In New England, I have witnessed the longevity of Subarus in extreme hot & cold. So far, the Legacy has been very reliable. The parts are very durable with the exception of exterior paint & interior painted trim which are thin & scratch easily.
The Legacy has a 5-star crash rating, has all-wheel-drive, and employs ABS and numerous air bags.
I opted for the turbo 2.5L engine and with 250hp and all-wheel-drive, it is very quick.
IMO, the Legacy offers great value. Just around $20,000 will get you a very capable automobile with some nice convenience and/or luxury features.