and the radio is deteriorating. While the fenders are getting quite rusty, it just keeps on ticking.
195,000 miles
Aj, 11/03/2006
1990 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my second Subaru Legacy. My first had 225,000 miles on it. It had no working heat and it leaked water through the sun roof. But it started in every Wisconsin winter. My current car has 195,000 miles and even though I don't change the oil when I should, never clean it or do basic repairs it runs through everything. I can always make it to a ski hill, no matter how much snow is on the road. The only thing I did was put in after market speakers and CD player.
1990 Legacy L 4-WD
'90 Subaru Legacy, 01/23/2007
1990 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Sedan AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
1990, first year on the road, it took 13 international records for speed and endurance. It's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Classic, elegant but innocent looking secret bombshell of a powerhouse on just 2.2 liters. Finest car in the world.
Lasts forever
torina, 05/10/2007
1990 Subaru Legacy LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car brand new for $13,000. I have never needed transmission work, engine work or any major repairs. My Subaru has 300,000 miles on it. I would highly recommend the Legacy to anyone.
Pleased Subaru Owner
Chris777, 08/25/2007
1990 Subaru Legacy LS 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Overall I'm happy with my Subaru. For a foreign car, the transmissions on these are too whiny and very sluggish. Very quiet motor and has lots of power! On highways, I experience a VERY smooth ride. No complaints about this car, really. Subaru needs to make better quality cv boots. I've only owned this car for almost 6 months, so hopefully, I'll have lots of luck with it the longer I own it!
Happy Subaru Buyer
kris199036, 07/09/2007
1990 Subaru Legacy 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I just had a brand new alternator installed Friday, July 6th at my mechanic's shop and just drove it home today. Wow! I started the motor and almost re-started it, because it was so quiet!! I thought it stalled out on me! I would definitely recommend these cars to anyone looking for dependable, inexpensive transportation. I've only owned it 4 months and 2 months it sat, due to me having another car I drive. This is my 2nd. It's a pleasure driving this car and they have very good reputations. Very fun to drive. Keep up with regular maintenance (oil changes, brakes,tires, belts/hoses, etc.) and they'll last damn near 300,000 miles. It's not unheard of! I couldn't be happier with my Suzy!
Most Reliable Car Ever
bdeoca, 06/17/2003
1990 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car has been the most reliable car I've ever had in that it has never stalled or failed to start in the 83,000 miles I've driven it. The one trouble area has been the axle (front). I've had to replace CV joints often and finally the whole axle. Other than that, it's been great even on long trips through the desert heat with the A/C on the whole time. It's not a particularly peppy car, but the gas mileage is good.