Used 1997 Subaru Legacy Wagon Consumer Reviews
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97 outback wagon
doc2, 06/10/2004
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
great all wheel drive, needs more pep. at 105,000 miles developed minor noise. took it in and were told a rod or bearing is lose or broken. $4000 for new engine. what happened to japanese reliability? test drove an '05 and it seems they have addressed the pep issue! wonder if it will last? seems like hondas go on forever, hoped the subaru would too.
Live saver
Epacific, 08/12/2004
1997 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My '97 Subaru served me well right up till last week when, while taking a left on a green light, I got hit head on by a van going 55mph. Despite being flung across 3 lanes and having the car totaled, I was able to walk away with little more than a bruise on the knee. At 82000 miles, the car never had any maintenance issues: very reliable and useful with the rear of the wagon being used from everything from a diaper changing table to hauling cargo from Home Depot. Moreover, the designers at Subaru did an excellent job in safety: between the forward crumple zones, rigid safety cage, and airbags, I can quite literally say that the Subaru saved my life. We'
1997 Subaru Legacy for sale near you
Showing 3 of 3 listings
- GT SedanMSRP: $3,9881,175 mi away
- Outback WagonMSRP: $3,9952,028 mi away
- L WagonMSRP: N/A1,171 mi away
Excellent Car
JustinP, 09/29/2004
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car for my mother in 2000 with 30K on it. In the last 4 years, she has used it as a delivery car and it has 300K all city miles on it. We have replaced brakes a dozen times because of stop and go traffic, but other than that we have only done an alternator, a fuel pump, and some suspension. The car has 300k all city miles and does not rattle or shake. I only change the oil every 5k and it ru ns great. We could easily put another 300 k on it. This is a rugged car that can handle constant city driving and get good gas mileage. This is easily the best car in its class.
Love this fun, safe car
AdeleA, 10/07/2004
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have owned it for four years, and drive it everywhere (across country, vacations, work everyday). I feel safe in it, and trust putting my family in it everyday. Was in a car accident (not my fault!) that pushed me across the road and up on the sidewalk. Even though caused alot of damage, I walked out of the car with no injuries. Thank god for a well built car.
1997 Outback
Craig Martinson, 02/25/2005
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Main disappointment with the vehicle is a blown head gasket at 135,000 miles, but my 2002 F150 blew the head gasket at 57,000 miles, go figure. Car is the greatest in snow, is our vehicle of choice in the winter over the four wheel drive F150.
Great in the snow but...
outbackschmoop, 06/04/2005
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bottom line, this just isn't a reliable car. Bought the car with 100K thinking that Subarus run forever. I was wrong. Brakes wear down quickly and it seems to always be leaking oil. At 130K the head gasket blew and the cylinder heads cracked. Repair bill ran over $2,500K. Next time I go Japanese it'll be Toyota or Honda.
I love my Sube
Lauraine, 09/01/2005
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is the 3rd Subaru for me. I bought it when it was two years old. My next car will also be a Subaru Outback. It's peppy, handles like a sports car, and is extremely reliable. The car has cost me no money other than general maintenance. I love the heated seats in our climate. I also like the styling. It doesn't look like a stodgy station wagon. The AWD is wonderful in snow. I can go when others can't. Unplowed roads are no problem for my Sube. Get one, you'll love it!
It is no Toyota
fistik, 10/13/2005
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
It is not a bad car to drive. comfortable for a 4wd. Decent pickup with auto trans. OK gas mileage. I have owned it for only 4 months so I can't comment on reliability. My guess is not as good as Honda or Toyota. Shortcomings: for a $27,000 car skimpy parts and options (no light for ignition key, windows). Poor design (open a window switch and you'll see). Other parts are similarly designed. I would never buy it new. Definitely overpriced. Honda or Toyota should design a similar car.
Reliable AWD Vehicle
David F, 01/17/2007
1997 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've dreamed of owning an Outback ever since I was 13. The vehicle was everything I expected it to be. Great with every driving condition (dry, rain, ice, snow). Great interior room and ride. I'm seriously considering buying another newer model of the Outback.
Beware the 2.5L 4 cylinder engine!!!
Eric Banks, 04/10/2003
1997 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
At first, I loved this car - until it needed maintenance. The repair/maintenance costs for this vehicle are excessive compared to the two Nissans I also own. Also, I have found out what apparently others have also - that the engine is unreliable. I have 97,000 miles on mine, and the dealer says that the 3rd cylinder is shot (less than 1/3 normal compression present), requiring not just replacement of head/rings, but the entire engine at a cost of $5,000!! Absolutely unacceptable for a car that costs what a Subaru does. For sure my last Subaru - back to Nissans/Hondas (they run forever!)
What's next!!??
adam, 07/09/2007
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
As soon as I bought this car the starter went out. Had it replaced. As soon as the starter was replaced, the engine and radiator blew up (cracked). After replacing the engine and radiator, the starter broke again.... then again... then AGAIN... THEN AGAIN! Loud whistling coming from muffler when accelerating. Keyless entry breaks for no reason. Transmission starts leaking out of the blue. Popping noise coming from shocks/struts. AC failure - had to replace entire AC system.... and it's still bad. ALL THIS IN LESS THAN A YEAR!! Needless to say I just recently got rid of it (woohoo!). I got a lemon and tried to make lemonade... but this lemon was as rotten as they get.
Almost bulletproof, but sube dealers suk
bcnyc, 05/06/2003
1997 Subaru Legacy Brighton 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My 3rd Sube wagon. Subes are great in NYC, where weaker cars have very short lifespans (accidents, dings, theft, bad roads, etc). Alt dead @ 50K. OEM shocks died @ 35k. Clutch wore out @ 100k. Heater lights never worked. Timing belt & water pump replaced @ 70K. Nothing else replaced. Oil every 4k, plugs every 15k. Now @ 140k miles, expecting head gasket blowout any day. Will probably get a Forester. Dealers very bad for service, especially w/women - when wife brings car to shop, they always find long list of problems, all bogus. She just repeats "oil change only." Check Engine light a joke. All my Subes had it, yet they all passed emissions.
good car, but...
tconte, 06/16/2003
1997 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Generally, I have been happy with the outback, though the last 20,000 miles I have had an ongoing problem with the electrical system. It's a great car to have if you live above the snow line, but not much use for awd otherwise.
Great Reliable Car
cbvt, 04/10/2008
1997 Subaru Legacy Brighton 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is great in the snow and Vermont mud season (we live out on three miles of dirt road). My wife is more comfortable driveing this car than our 4wd drive pick-up truck. we bought the car with 70,000 miles on it and the car just seems to go for ever. we are now at 150,000 miles with only minor expected repaires. Definitely the most sturdy and reliable car I have ever owned. I get 28-32 miles per gallon with the manual trans.
Dependable soldier
Greg Yount, 07/16/2020
1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
nothing fancy, but will get you where you want to go and takes abuse like no ones business.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Kudos
Solution, 01/01/2006
1997 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
The car has been excellent overall. It has been reliable, the finish and other exterior pieces have held up well in Hawaii's marine environment, and the handling, while not "sporty", is just fine. The car's only weak point is the drive train for the front wheels. There seems to be a design flaw there which has necessitated work on a couple of occasions.