2005 Subaru Legacy Review
Price Estimate: $1,162 - $1,805





+39
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Don't have to pay extra for all-wheel drive, generous standard equipment list, top-notch build and materials quality, excellent power in GT models, great highway ride, sharp handling.
Cons
- Stability control not available, smaller backseat than most competitors.
What’s new
An all-new and vastly improved Legacy is introduced in sedan and wagon body styles. Topping the list of upgrades are a 250-horsepower turbocharged engine, a stylish new interior and a full menu of airbags.
Edmunds says
A tight chassis, a turbocharged engine and a slick cockpit have transformed the all-wheel-drive Legacy into a serious driver's car. Whether you're an enthusiast in need of four doors or a safety-conscious parent in need of some fun, this one is worth a try.
For sale near Cupertino, CA
16 listings
- $6,999fair price$460 above market
- 149,164 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, rental vehicle
- 20 City / 27 Hwy MPG
- Select Auto Sales (484 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Alarm
- Trip Computer
- Rear Bench Seats
- 2500lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Redmond, OR
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 4S3BL616557224692
Stock: 11476
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-22-2025 - 155,396 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 20 City / 27 Hwy MPG
- 777 Auto Sales and Service (683 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Alarm
- Trip Computer
- Rear Bench Seats
- 2500lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Tacoma, WA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 4S3BL616557221730
Stock: 221730
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-18-2025
Subaru Legacy Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
05 GT Wagon
4.75 out of 5 starswhitehe9, 06/28/2011
2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
This is the most performance for the $ you can possibly have on 4 wheels. Read the reviews - said about that. However, the 05 model and possibly others has a major problem with turbo failure, which is not the fault of the turbo but a design failure by Subaru. This is fact and other buyers and independent mechanics agree - read forums. This a $3000 repair by the dealer but you can usually … find used or aftermarket turbos for $500 and have a mechanic install it but it is likely to fail again without modificaitons to the oil tubing. Bottom line is change your oil often <3000mi and buy a spare turbocharger. Out of 115,000miles, this is my only complaint (failure just outside 60k warranty period)
Great Car
5 out of 5 starsbelaircarguy, 02/19/2014
2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Great Car!
Bought a 2005 Legacy GT Limited Wagon for my college daughter.
100,000 miles on it, but was well cared for by an adult owner.
Interior looks new, and paint is flawless.
Turbo engine is powerful and car is fun to drive.
Built quality of a Subaru is second to none.
Overall, could not be happier.
Did know that at this mileage I would need to replace the timing belt/water … pump/drive belts and also needs new spark plugs.
Cannot complain, as this is normal maintenance items.
Dream Car
5 out of 5 starsSue Tonnesen, 02/23/2016
2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
Always felt like this was the right size car for me. It has enough acceleration that made me comfortable merging into traffic. The all wheel drive gave me comfort when dealing with snowy and wet roads. The light interior with a dark blue exterior is a cheerful look and feel. With the sunroof it made it even more desirable.
good car... until 100k miles, then sell it quick
3 out of 5 starsnew_audi_drvr, 11/26/2015
2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5i AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
I got the opportunity to own this silver beauty for much less that blue book from someone I know. I got it at 75k and have driven it over the 200k mark, so Ive experienced the worst miles the car goes through. The good side is; the long highway miles Ive put on the car driving 200 miles a day for 6 months were amazing. I got 35+ MPG , and the car practically drives its self, its so well … balanced, precise handling and smooth. It almost gives Audis and lexuses a run for the money in the handling and comfort department, but that's where it ends.
The interior was worn thin when I got the car and now its falling apart everywhere; the driver side power window went first, then the glove box wouldn't close, rattles in the dash, the trunk lining is hanging by a thread and the window sills of the doors have been ripped to shreds by my small dogs claws.
Maintenance has been absurd; failed Power steering pump, AC compressor, water pump, blown head gasket, loose u joints in the axle, 50k mile valve cover changes, 20k mile tire changes, 20-30K mile spark plug wires changes and poor gas millage due to a bad 02 sensor. These are all common problems that plague the Subaru boxer engine and especially the 2.5 liter of any model or year, and it all comes down to bad design decisions that compromise reliability and longevity. The biggest annoyance with Subarus is the check engine light. 'When' it comes on, the cruise control stops working, which is a nightmare on long highway commutes. Don't bother taking your car to the dealership to get the error cleared either; they will charge you $50-100 for the privilege.
I was recently forced to sell the car cheep, due to a crushingly high repair bill when the head gasket, drive shaft, o2 sensor and water pump all spontaneously died right before the state inspection was due. Exactly a year earlier I had spent $2000+ on a repair bill due at inspection, and I had to cut my losses.
The first thing the buyer asked was (who happened to be a Subaru mechanic); Had the head gasket been replaced recently. This makes it pretty obvious that there's a huge fundamental flaw in the engine. The boxer engine by nature is unreliable; the fluids are in constant contact and pressure with the valve cover seals and head gasket. This mean they can quickly be deteriorated by impurities in the fluids, which caused most of my problems. Its a cascade affect; oil leaks in the valve cover = bad spake plugs and cables = bad o2 sensor = blown head gasket.
2005 Legacy Highlights
Wagon
2.5i
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $22,445 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $245/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 34.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Legacy include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalMarginal
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintAcceptable
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