1990 Subaru Legacy L from North America - Comments

165,000 miles the front axles decided to randomly break so a $600 fix there.

190,000 miles the alternator went on the road so that was about a $150 fix.

199,000 miles the rear diff. decided to give up and seize (it did have oil in it) which was $300 to fix.

201,000 miles the water pump blew.

A/C never worked past 165,000.

Threw out the life that we had it its been pretty much nothing, but problems (there are other problems, but were smaller so I didn't mention them). the oil burned, leaked and everything else, valves sticking constantly. The automatic was a piece of crap. it would always down shift twice under hard acceleration up to the red line and then up shift to where it should of shifted to. also when we would first put it into gear and hit the gas it would start off really really slow like nothing was really happening and then like 30 seconds later it would finally catch and shoot off.

I know what you guys are thinking... well you bought the car with high mileage to begin and regular maintance is required and all that. and yes we did buy the car with 160,000 miles, but after reading reviews about these Subaru's going well past 200,000 we went ahead and bought it. we got it from a friend that kept the car in good running condition and all so it was well kept before we got it. and I know what your thinking 40,000 miles in one year? that's messed up. well we took a lot of trips from North Carolina to Ohio and down to Florida so that's how all the miles got racked up. and we did change the oil about every month so the maintance shouldn't be a problem.

Overall this will be our last Japanese car that we will ever buy. we had a Toyota and it died young and we got it from a friend that was in the military and also kept it good running condition. So I think we're gonna keep with our American Chrysler's, Cause they've never let us down like these imports.

Well, when you have bought a Chrysler product with 160k and driven another 40k in the following year without any problems we'd love to hear from you!

Well considering those are basic wearable (albeit not cheap) parts that give out after 150,000 even if the car has been well taken care of, you shouldn't be surprised. All cars will go through these parts sooner or later and the fact that you put 40,000 miles on in a year makes them all the more likely to fail.

Are you kidding me? Your vehicle has these few problems (mostly routine maintenance), and you decide that this is your last Import? I am not sure if you understand the fact that machine parts wear down. You have such high mileage on your Subaru, and you are complaining about it. If that were a Domestic, you would have consistent problems, and there would be many problems.

Lastly, give up on Imports if you believe that Domestics are better, but I guarantee you will be in here complaining that Domestics are crap and that you want your Subaru back.

Regards the Chrysler I agree with the last comment.

Lets see your remarks on a 200 plus traveled Chrysler!

Actually (I'm the person that made this review) our Chrysler's both have over 200,000 miles and one of them has over 232,000 and has barely seen the repair shop. the only problem we had with it was the clutch giving out at 229,000 which is pretty good for a clutch.

Your "review" is really a good material for a stand up comedian. It'd go something like: I've got an import car with 160K miles on it & expected it to last with no issues for some time. Boy was I wrong! One year and 41k miles later I spent over $1K on repairs. Never & I say never will I buy a 15 year old import. I heard 20 year old Chryslers fair better. Domestics all the way for me now! How was that?

Since someone asked, I bought an 11-year-old Dodge with 163,000 miles on it, and drove it for 40,000 miles with 0 problems or repairs. It did need some of the ancillary things like starter/alternator/ball joints after 200,000 miles, though. It now has nearly 250,000 miles on it and is still going strong, and I've had no problems in the last 30,000 miles. But in all fairness, I would agree that the original poster was being a little unrealistic to think that any car with 160,000 miles wouldn't need some work.

I knew the car would need repairs... but I also thought the engine and tranny would last past 200,000 (the tranny has died yet, but sure seems like its about to).

Then change the tranny oil... jeez.

Stick to your American Chrysler, oh wait... Chrysler is a Daimler/Chrysler product owned by a German corporation. Your issue's aren't that bad considering it's been 160,000 miles. It could be worse, like my old 98' Explorer blowing a engine with only 80,000 miles.

To the correct the person above. Diamler Chrysler is not soley owned by Mercedes, but rather a merge between the two. And it hasn't been until recently (2002-present) that Mercedes has been helping Chrysler and vice versa. And it's mainly only with the Chrysler name plate, not Jeep nor Dodge.

They did not merge, Daimler Benz took over Chrysler. If it hadn't happened, Chrysler would be gone today.

Oh yeah, obviously Daimler has made Chrysler the great company that it is. I wouldn't be surprised if Daimler is responsible for the outstanding reliability Chrysler has been known for recently. I'll just stick with my Chevy. BTW, it's odd to see a review about an '89 Subaru in which the subject matter has turned into Chrysler and Mercedes.