Subaru Legacy 3.0R 2003-2009 used car review
A premium interior, all-wheel drive traction and a powerful six-cylinder engine make the Subaru Legacy 3.0R appealing.
A premium interior, all-wheel drive traction and a powerful six-cylinder engine make the Subaru Legacy 3.0R an appealing package. However, it comes with steep running costs.
At its launch in 2003, the fourth-generation Legacy was an immediate success and was soon named Japan’s Car of the Year. The new model introduced a new, sleeker look, additional safety technology and a new five-speed automatic transmission. Variants range from family to high-performance turbocharged sports models.
Inside and out
Externally, the new generation Legacy looks sleeker, with a swept-back nose and slim headlights. A projector-beam features in the centre of the design. Wagon versions have side windows that look like they go the full length of the car and hide the pillars which hold up the roof.
The interior looks and feels premium, especially with the light tan leather and trim in our 2005 used import review vehicle. Trimmed in silver, the centre console is crowded with buttons and dials to work the climate control air conditioning and Japanese-market stereo unit.
It can take six CDs and has an SD card slot for playing digital music. You will need a band expander to receive most New Zealand radio stations. A screen in the centre of the dash provides vehicle information and can play media, but most of the items displayed are in Japanese, making it difficult to use.
Leather-wrapped and Momo-branded, the steering wheel features buttons for shifting the automatic transmission. A controller for the cruise control is attached to the back of the wheel.
The front seats are very comfortable, with big side bolsters to keep you in place. The driver’s seat is adjustable for height, and the steering column adjusts for tilt to help find the best driving position. Space in the rear seats is best suited to two adults or three children, with both width and legroom a little restricted.
You should fit four medium-sized suitcases in the Legacy’s 433-litre boot. It has a low, wide, easy to access opening. The rear seats do not fold down, but a small ski hatch allows long, thin objects to fit. If you need to carry bigger loads, a station wagon version is also available.
On the road
A key attraction for any Subaru is full-time all-wheel drive. The system provides constant power to all wheels, all the time, so delivery is smooth, with improved grip and handling. If you regularly drive on roads with ice or gravel patches, it will provide you with more confidence. The 3-litre, six-cylinder engine produces 180kW, plenty for road trips with a full load of passengers and luggage on board.
The Legacy is a willing performer, and the engine sounds great, with a smooth six-cylinder snarl when you take off aggressively. Engine options also include 2-litre and 2.5-litre four-cylinder versions, both normally aspirated and turbocharged.
The five-speed automatic is smart and smooth, but the steering wheel-mounted shift buttons are a little awkward to use. We found it was best to let the transmission do its own thing. A six-speed manual is also available.
Comfortable rather than sporty, the suspension is slightly soft, and there is a little body roll. When cruising, cabin noise is very quiet.
Visibility out of the Legacy is not great. A low roofline and relatively small windows can make it a little difficult to see, particularly in the rear. The downward-sloping nose may also take some getting used to when parking.
An excellent choice for occasional towing, the Legacy 3.0R can pull a 710kg unbraked trailer, or 1,800kg braked – more than most medium-sized cars and SUVs.
Reliability
Overall build quality is very good, with high-quality interior materials and no problems with electrical systems. While the Legacy has a solid reputation for reliability, the 3-litre engine is particularly sensitive to oil type and quality – so it is critical to ensure it has been serviced properly in the past.
The timing chain needs replacing less often than the traditional belt but can develop chain stretch, and other chain issues have been reported. First signs of an issue will be poor engine performance and the engine light coming on. If the chain does fail, an engine rebuild or replacement will be required, costing more than $2,500.
Since Subarus are popular for visiting ski fields and snowy areas both here, and in Japan where our used import review vehicle came from, check under the car for signs of corrosion. Subaru’s corrosion protection is usually very good but watch for discolouring and bubbling of metal surfaces around the suspension and rear differential. If you see this, avoid the vehicle.
Safety
Fourth-generation Legacys (2003–2009) carry a strong four-star Used Car Safety Rating, based on real-world crash data from New Zealand and Australia.
Our review vehicle is fitted with plenty of safety equipment, including driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags and antilock brakes. Electronic stability control is an option.
The rear seat centre position features a proper three-point seatbelts, a positive if you want to seat three people. There are ISOFIX child seat mounts in the window seating positions, and seat tether points on the parcel shelf below the rear window.
In 2008 Subaru introduced its EyeSight system as an option, a camera-based safety assistant that includes collision warning, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. It is evident if a car has this feature, as a camera is visible either side of the rear-vision mirror when looking through the windscreen.
Rear visibility is not great, so you will want to add reverse sensors or a rear camera, neither of which are fitted to our review vehicle. Systems are available on Trade Me from $50, or you can have one professionally installed from $200.
Cost of ownership
Fuelling and servicing the Legacy 3.0R is an expensive exercise, so much so that the four-cylinder engine versions can sell for more and hold their value better in the used-car market.
Regular services are required every year or 10,000km at a cost of $368, but major services are needed every 50,000km, costing upwards of $1,000. The major services replace the tricky-to-reach spark plugs and specialist transmission fluids.
RightCar estimates that over 14,000km of driving a year the car will cost $2,630 a year to feed. Using premium, the 64-litre fuel tank will cost $128 to fill and could take you around 630km before the fuel light comes on.
The Legacy's annual licensing fee (registration) is just $85.59 as it sits in the cheapest ACC levy band,
Trade Me Insurance estimates insurance will cost $53.57* per month for a Legacy 3.0R worth $9,240. That is more than other medium-size sedans — $8 more a month than a 2.3-litre 2005 Mazda Atenza and $10 more than a 3-litre 2005 Honda Accord.
Buyers' guide
On Trade Me, prices for this Legacy variant range from $4,000 to $14,000. Manual transmission cars fetch higher prices.
Considering the costs, we recommend looking for cars that have recently had a major service done. This engine is sensitive to oil condition, so ask for service records, and check the colour of the oil on the dipstick. If it is black, dirty and thick, it may not have been properly looked after.
Variants
- 3.0R – A standard specification 3-litre Legacy, with premium features including climate control air-conditioning, cruise control, six-disc CD player and leather steering wheel. Most feature leather seats.
- 3.0R spec B – A sports version, with sports-oriented interior trim, sports body kit and firmer sports suspension.
While some cars are advertised as a B4 model, this is Subaru’s name for the sedan. The wagon version is called a Touring Wagon.
The four-cylinder versions were available in a broader range, including I, R, GT, GT spec B and Blitzen models.
Timeline
- 2003 Introduced in Japan
- 2006 Facelifted with a new front bumper, grille, front fender and grille.
- 2008 The EyeSight safety and driver assistance system becomes available
- 2009 Replaced by new model
Details
2005 Subaru Legacy 3.0R
$6,000 to $15,000 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km
3-litre six-cylinder, 180kW/297Nm (claimed)
Five-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Four-star Used Car Safety Rating
10,000km or 12 months
Space saver
9.4-litres per 100km (claimed)
Premium
4665mm
1730mm
1420mm
710kg (unbraked), 1800kg (braked)
10.8m
This review covers the Subaru Legacy 3.0R for model years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Review vehicle supplied by City Motor Group.
*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.
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