Used 1991 Subaru Legacy Consumer Reviews
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91 legacy wagon
i have owned and operated a 91 subaru legacy l wagon for the past two years and it has been wonderful. i have had no major problems and i still get about 21 miles to the gallon. i am a high school student and i think that it would make an excelent first car. for an old wagon i was extremely suprized to discover the pep that the car can deliver. i have an automatic transmission, and i really seems to choose the gears well depending on how much pressure you put on the gas. with a little wider tires, the vehicle seems to have a better feel on the road, so i would suggest that as an aftermarket addition.
my subaru legacy
this car is wonderful, i have 157,000 miles on her, and just untill recently i have only had to put money into it for various little things, and one decent sized problem ( the boot on the axel). I am very pleased with this car, it is very relaible and comfortable. it is very safe and feels sturdy, i bought it for 1700 dollars and i think it was a good deal concidering theres no payment and how good it runs and how long they will last!.. if anyone has reviews on how it does on long road trips, email me or whatever they do on this site
A tank
I bought this 1991 Subaru legacy wagon with 5 speed manual transmission from the original owner 13 years ago. It now has 247,000 miles on it. It runs great. Most repairs have been normal maintenance. The biggest issue now is that it barely made it through DEQ last year. Too much CO. Next year may be it. Oh, and yes, gas mileage is pretty bad if all you do is drive traffic light to traffic light. That produces 15 mpg when I do that. But usually I get 19 in mixed, mostly city, driving, and 30 on the freeway at 60 mpg. There are lots of SUV's out there but very few Japanese station wagons being made any more. I'm keeping this one until it blows up. Or flunks DEQ.
Loved my Suby
I loved this car... finally sold it because it seemed like it was having transmission problems @ 172000 miles -- later found out it was probably just a clogged filter. Only FWD Subaru I have ever seen, but it handled in snow and ice beautifully -- and I live in Alaska. A very steady ride, power everything. I did have to make some repairs -- alternator, both CV joints, rubber door gaskets, new struts, sun visor on driver's side. However, NEVER any engine problems. Always started. Left it parked in -20 degrees for 2 weeks and it still started. It had lots of heart.
Unshakable. Amazing Reliability
This is an amazing car! It's got almost 190,000 miles on it. It's been wrecked and rebuilt, has Ford Taurus wheel covers and is missing a couple parts, but still runs and drives just fine. In 80,000 miles and 10 years the only things that broke were the oil pump, alternator, a blown muffler. The O2 sensor took a dump several thousand miles ago, still runs good! Steers good. Handles good. Brakes Good. Transmission works good (but has arthritis now). Keep this car maintained and it will outlast your brand new car.
World's greatest used car
I bought it 4 years ago because I needed a car on short notice and wanted a wagon. Learned to love it because it never lets you down and does everything as well as a new car for 1/10th the price. After 17 years, almost everything on the car is still original and there isn't a spot of rust. This is the car that made Subaru a legend.
One of the best cars... period.
My mom bought our Subaru Legacy L wagon used and drove the heck out of it (back and forth to college at least 3 times a week [94 miles a trip].). We still own this car and it still runs and drives quite well at over 350,000 miles. In owning this car for several years we have only had to have it worked on 3 times and have put a little more than 225,000 miles on it. This Legacy has been the most reliable and tough vehicle that we have ever owned. This was the first car I learned to drive and Subaru has been my favorite automotive company ever since.
A Pleasure To Own
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
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.
Proud of the Subaru I once had.
I bought my Subaru Legacy LS in the beginning of 09. I am the third owner. When purchased it had a rebuilt engine at about 80k miles. Though the car had 189k miles. Purchased for 1000$. I put about 3k into it in the last two years. It was in pretty bad shape. But after all that it was a wonderful car. Though last weekend a big suburban crunched the rear end on it. Now the insurance wants to give me 900 for it. Not happening! I intend to get at least two k. About what replacement would cost. I put a good 50k miles on the vehicle and she still purrs like a kitten. May even keep her and see if I can find another to move into and have a parts car! Other than this she has been a joy!
Pretty Dependable Car
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!
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
1991 Subie Wagon
Fun, reliable car. The biggest problem is the rust. The car has a major rust problem after about 7 or 8 years, and it is irreversible.
unbreakable japanese car
I bought this car with over 250,000+ miles on it, and despite some idle issues that I have just now been able to handle this car just wont quit, its too ugly to sell, I use it as a back up car, but it starts and drives, despite only running on two cylinders for the last six months!
Wonderful Car- Happy Owner!!!
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
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.
It will never die.
My mom got the car brand new in 1990 and passed it on to me when she got a newer model. Most reliable car I have ever seen, even major parts can break but it will always get you home or to the garage without fail. The car even sat for 2 years in the drive way with a broken head gasket, never started or anything, put a fresh battery in it and it roared to life like it had been on the road the day before (that was just before I got my drivers permit). You just cant beat that kind of toughness. I have all sorts of stories but I cant fit them all here. It gets 32 MPG runs like a charm and nothing stops it. I may never drive a better vehicle ever. I am currently restoring it.
BEST cars out there!!!!
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!
The 1990 Subaru car model
Well, I own the 1990 Subaru Legacy wagon. The reliability/quality is not so good and the repair bills are getting high - just get a Toyota or Honda. Once this Subaru car gets old, it gets very crazy. The gas mileage is not so good - dares to be below 20 MPG. As of 6-22-2002, the mileage is almost 110,000 miles. But the A/C, power steering, locks, sunvisors and other things are not working in the proper order. The engine is noisier than it should be for its mileage. I just honestly wish that I own a vehicle that is whole a lot more reliable than this Subaru car. Just keep Toyota and Honda in each person's mind...as I will honestly do!!
It's a keeper
I have the 1990 legacy L front wheel drive. I bought it in 1993 with over 50k on it. I'm at 280k right now and plan on keeping it at least to 300k. It has been such little maintenance that I have no reason to get rid of it. Gas mileage used to be 34 mpg, now it's closer to 28 mpg (i guess it's getting old?) If I could buy another one with lower mileage I would.
Sub Legacy 1990 AWD L Wagon
Tremedously reliability with cost of ownership limited to routine maintenance. Snow and ice no problem with good tires.
Love my subaru
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.
Subie power
Recently sold our second subie, with 234,000 miles on the original trans and engine. Never had a rebuild on either one. Clutch lasted until 212,000 miles. Mechanically great car. Didnt realize how much brand loyalty subaru owners had, all the people who called about it, were former subie owners. Will buy number 3 in the future.
11 years with 1990 Subaru
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!
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.
will buy another
This car has been a great truck! That is how I use her, comfortable and economical. She will hold several 4x8 sheets of plywood or lumber of any length,(sticking through the sunroof). She hs only been in the shop a couple times for minor repairs, since new. I will buy another when or if "Sue" ever wears out.
Couldn't have asked for anything better
4 years owned, and put over 40,000 miles on it. loved driving it. The thing really shines in bad weather and long hauling thanks to ample cargo room and the AWD system. Very comfortable for its age. Intelligent, simple instrument cluster, responsive steering with good feel and good braking even without ABS. Cons: expensive repairs due mostly to rarity of parts, probably because they rarely need it. Soft suspension and lots of body roll All in all, I'll be hard pressed not to buy another Subie.
loved that car
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
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!
great utility and low profile
I love this car. I bought mine in 2002 with 110,000 miles for $1900. Since then, the only major repairs have been replacing the clutch ($500) and replacing the radiator ($300). Basically, my all-in cost for every aspect of this wagon is under $300 a month and dropping, as its purchase price is spread over more and more months of ownership- Plus, when I sell it, I'll get a few hundred buck under what I paid... hows that for depriciation! I plan on milking this car until 200k. I love it!
278,000 miles - remarkable car
I bought this car used at a price of $ 7,000, ten years ago. Now the odometer is up to 278,000 miles and the engine is still purring, economical... and not a trace of smoke, transmission issues or any old age problem. We had a few repairs including seal replacements, wear parts and gaskets,CV's, alternators (2), drive belts and pulleys, pump (2) and my own recharging air cond - and now a couple of small rust spots appear on side of body. I've been careful to use best test rated friction reducing oil additives. Quite low cost per mile for such a roomy and comfortable transportation? Finally must take it to charity donation -not due to problems.
Old Reliable
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.
A good college car
I've driven this car for almost half a year on a couple of long trips, including one through horrible weather. Thanks to the AWD, even with crappy all season tires the car is pretty confident in poor conditions. If you regularly go through bad weather, I would recommend getting the automatic instead of the manual, since the AWD system responds faster. The engine is "peppy" at best, but it'll get the car up to highway speeds just fine. The handling is decent enough, although there is a bit of body roll. Having the extra space in the trunk is a godsend, and the stock stereo is pretty decent (only AM/FM though). I don't have any major rattles, which is amazing for a 16 year old car.
Reliability up the wazoo
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
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
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
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
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
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!
The Anytime, Anywhere Most Reliable Car!
I have had this Subaru L Wagon AWD for 8 years now, and it is by far the best car I've ever owned. Rebuilt engine after 225,000 miles and I put 265,000 miles on it before the tranny quit. By far the longest lasting car I have ever heard of. The car is still going strong, and never leaves me stranded. She drives as if it's still 1990!! I wouldn't drive another car for the world!
Most Reliable Car Ever
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.
Great Vehicle
Great vehicle - has about 125,500 miles on it, and in great condition. I can get upwards of 29mpg on the car without problem. I have the FWD version.
Bullet Proof
I've owned my Legacy for approximately 4 years while it's been in my family for 10. The car has been in 3 major accidents with no injuries to us and THAT is no accident. The car is a tank, reliable, and intelligently designed. My only complaint is that it's a gas pig for a 4 cyl. I drive the car as if it were stolen and have owned many other (much newer and "more sophisticated") cars and nothing touches this thing for stability and handling. The car is sure footed and agile, whatever the situation. The turbo provides ample power, and drive train distributes power evenly. I am the envy of all my friends.
Sport Sedan (Turbo)
Very fun and and fast. For the Turbo model only the block is of a closed- deck design, ideal for high-boost applications. The crank and rods are forged, while the pistons are cast. The Sport Sedan version usualy does not have a rust problem. Im up north and have no rust what so ever. One of the reasons for that is the Sport Sedan version has galvanized Steel panels. Also Not only is it AWD with ABS it has a 3.90 Limited Slip Differential in the rear. Its a very Unique car.
Great 2nd hand car
Bought this car as the second owner. Has had no mechanical problems. Responds very well, no slugishness when first taking off. The previous owner kept all paper work for maintenance to this vehicle. Oil changes right on time, had engine parts checked on and replaced as needed (such as hoses, clamps,etc.) Performance is very good, as is the reliability.
Fast, reliable,smooth w/ great handling
I have always been looking for a Subaru, but didn't seriously look for one until last year. Luckily I stumbled upon the Sport sedan. I didn't know these cars existed. What a great and rare find. This car also had a 5 speed tranny. I can get anywhere no matter what the weather. Too bad these were only made between 1991-1994. If you can find one, I would highly recommend you buy it. This car is so much fun to drive and with the turbo which is standard, I never lack for power. AWD and ABS, how can you go wrong.
Unbelievable
I had been wanting a Subaru for quite a while when I found this one. I got it for $500!! The amazing thing about this car is that the guy who had it before me hadn't changed the oil in 4 years, and it was still his daily driver. When I found it there were no fluids in it at all. No gas, powersteering, coolant, oil, trans fluid, no nothing. This guy told me that he was determined to drive it til the wheels fell off and didn't think that it was worth the money to change the oil. It was a little shaky at first. It was almost like I was bringing the car back out of a 4 year coma. Now it runs very strong. It doesn't look like much, but I shocked the hell out of a v8 mustang recently.
This car is a dog
This is the worst car I have ever owned. Sure, we bought it 10 years old, but it took the dealer three months to deliver before he could sort the tranny problems. The electric door locks winked out first. Then the air suspension bottomed out -- a $1500 bill to replace with less comfortable struts. Now it has developed another personality problem in its electrical system ... won't start, unless it's sitting in the mechanic's lot. Finally died altogether yesterday, the day I traded it for a Dodge (!) Intrepid -- for the reliability! This thing is a shame to the legend of Japanese automotive excellence -- avoid it. It'll cost me another $400 just to get rid of it. Buy a Toyota - wish I had.