Guest jclay Posted March 19, 2005 Share Posted March 19, 2005 Hi all, Today I Test drove a 95 Legacy L Wgn. 5sp, all power, 2.2, FRONT wheel drive, 95k mi. The car was in great shape, other then a few scratches on the body. Interior was good, and ill look better after it's steamed cleaned. I looked i over, air filter was clean, oil was clean, tires were in good shape, it ran very strong with good power/pickup, no exhaust rattles. CV boot were in good shape, no tears, no clcking, brakes were very responsive, all in all a very good car, with plenty of mies left in it. My main question refers to the lack of AWD, which i must admit didn't thrill me, as I've been spoiled by not worrying about snow for the last 5 years with my current sube, a 94 GT 4wd legacy wgn. I live i Maryland, and while not a huge snow state, we get our share of "wintery mix" so I'm wondering if anyone as has experience with the FWD models, exactly what kind of performance i could expect in snow, sleet, and Ice, and if i could anticipate better gas milage? ALso, as far as price goes, it was online for $3988, but theguy was willing to come downalitle more, depending on what all i wanted done. so it's got me thinking that i may be able to get it for around $3500. I think this sounds reasonable, any other opinions out there? any input on the AAWD/FWD factor? As always, all input is greatly apprecatted! jared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 Sounds like a good buy, but I know I would sure miss the AWD. That being said, I've lived in very snowy climates all my life with long icy winters, and have had no real troubles with FWD cars period. But if you're used to it, you'll certainly miss it. Are you keeping the old car? If so, make the new one your summer drive, and the 94 your winter one. Hi all, Today I Test drove a 95 Legacy L Wgn. 5sp, all power, 2.2, FRONT wheel drive, 95k mi. The car was in great shape, other then a few scratches on the body. Interior was good, and ill look better after it's steamed cleaned. I looked i over, air filter was clean, oil was clean, tires were in good shape, it ran very strong with good power/pickup, no exhaust rattles. CV boot were in good shape, no tears, no clcking, brakes were very responsive, all in all a very good car, with plenty of mies left in it. My main question refers to the lack of AWD, which i must admit didn't thrill me, as I've been spoiled by not worrying about snow for the last 5 years with my current sube, a 94 GT 4wd legacy wgn. I live i Maryland, and while not a huge snow state, we get our share of "wintery mix" so I'm wondering if anyone as has experience with the FWD models, exactly what kind of performance i could expect in snow, sleet, and Ice, and if i could anticipate better gas milage? ALso, as far as price goes, it was online for $3988, but theguy was willing to come downalitle more, depending on what all i wanted done. so it's got me thinking that i may be able to get it for around $3500. I think this sounds reasonable, any other opinions out there? any input on the AAWD/FWD factor? As always, all input is greatly apprecatted! jared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subie94 Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 myself,i wouldn't change back to fwd to save my life. that's my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 I would not, wait for one with AWD. This is kind of like an 2wd SUV, I think they are a total waste. IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 All the AWD owners posting here live in area like I do up in New Hampshire that gets LOTS of snow ALL winter!! But I have friends with narrow tired, FWD, heavy cars, with ABS like the Legacy you are looking at and have NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. I use to live in Indiana about the same climate as Maryland and owned a FWD Toyota wagon stick shift for 320k miles, never a problem in winter weather there! I am actualy going to get a heavy,import, FWD car, with traction control for my next car UP HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE! Cause even though I do Ski allot I can't afford the gas in the AWD Subaru any longer. I do sales in Maine, Vermont , and New Hampshire!! Summing it all up YOU LIVE IN MARYLAND, YOU WILL LOVE THE GAS YOU SAVE WITH THE FWD ROO!! The AWD just sucks to much gas to make it worth it for as often as you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sconnyite Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 I bought a 1990 Loyale in 1995 with only 25K miles on it(Typical Grandma drove it to church story), and it only had FWD. I drove it until I had a major accident with it at 131K, and I never had to do anything but maintenance on wear items... and it was very good in snow for a 2 wheel drive car. My next car was an AWD outback, and I'm sorry, but I'm with the guy who said he'd never go back to FWD to save his life. Neither would I. Forget about it. You'll think of nothing else when it's snowing, or all winter long for that matter. It will haunt you. Don't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 But Sconnyite you like all others who posted that they would not be without AWD are ALL IN THE SNOW BELT!!! She lives in Maryland what do they get maybe a slushy inch or two twice a YEAR!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 YOU LIVE IN MARYLAND, YOU WILL LOVE THE GAS YOU SAVE WITH THE FWD ROO!! The AWD just sucks to much gas to make it worth it for as often as you need it. This point has been brought up lots and you get about 1-2 mpg more with FWD Subaru compared to an AWD Subaru, this is not some big gain by going away from awd. Gas mileage on Subaru’s has more to do with weight, gearing, wind resistance, etc. If you are going to go with fwd only their are lots of other cars that will get better gas mileage than a fwd Subaru so why even bother? My wife’s Honda with fwd and dedicated snow tires actually does better than my AWD Subaru with All season tires. Now when I throw my snows, it is all over!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schspeedster Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 AWD isn't just for snow. It helps on gravel or rain+oil slicked surfaces, for example pulling out of a driveway onto a main road where there is low visibility, no shoulder, high-speed traffic, you don't want to sit there any longer than necessary spinning front tires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattocs Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 Just think of it as a Toyota or a Honda...except with a more reliable engine. If you'd concider something like that, then this car would be great. I love AWD...but if the right price came around for a FWD Subaru...I might jump on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hklaine Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 I bought just about the identical car ('96 Legacy L 2.2 AWD 98k) in November of '03 for ~$4k. I owned a FWD AT Loyale at one point which I sold for a '88 4WD 5MT GL. While the FWD Loyale was a good car the price would have to be amazing for me to buy another. If you can afford to wait, it might not be a bad idea. -Heikki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 Just think of it as a Toyota or a Honda...except with a more reliable engine. What? I hate to break this to you but motors from both of these manufactures are every bit as reliable as a Subaru. Why not go buy a fwd Honda or Toyota that will go 300k but gets 35+ mpg rather than 25 for a fwd Subaru? I say wait for a AWD Subaru and you will be very happy!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hklaine Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 What? I hate to break this to you but motors from both of these manufactures are every bit as reliable as a Subaru. Why not go buy a fwd Honda or Toyota that will go 300k but gets 35+ mpg rather than 25 for a fwd Subaru? I say wait for a AWD Subaru and you will be very happy!! Yeah I was wondering about this comment as well. I have never owned a Toyota or a Honda, but my parents own two Hondas. One of them has 130k on it and at the 5k oil change every drop of 0-20 is still in there. I've never owned a Subaru that came close to something like this. That thing runs like it did brand new and has required nothing but maintenance of the manufacturer's schedule which has been pretty minimal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jclay Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 HI all, As i started this thread, i just wanted to thank everyone for thier input, and to say that yestarday i bought a '97 Legacay wgn L, 2.2 AWD for $3800. Bring on the snow!! Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted March 21, 2005 Share Posted March 21, 2005 HI all, As i started this thread, i just wanted to thank everyone for thier input, and to say that yestarday i bought a '97 Legacay wgn L, 2.2 AWD for $3800. Bring on the snow!! Thanks again! Nice you will be very happy with the AWD!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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