1997 Subaru Legacy GT review from North America

Normal Wear and tear: Water pump, timing belt, tires, spark plugs/wiring, air filters, car battery, gaskets. Air conditioning gas needed to be refilled.

CV joints/bushings replaced due to rusting.

Starter motor went at around 210,000km.

ABS sensor damaged by terrible mechanic, needed replacement. Expensive -> $200CDN.

Unexpected: crankshaft pulley came loose, needed to replace a/c and alternator belt because of that at 220,000km.

Noticing high amount of oil burned (need to top up engine oil before scheduled oil change) every 3000km. Oil change is done at 5000km. This problem is noticeable after 175,000km.

Total in maintenance spent since buying car is about $3,000k. That is without cost of oil changes. This is a very low price because we got parts at discounted rate and mechanic was not dealer mechanic. I would expect these repairs would have cost $4,000 over the course of this car's lifespan.

Despite the repairs, this has been a reliable car.

Starter motor is the only thing that could not be anticipated, everything else was expected. In the case of the crankshaft pulley, I heard a noise and checked the engine in the parking lot.

The wood trim in the interior is somewhat lacking.

Lots of room and lots of power from a 4 cylinder engine.

Hope to drive it to 300,000km :)