2006 Legacy, 2.5 engine & issues to look out for?
Discussion
Afternoon all,
I'm in the market for a reliable, spacious estate that I'll be using sparingly, 2 or 3 times a week to make regular 40 mile round trips. I've found one on the classifieds with the 2.5l N/A engine and I can't seem to find much information on this engine online using other sources.
I'm aware the economy of this unit isn't fantastic for the 163hp output, but coming from a 59hp Toyota iQ micro-car, this will be a HUGE boost with the 4x4 as well, and I've got motorbikes if I want to go fast ;D.
Are there any MAJOR issues that I should keep my eyes wide open to with this unit specifically, or any other drivetrain components on a 2005/early 2006 Legacy. the mileage on this example is pretty low at under 50k and MOT history seems encouraging, no mention of RUST but also some infrequent usage in the last decade, indicating it might've been parked up and sat for a year or two at a time.
Spec seems good for the money - asking price around 2.8k, it has electric heated memory leather seats, sunroof, and so on.
Worryingly the seller can't seem to spell so this isn't a great first impression. Coming from an s2000 this will be a very different car for me, and I've not owned a scooby before so I'm all ears for the rare knowledge.
Any tips regards this model, engine and year would be appreciated. Thanks guys.
I'm in the market for a reliable, spacious estate that I'll be using sparingly, 2 or 3 times a week to make regular 40 mile round trips. I've found one on the classifieds with the 2.5l N/A engine and I can't seem to find much information on this engine online using other sources.
I'm aware the economy of this unit isn't fantastic for the 163hp output, but coming from a 59hp Toyota iQ micro-car, this will be a HUGE boost with the 4x4 as well, and I've got motorbikes if I want to go fast ;D.
Are there any MAJOR issues that I should keep my eyes wide open to with this unit specifically, or any other drivetrain components on a 2005/early 2006 Legacy. the mileage on this example is pretty low at under 50k and MOT history seems encouraging, no mention of RUST but also some infrequent usage in the last decade, indicating it might've been parked up and sat for a year or two at a time.
Spec seems good for the money - asking price around 2.8k, it has electric heated memory leather seats, sunroof, and so on.
Worryingly the seller can't seem to spell so this isn't a great first impression. Coming from an s2000 this will be a very different car for me, and I've not owned a scooby before so I'm all ears for the rare knowledge.
Any tips regards this model, engine and year would be appreciated. Thanks guys.
Great workhorse. I looked at a few and opted to go with the 3.0R flat 6 due to more grunt (250bhp), better spec, camchain not belt, and panorama sunroof. Check it’s not an import (no rust-proofing)
They are mostly bulletproof (2.5 is belt, though so check interval), the exhaust rots under the rear diff where the Y piece is, brakes bind, drop links are consumable, and wheels lose their finish. On a good one everything should work and feel like it’s hewn out of granite. Leather seats look brand new after 100k, inc the drivers seat.
I paid £2k for 55 plate (lower tax) Auto 3.0R in (quite) minty condition with 100k on the clock. They wear high mileage really well.
They are mostly bulletproof (2.5 is belt, though so check interval), the exhaust rots under the rear diff where the Y piece is, brakes bind, drop links are consumable, and wheels lose their finish. On a good one everything should work and feel like it’s hewn out of granite. Leather seats look brand new after 100k, inc the drivers seat.
I paid £2k for 55 plate (lower tax) Auto 3.0R in (quite) minty condition with 100k on the clock. They wear high mileage really well.
I've had 3 with the N/A 2.5 engine - a 98/99 Liberty, an 03 Liberty and an 07 Forester. All were great to drive and satisfying to own in a way that sounds completely w
ky until you've owned one. Now on my sixth.
The two Libs used to enjoy a bit of oil between services - I owned both at around 4-6 years old - though nothing like as much as the 2013 Golf I've just sold. I had the Forester for nearly 10 years from new and that had a much lesser appetite between services. My current Lib also has a 2.5 motor and though 7 years old and turbocharged, uses no oil between services.
Oil is important, keep it clean and keep it topped up. Servicing was straightforward, and parts easy to get, though over here Subaru has roughly the same market share as VW and is more widespread.
The belts need replacing roughly every 100-120,000kms or seven years. If you've got a 15-y-o car with no evidence of new belts in the last seven or so years, its worth getting them done. Some do the pulleys as well, depends how long you want to keep the car.
Interiors of the 05-era should be solid, though the integrated ICE/AC control can play up if its got that.
They're not balls of fire for the fuel use, but what you might spend on fuel, you probably won't need to spend on random things breaking/not working, though any 15-y-o car will have stuff that needs doing.
I would go for one that has signs of being looked after rather than low mileage - they are strong cars that will go on for a long time with care.
ky until you've owned one. Now on my sixth.The two Libs used to enjoy a bit of oil between services - I owned both at around 4-6 years old - though nothing like as much as the 2013 Golf I've just sold. I had the Forester for nearly 10 years from new and that had a much lesser appetite between services. My current Lib also has a 2.5 motor and though 7 years old and turbocharged, uses no oil between services.
Oil is important, keep it clean and keep it topped up. Servicing was straightforward, and parts easy to get, though over here Subaru has roughly the same market share as VW and is more widespread.
The belts need replacing roughly every 100-120,000kms or seven years. If you've got a 15-y-o car with no evidence of new belts in the last seven or so years, its worth getting them done. Some do the pulleys as well, depends how long you want to keep the car.
Interiors of the 05-era should be solid, though the integrated ICE/AC control can play up if its got that.
They're not balls of fire for the fuel use, but what you might spend on fuel, you probably won't need to spend on random things breaking/not working, though any 15-y-o car will have stuff that needs doing.
I would go for one that has signs of being looked after rather than low mileage - they are strong cars that will go on for a long time with care.
I looked at 2.0l and 2.5l ones before going for a 3.0l. As has been said they are chain driven and are less likely to suffer head gasket failure as the head design differs from the 4 pot engines. Although it is not unheard of, it appears far rarer than in the 2.5's especially.
Mines an auto and I am sure it would be a better driver’s car with the manual but it suits my needs and the character of the car well I think. They really do feel bombproof, mines on 143k, I got it at around 135k and all I’ve done is basic maintenance stuff plus some unnecessary but satisfying tidying up.
Fuel consumption can be heavy but I don't think there is a massive difference across the engine sizes. Mine varies from 21mpg (10 mines country lanes going to work) to the most I’ve seen, 32mpg (Constant 70mph cruise up the M18 to Elvington). Over 10k miles it has averaged 24.2mpg according to the trip. My take on it is as long as it is not throwing big bills the fuel bills are fine. If it starts to combine big bills with high fuel consumption, I think it would have to go. Although they really get under your skin!
Mines an auto and I am sure it would be a better driver’s car with the manual but it suits my needs and the character of the car well I think. They really do feel bombproof, mines on 143k, I got it at around 135k and all I’ve done is basic maintenance stuff plus some unnecessary but satisfying tidying up.
Fuel consumption can be heavy but I don't think there is a massive difference across the engine sizes. Mine varies from 21mpg (10 mines country lanes going to work) to the most I’ve seen, 32mpg (Constant 70mph cruise up the M18 to Elvington). Over 10k miles it has averaged 24.2mpg according to the trip. My take on it is as long as it is not throwing big bills the fuel bills are fine. If it starts to combine big bills with high fuel consumption, I think it would have to go. Although they really get under your skin!
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