Legacy 2.5 GT engine questions...

DaveHarvey

DaveHarvey

New member
Hey as you all know I'm new to this forum and still looking for an 05-07 Legacy 2.5 GT. I'm getting closer and closer to getting one as the days go by. I'm looking a t a few LGT's out of state, some auto some 5 speed. I was just wondering what to look out for as far as problems with the 2.5 liter turbo engines. Does the clutch hold up alright on these cars, are there any parts that go out around a certain mileage...etc?

The LGT's I'm looking at are all under 65k for mileage, I'm hoping with low miles I'll get a car that will have less problems over a long period of time as I take great care of my cars with oil changes/preventative maintenance.

Also, coming from the European side of things what does Subaru require for preventative maintenance like timing belt, H2O pump etc..?

Thanks in advance for the advice and info!

-Dave

 
I had an '06 LGT, now totaled. The auto is weaksauce, but the five speed can't handle too much TQ if you plan to modify it, so there's downsides to both.

A heavily-driven EJ25 turbo motor tends to start the downward spiral (sayanora factory turbo, head gasket, etc.) between 55-65K, but an auto won't likely have been driven as hard as a stick, so that's a consideration.

I had the "sporty" automatic that was "shift-able" from the wheel. FAIL.

It's not a CVT, or even close, and if you tried to drive the LGT hard through a corner using the wheel buttons you're headed for a wall-or ditch.

Gas mileage on an LGT automatic is (WHEEZE!!) 18 mpg or less, around town, and about 22-24 hwy, and they ONLY take "premium" gas.

I liked the car, but they're a deeply flawed sedan, OEM.

If you're gonna' mofiy it to stage II or so-have at it, but as a "reliable D/D", buying it at 65K miles, my advice is "Caveat Emptor", and have the car well checked out by a dealership, at the very least, including a leak-down test to make sure your compression is good on all cylinders.

Myself, I wouldn't buy a 65K LGT, unless I was paying cash, and could afford the maintenance the car would be needing, with 65k, much sooner than later.

XXX

 
Damn Greg bit harsh on the legacy's dont you think
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Ahhhh I guess you do make some good points. The legacy 5 speed is better then a wrx tranny but that's not saying much.

I think you will be happy with the maintainence on subarus compared to euro cars. I think I would if I had left mine alone.

 
Hey Nate, the six-speed LGT tranny is even worse, from my research.

It is not an STi tranny, as many have hoped.

That said, I drove that bee-atch, hard, for a year.

I ran it through its paces on Maine back roads, summer and winter.

It's a tank, heavy as hell, and sluggish, with a too-stiff suspension for a "sports" sedan, and a lousy turning radius, as well as only marginal brakes, all things considered, for such a heavy, "sports" sedan.

Fwiw, my RX-8's ride was FAR, FAR, SUPERIOR to the LGTs. Go figure, eh?

My average LGT mpg around town, with a moderate foot, was about 16mpg. On premium.

At 6',1", the seating, while decent, was short on leg-room, and I had to tilt the driver's seat at quite the angle to be (sort of) comfortable.

After a year, I have a pretty good feel for last-gen LGTs, and I (damn sure) wouldn't own another one-if I ever did get another Subie, I'd go with a WRX.

I have the 35k EJ25 from the LGT, still complete, and ready for Darton sleeves and forged pistons this winter- "The BulletProof EJ Build, Part One". that's should be Epic.

Anyhow, LGTs... Yep yep yep...

 
I am happy with my car and I average 25 mpg around town. I have recorded over 30 on a long drive on the highway and that was averaging 80. The worst I ever averaged was 23 and that was on it`s 1st tank of gas. True most of the time I drive like an old fart but have pushed it a number of times and a few times speed shifted into 2nd at 7 grand. I have my fun and my spec b is as tight as ever
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And that's a newer, "Spec-B", not the LGT I had, my friend.

A Spec-B isn't meant to be thrashed the way an STi is, any how.

 
And that's a newer, "Spec-B", not the LGT I had, my friend.A Spec-B isn't meant to be thrashed the way an STi is, any how.
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My spec b does have the sti 6 speed, torsen rear end , 18" wheels and bilsteen sport suspension over the standard lgt.

 
Awesome info and advice everyone, thanks for your input and opinions. This has been super helpful so far so if you all have anything else to say please don't hesitate! I'm just trying to do my homework to make sure an LGT is the car for me. ****ty research and getting excited to get a nice car as soon as I got back from Japan and off active duty lead me to the problematic B5 Audi platform. I wanna do it right this time and be sure I know what I'm getting into.

 
Hey Nate, the six-speed LGT tranny is even worse, from my research.It is not an STi tranny, as many have hoped.

That said, I drove that bee-atch, hard, for a year.

I ran it through its paces on Maine back roads, summer and winter.

It's a tank, heavy as hell, and sluggish, with a too-stiff suspension for a "sports" sedan, and a lousy turning radius, as well as only marginal brakes, all things considered, for such a heavy, "sports" sedan.

Fwiw, my RX-8's ride was FAR, FAR, SUPERIOR to the LGTs. Go figure, eh?

My average LGT mpg around town, with a moderate foot, was about 16mpg. On premium.

At 6',1", the seating, while decent, was short on leg-room, and I had to tilt the driver's seat at quite the angle to be (sort of) comfortable.

After a year, I have a pretty good feel for last-gen LGTs, and I (damn sure) wouldn't own another one-if I ever did get another Subie, I'd go with a WRX.

I have the 35k EJ25 from the LGT, still complete, and ready for Darton sleeves and forged pistons this winter- "The BulletProof EJ Build, Part One". that's should be Epic.

Anyhow, LGTs... Yep yep yep...
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HMMM, allow me to RETORT.

I owned an '05 LGT with a 5MT that was mostly stock until about 45K miles until I had to sell it for financial reasons.

I never "beat the hell out out of that beyotch" . I autocrossed it several times and it turned well, had great grip and good stopping power.

I ice raced it once and beat a prepped EVO 8, on non-studded tires

I never saw any RX-8's at any of those events, go figure:p

I ran it both around town and on the highway and found it had average mileage, but I bought a turbo sports sedan, not a Prius.

I am also 6"1 and found the seating position and the seat itself almost perfect.

It's one of the best bang for the buck sports sedans out there. I miss mine dearly. If you want better performance, grab an STI.

 
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HMMM, allow me to RETORT.
I owned an '05 LGT with a 5MT that was mostly stock until about 45K miles until I had to sell it for financial reasons.

I never "beat the hell out out of that beyotch" . I autocrossed it several times and it turned well, had great grip and good stopping power.

I ice raced it once and beat a prepped EVO 8, on non-studded tires

I never saw any RX-8's at any of those events, go figure:p

I ran it both around town and on the highway and found it had average mileage, but I bought a turbo sports sedan, not a Prius.

I am also 6"1 and found the seating position and the seat itself almost perfect.

It's one of the best bang for the buck sports sedans out there. I miss mine dearly. If you want better performance, grab an STI.
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Yeah I'm a semi-classy dude (at least I like to think so haha) so I don't think the WRX or STI is for me. I'm looking for a practical and professional car, for example I'm most likely going to be a strength and conditioning coach in a year or two so when I roll up to a meeting or something I want to be in a nice car that says I'm mature but still have good taste. And in no way, shape or form am I bashing the WRX/STI. They are amazing cars with a ton of potential and are probably even more fun to drive, it's just not for me.

Has anyone had their clutch/flywheel replaced or done it themselves on the LGT? If so how diffucult was it or how much did it cost? I'm a fairly mechanically inclined guy so most of my mods/maintenance is done in my garage.

 
I have a 5MT LGT wagon with 48K miles on it.

pros:

FUN

My dog fits in the back

GI-normous sunroof

bomb-proof road manners

cons:

soupy suspension (but sag under load)

2005 build quality (occasional rattles, noisey, loose-ish)

MPGs are in-line- about 19 in town, 21 hwy

For me, it's a great compromise of driving fun and carrying space. Did I mention it's fun to drive?

There are a couple of LGT owners around here that can offer their experiences. Have fun looking!

 
emily has an LGT and she absolutely loves it.

i'm 6'4" and I find that there isn't enough leg/headroom with the seat all the way back, however, I quickly forget about that when I take off/on ramps at stupid speeds and emily yells at me
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her 05 LGT def handles better than my 09 wrx stock for stock.... it's just glued to the road. i'm not sure it knows what body roll is
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gets about 24-25mpg avg
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the car is definitely tame enough to be "business like" but still quick enough to have fun with.

 
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