Used 1997 Subaru Legacy Sedan Consumer Reviews
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A car that keeps on giving
nikki, 11/24/2007
1997 Subaru Legacy GT 4dr Sedan AWD
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
I owned a 1997 Subaru Legacy GT Limited Edition until I recently got in an accident. This car had it all: leather interior, sunroof and a moonroof, front and rear spoiler, interior wood trim, tinted windows, keyless entry, fold down back seat to the trunk, fast, comfy, strong, easy to drive, safe, and definitely reliable. she was at 172,000 before I totalled her. I am sure she would have gone another 100,000 miles with no problems. If you are considering buying a Subaru, do it. I promise you will have no regrets and will be satisfied with your purchase.
Common Problems
EOW, 06/17/2004
1997 Subaru Legacy GT 4dr Sedan AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Reading other reviews proves I am not only one. At 16000 miles had to have engine replaced due to bad cylinder. Also the auto antenna sticks constantly. It is erratic, can't make up mind whether up/down. Also the ride is like a truck, very noisy. Mechanic at dealership says it is the tires which are original wide tires. It is VERY good in snow. Design of the cup holder is extremely poor which has been changed in the latest ones.
check your oil often!
fawkes, 03/19/2005
1997 Subaru Legacy LSi 4dr Sedan AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
If your car smells like burnt oil after driving, be sure to check the oil often! I was only 3,800 miles into an oil change and the engine ran out of oil and burnt up, no warning, no panel lights, nothing (and I was watching the gauges like a hawk). Got a rebuilt one for $4600...ouch. Has grinding brakes every now and then, and needed a new catalytic converter (the non-generic one @ $800). Given, this was around 140K miles - car is at 150K now with no more problems. Gas mileage is 23-30, never gotten under 23mpg, even in stop-and-go traffic. I love to drive it around, though - it's great in bad road conditions. Love is gentle, love is kind, love pays for any number of repairs.
OK, till 130,000 miles
LarryNH914, 02/09/2004
1997 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Sedan AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
After 130,000 miles watch out, water pump, oil pump, engine seals etc... frequent engine repairs. I thought the 2.2 was tried and true. The engine just went totally kaput at 150,000 (siezed camshaft). If you think perhaps that maintenance is an issue, my Hyndai excel (at $5000) went 170,000 miles.
Like a pet
Froggy, 07/27/2008
1997 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Sedan AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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.
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