TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 Well, I first started looking into the Legacy about a month ago. I'm looking to spend about 4.5-5k on the Legacy. What I look at on Cars.com and auto trader is plenty of legacy wagons.....I'm not wanting the wagon at all. I REALLY like the 4 door sedan. I'm posting this thread to ask what the differnces are in the "L" version vs. 2.5GT, vs the Legacy Outback. Also I've only found one 5spd in the whole bunch. Are there things that I should be wary about when buying a 97-99 Legacy? I have read it's a great car, real bullet proof with reliability. Can I get a owners description on what he things I should look out for when buying on the used market? So far I'm really fond of either the black on black version or the Red/Tan leather of the GT....but I've only seen mint versions of that one in automatic. What's the deal with the 30th anniversary edition? What are my intentions? To buy the car and swap out the wheels and tires for a little more aggressive look on the car and just have fun driving it. I've never driven a AWD car before and I'm really looking forward to it! My previous cars: '89 Isuzu Impulse Turbo '02 Chevy 98' Lexus SC300 (current car) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wish Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 difference between L and GT is GT has a bigger motor thats more aggressively tuned, better suspension, and nicer looking interior/exterior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worknlikeadog Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 the 2.5s are known for head gaskets going out but the 2.2s are known for the reliability. I love the 30th and are a little hard to find. my 96 2.2 has 248xxx on it. I love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baddog Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Yeah the L model doesn't look all that bad. The GT is a nice car but after doing what I do with the 2.2 I don't think I could drive a 2.5 as hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TbirdMan Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 I voted mileage, but you should have an option for rust. I have seen 150k mile rust buckets, and then there are cars like mine that have 216k and barely any rust (Florida car) Also, i think the 2.5 gets a bad rep, Most times i have heard of people loseing HG's it usually is just something that "happens" not from them abusing it. I think, if you replace the stock HG's and don't get stupid with it, the 2.5 is a fine motor, and that extra 20-25HP is nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baddog Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 Yeah no doubt is that extra power nice. I am curious to know the HP per lbs ratio between the L (2.2) and GT (2.5). After hearing that the 2.5 isn't as tolerant and the way I drive it places I would just have that thought in the back of my mind. For daily driving and some spirited driving go for the 2.5. I do wish the 2.2 had more power though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rarcher Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 As someone who has a 2.5gt 30th with now 186k miles on it i will give my impression based off things AFTER i got it working right from its last owner who far as i can tell did diddly SQUAT to care for it mechanically since fixing it up and getting it to run right the car runs strong, spirited and handles great added to this fact is that i put in more higher quality replacement parts means its more stable all around i think HG for me were replaced around the 120k mark according to the last owner really the only thing they did do to it :\ when we first got it the care mechanically was a wreck but it was a sorta no choice option that i had to buy cause i NEEDED a car....anyhow getting side tracked personally i like the 2.5gt nice engine and does what i need it too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated broknindarkagain Posted April 30, 2011 I Donated Share Posted April 30, 2011 Mileage on a car isn't that big of a deal for me. I look at service records, condition, etc. As far as Legacys go, I MUST have a sedan. I won't buy an automatic either. My ultimate plans with legacys are to swap then entire drivetrain / suspension / wiring / etc -broknindarkagain My Current Project - Click Here COME AND TAKE IT "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wish Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Yeah no doubt is that extra power nice. I am curious to know the HP per lbs ratio between the L (2.2) and GT (2.5). After hearing that the 2.5 isn't as tolerant and the way I drive it places I would just have that thought in the back of my mind. For daily driving and some spirited driving go for the 2.5. I do wish the 2.2 had more power though. its about an extra 30hp and 30tq and those peak numbers kick in 400rpms sooner. i just went from a 2.2 to a 2.5 and the difference in power is substantial. finally having passing power is nice and my gas mileage is around the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 After Shopping around............seems like when I opened one door there was 3 behind that door. Gonna post some photos right now.... I'm going to to do the 2.5GT no doubt. But there is the issue of availability of a 5speed. And also, from what I can tell the 98' is a direct carry over from its 97' model (save the front ground effects and fog lights) The 99' is just a tad different. Here go some preliminary selections: *Drum Roll* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee134/Rubenjc111/985spd-1.png This is a 98' 5spd 120,000. Owner says has a new HG and clutch. Red on Grey cloth interior.....asking 5,900. Sort of pricey.....but really like the 5spd deal since thats whats leading in my survey at the top of the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee134/Rubenjc111/9925GTBLKonBLK.jpg Almost perfect 99' 2.5GT BLK on BLK leather. its a automatic. car has 116K on the clock. owner asking 5,400 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee134/Rubenjc111/97LSI25darkred.png This is a 97 LSI 2.5 with 60K on its original clock.....not a GT but an "L" listed as having a 2.5L. Has the nose a little different from the 98-99 front air dam. I'm thinking that the suspension and the differenial is different in this 97 from the later models. interior on this LSI is VERY COOL. Light tan seats mixed with black. Ill post a pic of the interior... She's pretty but I think too pricey for me for the intentions that I have for moding the car at a later date. 7,5K asking price. My LEXUS SC300 was 8K with 76K on the clock! WTF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee134/Rubenjc111/97tan.png Interior of the 97' LSI............pretty cool. Hey, I can always dream. HAHA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee134/Rubenjc111/99PremiumAudio.jpg Interior of that Black 99' The radio is not the same double din chasis that is in the 97-98 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee134/Rubenjc111/985spd.png Interior of that Red 98' 5spd. Grey Cloth. The other 5spd that I posted also has cloth interior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee134/Rubenjc111/bestcase.jpg Best case senario........5spd on black!! This car was on a website and NOT for sale. Go figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee134/Rubenjc111/99Legacy5spd.jpg Last entry: only my 3rd find out of 300 Legacys that is a 5SPD. She's a 1999 2.5 GT with 98K on the clock. She looks a little rough because the owner used her as a trade in at a Subaru Dealership. The finance manager says that they will have to sell at a wholesale price since they will not sell damaged cars. Its a bit risky but I will get ahold of a 5spd at less then 1/2 the cost. I have to ascertain how much damage that she has first if she's to be a contender or just a pipe dream. The reason that I keep her in the game is because she has the least miles of any of the 5spds that I've seen and I have a good friend that owns a body shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee134/Rubenjc111/OutbackSedan.jpg ok, ok, I'm NOT willing to spend 12grand on this project but can someone on here tell me what a OUTBACK's front on a Sedan Legacy was doing here? Also, it has a F-150 stance. I think this little guy is taller by a couple of inches. Anyhow, not my style...but fun to look at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worknlikeadog Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 thats a stock looking sus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98LGTLover Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Love the '99 Limited. Limited Editions came with a double din stereo that is more fancy than the others. I like the other '99 that's a 5 spd too, If you know anyone that is handy with body work and you get a good deal on it I think that would be the way I would go. You could still take it to your mechanic before you buy it just to see what all is going on with it. If there are too many mechanical problems and too much body damage then pass on that, obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 2, 2011 Author Share Posted May 2, 2011 Love the '99 Limited. Limited Editions came with a double din stereo that is more fancy than the others. I like the other '99 that's a 5 spd too, If you know anyone that is handy with body work and you get a good deal on it I think that would be the way I would go. You could still take it to your mechanic before you buy it just to see what all is going on with it. If there are too many mechanical problems and too much body damage then pass on that, obviously. GTLOVER, I am leaning the same way on that 99 5spd. It would really dissapoint me if its damaged to the point that it be a money pit. I just really want that 5spd The Limited is a sweet cherry! Its my first choice if the 5spd is a nightmare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98LGTLover Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Have you gone and looked at both of the cars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasLegacy2.5GT Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 I'm headed to go look at the 99' BlK 5spd this Friday. I talked to the finance manager about the car and he agreed to sell for 2,900 to me in the condition that it is in. It has 98K on the clock.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98LGTLover Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 That's not bad.. As long as it isn't too beat up. You'll probably have to get the timing belt done on it asap because I doubt it has been changed yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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