Is this a common sound with Subarus?

[2+2]

Hi,
With my 2 young kids, I have decided to sell my 951S to get something more practical. I am looking at a Legacy GT. I test drove a used one and heard a whinning/whirrling sound during acceleration, especially in 1st and 2nd. It sounded like a bad bearing or a worn gear. It is not the turbo...I can hear that too very faintly. I thought the car was defective. Then I drove a NEW Legacy GT and a NEW WRX at the dealership and both of those had the sound too.

Questions:
1. Is this a typical sound of Subarus? Sales person says it is but sales people typically know less than I do about the cars they sell...:rolleyes: What is the sound coming from? Any problems from the source of this sound?:confused:

2. Also, any problem with the frameless windows?

Please post your answers. I have never driven a Subaru and I dont know what to make of this sound or the windows.

BTW, I really liked the Legacy GT but I wish they would have put in a slightly bigger turbo....it has NO lag but this also kills some of the fun of a turbo charged car.

Thanks.

[KA82]

1. auto or manual?

2. understand a lot of cars that 2-3x the price of a legacy have frameless windows too. so what do you mean problem with frameless windows?

[havanisda]

The only downside about the frameless windows is I don't like the way the VentVisors fit. Other than that I like 'em.

[TSi+WRX]

Framless windows can be a cause of concern if you live/commute in a higher-crime area. It's easier for thieves to gain access, and that's not up for debate.

Similarly, weathersealing can be an issue. Although this is something that has mainly plaged the first few generations of frameless-window cars and are now no longer a concern (i.e. I've never had water - or even moisture, for that matter) ingress issues on the BL/BP Legacys, it's still possible for those who live in areas where winter temperatures dip *really* low to have some concern of "the frozen car door" scenario become more of an issue during, say, ice-storms. Nevertheless, even such problems are rare, and typically will only manifest when OTHERS, WITH FRAMED WINDOWS, are also seeing entry problems. :lol: Everyone loses to Mother Nature. ;)

In terms of high-speed window-"peel away" concerns, I haven't experienced any at all. When driving longer distances, I tend to cruise at 80 to 90 MPH for extended periods, and I've never noticed this to be a problem, even under severe crosswind/unpredictable-windshift situations. I've made a lone run up to the speed-governor, and while window-seals were the last thing I was looking at, I do *NOT* remember an improper/out-of-ratio increase in wind-noise that would have signified such a problem. This, though, was when the car was relatively new.

----

With respect to the whine that you heard, if you're driving a manual stick-shift, gear-whine in first and second gears (as well as reverse) is completely normal. It is a very noticeable trait with the 5MT BL/BP Legacys in lower gears, and is something that most passengers and even bystanders will remark upon. This sound is present even with brand-new, off-the-lot, vehicles, and is a trait of the car.

My best suggestion to judge if this is normal would be to find some local Scooby enthusiasts, and ask for ride-alongs in their tranny-unmodified and exhaust-unmodified (so you can best hear the noise) BL/BP Legacys with the 5-speed manual transmission. This would allow you to cross-compare with the vehicle you're looking to buy. :)

[2+2]

Thanks for your responses guys.

Glad to hear that it is normal. It was a manual 5 speed and yes, now that you mention it, it does sound like manual trannies in reverse of other cars. My concern with the windows is their sealing reliability over time. I would hate it if things leaked every time it rains. I presume I would be able to replace the seals as they get worn. I tend to keep my cars a long time.

I am just a bit nervous because this car is very different from my prior vehicles...
Boxer engine
AWD
Frameless windows
I do like its performance and its understated styling.

What is a "BL/BP" Legacy?
This revised model has been out since late 2004 right? Does that mean a newly revised body is right around the corner? Maybe I should wait a bit to see what is coming down or to get the current model on a fire sale....

[Dookie]

What is a "BL/BP" Legacy?
This revised model has been out since late 2004 right? Does that mean a newly revised body is right around the corner? Maybe I should wait a bit to see what is coming down or to get the current model on a fire sale....

BL - 2005-2009 Sedan body style
BP - 2005-2009 Wagon body style

2008 has a more revised body style in regards to cosmetic features. Future models, so far, will keep the same body style with some more cosmetic changes.

http://www.subaru.jp/as2008/e_car/details/img/ph_details7_01.jpg

[2+2]

That is a sharp looking car...i found a huge 40 pg thread here that seems to indicate that there will not be substantial revisions until 2009 as a 2010 model (probably May 2009). However, the new model is supposed to get bigger..which is not a good thing in my book...I will have to make another visit to a dealer with colors of interest....there are theories that Sti may be be available but I cant afford the specb or Sti models anyways...

[KA82]

keep an eye on the JDM legacy's because USDM is one year behind


so if MY09 JDM Legacy's have something changed, expect that change for the MY10 USDM Legacy's

[SubieChik]

Judging by the changes that all of the other models have undergone......be safe and get the 05-08 :lol:

[havanisda]

U mean 05-06. Did u read the TDC post in the other thread? http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84687
PS: Looks like TDC got the boot from .com.

[KA82]

still a vendor last time i checked.

i think it was TDC mike who changed jobs>?

[havanisda]

Check again. They're not listed on the "Vendors" section and they don't have their own forum section nemore. True, TDC Mike did leave tho.

[TSi+WRX]

^ +1.

I don't notice their Vendor sub-Forum, either.

I wonder what finally caused them to get the boot?

[KA82]

no tuner in house?>

[havanisda]

No I think they have a TDC Jon as their new tuna IIRC. Oh well, I'm still gonna get my map updates from them.

[KA82]

no one local? theres one in CO springs that i will eventually go to. just $$

[havanisda]

Theres an AWD dyno about an hr drive from me but I don't wanna drive 2 hrs and w8 another 2-3 hrs 2 get tuned when I can get a semi-custom map from TDC when I know have a lot of experience tuning LGTs. They're not a common car around here. + its a lot cheaper esp since I'll be doing multiple map changes in the future.

[havanisda]

What r u still stock KA? U have no gallery and no mod list newhere on here right?

[KA82]

stock

some basic mods. no pwer mods.