Texan Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I am looking for my second Subaru. I had a 2008 Tribeca, bought new, and had major oil consumption problems. It ate 1 qt every 1000 miles, and the dealer said it was normal. Yeah, right. That car is gone. I am looking at a 2.5 Legacy, non turbo, auto trans (year 2003-2008) or so. Do the 2.5 Legacy's have oil consumption problems like the 3.6 in the Tribeca? Is it a trait of a flat engine to eat oil? Also, what other issues can I expect from a Legacy? I have read about wheel bearings, headlights burning out frequently, and CV boots dying early from the exhaust. Is there more stuff I should know about? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soloz2 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I'm not a long time owner, but I did just replace a wheel bearing on my 06 legacy with 82k. As far as oil consumption goes, vie only had my 06 for about 1.5k and haven't had to add any oil aside from only putting 4qt in when I changed the oil instead of 4.2, so I had to top it off but that's it. I've been checking every few hundred miles. My 98 with 215k doesn't use oil. Current: 16 Crosstrek Premium w/ Eyesight & 05 Outback XT 5MT Past Subies: 14 FXT Premium, 14 WRX hatch, 06 Legacy 2.5i SE 5MT, 98 Outback wagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madjik_Man Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I have a '06 2.5i No oil consumption issues Only issue I had was a faulty heater core (you can look it up by VIN) Other than that the "normal operating" climate control, specifically as it pertains to the defrost/foot setting sucks balls. Oh and no aux input on the stock head unit. Aside from that the car is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shutterbc Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I've had two Subarus, a '98 Impreza and my '05 LGT. On both cars, if I used synthetic (likely a thinner oil than usual) they would drink a little bit of oil. Your Tribeca's situation sounds a bit on the high side (but for better or worse, JUST within most manufacturer thresholds) to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rock2534 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 We have 2 subes in the household, my 07 LGT and the wifes 09 Tribeca, no issues with oil, although the tribeca takes a lot of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Oil usage in a Subaru...what are you nut's Why that never happens. Any stealership sales person will tell you that. Yes a lot of us have engines that enjoy a sip of oil to keep it topped off. I check mine twice a week and top off as needed. Still rock'in the orginal wheel bearings and only had to replace the left front axle because the outter boot split. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Fan Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I have an '06 LGT and my wife drives an '06 Impreza 2.5i.......owned them both from new....oil changes every 5000km (3000 mi)...they NEVER need oil between changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I should may be add, a few us have abused our engines...But until you know your engine. Check the oil twice a week. Do you know the correct way to check the oil in these cars ? It's not that simple. Pull the dip stick out about a inch or two. Walk away from the car for at least 20 minutes, I'll go 8 hours while at work. Then wipe the stick and check the oil. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 Thanks for the insight. The oil consumption our Tribeca had made me a little gunshy about flat engines. I have found out that Subaru now has a kit for the dealer to retrofit the engines in the Tribeca that is supposed to cure the oil consumption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteyjr Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I've had multiple Subies and most of them drank very little oil (including a 6 clyd SVX). My current LGT uses 1/2 to 1 Q every 4 k with Shell Rotella syn oil . Many on this board use it with very favorable oil consumption rates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vr4Legacy Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 74k here, ZERO oil consumption in my turbo LGT. Original wheel bearings, no major mechanical problems at all. I bought mine new and have driven it moderately with the occaisionally back road thrashing. I wouldn't be the least bit concerned about an N/A Legacy Auto intended for daily driving giving any problems, just understand they are not performance beasts, so don't expect a lot of power, just a little pep '07+ have factory AUX in too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.sane Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I have an '06 LGT and my wife drives an '06 Impreza 2.5i.......owned them both from new....oil changes every 5000km (3000 mi)...they NEVER need oil between changes. Exact same situation with my 2007 non-turbo. Oil changes with Pennzoil Platinum and a Quaker State filter (manufactured by Purolator). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubOperator Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 We have 07 Tribeca, bought it new. No oil consumption whatsoever. I'd be very interested to hear dealer's explanation as to why any oil consumption on a NA engine is considered normal. On the other hand, my 05 LGT sips some oil especially when I give it some gas. With turbo engines this is considered rather normal. 2005 LGT Wagon Limited 6 MT RBP Stage 2 - 248K 2007 B9 Tribeca Limited DGM - 258K SOLD - 2005 OB Limited 5 MT Silver - 245K SOLD - 2010 OB 6 MT Silver - 205K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic Marker Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 We have an 07 Tribeca and no issues. Truth be told, I've never even checked. Just had routine maintenance done by the dealer. So far so good. 2011 Volvo S60T6 & 2013 Volvo XC60T6 Polestar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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