I've run a 2005 Legacy estate since 2006 (70k miles). Best car I've ever owned by a country mile - and the poor old bus has lived a hard rural life.

I believe that the head gasket issue was solved by 2004 (it afflected the previous model).

At 84k, you'll need documentary evidence that the cam belt was changed (at c 60k) and the "big" 6 year service carried out (that's all the fluids, etc - normally £400ish). The 2.5 can use a bit of oil but I'm told that's nothng to worry about.

Also worth finding out whether the autobox oil has been changed - many places claim it's not necessary, but that's because it is a PITA to do without one of thsoe suction devices that autobox specialists use.

I've had no problems with the autobox personally and not heard of any, either - but it's not the best box, to be honest - I tend to use it more as a tiptronic.

I've heard of a few issues with wear in the front suspension - my car curently needs new drop-links to cure a front-end clonk (£50 from Japanesecarimports) - and wheel bearings are another known issue (I think they're c. £60 -odd each). And tracking can be way out - check the wear pattern on the front tyres.

The only thing that's ever gone wrong with mine is the trip computer, which stopped working while ago (the problem is a connector which I haven't got round to fixing as yet). Other than that, annual service, tyres and plenty of fuel (expect 24mpg in town on a bad day, max of 32/33mpg on a long run - but then, that's more than compensated by the lack of big maintenance bills)..

I'd imagine that a 2.5 auto would be hard to shift in the UK at the moment - drive a hard bargain, avoid main dealers & the official parts channels and enjoy.

Davros

I've found the car you’re looking at: it’s the mirror image of mine (minus the odd dent and paint chip!)

I guess there's a good reason why 3L models are plentiful but most people won't part with a 2.5. (20 mpg, anyone!). I guess it is over-priced, but Subaru dealers don’t budge much, in my experience. OTOH, they won’t have many takers, either, so a cheeky offer?

Re servicing: a Legacy is just an elongated Impreza - and there are plenty of very knowledgeable specialists who focus on the WRX-type Imprezas - but they share the same engine, etc etc – find any Subaru specialist and they’ll be able to help.

Subarus are very well engineered, pretty simple (the same basic drivetain has been in production for two decades or more) and easy to fix. Parts – ebay (careful of the model year) – Japanesecarimports.net – but you don’t need many! Things like air filters or pollen filters can be picked up for £10 or so. The one caveat is the exhaust, which I think is only available as an original part – and thus mighty pricey. I’ve never needed spark plugs.

It's an auto.

Yup, it's very much an old-style 4-speeder.

The standard rations aren't best-chosen but it seems to work much better flipped over into "sport" mode or used as a (backwards) tiptronic - really quite nice once you get used to it. And with the auto, you don't get the low-ratio range that the manuals have.

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