Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
2009 Subaru Legacy
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
The loaner was a low end Impreza 5 door. I have to tell you when I returned to my car this afternoon I felt like I was getting into a Bentley. The Impreza had not one speck of interior that wasn't rock hard ugly black plastic.
Once again I'm amazed at the high level of interior quality on the Legacy. The car has soft touch material almost everywhere.Only the far bottom of the doors has any hard material. Even the center console has carpeting on the sides. Not only feels great, but looks great everywhere.
My one very minor complaint. The XM on the Subaru does not scroll songs or other information. A relative who is an enginner for Ford told me that Subaru is skimping on the system. For another $5-10 per car the additional software to provide this information would be available. Considering that the XM install on Subarus is pretty pricey you would think they could provide this upgrade.
Now, as to your Sat comment, I'll need to borrow the car from the owner (my wife!) and check that out...I have Sirius; however, I can't see that it would make a difference from XM. That does sound goofy if it is just a software thing...and they just don't add a line of code or something.....
Now, on to your interior quality comment.....we just got done riding in a new '09 Lincoln MKZ AWD. Nice car; however, for an extra 13k over what we paid, I certainly didn't think the interior was any nicer than the Leggy. I must admit, tho, that the V6 in the Lincoln was nice...but not nice enough to warrant the extra ching by any stretch....especially considering that if we wanted the same luxury with more power we can opt for the flat 6 or the turbo, both of which are still substantially cheaper that the Lincoln...
Years ago, I dreamed of owning a Jag XJ. Finally made the move in the early 90's on a good lease deal (if a 500+ payment for 4 yrs. is a good deal). I loved the leather and wood interior. Funny thing though, after about a year the car became just an appliance and seemed no better or worse than much less expensive cars.
Since then I've always looked at value for money as the primary consideration in a vehicle purchase. If that value for money deal could give me a quality interior then I would be ecstatic. Well the 09 Legacy SE has gone above and beyond.
It's funny I have a strange kind of buyer's remorse. Because the residual on the lease is so high (making the payment so cheap) I doubt I'd be willing to buy the car off lease. Here I've had the car less than two weeks and I'm already contemplating wanting to keep it forever. Well, the 2010 will be a major overhaul so time will tell whether that will be more or less appealing than the current model.
I recently read an article about Grip vs. Durability, related specifically to the tread life. Can anyone recommend a good brand / model of tire for long-term tread life (we're talking 4+ years)? I've had some issues with previous cars (my 2000 Civic in particular) needing new tires about every 3 years - and I was told it wasn't caused by my driving habits, it was evenly worn.
For an all season tire, my favorite is the Sumitomo HTR+, they are very inexpensive and while they wear out usually in about 25k miles, the inexpensive price outweighs the short life.
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host
Good all around traction- laterally, starting, braking and in rain. Much better than the OEM Bridgestones which were replaced at 24K. The Goodyears have been on about three years now that's about 36K. I agree with the other poster that I change tires as soon as they start to feel at all slippery, and that is often at around 5- 32nds which is about 50% of full tread depth when new.
I never get the miles that some claim to get from their tires.
I drove into town with the car like that. After getting to work, I turned the car off and asked a friend to assist me checking the brake lights to make sure they worked, as well as blinkers and such, (my thinking was it might have been a blown fuse). When I turned the ignition again, the stereo and climate control displays were all visible again.
I called the mechanic at my Subaru dealership and he said if it was presently working, the computer wouldn't find anything wrong. He said to keep an eye on it and if it continues happening regularly, they'll look into it, as I have lots of warranty time left.
I thought it strange the displays would be nonexistent, yet the stereo and heater and such operated normally. I just couldn't see to change anything if I had wanted to.
Overall, I thought it bizarre, and that maybe my car has attracted a spectre of some sort :P
@Mike: Sorry, I didn't mean to give the impression that I would ride them bald to the 4 year mark... I just was a little perturbed at the fact that I felt like I was getting new tires all the time for my Civic despite the fact that I am very good about maintenance and rotations... My wife, for example, never does tire rotations and her Firestone Firehawks lasted from the original purchase date in 2001 until 2006. She playfully mocks me constantly about my "abusive driving" habits and having to get tires for the Civ every few years.
But, that being said, I think a lot has to do with the fact that I'm buying a promotional brand of tire, like Kelly Navigators, that are $40 each.
On the plus side, when the Legacy is paid off in another 2 1/2 years or when the Nissan quits (whichever happens first), we plan on getting a new Outback. My wife has snookered the Legacy somehow (still not quite sure how she did it...) and I'm driving the 2001 Nissan Sentra.
Len
If you look at lease residuals, they actually maintain a higher % of their original value, so you may even recoup the small extra investment later when you sell it, and if so the extras would basically be free.
Very happy with the HK stereo, winter package, fogs, cargo mat and cover, 17" alloys, etc.
The car handles beautifully, the 2.5i engine is more than fine for me, and the fit and finish feels much more expensive than the price paid. Simply put, it's a really nice car.
It's my first Subaru (former Toyota diehard) and so far I'm thrilled with my decision.
Cross shopping against a Forester and Jetta wagon.
The frameless ones have thinner pillars so blind spots are smaller. The doors are also lighter.
OTOH, you slam the door with the window half way down and you hear a rattle that is normal but can sound cheap. It's also a little harder to seal the windows. Our 2002 Legacy had a wind noise in the driver's door, but our 1998 Forester was quiet.
I could go either way. Our 2009 Forester has frames and it's been a great vehicle overall.
Wifey had a 2002 Legacy wagon. Now she has a 2009 Forester.
We both like the Forester better, FWIW. She's MUCH happier now.
However if pricing by you is like Chicago, left-over Outbacks might be $2000 less than the Forester.
Overall she's much happier with the 09 Forester.
I am about to drive to the dealer to get new 2009 Legacy 2.5i. I test drove many different brands, opted out of Nissan CVT (2010 Subaru CVT as well), and decided on proven 4speed automatic. I am coming out of Olds Intrigue - good car if it wasn't for famous intake gasket, but it gave me many years of relatively trouble free driving.
I did a lot of reading, Legacy looked like a good buy with latest incentives. I like the looks and 4 wheel drive - important here in Toronto area.
Are there any particular areas to keep an eye on during first days/weeks of driving?
Do you change oil after first 1k or keep driving to 6k (km) as schedule says?
Cheers.
jhd
Also, buy it in the sunlight, so any paint or body flaws are visible.
Best of luck!