Used 1998 Subaru Legacy Wagon Consumer Reviews
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April 2002
wink, 04/28/2002
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Very good in snow & rain. Drink Holders poorly located. Pushbuttons on radio & Heater/AC controls stick annoyingly. A/C Compressor failed in first 6 months, replaced under warranty.
Good Car
Subaru Man, 01/28/2003
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great car. Once you drive a Subaru with AWD there is no going back.
Great for 5 years
boletus, 09/06/2006
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car has 67,000 miles on it and the head gasket is going. Have replaced the CV boot cover at 22,000, the oil pump seals at 67,000 and some sensor switch near the timing belt. I have loved this car up until last week and now feel very betrayed by Subaru. The mileage is excellent at 25 and 29. As the dealer said when he handed me the bill for the repairs at 67,000, "Well, except for the head gasket, everything looks just great."
A Great Car
Heffeln, 09/05/2003
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is a great car. This was the car my parents gave to me during college. It was sporty enough to be cool, but practical enough on the wallet (great gas mileage). I could fit 5 of my friends plus all the stuff needed for a tailgater! Great highway car, quick passing ability, for the average driver. Great steering. Awesome audio system (6 speaker CD/fm/tape) some of the weather stripping became weak, which allowed a bit too much wind noise to enter the car, but not enough to cause significant issues. Overall, a great car...I plan on buying a new one soon.
6 year review
etad52, 04/01/2007
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought used. 3 years old and 34000 miles. Avg hwy 27mpg. 2 problems, exhaust heat shield weld broke and rattles and like previous posts, head gasket gone at 95k. Was losing a third of my anti-freeze. Yet couldn't find out where it was going. Not on the ground or in the oil??? Other than that mechanic said engine is good, Cylinder pressure test 155-160. Leakage 2%. Except for the engine repair this car has served me well. I have done several 20 hour road trips at 75 mph. Including a DEN-IND-DEN run during the blizzard in Dec 06. Must have picked up a few hundred pounds of ice yet the car was stable and predictable. MPG dropped to 21 hwy.
Quirky, but still going
Ottomatic, 07/07/2008
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am the original owner of this car. It now has about 155,000 miles. Had to replace the head gasket at 89,000 miles. Was not a happy camper, but its been running OK since then. A few quirky problems, mostly with sensors and brakes, but once they are replaced, it seems fine. I will probably be replacing it within a year, and I don't think I will buy another Subaru, but I can't honestly think of a more affordable AWD vehicle with as much room as it has. Hopefully Subaru has improved its quality a bit since 98.
Extremely Versatile
outdoorsy24, 07/09/2012
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Subaru OUtback (automatic) with 214,000 and quickly put on another 10k in 6 months. I took it camping, [light] off-roading, and driving cross country. it worked great from Wisconsin to Utah to California. It does need a little more pep from the engine, but for what I needed it was the perfect mix of reliability, space, and economy. I was getting around 23 MPG per tank, I got through the snow and up mountains with no problems. I was able to move all the stuff needed for 2 college students cross country with no problem. It did more off road than I would have expected, be sure to check the head gasket before buying.
Awesome car
crunk hunter, 11/24/2009
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car runs really well. The only big problem is the head gaskets, they go out too much. Great gas mileage.
i998 Subaru Legacy
bbs53, 10/04/2003
1998 Subaru Legacy L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have 2 of these cars. One has an automatic, the other a 5 speed. The 5 speed car has 165,500 miles with no major failures. I live in snow country and it is a great car for the snow. It is extremely economical to operate and has held up rather well. Would I recommend a Subaru? You bet. If you want a mid to lower priced 4wd car that is built like a tank, then this is your ride. It has all the creature comforts you could ask for. A+++++++
98 Subaru Outback 5 speed manual
John , 04/28/2007
1998 Subaru Legacy Outback 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Pros: unbelievable in the snow. 2.5 boxer engine: great low end torque, decent fuel economy, good performance for a 4 cylinder. Handles very well. Excellent roof rack. Easy to change the oil. Cons: piston slap: dealer replaced pistons under warrantee. Alternator went and was also replaced under recall. I had to replace the clutch slave cylinder and hose. Good car, but watch out for blown head gaskets (although this didn't happen to me).
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