Newbie buying Legacy advice....

[kind_jester]

So ive decided to upgrade my rattly but reliable astra estate diesel and im liking the look of the legacy with a diesel engine.

There is an RE Boxer TD 08 plate with 45k on the clock for just over £5k with a trader near me does this sound like a good deal?

Im mindful that people will trade in or sell a car in when problems are starting so I would be grateful for a heads up on the more common problems to look for with these models?

[Greenmamba]

Unless I'm mistaken that series are prone to engine problems, crankshaft failures being notable. I wouldn't buy it.

[martinbrawn]

They are known for engine failures, however a ran a 58 plate one for 3 years with no issues.

[Mr B]

08 to 10 diesel engines are a big gamble of risk .

any problems soon esculate to serious expensive bills that soon add up to your buying price .

The pretty much worthless on the used market so if you do buy one prices paid should be rock bottom .

[kind_jester]

In the first year of having my astra I went through bills for an oil pump, cam belt and clutch and dual mass which was £3k and the reliability hasnt got much better since so im grateful for the replies here that stopped me making another expensive mistake.

Theres a 2011 legacy with 68k miles for just under £7k with full main dealer history advertised but its miles away from me and the mot on my current car is a few months away so im going to keep an eye on the classified ads for a while until hopefully a nice legacy turns up nearer me.

Thanks for the replies.

[martinbrawn]

Hi are you particularly after a diesel? The petrol models have quite a few variants, I am not far from you if you want to have a look at a JDM model.

[kind_jester]

15 hours ago, martinbrawn said:

Hi are you particularly after a diesel? The petrol models have quite a few variants, I am not far from you if you want to have a look at a JDM model.

 

Hi yeah im definitely looking for another diesel because im covering a lot of miles for the foreseeable future thanks for the reply though. Im looking through the usual suspects classifieds like autotrader gumtree and eBay. Can you recommend anywhere more specialist for subarus as it would always be better to buy one from someone who knows what theyre doing and has looked after theirs?

[Mr B]

For diesel I be looking at Volvo as well . With Subaru you ideally want be looking at 2012 on for less major diesel issues .

[martinbrawn]

13 hours ago, kind_jester said:

 

Hi yeah im definitely looking for another diesel because im covering a lot of miles for the foreseeable future thanks for the reply though. Im looking through the usual suspects classifieds like autotrader gumtree and ebay. Can you recommend anywhere more specialist for subarus as it would always be better to buy one from someone who knows what theyre doing and has looked after theirs?

check out uk legacy forum as diesel owners on there and cars for sale.

[kind_jester]

21 hours ago, Mr B said:

For diesel I be looking at Volvo as well . With Subaru you ideally want be looking at 2012 on for less major diesel issues .

 

I went down an internet rabbit hole some weeks ago and lost a few hours looking at the makes and reviews of 4wd and AWD and wouldnt rule out a volvo. Ive always liked subarus though and reckon I will keep it simple and just focus on finding a nice legacy.

[kind_jester]

21 hours ago, martinbrawn said:

check out uk legacy forum as diesel owners on there and cars for sale.

 

Thanks for the recommendation ive just had a look and ive been recommended a local "honest" car dealers by a friend who will keep an eye out for me too.

[Mr B]

3 hours ago, kind_jester said:

 

I went down an internet rabbit hole some weeks ago and lost a few hours looking at the makes and reviews of 4wd and AWD and wouldnt rule out a volvo. Ive always liked subarus though and reckon I will keep it simple and just focus on finding a nice legacy.

For diesel the volvo wins, if petrol the subaru be hard beat .

An earlier diesel volvo if hand pick a looked after sensible mileage one are solid cars .

Don't get caught up in newer is better (beside fact subaru later diesels did iron out some of the issues a bit), I work on the stuff daily and newer cars are cheaper made and more expense due to silly failures than stuff from 1998 to 2008 as they had good engineering and better quality parts .
Unfortunatly all the engineering skill has gone on stupid emission systems that are nothing but a con on making nice tailpipe test figures and in making parts cheap as possible for better profit margins .

It very hard recommend subaru diesels unfortunately ...