SECOND-HAND SENSE: It's surprising how many people remain unfamiliar with the Subaru name and how many are familiar with it for the wrong reasons.
Although a relatively big and impressive name in the Japanese automobile industry, the company has not had a big profile in this country - except with those whose idea of excitement is a look-alike rally car with massive spoilers tacked on. The brazen Impreza model, however, has little in common with cars like the Legacy estate, which is an excellent and refined car that has achieved considerable status with the more discreet members of the four-wheel-drive brigade.
The Legacy estate is, in short, a car with a great reliability record and is a lovely car to drive. Its greatest limitations, however, are the fact that it does not have a diesel option (even the 2.0-litre version is a thirsty car because of the four wheel drive engineering it ferries about), costs quite a bit and is generally expensive to run.
The version from 2003 on is the best so far. It is nicely styled, although it still doesn't stand out in the crowd, has a very pleasant and impressive interior and has great boot space. It is the kind of car many vets would like to have if it had the more attractive options of a diesel engine and lower running costs.
In the meantime the classier Subaru models tend to attract owners for whom comfort, reliability, space and practicality - rather than costs - are the most important considerations. The 2.0-litre version (there is a bigger 2.5 option but this is even more prohibitive) has 135bhp on tap and is a very smooth car indeed. It will take you, yours and a dog on a long journey in great comfort.
Standard equipment usually includes alloy wheels, metallic paint, electric windows and locking, remote locking and immobiliser, multiple airbags, climate control and a CD player. The car is well thought out and has the appropriate balance between comfort and practicality - for most of this car's life is spent on the road rather than the rough. It is surprisingly rugged on rough terrain, however, and the AWD (all-wheel drive) system will surprise those who use it.
The ride can be a little harsh sometimes but the car feels very well engineered. It is a heavy car because of the undercarriage but there is a secure feeling about it. The Legacy has only been subject to two recalls involving very small numbers of cars that had problems with door handles and brake callipers. Subaru, it should be noted, has very high satisfaction ratings for reliability.
The 2003 EuroNCAP crash tests showed the Legacy to be a very safe car and it achieved a four out of five star rating.
The passenger cell remained intact and the driver's door opened normally after the frontal impact. Child protection was "particularly good" in the tests. A 2003 version with the equipment listed above, 61,000 miles on the clock and a 2.0-litre petrol engine has an asking price of €12,800, while a similar model with 23,000 on the clock has an asking price of €22,950.
FOR: A most discreet four-wheel drive option. Great engineering and space
AGAINST: Expensive to buy and run.