EXCellR8 Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 Hello all, I joined up because I could use some insight from the community on whether or not I am making a good purchase on a car, or if I am setting myself up for financial disarray. Anyway, I found a '05 Legacy 2.5 GT online and I went and checked the car out yesterday. It seemed like a good car, pretty clean, ran well. The odo reads just over 124k which to me isn't too much. The timing belt and clutch were done around 95k (by subaru) according to the owner and the turbo has also been replaced. What the car needs is a front driver's side CV joint and tires. Big deal or no? I figured the car's gotta be worth at least $8k, but I offered 7. Seems like the deal is going to go through but I'm sort of second guessing myself. Does this seem like a good buy or should I walk away while I still can? Also, is there any way to add AUX audio input to this car without hacking? I've spent hours pouring over posts and articles and my guess is that the answer is no. Just figured I'd inquire about that as well...
OBPLGT721 Posted April 13, 2015 Posted April 13, 2015 Hello all, I joined up because I could use some insight from the community on whether or not I am making a good purchase on a car, or if I am setting myself up for financial disarray. Anyway, I found a '05 Legacy 2.5 GT online and I went and checked the car out yesterday. It seemed like a good car, pretty clean, ran well. The odo reads just over 124k which to me isn't too much. The timing belt and clutch were done around 95k (by subaru) according to the owner and the turbo has also been replaced. What the car needs is a front driver's side CV joint and tires. Big deal or no? I figured the car's gotta be worth at least $8k, but I offered 7. Seems like the deal is going to go through but I'm sort of second guessing myself. Does this seem like a good buy or should I walk away while I still can? Also, is there any way to add AUX audio input to this car without hacking? I've spent hours pouring over posts and articles and my guess is that the answer is no. Just figured I'd inquire about that as well... Anything else replaced besides the t-belt and clutch, like the turbo? Is it stock or is it modified? I suggest a compression and leak down test done before you buy the car, and make sure this is done by someone who knows turbo subies. Main reason to get these tests done is to see if it needs a motor rebuild, which the lgt are quite known for needing, especially when the turbo goes . Other than that, if everything seems to be in good condition, and really want the car, buy the car and enjoy
EXCellR8 Posted April 13, 2015 Author Posted April 13, 2015 the turbo has been replaced but the car is completely stock. i would definitely have my mechanic look the car over as he knows much more about these than i do; he also knows turbo applications quite well. i guess the next step is figuring out if i really want it or not. thanks for the help.
OBPLGT721 Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 the turbo has been replaced but the car is completely stock. i would definitely have my mechanic look the car over as he knows much more about these than i do; he also knows turbo applications quite well. i guess the next step is figuring out if i really want it or not. thanks for the help. No problem . Look at the stickies and forums for the 4th gen (05-09) lgt too. There is a lot of useful how to's and info on the car, including common issues associated with these cars. IMO, they're awesome cars, although they do have their issues, you just have to be well prepared for them.
5thElement Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Did the original turbo fail? If so these cars are prone to grenade the turbo due to lack of oil (turbo oil supply banjo bolt filter plugged) or the catalytic converter in the up pipe disintegrating taking out the turbo. When the turbo fails in this manner it sends pieces into the engine. Taking out the engine. There are lots of people on here that have been there done that. Find out what caused the turbo to go and do all the other stuff too. Read up. These cars needs quite a bit of TLC. I was also unaware and have been an lgt owner now for about 2 years. 80,000 on my odo. Doing all my failure points as time permits. Taking it easy on the car until I am done. aftermarket tune is essential for these cars survival as well. Read up... I already changed plugs and oil control valves, new brakes all around and accessory belts. Next is the harder items. Bank bolt filters, catless up pipe and lightweight crank pulley. Have my Cobb tuner and stage one on now and all seems good. . Oh ya. Look up bullet proofing the stock tmic and the little blue "tee". These are also areas of concern. I also started changing my own oil to make sure the right filter and good oil at used. ... On... And... On... And... On.....
5thElement Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 Meant banjo bolt /union screw filters. Thse things plug overtime starving turbo. Ibtoo am on borrowed time until I inspect and replace them. QUOTE=5thElement;5121750]Did the original turbo fail? If so these cars are prone to grenade the turbo due to lack of oil (turbo oil supply banjo bolt filter plugged) or the catalytic converter in the up pipe disintegrating taking out the turbo. When the turbo fails in this manner it sends pieces into the engine. Taking out the engine. There are lots of people on here that have been there done that. Find out what caused the turbo to go and do all the other stuff too. Read up. These cars needs quite a bit of TLC. I was also unaware and have been an lgt owner now for about 2 years. 80,000 on my odo. Doing all my failure points as time permits. Taking it easy on the car until I am done. aftermarket tune is essential for these cars survival as well. Read up... I already changed plugs and oil control valves, new brakes all around and accessory belts. Next is the harder items. Bank bolt filters, catless up pipe and lightweight crank pulley. Have my Cobb tuner and stage one on now and all seems good. . Oh ya. Look up bullet proofing the stock tmic and the little blue "tee". These are also areas of concern. I also started changing my own oil to make sure the right filter and good oil at used. ... On... And... On... And... On.....
MrTris Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 I am setting myself up for financial disarray. "disarray" is putting it lightly. I thought 129k "wasn't that much", either. The car you're looking at is right at the mileage where **** really starts to go wrong. Offer 7, but, I just hope you've got another 7 in your pocket, just in case. Welcome!
compsurge Posted April 14, 2015 Posted April 14, 2015 I have 139k on mine. Not a lot of maintenance: Oil Tires Timing Belt Clutch OEM SMFW swap TOB kit Turbo inlet tube Wheel bearing (rear) Suspension Sway bars LCA Bushings Center Differential Transfer Drive Gear and Driven Gear bearings (4 total) Fixed rear antenna wire (wagon issue) Clutch replacement #2 Belt trim sucks Dashboard rattle sucks Small exhaust leak sucks (hopefully bad gasket and simple fix) Rear windows scratched to hell from sand and debris from biking - that sucks Front cigarette lighter outlet doesn't work anymore (nothing obvious either) - that sucks Oh I'm sure #IMNANSB at some point, but it isn't now Turbo is fine as of the last inspection (about 1500 miles ago). Aux in hack is the only way aside from a head unit swap. You can use an FM transmitter if you don't want to hack.
EXCellR8 Posted April 18, 2015 Author Posted April 18, 2015 So I didn't end up buying the car, mostly because of the replaced turbo. If the original turbo failed I don't want to run the risk of having to rebuild the engine down the road. Seems like these cars are more trouble then they're worth... at least from what I've gathered over the last couple of weeks. I originally wanted a WRX, but I'm thinking a lot of the same rules apply to those as well. I guess it's back to looking for a cheap civic si lol
Gingerbeard Posted April 18, 2015 Posted April 18, 2015 So I didn't end up buying the car, mostly because of the replaced turbo. If the original turbo failed I don't want to run the risk of having to rebuild the engine down the road. Seems like these cars are more trouble then they're worth... at least from what I've gathered over the last couple of weeks. I originally wanted a WRX, but I'm thinking a lot of the same rules apply to those as well. I guess it's back to looking for a cheap civic si lol Sometimes it seems like folks on here are trying to scare new owners away. The issues arent that bad really in my opinion. But i wouldnt advise anyone to pay 7k for a 120k mile car they dont reaaaallly want. If youre comfortable doing your own work the cost to adress the problems associated with its mileage really arent that bad. But is a civic more reliable? Yes. Is a civic cheaper to own? Yes. Legacy gt's are muscle/sport sedans and you cant really compare that to an entry level honda commuter car in the cost to own metric.
compsurge Posted April 19, 2015 Posted April 19, 2015 The LGT may have cheaper insurance than a Civic. It depends!
OBPLGT721 Posted April 19, 2015 Posted April 19, 2015 So I didn't end up buying the car, mostly because of the replaced turbo. If the original turbo failed I don't want to run the risk of having to rebuild the engine down the road. Seems like these cars are more trouble then they're worth... at least from what I've gathered over the last couple of weeks. I originally wanted a WRX, but I'm thinking a lot of the same rules apply to those as well. I guess it's back to looking for a cheap civic si lol I wouldn't cheap on an si. What I mean by that is find one that is in good condition driven by someone who takes care of the car, and not some kid who beat the hell out of it. Like with any car, it can only take so much abuse. Also, insurance wise, civic si will probably be more expensive than a lgt (at least for me it was). Other than that, find a car you like, learn the common issues with it, and of you buy it, enjoy it for what it is .
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