1998 Subaru Legacy TS-R EJ20 Non turbo
Summary:
Nice to drive... the local petrol station owner loves me
Faults:
Sway bar links, bushes and steering rack bushes and to be replaced at Warranty of Fitness before purchase.
Drivers window motor failed after a month of ownership.
Rear Main seal, rear crank case cover and clutch replaced at 72,000 km.
Right rear wheel bearing replaced at 77,500 km.
Engine starting to knock on cold starts.
General Comments:
Car is great on the open road. Sits nicely at 100 kph with little road noise. Handles hills and generally rough road well.
Lots of room in the interior (sedan model). Comfortable on long trips if you get out every hour or so otherwise the seat can really hurt your back.
Maintenance can be high with higher running costs. Currently getting round 350 km per tank of around town driving.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th October, 2004
13th Nov 2008, 03:57
It's the earlier shape (mid 90's), but it is the face lift engine (the car is right on the cross over date). Getting better distance out of a tank now BP sell 98 octane fuel. Since I wrote the review, the car is now on 161,000 kms. Engine has not got any worse with its cold knock, but the gearbox had to be rebuilt at 150,000 kms (bearings were very noisy).
9th Aug 2009, 20:55
You should be getting about 400-500 km out of it around town and long distances, depending on how you drive it, about 600+km, they're very economical long distance, but around town they can chew up the gas. And it's about a 55ltr tank in the wagon, which I believe is the same as the sedan.
30th Sep 2008, 00:16
Hi, only 350km? I am looking at buying a 1999 TSR wagon and have been asking round on trademe, and the people I have spoken to are getting around 9-11L per 100k (450-530km a tank =50 or 55L tank). Is this the new model 1998 (ie 1998-2003 shape) or the old model 1998 9ie 1993-1998 shape)? Thanks.