Kilometres travelled
More than 100,000 km
Did you buy this car new or used?
Used
If used, what year did you buy it used?
2023
How much did you pay? (including all on-road costs)
$16,000
What were your needs when you bought this car? Has it fulfilled those needs?
I required a safe reliable car suited to a daily open road journey of 100km each way (200km return). Car has fulfilled that need. I preferred a 6 cylinder car.
What were your initial thoughts about the car? Tell us why it appealed to you.
On-line reviews indicated this model of car would be reliable. The NZTA data indicated the accident survivability rating was above average. I knew two people who between them had owned four of the 6 cylinder Legacies over a number of years and rated them as reliable. The car I bought was NZ new so the documentation, radio, and electronic interface all worked without modification. When I tested examples, the Legacy compared well with the equivalent Toyota (Aurion) and Nissan (Maxima) for features, drove better in the wet (due to the permanent 4WD) and appeared generally to be slightly cheaper for an equivalent vehicle, Insurance costs are moderate. The equivalent Korean cars and Hondas were rare and Mitsi had long since stopped making the 380 meaning even good examples were too old to consider. (By the way the 380 was a much underrated car). Comparable European cars are nicer to drive and have more features but the total cost of ownership is too high for me to use one as a commuter car.
What have you discovered since owning the car?
The fuel consumption is better than I expected at just under 8,5 litres/100km average over 75,000km to date. Other than consumables and servicing charges there have been no costs so far and nothing has failed. Total current mileage is around 200,000km. The CVT transmission has worked well and has not malfunctioned. On the negative side, the tyre life is not great with a set of 4 lasting around 40,000km.
What do you like/dislike about the car?
I bought this car for a purpose and it has delivered well. It's easy to drive, has safe handling, has enough power and acceleration to overtake safely and everything works. I am pleased with it. The Subaru Eyesight camera based safety system works okay but is not as technologically advanced and competent as some of its more modern competitors. For example the adaptive cruise control is fine on easy open highways but is not really suitable for town running nor for winding secondary roads.
Any other comments on the car?
Cars to me are a necessity and a cost centre, I don't 'love' or 'hate' them but rate them according to how well, how reliably and how cost effectively they do they job they were bought for. This Subaru has scored well on that basis and I'm satisfied with it. If and when my needs change I'll change the car.
Reliability
5
Features/technology
4
Performance/economy
4
Value for money
5
Overall rating
5
Lastly, would you buy this vehicle again?
Yes
Why would/wouldn't you buy it again?
I would buy one again provided my circumstances were the same and if Subaru still made them (which they do not). I would not buy a car like the Legacy if my main driving was in town. Instead I would certainly have an electric car or perhaps a hybrid in such a case.
