1996 Subaru Legacy Outback review from North America
"A mountain goat with comfy seating"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
One spark plug wire failed several years ago and a main engine oil seal began to leak recently.
General comments?
Never have I felt so safe and secure as in this Subaru Outback. Roadholding is top-notch, handling is almost faultless, brakes secure, and the body structure is very solid and stiff.
The combination of Subaru's good steering feel, balanced suspension, AWD and ABS makes for an enormously capable, controllable machine that is the driver's best friend in any situation. You'd have to so something really dumb to trip up this Subaru.
I like my particular car better than the new Subarus. Though they are more refined and luxurious, they do not have the sporty feel and feedback mine has with the 5-speed gearbox and 50/50 drive setup, which means all the wheels are driving under normal circumstances.
These cars are true automotive hardware: purposeful, sturdy, long-lived, sensible, capable, and simply smart.
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| 1996 - Legacy L Wagon 2.2L N/A Best do it all in one car for the money for me |
|
| The most useful, reliable, fun-to-drive, yet boring to own car I can imagine |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 1996 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.2 Manual |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 10 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 25 miles |
| Most recent distance | 62000 miles |
| Previous car | Mercury Colony Park |
| Date of Entry | 27th April, 2003 |