Topic: looking at buying 1998-2000 legacy B4...any good?

[J.smith20]

Hi, I've recently been looking at legacy B4's (1998-2000). Ive done a decent amount of research on them and have seen lots of good reviews although my friend told my that its a gamble with the engines blowing but I couldn't find anything online about this. Would a B4 be a good car to buy?? Please help!! Thanks!

[Stehle]

Seems like every turbocharged Subaru is a gamble. Sorry.

[k_habashi]

I would personally stay away from them. Subarus+Twin turbos=Bad

[Subarylgtb]

The older gen twin turbo is more reliable and easier to mod the new ones like the b4 and bh etc finding a replacement fuel pump is a nightmare and the engine is slightly more issue prone. I have a buddy who had one. Get something single turbo

[Cbxj]

Mine seems fine, had it for just over a year now, use to to commute (100km per day) when im around. not terrible on gas. rides really nice, beware if you have big feet- the footwell is pretty small.. (no room for winter boots with the manual). I kinda like the Mona and Murtle turbo characteristics.  Wish mine had cruise, that's the only thing I miss.

[Dcryan]

I imported a 1998 BH5 Legacy GTB wagon last year. Ran excellent for about a 1000kms untill it blew a ringland driving home. No hard driving. No bagging. Nothing. I swapped in an ej205 out of a wrx instead of swapping in another twin turbo motor. The twin turbo setup was a nightmare to work on.

[JonF]

I've had a my99 b4 for a year now.  The motor that was in the car when I got it spun a bearing extremely quickly after I took ownership, but it was potentially my fault; a little high rpm rowdiness likely had something to do with it, however I was still well below rev limiter so its hard to say.  I bought an entire powertrain for it for about 2200 bucks, including the rear diff and the whole nine yards.  This engine has been great, never skipped a beat and gets great fuel milage, doesn't burn oil and barely dirties it in 5000 k.  The car is super comfortable for highway drives which is why I bought it instead of a wrx or sti.  It makes good power and is quite on the highway, smooth on dirt roads, nice interior.  If you want something to drive hard all the time and have solely as a "fun" car I would stick with the wrx or sti, but if you need a daily that can still get rowdy then this is a pretty good option.  Super nice body style on the be5 model if you want something that flies under the radar a bit.

[lagwagon]

My bh5 wagon has been going strong since I got it here. There were certainly problems, but it's a 15 year old car so that was expected. And nothing major has happened in the 35000+km i've put on it.
Like those that replied early, it is a gamble with regards to the engine if it was abused.
That having been said, I love my Legacy. Every time i get in it I smile, even after the 18 months i've had it.
It's more comfortable and feature laden then the 06 STI i had years ago. Its good enough in the power department (i want more, who doesn't). They look great even after 15+ years.

I say take a chance on getting one, just make sure you check out what ever one you buy carefully and ask all the right questions.
If you want a wagon instead of the sedan I have a friend that is selling his (to bring in a newer one) and it has been treated really really well, including being checked out and fixed up by the guys at Lightspeed.