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Used 2004 Subaru Legacy Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
21 reviews

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4 out of 5 stars

Best car for the money

Froggie, 06/15/2010
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
18 of 18 people found this review helpful

Great car. I have over 121,000 miles on it now and still not a rattle or squeak. Runs and looks like new. This is my third Subaru, all very reliable. I have had only 2 out of pocket repairs. The head gaskets were replaced at 80,000 miles and new struts at 116,000 miles. Gas mileage is OK at 22-23 Mpg in town and 27-30 Mpg on the highway.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Safe, Dependable and fun

Froggy, 07/27/2008
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

I agree with the others that the auto trans could be better.A 5 or 6 speed would improve economy (I get 25 overall) and acceleration. Reliability wise, I have over 90,000 on it and I have had only one out of pocket repair. It is still tight as a drum. My friends Honda's and Toyotas have been more problematic, in fact they all love my subie. I think many people just don't give Subaru a look before going to Honda or Toyota. This is my third Subaru and I don't see where the others are any more reliable or better made.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Love my Subie!

JC, 04/17/2009
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Bought it used with 25k on it. Currently have 110k. Have not had any problems. Goes thru a lot of tires but I guess that's the AWD. Would like a few more horses under the hood but the 5 spd and the tight handling do make it a fun drive. Great in the snow. I'd buy another one but don't want to give this up!

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3.38 out of 5 stars

Definitely won't buy another Subaru...

subaru_andrew, 12/26/2008
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

I purchased this car new in April 2004 and have since put approximately 97500 miles on it. Build quality isn't too good; I have experienced engine knock when cold since 20000 miles. Dealer wouldn't touch the issue, saying it's typical for these engines. Cold (under 20 degree F) starts are painful, sometimes requiring 4 or 5 tries before the engine will stay running. I've had the A/C lose charge twice (dealer and independent shop cannot find leak, so it gets charged once a year) and had the clutch bind and squeak. Dealer replaced the clutch, didn't fix the issue, I found a bad slave cylinder. Rear suspension sags at least 1.5" even with nothing in the trunk. But, I haven't been stranded-yet!

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3.38 out of 5 stars

Manual Sedan

mjc440, 02/03/2004
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

This Legacy has a great ride, almost perfect steering, and is practically unstoppable in the snow. The negatives are inferior interior materials (compared to Honda and Toyata) and an engine with not a lot of power (although it performs well for a four cylinder). My biggest complaint is that the 5 speed manual is geared too low for normal highway driving. The engine screams at 3,000 RPMS at 70 MPH (and everyone blows past you). It really needs another gear. Also the manual transmission is sometimes hard to put into first gear. Shifting feels like you're shifting through gravel. Cloth seats are also uncomfortable.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Perfect all around car

Whoiam04, 08/19/2003
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This car is verry well-built, with a symetrical all wheel drive layout that fully optimizes the advantage of all wheel drive...this is my second legacy, the first had over 280,000 when i sold it

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5 out of 5 stars

I hope this one lasts like the First

W Heller, 09/19/2003
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Overall this car is a blast to drive, and stays flat in the curves. My only complaint is the little lack of power produced by the engine. Other than that it has a very strong build.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Subaru Me - Once More

Jon, 12/05/2004
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I drive 80 mi a day to the City (elev. 4500 ft) from a a peaceful mountain valley (elev. 6500 ft). Have been doing so for 11 years in my '93 Legacy L AWD Sedan. It now has 290,000 miles and still going strong! I have since retired it to the teenager daughter. Enter my new Subaru. Looking forward to another 10+ years of confident all- weather driving without guzzling gas. Whole family loves Subaru's. Dad, Mom and both brothers own one. And now I own two!

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3.13 out of 5 stars

"Bummer" Should have been recalled!

Woody, 09/12/2010
2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful

During my 160,000 miles I have had to replace the catalytic converters 3 times and now that inspection is due wouldn’t you know it engine light is on and needs another catalytic converter. Both front windows after 1 year leak air flow sounds like a whistling jet is landing no satisfaction from the dealer or Subaru.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

MAD-MAN'S FACTS

chad medeiros, 01/23/2004
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

A bit SLOW & Sluggest at 1st. but opened up FINALLY after 14000. So drive it like you stole it so it can open up for you!!!!!

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Subaru Legacy GT Top of the Line??

silverlady, 11/08/2003
2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I just bought a Subaru Legacy GT Sedan, my first new car! Overall it seems to be an excellent car. One problem: when I take it through a high powered, touchless car wash, the drivers side and passenger side windows leak! The dealer said there was nothing they could do; they took me through the car wash with another new Legacy and it also leaked. They said don't use touchless car washes. It is a design flaw I must learn to live with. Bummer, $27,000 for a car and I can't take it through the car wash! Subaru may be built to handle the winter roads, but they are not built to handle a touchless car wash!

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5 out of 5 stars

Great Car

Ryan Reynolds, 11/13/2003
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

How to put it in words? I needed to find a car for my wife that would be great in the Snow, sporty, and comfortable, and around $20,000. And I found it, This car is so much fun to drive. I looked around for about 8 months before buying, I looked at Dodge, Ford, and Honda, But no one made an All-Wheel Drive that compared. I purchased the 35th anniversary edition which came with power windows and lokcks, Sun roof, A/C, AWD, CD player. Everything I wanted and more. Any douts, Look at Consumer Reports reviews A+.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Previous Owner Returns to Subaru

Barry Segars, 10/23/2003
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

My first turn in the test drive, the car read my mind. I became amazed to be turning just by thinking it. The car seems that responsive! The brakes, all 4 wheels, stop fast & smooth. Listen during the test drive. You can converseas clearly as if you were communicating face to face {very quiet ride!}. The acceleration is good if you're trying to keep out of trouble but this isn't your car if you're appreciate a zippy response. I get 23 mpg in the city and 28 on the Interstate. The seatbelt fits like a dream. The stereo claims to be 40 watts but it performs like 20. The easy access storage areas are still stupid as they were in 1995.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Good!

regurgitate1, 12/03/2003
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

VERY NICE, LOOKS GOOD INSIDE AND OUT

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4.25 out of 5 stars

From Volvo to Subaru

T. Devine, 01/24/2004
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I traded my (third) Volvo for the Subaru, chiefly because of the AWD. However, I love the car. It is agile, quick, easy to drive,and much more than my Volvos, it is fun to drive. And, of course, it cost about 40% less to buy. Now I can't think of why I paid so much money for cars that really didn't please me. (Snobbery, probably.)

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Subaru Legacy Limited Edition

Janneth Bethea, 03/23/2004
2004 Subaru Legacy L AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I truly enjoy driving my Subaru Legacy Limited Edition. During the winter months, I never worried about getting stranded or having car trouble. This car is extremely reliable and very affordable. It's in a class by itself. Many of my friends are not familiar with the Subaru. We they see me they think its a Volvo, Saab or one of the expensive sedans. Yes, I love the comfort and the sleek look of my car. I highly recommended this well kept secreat.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

MY 2003 SUBARU LEGACY SE

Tigressrich, 04/10/2004
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have enjoyed the ride from the initial test drive.This car is excellent in the snow and you can actually feel the car adjusting to the snowy roads.I recommend this car to anyone that is looking for a sturdy car and one that is not stolen often,as is the Honda Civic and the Nissan Maxima.

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5 out of 5 stars

Legacy GT

ERMJRM, 04/10/2004
2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I love the way my Legacy drives. When it goes around corners and there is not much body roll, this makes for a smooth ride. We live in the country, so we drive on all types of roads all year around. The AWD handles great from the snow in the winter to the dirt roads in the summer.

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5 out of 5 stars

Fun, reliable, how good?

NoahB123, 04/11/2004
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I'm 18, and the legacy is the first car I've ever owned, but most definitely not the first that I've driven. For the price, the legacy is definitely one of the best automobiles out there. Even with just standard features, it's a nice, comfortable car. I got the leather, the XSi package(looks), and the premium sound system...all worth it. The sound system is unreal, the leather is sleek and comfortable, and the XSi package gives it an edge to the standard back of a subaru. Driving the car is fun, but acceleration is just a little bit slow, although I am used to driving a 2000 maxima(about 200hp).

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4.5 out of 5 stars

toms car

tom morris, 04/11/2004
2004 Subaru Legacy L 35th Anniversary Edition AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

car is very reliable, but it doesn't have very much pick up. great family car comes with a lot of options stock. great wood grain interior

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Best ride & handling combo

travis j, 10/22/2004
2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I leased a 2000 Legacy GT ( 5 speed ) for four years. All wheel drive with the rear differential proved quite fun when powering out of corners. But that brings up the week point of this car. Not enough power to go with the great suppension tuning and bank vault structual rigidity. Best combination of ride and handling of any car I've driven. Quiet interior and very comfortable seats.

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