Used 2002 Subaru Legacy Wagon Consumer Reviews
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Wonderful car
Ownedlotsofcars, 05/20/2010
2002 Subaru Legacy GT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2002 Subaru Legacy wagon used in 2006. It has been sensational, reliable, fun to drive, easy to handle, just a fine automobile. Things I've had to repair: cooling system has a minute leak somewhere that was stopped with additive; moon roof stopped popping up but the sun roof (yes it's a double moon/sun roof!) works just fine, so the moon roof pop up hardware just needs to be re- engaged. I'm going to have to replace the head gasket soon, but I'm putting it off and putting up with the small leak stain I have in my garage. For a used car, though, it's hard to imagine a better buy. I'm a pretty assertive drive. I drive the crap out of this thing and it has never let me down.
she gave us 130K trouble-free miles
kat2015, 06/15/2014
2002 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
We bought our 2002 Legacy Wagon brand new in 2001. We have put almost 135K miles on her, and now she's burning/leaking about 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. Mechanic tells us she has a cracked head gasket and unlike older Subarus, where you could simply put a new engine in the thing for about $1500, these models don't work like that and will require repair for about $2000. So we are shopping for a new car. Most likely another (our 3rd) Subaru, as we are addicted to AWD in the unpredictable northwest winters.
My Second Subaru
Sirstinky, 10/20/2010
2002 Subaru Legacy GT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I bought this with 69k miles and so far I put a little over 1000 on it. My 1991 has 190,000 miles on it and still runs good so I got another one. So far so good. This is a very good-looking wagon. I love the awd. Good brakes and handling. It's not too loud inside (there's the common Subaru wind noise) and the ride is smooth. So far no head gasket issues, but the engine has a noisy lifter now when cold and the transmission could be better. Jerky shifts when cold, and it upshifts/downshifts slowly when you need it to. The interior looks good and is solidly-built. Not many squeaks or rattles for 70K miles. Gas mileage bad in city driving 19-21 mpg.
From Outback to GT
giddyap, 03/16/2002
2002 Subaru Legacy GT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Through no fault of its own, a bad rollover accident in my Outback put us into the buyers market again. (lost our Outback, but we walked away) Went looking for another Subie of course! Test drove the 2002 Outback, Forrester and finally the GT. Hands down it was the GT!! With my daily commute of 90 miles (1/3 of the trip on mountain roads) I was glad to switch. The GT handles hair-pin curves and tight situations beautifully. Don't test drive a GT if you don't want to own one.
What a Car!!!!
Twa, 04/05/2002
2002 Subaru Legacy GT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I love everything about it!!! What a value
Best w/ a little help.
Wreckreation, 12/20/2009
2002 Subaru Legacy GT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new. Upgraded from '98 legacy. Added cold air intake, computer mod and short throw shifter. Short throw shifter best addition yet. Intake and computer brought HP to 200! Great power in 25k-55k RPM. Superior in blizzard conditions with 4pp, Snowbaords and gear. Almost 100k w/ no issues. 26mpg in city driving, now in FL and AC is cold as ice, and it turns heads. Black ACR rims w/ chrome strip, adds wonderful cornering capabilities.
Great wagon
may ma, 01/30/2003
2002 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
If you are looking for a wagon for less than 20K. This is it!
Could have been great, but...
Dr. Alif Terranson, 11/23/2003
2002 Subaru Legacy GT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The performance of the 4 wheezing mice just doesn't cut it. I actually thought the car had a problem, and brought it in for service - the service manager stated that this was "just the way it is with the newer Subarus, because of the emissions control requirements". This is, of course, pure BS, as I have an even newer car (from another manufacturer) that meets emissions without this performance hit. The performance is *so* bad that I was going to upgrade to the 6cyl, unfortunately, a drive in that confirmed that this is a design issue, and not an engine size problem.
Wagon Love
Uncle Jay, 12/06/2003
2002 Subaru Legacy GT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The motor went bad at 24000 miles. It was a manufacturing flaw. AWD is very nice. I have a manual and like to shift but I wish the center differential was an intelligent one like on the automatics.
Great car
Vic S, 01/08/2004
2002 Subaru Legacy GT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Have really enjoyed having and driving this vehicle especially in snowy and icy weather. It is comfortable, handles extremely well and corners like it was on rails. The heater warms up quickly in cold weather adding to the enjoyment of this vehicle.
2002 Subaru Legacy L
gumbputt, 03/31/2008
2002 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
AWD is great. 110,000 miles replaced head gaskets $1200. 25-28 mpg. Back oxygen sensor out, would cost $100+ just for the part. Wind noise on driver's door correctable only by wedging paper in between gasket and window. Passenger window has be raised and lowered until perfect to cancel wind noise. Has always started. Seats aren't overly comfortable for long drives. Overall I would get another one.
Problem after problem
kbauman, 05/12/2008
2002 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
In the 5 1/2 years since we bought our 2002 legacy we've had to replace the oil pan (60k miles), head gasket (85k miles), and catalytic converters (88k miles). Our maintanence costs on this car are running at a rate of around $4000/yr, which is more than the payment of a new car. It's either a lemon, or Subaru just doesn't build them like they used too.
Great Value
juice, 05/09/2002
2002 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We just picked up our 2nd Subaru last week for only $17,827. For that price we got ABS, AWD, wagon bodystyle, AM/FM/cassette, A/C, cruise, keyless, power windows, power locks, power steering, power mirrors, and carpets. Nothing can match the features for the price. The car feels solid and smooth, and was delivered with zero flaws. It's roomy, quiet, comfortable, and was best in class in IIHS crash tests. It's fun and practical. Warranty is better than Honda. Materials better than average for the class, too.
This car rocks
paul D, 05/13/2002
2002 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Listen Subaru rocks!!! I have a 95 wagon LS and i love it and i'm seriously considering buying another the only problem i have with them is their high price tag sure you get an awesome machine but it is a tad expensive when comparing to others like toyota matrix for example But don't get me wrong they have the best engine out of any car and their vehicals have guts
Incremental Improvements => Good Value
redeft321, 05/21/2002
2002 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We have driven a 1996 Legacy Brighton 5 speed 120K miles, and just purchased a 2002 Legacy L wagon wi 5 speed. Subaru's strategy has been to make many improvements on a good base car instead of running wi short cycle of major reengineering and redesign. Like VW's strategy of the 60s and 70s, this has allowed Fuji Heavy Industries to spread major design and tooling costs over longer multiyear production runs. The benefits of this strategy, wi modest yen depreciation, reflected in value. Our 1996 Brighton cost us $15300 with self financing. 2002 L Wagon with the improvements and added standard equipment noted below cost us $18500 with 1.9 percent 24 month financing.
4th Subaru (better each time)
ShawanoJim, 09/04/2002
2002 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I got a leftover '02 L-wagon for $600 under invoice w/3.9% financing. I love the car. Great seats and driving position. Wagon has lots of room for luggage/stroller and grocery bags. Everything is solid on the car. A well equipped vehicle for the L (base) model. Subaru’s are the most reliable vehicles I’ve ever owned (as good as my Acura Legend and Toyota X-cab 4x4 Pickup!). Very easy to service for the weekend mechanic. Truly Subaru's have best in class crash test ratings. Glad we had one when someone decided to cross a divided highway in front of my wife w/ her ‘95 Impreza. Have looked at crash ratings ever since!
Ain't None Better, for the money
rcpowell, 11/27/2002
2002 Subaru Legacy GT AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I started with a '98 GT, graduated to a '02. I miss the hood scoop and the color white, but other than that, I like the car very much. The wife puts too many miles on it, but it goes and goes and still goes some more. The kids love it, the pep, the handling, etc. That took me some what by surprise, because it is a wagon. We are just another happy family with a Subaru to get around in.