Used 1998 Subaru Legacy Wagon 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.
98 Legacy L Wagon, 5spd - College Car
BB in Anacortes, 12/21/2009
1998 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Wagon AWD
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We bought this Subuie from our neighbor who bought it new. When we bought it it had 65K miles and was complete with maintenance records and sales slip to day 1. We replaced the timing belt early (and water pump) just because it was close to time and it was 10 years old. This car has been very good for our college student who lives 370 miles away in eastern Washington state. Fully loaded with college stuff and 2 people it gets 30mpg highway and we get about 23 in town. The 2.2 is a good little motor and sufficient for this car. This year we put on 4 wheel snow tires and it goes in the snow with no complaints.
Love this Car
Soni, 07/16/2010
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
this is my second legacy, the first one the body rusted but the engine was still great with 140K on it, so I bought a demonstrator with 6k on it from the dealer. Besides the above mentioned gasket problem I have only changed the tires, and oil, and a timing belt when we did the gaskets. Subaru's are low maintenance cars.
1998 Subaru Legacy for sale near you
Showing 3 of 8 listings
- L WagonMSRP: $1,99528 mi away
- Outback WagonMSRP: $5,495120 mi away
- Outback WagonMSRP: $7,500763 mi away
See all 8 listings
Still Chugging too
nhwiki, 10/14/2008
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Bought it used 8 years ago. Doing regular maint, it has been 100% reliable. With snow tires, it just goes and goes in New Hampshire winters - even on unplowed roads and driveways with 18 inches of snow, it can't be stopped. Not the most comfortable of cars (we have two other cars for long distance trips), but when the snow starts falling or we're headed skiing, it's always the Subie we take out. Best 11k I've ever spent.
Great Kid Car
Bozenuts, 01/16/2005
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
My parents got a new '05 Outback LTD, I had choice of driving the '02 Malibu i had for about a year or taking my Mom's old '98 Outback Ltd. I chose the Outback. I wanted the AWD and versitility of a station wagon. It's a great car for anyone. It has power when you really punch it, but not too much in normal driving. Handles well in ice. In the NW, had an ice strom yesterday. Coming around a corner before my turn and a truck coming the other way...SIDEWAYS. Handled well with ice, punching it and quick movement, only thing major was heavy idle, which dealer fixed. Rear hatch's hydrolic arms are loosing its umph, need to replace. Drivers seatbelt started to dethread, fixed.
1998 Subaru 2.5 GT Wagon
Cameron Boothe, 04/05/2003
1998 Subaru Legacy GT 4dr Wagon AWD
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Fully equiped car, great cargo room and versatility. Excellent handling especially in rain & snow. Visibilty and drivability excellent. Slugish acceleration and poor gas mileage. Average 21 mpg but w/ AWD..... Possible engine leak (minor) which drips on exhaust causing burning smell Various backlights on dash radio & controls have gone out-Annoying 94,000 miles w/ only brakes and oil changes.
Great family wagon
Duke_jw, 10/06/2004
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought used in April of 2001. Was impressed by the solid feel and obvious quality of this car. Has many features, ABS, AWD, strong enough 2.5 litre engine, killer upgraded stereo, heated leather seats, lots of room in back, dual moon roofs. Will carry bicycles inside with back seats down, very stable and great steering.
Impending Doom of Head Gasket Failure
Angry Goose, 04/25/2004
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Purchased '98 Outback with 71k miles, owned for just over 1 year. At 80,312 miles head gasket failed at 4th cylinder. Warped heads, burnt one exhaust valve, total cost $1900. Repaired by independent trust-worthy mechanic, he repairs 12/year atleast. Subaru is aware of this problem and has started a "campagn" that includes a coolant additive to any of the '99 or newer engines. Very common problems in all 2.5's. Absolutely loved the car when first bought, it was well maintained by myself and prev. owner. Now the car runs differently and has lost much of it's soul. Don't trust Subaru or its dealerships.
Watch the Head Gasket
jimbo, 03/18/2008
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Brakes go bad very fast, probably rotors are not big enough for the car, the 2.5 Ltr engine is a bored out 2.0 engine and I think that is the reason for damaged head gaskets. Check for compression regularly, and change the oil as well as keep some antifreeze on hand. People do get 250,000 miles out of these, although Subaru made their mark with the slightly smaller engine.
Best of 4 Subaru wagons I've owned
Rich, 08/04/2007
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Holds a lot of stuff. Has never broken down on the road. I always feel confident driving it.
Good all around vehicle for Adirondacks
Valentinecat, 08/08/2007
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
4WD is outstanding in poor weather. Inexpensive maintenance problems. Security system has a mind of its own! Goes off for unexplained reasons.