05 LGTL Wagon

I have the paperwork to bring to my Credit Union on Monday, and barring any surprises, will be picking up this:

http://www.tommasano.com/detail-2005-subaru-legacy-2_5_gt_limited-used-5837481.html

Normally I would have been concerned about the mileage, but if you click on the Carfax link, you'll see why it is no longer a concern for me. (Click on it...it really impressed me...enough to choose it over an Altima with half the mileage.) Dealer told me PO used Mobil1 regularly. I will continue with that. Is there a recommended oil filter other than OEM? Just wondering.

I've never had a turbo car before...any recommended items (or habits to develop?)

I am disappointed that I won't be able to put my Kenwood HU in since it has auto climate control, so I hope I can find a decent, easy way to an an aux port for my Ipod and Sirius unit.

Anyway wish me luck for Monday, as I am quite psyched about this!

http://newenergyconsciousness.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/BeanManIdeaLight.gif

Regarding the audio issue...I wonder if I can let my wife have the CD Changer/Auto climate control for her 05 Outback...and I take her standard setup...off to the proper forum for that question...

http://newenergyconsciousness.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/BeanManIdeaLight.gif

 

Regarding the audio issue...I wonder if I can let my wife have the CD Changer/Auto climate control for her 05 Outback...and I take her standard setup...off to the proper forum for that question...

If your wife's Outback has the manual HVAC controls, then you can't swap them.

You can, however, install your Kenwood head unit into your LGT. It takes some work, but it can be done. Read this thread about the JDM dual din kit, it should answer all of your questions (warning, it's a looooooooooong thread).

Congrats on your pending purchase! Enjoy!

The Legacy isn't a Crossover SUV, the Outback is. The Legacy and Outback have been separate models since 2000.

Also didn't know that heated seats could be AWD.

You should check to see if it still has the original turbo. Mobil 1 or not, it's still gonna wear out eventually.

The Legacy isn't a Crossover SUV, the Outback is. The Legacy and Outback have been separate models since 2000.

Also didn't know that heated seats could be AWD.

You should check to see if it still has the original turbo. Mobil 1 or not, it's still gonna wear out eventually.

I don't know why they put "SUV" in the listing.

The seats definitely are heated.

Regarding the turbo, I do realize they wear out...I appreciate you reminding me of that, so I can see what, if any, options I have for replacements. I've never had a turbo before, so this aspect of it will be a learning experience.

Also didn't know that heated seats could be AWD.

:confused::confused:

:confused::confused:

I get it now...the dealer's ad's wording is quite funky.

Oh...and I'm probably going to just go with a wired FM modulator for my Ipod and Sirius. The other options are more work and/or money than I want to spend for that. For now, anyway.

I get it now...the dealer's ad's wording is quite funky.

 

Oh...and I'm probably going to just go with a wired FM modulator for my Ipod and Sirius. The other options are more work and/or money than I want to spend for that. For now, anyway.

Oh, I see it in the ad now too. Too funny.

Yeah, the JDM Dual Din kit can be a little costly, but it's better than the $1000 plus we had to spend previously for custom made ones. lol.

Good luck with the car! It's pretty! Silver w/ black Limited 5MT. Good stuff.

Wonder what this is sitting on the dash though? Saw it in a few pictures.

http://1.photos.ebizautos.com/used-2005-subaru-legacy-25gtlimited-9607-5837481-21-640.jpg

looks like a gps suction cup mount.

:spin:You win!!!

Normally I would have been concerned about the mileage, but if you click on the Carfax link, you'll see why it is no longer a concern for me.

 

Dealer told me PO used Mobil1 regularly. I will continue with that. Is there a recommended oil filter other than OEM? Just wondering.

 

I've never had a turbo car before...any recommended items (or habits to develop?)

Congrats! We love our LGT and you will love yours.

It is important not to let your car get low on oil. The turbo is lubricated by the oil in the motor and low oil is not a good thing. The oil dummy light is basically useless and if it is on it means you are OUT of oil and are already screwed Mobil1 is not the best choice for oil changes and as long as I ran mobil1 synth I ate a 2qt of oil every 3500mi. There are many threads about this on nasioc and here. Mobil 1 is not bad but not the best choice.

A single owner car dealer maintained does not absolutely mean it is going to be more reliable purchase than an Altima with 50k miles (I also do not know how reliable altima are). ThisLGT still has over 100k miles on it and to convince yourself that nothing will go wrong is somewhat misleading. Stuff wears out and everything on the car that has not been replaced has already seen 100k miles (bushings, springs, etc will be worn compared to brand new - not an unacceptable thing just mileage!). Will you have a $1000 90k service to do 15k miles late? No. Will your motor or tranny grenade? Probably not.

Will your car squeak and rattle a little? Definately more than most decently built cars with 50k.

Do I think the LGT is a better car than an Altima? In every way.

Do I think the LGT is going to feel better at 100k than an Altima? Absolutely

Do I think you should get it? Absolutely.

All I am trying it say is recognize that parts is parts and they wear out.

My trade-in is a 2000 VW Passat Wagon, V6, with 4Motion AWD. It's got 91000 miles, a left control arm that sounds like a bed in a porn movie (just had the right side upper and lowers done), a check engine light for not one, but two catalytic converters, the timing belt is due to be changed @ about $1100. I've put a lot of money into it and I need that trend to slow down. I am guessing/hoping/wishing that the Sube will have less of that. (That's why Audi's were not in the running...same animal)

Do think nothing will go wrong? Eventually, I am sure something will. I just don't want to wonder each day if I am going to have an automotive adventure.

Looking forward to more replies, and thanks for those so far.

I just don't want to wonder each day if I am going to have an automotive adventure.

DC,

Some points of note:

It sounds like you already know what a high-ish mileage german car feels like so you obviously know what to feel for when you test drive/drove the LGT. No doubt a 100k LGT feels more together than the 90k VW.

Every day should NOT be an automotive adventure!!! For the year you are looking at (same as I have) consumer reports actually rated it as high or higher than the same year toyota camry or honda accord of the same year for RELIABILITY and build quality. Pretty WILD!!! Whats more, the LGT has FIVE STAR crash ratings and were rated highest in class for the year.

Many members have been in wicked wrecks and survived. (LGTgirl bounced off a tree, MSprank's wife just got rear ended at a stop by an expedition going 40mph and was mostly unhurt!!!).

There is a thread on here called something like (I cant find it right now for some reason) "Who has the highest miles and how is the car holding up" in the 4th gen threads. It is a good read.

As long as you remove or replace your banjo bolt filters (cheap fix) and replace the uppipe in the catalytic converter with a new one or a catless up and you should have no major suprises. The banjo bolt filter can become clogged and starve the turbo of oil. It can burnout the turbo or even possibly catastrophically cause turbo failure causing turbo bits to go into the motor (also tragic). The PRE-turbo cat in the up can disintegrate into the turbo and cause a similar issue. In 07+ the upcat was removed OEM so I am not telling you something crazy to do. This is not a typical issue but other than an oil pickup issue these are the only design flaws that you should address for longevity.

Otherwise, enjoy the LGT! Consider a stage 1 infamous tune.

Speaking of "Wild"...when my CU came up with the value of the car @ $17K...

Wild was the ride home...it's officially mine!

My daughters were chastising me for the "spirited" jaunts I took on some side streets. Wow! What a blast.

Tomorrow morning's activities include hardwiring my Escort 8500.

Speaking of "Wild"...when my CU came up with the value of the car @ $17K...

 

Wild was the ride home...it's officially mine!

 

My daughters were chastising me for the "spirited" jaunts I took on some side streets. Wow! What a blast.

 

Tomorrow morning's activities include hardwiring my Escort 8500.

Congrats on the car! If the car has an auto-dim mirror, you can use that to hard wire the 8500 and keep it almost purely out of sight. Just tap the blue wire on the auto-dim mirror harness and ground it....good to go.

DC,

 

Consider a stage 1 infamous tune.

Still navigating the forum here to see what this is all about. Very interested.

With VWs, the Bentley service manual is THE one to have. Is there a Subie equivalent?