1997 Subaru Legacy GT review from North America

Head gasket blew at roughly 55,000 km intervals (4 times so far). Most recently, rebuilt with the latest pattern head gaskets - no grief in 50,000 kn (touch wood).

Gearbox required rebuilding at 225,000 km (began jumping out of 2nd gear). Recently am finding 3rd gear synchronizers becoming weak. I understand from some of the rally types that this is a notoriously weak

box that Subaru corrected in 1999 or 2000 models.

Piston slap when cold cured by fitting

later RS Impreza 10:1 pistons with longer skirts.

Have replaced rear diff twice, after it blew its lubricant through the breather and overheated.

Probably the most versatile car I've ever owned, with outstanding handling on a snowy, icy or wet surface.

The Legacy GT wagon/estate is the only vehicle I've ever owned that is capable of hauling canoe/kayak/scull and camping gear one day, and capable of decent lap times (minus the above) the next. Surprises BMW 3 & 5 series in the dry, no contest in the wet.

Drivers taller than six feet may find the driver's seat uncomfortable after several hours. The short squab and relationship between the seat and throttle pedal caused pains in my right knee. Fitting an old Recaro seat I'd used in a 1980s DL (for the same reason) cured this.

Front side windows rattle badly when partially lowered.

Subaru should consider offering as an option a set of progressive spring/shock units along the lines of the Leda or DMS. These improve the handling substantially with little or no sacrifice of ride comfort.