Need Advise on 2005 Legacy Turbo GT
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Need Advise on 2005 Legacy Turbo GT
Gentlemen, I am considering purchasing a 2005 Legacy GT (with turbo engine). I have never owned a Subaru or a car with a turbo engine. I have done my research and compared this car with Volvo S40 and Acura TSX and in my opinion this car is a MUCH better value.
Now here are my concerns about this car and this where I am hoping to get advise from anyone:
1) How reliable turbo engines are in general?
2) Is it expensive to maintain them?
3) Do you have to replace the turbo at 200,000km?
4) Is it difficult to drive in snow if turbo kicks in (I live in Canada)?
Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
KS
Now here are my concerns about this car and this where I am hoping to get advise from anyone:
1) How reliable turbo engines are in general?
2) Is it expensive to maintain them?
3) Do you have to replace the turbo at 200,000km?
4) Is it difficult to drive in snow if turbo kicks in (I live in Canada)?
Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
KS
-Nowadays, Turbo engines are just as reliable as non-turbo engines.
-I also don't think it is any more expensive to maintain them, unless something breaks. There are more parts, though, that can potentially break.
-I don't know about having to replace the turbo at 200,000km (or whatever that is in miles), you might want to ask the dealer that. I've never heard anything of the sort, but I guess it could be possible.
-The car is not that hard to drive in the snow. Luckily in this car, the turbo doesn't really "kick in." The power just eases on slowly so there are not really any big jolts of speed. It is tougher, though, then my old non-turbo Legacy, but I think thats mainly due to the extra power promoting earlier wheel spin, not jolts of power. Learning good throttle control and getting good snow tires would help a lot.
-I also don't think it is any more expensive to maintain them, unless something breaks. There are more parts, though, that can potentially break.
-I don't know about having to replace the turbo at 200,000km (or whatever that is in miles), you might want to ask the dealer that. I've never heard anything of the sort, but I guess it could be possible.
-The car is not that hard to drive in the snow. Luckily in this car, the turbo doesn't really "kick in." The power just eases on slowly so there are not really any big jolts of speed. It is tougher, though, then my old non-turbo Legacy, but I think thats mainly due to the extra power promoting earlier wheel spin, not jolts of power. Learning good throttle control and getting good snow tires would help a lot.
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Thank you for all the comments.
I test drove the S40, and TSX yesterday and no comparison with Legacy GT. The Legacy felt MUCH better.
I spoke to a dealer's service department and they said that the only extra thing for turbo engines is that I have to replace some filter (I think they said gas filter or something else) every 96,000km.
By the way, I thought this car was made in japan but it is not. It is made in US.
ks
I test drove the S40, and TSX yesterday and no comparison with Legacy GT. The Legacy felt MUCH better.
I spoke to a dealer's service department and they said that the only extra thing for turbo engines is that I have to replace some filter (I think they said gas filter or something else) every 96,000km.
By the way, I thought this car was made in japan but it is not. It is made in US.
ks
Originally Posted by ksarrami
By the way, I thought this car was made in japan but it is not. It is made in US.
He said "4..."
I said "4, shouldn't that be J? Hmm, I guess the Legacy is made in the US"
and lo-and behold, there is a Made in Indiana sticker on the car.
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ksarrami,
If you’re considering the Legacy, you should check out www.legacygt.com if you haven't already. Recent I purchased the 05 Legacy 2.5 GT. From my perspective, it’s a great car, however with that said it’s not perfect. Apparently Subaru’s do not idle evenly, coming from the Honda world this is hard for me to get over. I started to notice while at stop lights, the car would shake slightly, even if the engine was warmed up. Also, many have reported their cars do have a slight stuttering problem while accelerating from 2k - 3,500 rpms. It is an issue that has been brought up on the forum. Currently there is not a fix for it from SOA; rather others have resolved the stuttering by purchasing an AccessPort to adjust their ECU settings. Also, an issue you will more than likely encounter is the "stink" smell from the clutch while your break-in period; mine has just gone away, 5k miles later. With all this said there are still many more benefits that out weight these issue. It handles like a champ in the snow or rain, and is a great alternative to a STi or Evo, and beats the pants of TSX (performance wise).
If you’re considering the Legacy, you should check out www.legacygt.com if you haven't already. Recent I purchased the 05 Legacy 2.5 GT. From my perspective, it’s a great car, however with that said it’s not perfect. Apparently Subaru’s do not idle evenly, coming from the Honda world this is hard for me to get over. I started to notice while at stop lights, the car would shake slightly, even if the engine was warmed up. Also, many have reported their cars do have a slight stuttering problem while accelerating from 2k - 3,500 rpms. It is an issue that has been brought up on the forum. Currently there is not a fix for it from SOA; rather others have resolved the stuttering by purchasing an AccessPort to adjust their ECU settings. Also, an issue you will more than likely encounter is the "stink" smell from the clutch while your break-in period; mine has just gone away, 5k miles later. With all this said there are still many more benefits that out weight these issue. It handles like a champ in the snow or rain, and is a great alternative to a STi or Evo, and beats the pants of TSX (performance wise).
Last edited by typespeed; Mar 13, 2005 at 04:24 PM.
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I have a WRX and 05 LegacyGT. The WRX has almost 100K mi on it without any problem at all. It has been an extraordinarily reliable car.
Regarding turbo reliability, if you read the manual (I get made fun of by everyone in my family for reading the manual like a fiction book, bookmarks and all) you'll notice that they instruct you to wait at least 30 seconds before shutting the car off. This helps extend turbo lifespan considerably. I did this with a Saab turbo I had which went 170K mi with the original turbo (sold at that point), and I chalk it up to proper turbo oil drainage at shut down.
Maintenance is considerably less expensive than many of the status brands like Acura and Volvo (and Saab, from personal experience), on the order of %50. My Saab 60Kmi service was over $800 ten years ago. The WRX 60Kmi service two years ago was $350.
Also, driving it in the snow is easier than any two wheel drive vehicle I have driven. Both the WRX and LegacyGT are excellent snow cars, and better with proper tires.
Regarding turbo reliability, if you read the manual (I get made fun of by everyone in my family for reading the manual like a fiction book, bookmarks and all) you'll notice that they instruct you to wait at least 30 seconds before shutting the car off. This helps extend turbo lifespan considerably. I did this with a Saab turbo I had which went 170K mi with the original turbo (sold at that point), and I chalk it up to proper turbo oil drainage at shut down.
Maintenance is considerably less expensive than many of the status brands like Acura and Volvo (and Saab, from personal experience), on the order of %50. My Saab 60Kmi service was over $800 ten years ago. The WRX 60Kmi service two years ago was $350.
Also, driving it in the snow is easier than any two wheel drive vehicle I have driven. Both the WRX and LegacyGT are excellent snow cars, and better with proper tires.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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I'm in Japan but one of my co-workers drives an '05 Legacy GT wagon. It's lowered, stock 18s with snow tires and SSR 18s with summer tires and a dual titanium exhaust. He's never pushed it while I've been in it, but it hauls and it's really stable in the snow.
You'd only have to replace the turbo if you punch it all the time and immediately turn off the car after you drive. Replace the oil regularly, be nice, it'll last forever. I've got a '91 Volvo back in the USA with over 180,000 miles (288,000 km) with the stock turbo and it still runs like a champ. Subaru's are just as if not more reliable than Volvo engines so I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Like Honda and Toyota, I think Subaru parts are made in Japan but assembled in the USA.
You'd only have to replace the turbo if you punch it all the time and immediately turn off the car after you drive. Replace the oil regularly, be nice, it'll last forever. I've got a '91 Volvo back in the USA with over 180,000 miles (288,000 km) with the stock turbo and it still runs like a champ. Subaru's are just as if not more reliable than Volvo engines so I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Like Honda and Toyota, I think Subaru parts are made in Japan but assembled in the USA.
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Thanks for all the comments.
I have a SUV (2004 Suzuki XL7 Limited) and a car (1999 VW Jetta VR6 GLX). I am looking to replace my car in the next couple of weeks which is primarily used to commute to work. With respect to gas consumption, insurance, maintenance cost, driving and reliability, I have researched, reviewed and test drove the following cars: Nissan Maxima, Altima, Murano, Infinity G35 Sedan, Lexus IS300, Mazda 3 & 6, Mits.Outlander, Subaru Legacy GT, Imperza WRX, Acura TSX and TL. After considerable energy and time, it has come down to two cars: TL vs Legacy GT Limited. They are both the same price here in Toronto, Canada.
Acura gives you a more quiet (bigger engine V6 3.2L) and comfortable ride with more luxury tools such as Homelink, auto dimmer mirror, two memory settings for seats, more speakers and a maintenance schedule reminder. It has also a better gas consumption than the Legacy. On the other hand, the Legacy is much faster, and gives you the all wheel drive. If I didn't have the SUV, I would buy the Subaru without any hesitation.
Anyhow, I am 36 years old and I guess my boyish side, whatever is left :-), likes the Legacy and my mature side likes the Acura TL !
Any advise or suggestion that would make my decision making easier would be greatly apperciated.
KS
I have a SUV (2004 Suzuki XL7 Limited) and a car (1999 VW Jetta VR6 GLX). I am looking to replace my car in the next couple of weeks which is primarily used to commute to work. With respect to gas consumption, insurance, maintenance cost, driving and reliability, I have researched, reviewed and test drove the following cars: Nissan Maxima, Altima, Murano, Infinity G35 Sedan, Lexus IS300, Mazda 3 & 6, Mits.Outlander, Subaru Legacy GT, Imperza WRX, Acura TSX and TL. After considerable energy and time, it has come down to two cars: TL vs Legacy GT Limited. They are both the same price here in Toronto, Canada.
Acura gives you a more quiet (bigger engine V6 3.2L) and comfortable ride with more luxury tools such as Homelink, auto dimmer mirror, two memory settings for seats, more speakers and a maintenance schedule reminder. It has also a better gas consumption than the Legacy. On the other hand, the Legacy is much faster, and gives you the all wheel drive. If I didn't have the SUV, I would buy the Subaru without any hesitation.
Anyhow, I am 36 years old and I guess my boyish side, whatever is left :-), likes the Legacy and my mature side likes the Acura TL !
Any advise or suggestion that would make my decision making easier would be greatly apperciated.
KS
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