Used 1997 Subaru Legacy Consumer Reviews
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Outback - similar experiences
pja11, 04/02/2002
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We also had the alternator brake early on, with no explanation or recall notice yet. We got it fixed and much later, found out about the recall. They did, however, after I called them, pay for the work which was done to replace the alternator. Strangely enough, our dashboard light that luminates the heating and air controls doesn't work either. And I just noticed after changing the oil the last time, that there was a small "condensation" or leak of oil right around the seal of the engine (looked like the rubber seal was not quite right). I don't know if this is called the head gasket like the other reviewer too, but it would be a third huge coincidence!
Subaru Blues
mbgphoto, 07/26/2005
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought this car in 2001 with about 85k it. Spent $10k on what was at the time a perfect running car. Probably too much but this was the only 5 speed I could find. Had a great time in 18 inches of snow where the car plowed through even with old Michelin XW4s on it. Then the problems started. First an alternator which was covered by recall, then the interior started to fall apart. (cargo cover tabs, cargo net hooks pulled out, panel that covers the spare cracked) Whistling sound under acceleration cannot be remedied by 3 dealers, 2 mechanics. Timing belt, clutch, tranny, CV, wheel bearing, 2 oxygen sensors, cat converter, brakes, 2 sets of 80k Michelins in 50k miles! Over $2,500!
What Could Go Wrong Next?
BMA, 01/24/2004
1997 Subaru Legacy GT 4dr Sedan AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The alternator went...the antenna will not retract automatically...the dash lights behind the heating controls do not work...the radio would turn on only when it felt like it and would sometimes be off for days...the wiring to the headlights had to be completely redone by a dealer...the driver's side door lock does not turn...the left rear passenger window control does not work...burning oil smell coming from the engine...and this week while driving at night the whole dashboard suddenly went black!...stuff like this is all too typical for this car! Not acceptable. This is my last Subaru.
Overall Quite Good!
FIXBKS, 12/23/2005
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought this car with 82,000 on it and was already 6 years old! I haven't had one single problem with it yet. First thing I did with it was drive from Wash. DC to San Diego, up the Cali. coast with two bikes and a cartop box on the roof (and back)! Now I've got 110k miles on it and aside from a loose heat shield (annoying rattle) and some weird noise coming from the rear axle area that I'm ignoring because I'm in denial that there's something wrong. Stupid, I know. Will have it checked out soon. Otherwise I've had only oil changes. My car goes on all the ski/snowboard/mtn bike trips because it's the roomiest and most versatile, including my buds with the Cherokees and Explorers.
Expected it to last longer
Dr. Pat, 12/07/2008
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This was my second Subaru. I bought it new and just like my predecessor GL, it did not last past 125K miles. This last week discovered the leaking head gaskets, catalytic below par and a leak in the fuel tank. I took precious care of this car but I live in NE and the road salt must have gotten to the fuel tank. However, isn't this what the car was made for? I had just put $2K into repairs over the last year for things like timing pulleys, brakes, etc. I don't know whether I should get another one. They just don't seem to be economical unless you are mechanically inclined.