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Used 2001 Subaru Legacy Wagon Consumer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
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5 out of 5 stars

My little unstoppable AWD tank…

travelking, 01/17/2014
2001 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
21 of 21 people found this review helpful

This is the best car I’ve ever had. While this car only has decent gas mileage, due mostly to the AWD, the reliability and performance of this car is unparalleled. I bought this car new and drove it to 267,000 miles. The problems I had with it were minor. I’ve gone through a couple of alternators, batteries, and clutches; but this is to be expected. At about 230,000 miles I had to replace the sychros in the manual transmission. At around 250,000 miles I developed a radiator leak which was fixed with a bottle of radiator sealant. The car was finally done by a broken timing belt. If I had replaced the timing belt when my mechanic advised, the little Subaru would still be on the road.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Great little rig

subipharm, 03/29/2011
2001 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

This has been a great wagon for me so far. I bought it with 145,000 miles on it few months back. It had all scheduled maintenance records and had the head gaskets replaced so it has been running like a champ. -The engine has ample power with the 5 speed, it can zip around town just fine and get up to speed quickly on highways. The car cruises nicely at 70mph. Plenty of head room and leg room for driver and passengers. Overall this car is a great value, reliable, handles great in rain/snow with AWD, and styling still looks good 10 years later! I would highly recommend this vehicle as family car or vehicl for outdoors people.

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5 out of 5 stars

Best Car Ever, so far

iluvcar, 12/22/2014
updated 12/22/2017
2001 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful

It may be a little early to write a review. I've owned the car since 120,xxx, it has 150,000 now. This car is solid. I've had no major mechanical issues. With some weight reduction and iridium spark plugs, this car can easily get 22 city/ 28 hwy mpg. I bought it in May 2013 for $2,400. Update- The car has 180,xxx miles, and it's running strong. Update- Finally got rid of it at 206xxx, it ran ok but would have costed too much to maintain the car. Great car for sure, just be wary of the head gasket issues, and make sure it has somewhat clean transmission fluid.

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
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2.5 out of 5 stars

Just don't expect service

Argus, 03/26/2003
2001 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Don't expect to get any type of service from a Subaru dealer. Used synthetic oil every 5K since new. I've had a knocking noise in my engine since 70,000km - diagnosed as a "bad bottom end". I'm now at 86,000km and to this date no one has been able/willing to fix it, and it continues to get worse. They claim the area "rep" has to inspect all warranty claims over $800 in value, and he is in the nighbourhood once every 3 months. It's been 5 months now and 16,000 km later I'm still waiting to get my car fixed. Fuel economy is down roughly 40% from new. I'll be taking Subaru to small claims court in May and selling my car as soon after as possible.

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2 out of 5 stars

Don't buy a Subaru

IW, 03/08/2007
2001 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I bought the car new in 2000, performed all dealer service as scheduled, have had numerous problems with head gasket, transfer seal, and cam seal oil leaks. I bought the car expecting to get 200,000+ miles out of it, and started having oil leaks at 45,000 miles. Dealer has tried to repair numerous times, with no success. Every Subaru owner with whom I speak says the head gaskets are a known issue. I would never buy a Subaru again, and am looking to ditch this one as soon as possible, taking a huge loss in depreciation.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Waited too Long

Outback Wagon LTD, 11/26/2006
2001 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

My Outback is the first ever Japanese car I've ever owned. Unbelievable quality and style. I always said that if you buy a minivan that your life is over. My son was the one who researched the car and he wound up buying a mini van. I bought the Outback. I can't wait till next year to get the Turbo.

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2 out of 5 stars

Accord and Camry: we want a wagon

WishIhadaHonda, 03/07/2004
2001 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 8 people found this review helpful

We really wanted a new Honda Accord or Toyota Camry wagon, but unfortunately those manufacturers stopped making wagons in the mid -1990's. This car was more expensive (around $20,000) than Camry ($16,000) or Accord. It is considerably less sturdy (doors don't close smoothly; interior feels "cheap") than those other Japanese cars. Finally, the Legacy gets horrible gas mileage (around 22 mpg) even though this is a vehicle with standard transmission. This last issue is a real sore spot with me. Our previous car was an 1986 Camry that still got 40 mpg even after 253,000 miles.

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Just couldn't get comfortable

Phylo74, 11/15/2002
2001 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have always liked Subarus, especially the AWD. I had an 83GL; 91Loyale; 97Impreza; 98Outback Sport, and an 01 Legacy. However, I recently sold my Legacy after only one year and 12000 miles. It's a reliable car with great traction, it just didn't have enough leg room, the steering wheel didn't go high enough, and there is a hard bar or something just under the seat cushioning that would make my thigh numb after about 20 minutes. I now drive my 2000 Mazda Protege instead- really comfortable.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

luv it !

Twinkie, 03/17/2004
2001 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought my Subaru in February 2001. Traded in a Taurus for it. Wow!! What a difference. I had a Subaru before my taurus, but hated the Taurus. MY SUBARU is great. I have less than 30,000 miles on it now in 2004, and have NEVER had a problem with it. I have a 5 speed, manual and Love it. I prefer it over the automatic as you can control your acceleration better. It is real peppy with the 5 speed! Handles snow & rain wonderful, and I actual feel like I am in a sport car when I drive it..LOL, a big change from the Taurus, which stunk taking corners...the Subaru handles corners like a sports car & handles bad weather better than most SUV's!!

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Economical, Practical & Fun Family Car

dadof3, 01/20/2005
2001 Subaru Legacy GT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Our Subaru has over 30k miles and stillloving it. We were debating between thewagon or a minivan to haul our 3 kids. We also looked at the Passat wagon.The Passat rode smoother, but the price was way too high for comparable features. We are very satisfied withour choice- great price for what youget, decent gas mileage (compared to theminivan anyway), and enough room for the kids and their stuff- can fit threechild seats across the back row. Recommend a car top carrier for longertrips. Pros: Reliable, safe, fun to drive, andthe awd can't be beat for winter driving(live in WI)Cons: Interior quality could beimproved, gas mileage seems low for a vehicle its size, needs more pep.

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